I've looked around and searched, but still didn't find a conclusive answer as to what was changed in the 1.8T engine to make it output 170hp instead of the usual 150hp in the 2001 model.

 

Removal of trunk monkey and a 50 shot of NOS.

 

^^haha ya i still got the trunk monkey in mine

but seriously the '01 added variable valve timing, lower compression (9.5:1 to 9.3:1) and increased boost.

 

Thanks, my next question then becomes,

Do those changes create problems when you wanna chip the car/install K04 kits?

 

was that a serious question?

 

No. They don't cause problems.

 

as with anytime your increasing the performance of the car your gona run a risk. the more power it has the less reliable the car tends to be. but with just a chip or k04 very few people have ever had problems. there are the occassional lemons but i doubt you'll see any problems. the k04 is very reliable