MK5 Golf GTI - Tuning with budget £800-£1000

[Xander.Asghar]

Hi all,

I just wanted some information on the most effective performance upgrades I could purchase for up to a £1000 budget.

It's the first time I have modded a car and I know the basics, for example; stage 1 remap, air filter, exhaust, intercooler, etc.

I would just like some advise on brands for these parts and any other information would be much appreciated!

Thanks

[AJB88]

Stage 1 file will be the cheapest option and doesn't actually require anymore hardware!

other than that you can add an intake, EVOMS or REVO are best flowing for TFSI engines.

Stuff like Downpipe, Cat-Back, HPFP etc are all for stage 2 but will blow your £1000 budget.

[Dr G]

For me with a grand a map would be seriously tempting (250-60 HP area) and with the change I'd ensure that in terms of suspension and alignment it was absolutely spot on. At ~10 years old you may find a fair few bits underneath are worn/soft/perished so not performing as they once did. Rather than chasing every last scrap of power (that you'll mostly end up turning into tyre smoke) I'd then invest in premium performance tyres.

[AJB88]

Yeh I agree on the above.

[thebraketester]

Manual? Just keep in mind that a remap will almost certainly kill your clutch at some point down the line, especially if you drive hard. New clutch is best part of 1000

[samnorthy]

Just done this with my MK GTI, I can fully recommend the following mods:

Anti lift kit - helps loads with traction
Up-rated rear anti roll bar - helps front end grip as well as making the rear a little more mobile
S3, Golf R brake calipers, discs, pads - car stops very well now, paid 200 quid for calipers.


Haven't bothered with a re-map yet, will do when I get time

[I-A]

I'd go with - sports cat/decat, intercooler, induction kit and remap.

Having said that, I would also want to upgrade stopping power too.

[Andy OH]

I-A said:

I'd go with - sports cat/decat, intercooler, induction kit and remap.

Having said that, I would also want to upgrade stopping power too.

That would be well in excess of £1,000. I know as I have done this to a mk6 GTi.

OP, Stage 1 remap which will add 50-60 bhp and a good slug of torque. A stiffer rear anti roll bar helps with the understeer. You don't need bigger brakes with such a small hike in power. You may have change out of £1,000 for a cold air intake which will help.

[SuperchargedVR6]

I'd spend the money on the chassis personally. VW Racing line spring/damper kit improves both the ride quality and the handling @ <£600. Then the rest on replacing worn bushes as said above.

[seadragon]

I am hardly an expert, but from my own experience the first option would be a stage 1 map and then some decent tyres. Then induction kit etc etc etc when finances allow.

I changed the standard tyres on my R to some better ones and even I felt a noticeable difference in handling. It sounds silly but the car even feels livelier and quicker and more grippy around corners, ie. more fun.

We all have our views and mostly we would never agree, but the above are my 2p worth of input. TBF you could spend loads, but for best gain for your initial budget, I would go for the 2 in that order.

[Crackie]

Xander.Asghar said:

Hi all,

I just wanted some information on the most effective performance upgrades I could purchase for up to a £1000 budget.

It's the first time I have modded a car and I know the basics, for example; stage 1 remap, air filter, exhaust, intercooler, etc.

I would just like some advise on brands for these parts and any other information would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Have a search for Golf GTI Morego 250 ( BBR ) http://www.bbrgti.com/uncategorized/morego-mk5-vw-...

Every review / test I've seen is very complementary about how well developed the 250 c0nversion package is.

[AJB88]

You can achieve similar results by bolting on a downpipe, air intake, suspension and going to R-Tech for mapping (R-Tech are 1.8T and 2.0TFSI Specialists)