'01 1.8T avant, 5-speed, factory sport package.

So far I've used APR for the following:

93 octane program
K+N
silicon throttle body air intake
APR turbo back stainless exhaust
snub mounts

that pretty much puts it at stage 2. It's also had the water pump and fuel filter work done, timing belt and a couple other regular maintenance issues.

Only has 50K miles since it was stored for 3 years while I was overseas. Climate-controlled warehouse, started every 1-2 weeks and run. Currently running well, but who doesn't want more power? Still looking to keep it as a well-behaved daily driver.

So, any suggestions? I could always take it to the same guys to go stage 3, but then I'm looking at over 6 grand just for the basics. Not sure how that will affect the clutch and other systems. Front brakes were recently re-built as well.

Any other tuners in the NC area that would know what to do and not make a maintence queen out of this car?

 

Really the next thing you can do is either go BT or 2.0L. It all depends on how much HP you want. If you dont want to go 2.0L or change rods go with the GT2871r elim kit. You will need to redo the tune, maybe have to go with a bigger TIP depending on what size your upgraded one is. And you'll need an FMIC. Or if you have plans to do the rods sometime in the future you can think about what im thinking about doing. Go with the t3/t4 50 trim setup. Think about this though... The Unitronics tune for the BT setup that im thinking of going with is almost 900 bucks...

 

Or you can go with a Ball bearing turbo also.

 

Im thinking a nice set of coil overs and wheels, then fmic and gt28rs turbo setup if you have the money.

 

what does it look like?

I would get handling perfect before going for a ton of power....

what exactly do you plan to do with your car?...if you just want a quick and comfortable car....go for a mild drop and a ko4 with all the boltons....

post pics if you want some input on exterior stuff....gl!

 

Yeah k04 aint a bad idea either. Thats what I'm going to throw in until I can afford to build a VR6-T and swap it in.

 

It really all depends on the amount of money you have. If youve only got say a grand then your not really going to get much for engine mods. If you've got a few grand then yeah, go BT with the supporting mods. Tell us how much money you able to spend and we can help further.

 

a few grand? try 10. if you dont have 10-15 grand dont even think about going 2 liter.

i agree with some suspension upgrades before more power, i started with those myself to get them out of the way. then FMIC and turbo would be next. which turbo depends on what power you want and what you want out of the car.

 

There's actually a lot he can still do w/o going BT or even start thinking about a 2.0 build. Most of the guys that have done or planned a 2.0 build aren't even running. Its a lot more longer process than getting the cash and saying " I want a 2 litre". And a guy on AZ also just blew his motor w/ the t3/t4 so they're not the BEST choice if you don't have upgraded guts. And he would only want an elim. if he wants to retain a stock looking engine bay w/ stock mani.

Sounds like you still need a FMIC, minimum Stage 3 clutch(4 or 5 for peace of mind recommended), suspension, I personally recommend rear sway bar as of last week, and other loose ends. If you want a reliable quick DD, the GTRS is a tried and true package. But we do need more info, like $$$, downtime, power goals, personal mechanical experience.. etc etc

 

FYI - BT (big turbo) atleast in my mind, means gt30 series or bigger. i guess you can include a 2871r in there too, but any of the eliminators or 28rs and smaller are not really "big turbos". they are bigger then a ko3 but thats not saying alot. so you can upgrade your turbo without going "big turbo". most people are not going to be going that big.