Stage 2 or K04 conversion?

[th3_f15t]

Thinking about the future of my GTI, and started pondering about the different options I have of increasing power. I currently run a stage 1+ standard GTI (265bhp) but would ultimately love 280-300bhp. I'm aware that the K03 turbo's limit is about 280bhp but this would just about satisfy my need for power.

So I've been totting up the costs of going stage 2/2+ and then looked at some people who's just converted a standard GTI to run a K04, now both seem to me to end up producing the 280-300bhp margin. My question is which would you guys personally do? Keep the punchy little K03 and max it out, or go for a K04 (effectively making a stage 1+ ED30 engine, not factoring internals).

I think both would end up costing about £2K all in? Could be wrong...

[mvb12]

KO4 = reliable 340+ BHP
No stage one KO3 map gives you 265 BHP.

[th3_f15t]

Forgot that the AmD rollers over shoot figures! My print out shows 200bhp stock and 266bhp after all the bits were bolted on and remapped.

I was thinking K04 as a first increase in performance, as then stage 2+ that (effective a stage 2+ ED30) will net really good and strong performance but in the mean time 300bhp is achievable on a K04 with just a few bolt ons and decent map (if I'm correct?).

[mvb12]

Forgot that the AmD rollers over shoot figures! My print out shows 200bhp stock and 266bhp after all the bits were bolted on and remapped.

I was thinking K04 as a first increase in performance, as then stage 2+ that (effective a stage 2+ ED30) will net really good and strong performance but in the mean time 300bhp is achievable on a K04 with just a few bolt ons and decent map (if I'm correct?).

stage one map on KO4 will give you 300-315 bhp.

if your KO4ing your gti you might aswell just go stage3 which is effectively a stage 2+ ed from the beginning as you will do it anyway.

[th3_f15t]

I didn't want to say that, but then we come to a problem...

Do I add an intake, inter cooler, exhaust and a few other stage 2 bits before going for the APR Stage 3 kit? The APR kit has the HPFP, turbo and software so wouldn't need to run those on a K03 before making the leap. This is where my problem comes from, as a plain K04 conversion would provide 300bhp reliably without additional mods.

I'm all for stage 3 but that's entering the realms of tuning I'm not ready for.  (Scared)

[mvb12]

what I mean is if your gti is already KO3 stage 2+ then putting a KO4 turbo on would be classed as a stage 3 tune for a GTI.

if you already have a KO4 (ed30 s3) and you put on all the extras to go stage2+ then the ed/s3 with the extras and a GTI with KO4 turbo will be running the same power.

difference is that the S3/ED30 have stronger internals.

if your not into track and all that jazz then a bigger turbo than KO4 in my eyes would be pointless.

[th3_f15t]

What's the internals of a GTI K03 engine rated to? Also a manual gearbox?

[greygti]

What's the internals of a GTI K03 engine rated to? Also a manual gearbox?

I would say safe to 350 bhp provided the engine is fit the bolts on are good, and the map is spot on I.e R-tech or revo etc

[TommyR]

K04

[th3_f15t]

f*ck it, going to buy an S3 engine, re-build it and bolt a Stage 3+ kit on for good measure...

*checks online banking for funds*

 

Anyone got some money to lend me?

[bacillus]

Anyone got some money to lend me?

Wonga or Amigo could help you out...   

[th3_f15t]

I've heard they have great interest rates...

[MC71]

f*ck it, going to buy an S3 engine, re-build it and bolt a Stage 3+ kit on for good measure...

*checks online banking for funds*

 

Anyone got some money to lend me?

Confused, so your now going to buy a K04 lump and also put a BT on that? What do you mean by Stage 3+?  What's your aim?

Surly it'd be cheaper to buy an DSG Eddy and put a BT and supporting mods on that. If you currently have a manual you'll be needing a big arse clutch kit for a stage 3 K04 on top of everything else.

[bacillus]

I think his post was meant to be sarcastic...

[th3_f15t]

I think his post was meant to be sarcastic...

I wish I wasn't being sarcastic...

Anyway, I thought the Satge 3+ was the GTX turbo? Going to go look at the APR website now and get even more depressed.