The mods are starting...

[KatanaGTI]

Finally, I'm starting to mod the VW. I've only had it for a month but I can't stand driving it stock! I went a little nuts ordering stuff the other day, but by the end of the week hopefully I'll have Eibach Sportline springs, 17" HP Racing Hurricane's, ATP 3" downpipe w/ dump tube (from Tyler) and a Greddy exhaust all installed.
I decided to wait on the chip for another 5 thousand miles until the warranty runs out. I guess it's really not worth the hassle with the dealership. The car's had enough problems as it is.

And I just wanna say that Erlich VW in Greeley really helped me out. All those problems I had with the car sticking in 1st, loosing 2nd, 3rd, and 4th at once, and then loosing first got me an entirely new clutch assembly and shift linkage, even though the clutch is not under warranty. I didn't expect them to help out some kid but they decided to write it all off just to be nice.

Does anyone know what octane stages the APR chip possibly has. I know of the 91 and 93 stages, but I was wondering how high the levels went. A truck stop here in Greeley has 113 Octane gas for less than $3.50/gallon. I wouldn't think about a stage that high, but do they have a 104 Octane program?

Thanks

[john]

113(?) octane is WAY overkill for the 1.8t. You could probably burn 104, but that'd probably be overkill as well. Unless you are running 25+psi worth of flow from a fairly substantial turbocharger.

The 100 octane program would be good, I'd think, if you have access to 100/101 racegas.

Remember that octane is "nothing but" a burn inhibitor. Too much will impact performance in a negative way.

If you are running good boost and you know (for sure) that the car is knocking & subsequently pulling timing out, then more octane will probably help. To a point...

[exciv2000]

I thought mastakilla was getting the dumptube/downpipe?

[KatanaGTI]

exciv-Tyler called me last night and I guess all Brandon got was the chip. I'd already ordered the exhaust so all I'm getting is the dp.

John-yeah, I just thought about that. I saw it at the gas station and got excited. I was thinking that a higher octane would simply secure that I was at the recommended octane level. I've been kinda worried about the gas not mixing enough before I switch it into race mode so I thought that a higher octane would help secure that. I don't want to put in 100 octane gas, switch it to 100 octane mode and then find out the hard way that I had lower level because it mixed with who-knows-how-much regular gas that was still in the tank.

Point taken, though. How do you guys with race gas modes secure that your octane level is safe before switching modes? You can never really tell how much is left in the tank even when the fuel light is on...

[02GTI1.8t]

i run on the race program at the track (100 octane) I usually have a bit of 91 left in the tank so I get about 5 gallons of 104 and the car is fine. no knocking. just a nice bump in power. 113 is overkill

[KatanaGTI]

Thanks. What are the suggested hp/torque specs for the 100 octane program?

[200sr20]

When exactly are you getting all the parts installed?

[KatanaGTI]

Hopefully today. If not all, Saturday morning. Wanna help?

[02GTI1.8t]

Originally posted by KatanaGTI
Thanks. What are the suggested hp/torque specs for the 100 octane program?
im not totally sure. APR claims 215 crank hp for the 93 program. Its a noticeable difference from the 91 program i have to the race progam, i would guess around 225 crank hp with 250 ft-lbs of tq.
the dump tube and downpipe will make a big difference also. I cant wait to get mine on. Im guessing with the mods you will have you should run mid to low 14's with a good launch

[200sr20]

Hell yes I want to help. definatly let me know whats up with the situation.

[KatanaGTI]

Yesterday was one hell of a disappointing day. First, I find out that the rims I ordered are on back order until the new year. Then, my exhaust that should have been in will take another week and a half. After that, removing the dp from Tyler's car ended up being a huge pain in the ass. 2 of the 4 bolts connecting the dp to the turbo snapped. So after a few hours of fucking with it, finally we were able to throw on the stock dp with 3 bolts holding it on. It's just lucky we were at an Audi dealership so there were the extra bolts sitting around.

Needless to say, the mods were not started. That's fine, though because it's all gonna happen soon and there's no real rush until the racing season starts.

Mike:-answer your damn phone!

[Brian]

ALWAYS use penetrating oil on the sownpipe bolts. I found out the hard way by snapping one of mine.

[BoraTurbo]

how did you fix the stud? or did you?

[Brian]

I didn't yet. I ended up using some liquid gasket on the flange and holding it with the other 3 bolts. I ahve an extractor though so sometime this winter i'll frobably drill and extract it and try to get a new stud.

[KatanaGTI]

It's fun!!! Good luck.

[BoraTurbo]

good luck man. i took 4-5 hours w/ a cerified vw/audi machanic doing it w/a lift and all the right tools. He said it was one of the hardest things he's ever done to a car. If i were you, i would forget about it cause you will have a new manifold with your atp stg III.