VW Golf GTi 1.8 Turbo
Discussion
I had the AGU in '98 A3 1.8T Sport. Great engine with 200 bhp from a REVO remap on the standard K03 turbo (well, 200 bhp was the result on a RR, but it was a genuinely significant performance increase from feel alone, even if 200 bhp was optimistic). The later engines with 180 bhp standard had the K03s and could be tuned higher, but the AGU was a more robust engine. An MOT check says my old A3 is still out there north of 175k miles. KO3s is actually a decent upgrade to these engines (combine that with a FMIC, full exhaust and a stage II remap and 250 bhp is comfortable).
Regarding the dogbone, don't put rock hard bushes in there. That results in a lot of interior vibration at idle. Firmer bushes are all that is needed and make enough improvement.
Mine had a dodgy idle that I never tracked down - I think I changed the MAF, DV valve, various hoses, cleaned the throttle body, coolant temp sensor etc etc. I'm certain it was a vacuum leak or similar but I never found it and it didn't affect the performance or usability.
I also did the TT brake upgrade, well worth it. I also changed the shocks and springs and had Michelin Pilot Sports. The overall package was very effective for a lardy FWD.
Regarding the dogbone, don't put rock hard bushes in there. That results in a lot of interior vibration at idle. Firmer bushes are all that is needed and make enough improvement.
Mine had a dodgy idle that I never tracked down - I think I changed the MAF, DV valve, various hoses, cleaned the throttle body, coolant temp sensor etc etc. I'm certain it was a vacuum leak or similar but I never found it and it didn't affect the performance or usability.
I also did the TT brake upgrade, well worth it. I also changed the shocks and springs and had Michelin Pilot Sports. The overall package was very effective for a lardy FWD.
yellow cento tom said:
Nice tidy motor you have there mate. Keep up the good work.
Thanks mate. Tidy it will be, but its not quite there yet ha.tallpaul26 said:
I had the AGU in '98 A3 1.8T Sport. Great engine with 200 bhp from a REVO remap on the standard K03 turbo (well, 200 bhp was the result on a RR, but it was a genuinely significant performance increase from feel alone, even if 200 bhp was optimistic). The later engines with 180 bhp standard had the K03s and could be tuned higher, but the AGU was a more robust engine. An MOT check says my old A3 is still out there north of 175k miles. KO3s is actually a decent upgrade to these engines (combine that with a FMIC, full exhaust and a stage II remap and 250 bhp is comfortable).
Regarding the dogbone, don't put rock hard bushes in there. That results in a lot of interior vibration at idle. Firmer bushes are all that is needed and make enough improvement.
Mine had a dodgy idle that I never tracked down - I think I changed the MAF, DV valve, various hoses, cleaned the throttle body, coolant temp sensor etc etc. I'm certain it was a vacuum leak or similar but I never found it and it didn't affect the performance or usability.
I also did the TT brake upgrade, well worth it. I also changed the shocks and springs and had Michelin Pilot Sports. The overall package was very effective for a lardy FWD.
KO3s is certainly on my list as it seems to be the lot more simple swap to do although you can pick parts up quite cheap for the ko4 swap these days if you're happy to take 2nd hand parts..Regarding the dogbone, don't put rock hard bushes in there. That results in a lot of interior vibration at idle. Firmer bushes are all that is needed and make enough improvement.
Mine had a dodgy idle that I never tracked down - I think I changed the MAF, DV valve, various hoses, cleaned the throttle body, coolant temp sensor etc etc. I'm certain it was a vacuum leak or similar but I never found it and it didn't affect the performance or usability.
I also did the TT brake upgrade, well worth it. I also changed the shocks and springs and had Michelin Pilot Sports. The overall package was very effective for a lardy FWD.
I'm trying to avoid any performance upgrades engine wise really until I get it running how I am happy with but a map is certainly on the cards but will get the DV, TIP & filter in first and change FPR & DV vacuum hoses and remove some unwated bits.
In regards to my TT brakes think I'm just gonna go brembo disc and pads and see how I get on. The larger upgrade should help out well enough with out going for pads that need to be worked in a lot to get them working well. I have been told I may need 6mm spacers to fit the rear brakes so gonna look in to this now so I can have everything ready.
Update 05/02/2017
Been a bit tied up at work and not been able to get much done. I have been cleaning the interior plastics ready to go in the car, just need to finish the glovebox and couple other plastics this week. I also need to start cleaning the carpet.
As you have seen I have bought front and rear TT caliper set up.
Ideally I wanted the conversion to be done before Belgium trip next month but looking at DIY guides online for the rears, to do it properly you should be changing wheel bearings, backing plates new bolts etc. Quite a lot of money to lay out all at once for me.
But on the back of that, my rear brakes were in dire need of changing so ordered some bits through work and got them changed over like for like.
Went for some Apec discs and pads.
Comparison..
Fitted..
Been a bit tied up at work and not been able to get much done. I have been cleaning the interior plastics ready to go in the car, just need to finish the glovebox and couple other plastics this week. I also need to start cleaning the carpet.
As you have seen I have bought front and rear TT caliper set up.
Ideally I wanted the conversion to be done before Belgium trip next month but looking at DIY guides online for the rears, to do it properly you should be changing wheel bearings, backing plates new bolts etc. Quite a lot of money to lay out all at once for me.
But on the back of that, my rear brakes were in dire need of changing so ordered some bits through work and got them changed over like for like.
Went for some Apec discs and pads.
Comparison..
Fitted..
If you put the s3 size front rotors on, also get the S3 recall air deflectors that go on the bottom arms and help disperse standing water from the discs. You have S2 wheels on, I has a real odd moment in my old s3 on the continent at v high speed in the wet, when prodded the brakes and there was noting at all for a second or two! Turns out there had been a recall on the 8l models to add these deflectors that cure the problem. It certainly never happened again after that, but as i say many don't know about it as it only happens in heavy rain.
I'm liking this progress thread. I actually love the look of these when modified tastefully, as you have done. The dimensions and size seem much more appealing than newer Golfs to me.
Are these really as bad as they are made out to be? Factory power is a bit down, sure, but nothing that a remap, lowering springs/coilovers and a decent set of brakes can't fix.
The VW Golf has never exactly been the most exciting car out there anyway, nor was it meant to be, GTI or not. Looking at it that way, don't get your hopes too high and just enjoy it.
Are these really as bad as they are made out to be? Factory power is a bit down, sure, but nothing that a remap, lowering springs/coilovers and a decent set of brakes can't fix.
The VW Golf has never exactly been the most exciting car out there anyway, nor was it meant to be, GTI or not. Looking at it that way, don't get your hopes too high and just enjoy it.
xjay1337 said:
Looks a lot better bud.
Thanks man!s3fella said:
If you put the s3 size front rotors on, also get the S3 recall air deflectors that go on the bottom arms and help disperse standing water from the discs. You have S2 wheels on, I has a real odd moment in my old s3 on the continent at v high speed in the wet, when prodded the brakes and there was noting at all for a second or two! Turns out there had been a recall on the 8l models to add these deflectors that cure the problem. It certainly never happened again after that, but as i say many don't know about it as it only happens in heavy rain.
Now thats something I will have to look at, never been aware of that myself!Whats the difference between S2 & S3 wheels??
culpz said:
I'm liking this progress thread. I actually love the look of these when modified tastefully, as you have done. The dimensions and size seem much more appealing than newer Golfs to me.
Are these really as bad as they are made out to be? Factory power is a bit down, sure, but nothing that a remap, lowering springs/coilovers and a decent set of brakes can't fix.
The VW Golf has never exactly been the most exciting car out there anyway, nor was it meant to be, GTI or not. Looking at it that way, don't get your hopes too high and just enjoy it.
I have always been a fan of the MK4 although some areas could do with a refresh for sure.Are these really as bad as they are made out to be? Factory power is a bit down, sure, but nothing that a remap, lowering springs/coilovers and a decent set of brakes can't fix.
The VW Golf has never exactly been the most exciting car out there anyway, nor was it meant to be, GTI or not. Looking at it that way, don't get your hopes too high and just enjoy it.
Yeah once you have put some money in to suspension, getting the car running right and a few performance upgrades they can be fun cars. Not expecting big figures by any means.
Update 19/02/2017
So it has been a while since an update.
Last week I started swapping the interior around and front end panels. Been a bit of an experience for sure as it's the first time I have done either of these tasks.
Although I have taken a few photos, these are all phone photos and I didn't take many before photos.
Interior
So as you may have seen, I have cream recaros, door cards, carpets, plastics etc. My plan is to change the majority of this to black except of the seats. So I started purchasing some black plastics and carpets for the swap over.
Removed this lot from underneath the carpet and none of it was connected.
I gently used some magic sponges on the leather interior and it removed some oils and grease from the seats. I still need to go over these with my new Mirror Bright Meguiars leather cleaner / conditioner.
So I still need to swap over my black plastic centre consoles, door cards and seat runner covers and couple other parts which will come shortly. Also you may notice my steering wheel is now ruined. The magic sponges were a bit too coarse for the worn wheel. This will be dealt with later.
Also changed over my blower motor heater resistor, this seems to have solved my issue with the fans working temporarily and seems to have stopped the motor from being noisy.
TPS wanted £114 + VAT for this unit so I got it from GSF on discount for £28 + VAT.
Front End
Some before photos of the front end, albeit a very dirty front end.
Strip down.
HID kit removed and some LED sidelights that were off..
Very dirty behind the arch liners which was all cleaned out.
The only image I have so far of the car back together. I still need to line the bonnet and arches up better and the lower half of the bumper needs clipping in, I couldn't quite get it to line up right. But after a few days of working on the car I just wanted it back on the road.
Car now needs a thorough clean and a machine polish.
Misc
Dogbone polybush swap over.
Vibration on idle is actually minimal, especially in comparison to the amount people seem to complain about it.
I have also been carrying on with my TT Brake Caliper strip down. I have now almost finished my 2nd front caliper strip down, needs a touch more cleaning up.
Lastly, my friend changed over his turbo on his MK4, like for like. Luckily for me he has given me his old K03s turbo. It's in no fit state to just go on my car, but I want to get this turbo sent off for hybrid. More updates on this at a later time.
Will give this a little clean up so its not sitting around coated in oil.
Few more updates soon before I head off to Belgium next month.
So it has been a while since an update.
Last week I started swapping the interior around and front end panels. Been a bit of an experience for sure as it's the first time I have done either of these tasks.
Although I have taken a few photos, these are all phone photos and I didn't take many before photos.
Interior
So as you may have seen, I have cream recaros, door cards, carpets, plastics etc. My plan is to change the majority of this to black except of the seats. So I started purchasing some black plastics and carpets for the swap over.
Removed this lot from underneath the carpet and none of it was connected.
I gently used some magic sponges on the leather interior and it removed some oils and grease from the seats. I still need to go over these with my new Mirror Bright Meguiars leather cleaner / conditioner.
So I still need to swap over my black plastic centre consoles, door cards and seat runner covers and couple other parts which will come shortly. Also you may notice my steering wheel is now ruined. The magic sponges were a bit too coarse for the worn wheel. This will be dealt with later.
Also changed over my blower motor heater resistor, this seems to have solved my issue with the fans working temporarily and seems to have stopped the motor from being noisy.
TPS wanted £114 + VAT for this unit so I got it from GSF on discount for £28 + VAT.
Front End
Some before photos of the front end, albeit a very dirty front end.
Strip down.
HID kit removed and some LED sidelights that were off..
Very dirty behind the arch liners which was all cleaned out.
The only image I have so far of the car back together. I still need to line the bonnet and arches up better and the lower half of the bumper needs clipping in, I couldn't quite get it to line up right. But after a few days of working on the car I just wanted it back on the road.
Car now needs a thorough clean and a machine polish.
Misc
Dogbone polybush swap over.
Vibration on idle is actually minimal, especially in comparison to the amount people seem to complain about it.
I have also been carrying on with my TT Brake Caliper strip down. I have now almost finished my 2nd front caliper strip down, needs a touch more cleaning up.
Lastly, my friend changed over his turbo on his MK4, like for like. Luckily for me he has given me his old K03s turbo. It's in no fit state to just go on my car, but I want to get this turbo sent off for hybrid. More updates on this at a later time.
Will give this a little clean up so its not sitting around coated in oil.
Few more updates soon before I head off to Belgium next month.
Well I'm not taking my car to Belgium anymore, I'm not happy with how its driving and I have just spent a chunk on bike parts to finish my other build off.
Booking my first bike ride today for May, doing a 25 mile ride around Hertfordshire, will start me off nice.
I have lined up some wheels for the Golf, should be on today or tomorrow, updates soon.
Booking my first bike ride today for May, doing a 25 mile ride around Hertfordshire, will start me off nice.
I have lined up some wheels for the Golf, should be on today or tomorrow, updates soon.
xjay1337 said:
Nice work man, nice easy going stuff that takes up a lot of time... taking seats out haha.
Just a lot nicer to be in I guess!
The darker panels have certainly improved the in car feel, just need to get the door cars and speakers done when I have some free time. Then I can tackle headlining and matching parts.Just a lot nicer to be in I guess!
Update - 07/03/2017
Not much going on with the golf right now, this month I knuckled down and finally sorted my bike out as I kept putting it off.
Anyhow I do have an update, the wheels are now changed.
Will be having them refurbished and hopefully changing the centres to VW rather than BBS badges.
One of the wheels has some very sticky brake dust, I assume the car they came off had a seized caliper.
Unlucky for me I ran out of iron x but it started the job well, needs a few more going overs and brushings.
I now feel the urge to actually give the car a machine polish and line up the front panels I swapped over finally.
Heres the bike I've put together... I have signed up for my first organised bike ride in Hertfordshire May 7th, should be fun. Still need to make a couple adjustments on the bike.
Hopefully some car updates soon.
Not much going on with the golf right now, this month I knuckled down and finally sorted my bike out as I kept putting it off.
Anyhow I do have an update, the wheels are now changed.
Will be having them refurbished and hopefully changing the centres to VW rather than BBS badges.
One of the wheels has some very sticky brake dust, I assume the car they came off had a seized caliper.
Unlucky for me I ran out of iron x but it started the job well, needs a few more going overs and brushings.
I now feel the urge to actually give the car a machine polish and line up the front panels I swapped over finally.
Heres the bike I've put together... I have signed up for my first organised bike ride in Hertfordshire May 7th, should be fun. Still need to make a couple adjustments on the bike.
Hopefully some car updates soon.
Have been very quiet on the car front.
I'm half in 2 minds of selling it, it's just not big enough, barely fits the pram in the car and it's a PITA trying to get my bike in if I need to take it anywhere.
That being said even if I am to sell the car there's a few things that need sorting that I just have to sort first of all as I'm not one to sell on a dead car. But I will see how I feel once a few bits are sorted.
I have ordered new front wipers, drop links, inner and out tie rod ends from an independent garage we use at work. I have also ordered a new dipstick from TPS to go with the new tube I recently purchased and I also ordered a fuel flap solenoid. My fuel flap solenoid is permanently open and in a locked position so it cannot close. I will also be ordering some poly bush anti roll bar bushes and see how the car drives then. I need a couple cleaning products, iron x being a key item to remove the rest of the brake dust stuck on one of the wheels.
The heater blower motor is now noisy again after the new resistor so the it is definitely the motor. Annoying but hey ho.
The starter motor is squealing again so not sure what to do with this really.
I need a trip to a breaking car for some black door cards and couple random plastics to finish off the interior. Oh and sort out my worn steering wheel.
Buy a MK4 they said.
I'm half in 2 minds of selling it, it's just not big enough, barely fits the pram in the car and it's a PITA trying to get my bike in if I need to take it anywhere.
That being said even if I am to sell the car there's a few things that need sorting that I just have to sort first of all as I'm not one to sell on a dead car. But I will see how I feel once a few bits are sorted.
I have ordered new front wipers, drop links, inner and out tie rod ends from an independent garage we use at work. I have also ordered a new dipstick from TPS to go with the new tube I recently purchased and I also ordered a fuel flap solenoid. My fuel flap solenoid is permanently open and in a locked position so it cannot close. I will also be ordering some poly bush anti roll bar bushes and see how the car drives then. I need a couple cleaning products, iron x being a key item to remove the rest of the brake dust stuck on one of the wheels.
The heater blower motor is now noisy again after the new resistor so the it is definitely the motor. Annoying but hey ho.
The starter motor is squealing again so not sure what to do with this really.
I need a trip to a breaking car for some black door cards and couple random plastics to finish off the interior. Oh and sort out my worn steering wheel.
Buy a MK4 they said.
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