[putoline]

I recently (Aug 2004)purchased a 3-dr, red, 2.8 v6 4motion. Paid ?9k, and am well happy with it. My bro is a Scooby fan, he owns a UK STI 265bhp, but i didn't want same as everyone else, plumped for the Golf and am well glad i did.

Question is this, i wanted an AMD re-map, but couldn't be botherd to go down south for it so i got a guy from Bluefin/Superchips to turn up to my work in a mobile van and chip the motor. I gotta say, it goes well now, cost was ?280 all in, no day off work and no petrol costs! It pulls cleaner and harder right the way through, response is crisper and red line is up an extra 500 RPM. Nice one. Trouble is the petrol consumption has dropped by about 5mpg on runs round town and 3mpg on long runs. Would this have happened on an AMD re-map also? I heard that if i now fit an ECOTEK valve that i will get a small BHP increase and also more efficient MPG, is this true, and are they compatible with 2.8 V6 4mo's?

Last, question: Other than the chip, i've also fitted a K&N panel filter, no problems there. The thing is....i want more BHP!!! An AMD superchharger kit, at ?5k, seems a bit O.T.T. And i don't think that ?500 on a Miltek is going to do much BHP wise. Has anyone else got a list of performance mods available for the 4mo? Or a list of contacts for such items? Seems the 1.8T boys have got all the luck when it comes to tuning. (No 4WD tho!) If anyone can point me in the right direction for more BHP i'd really appreciate it.

PS - Just picked up my Eibach springs today, gonna have them fitted at weekend and say goodbye to the wallow and roll!

PPS - Anyone got a cheap set of 18's for sale?

 

[andymac]

Putoline,

Bin the K+N filter it will do no good in fact the oil in it has been known to damage your mass air flow sensor, in fact this is what has probably degraded your MPG. You need to do a search on here for k&n maf.

You really need to get the AMD remap done the superchips one is a generic map for most v6 4mo's that just tells the injectors to pump more fuel and let more air in. the amd map is custom made on a rolling road to provide the optimum fuel/air ratio for your car and its engine. Some guys on here have gotten upto 27 bhp alone from an amd remap aswell as improved your mpg (as a cheaper alternative get a Rolling Road session done to double check the BHP)

Suspension wise before you goto the expensive of having springs fitted do a search on R32 anti roll bars and get a set of these as they are only about 100 to 150 quid and from what Ive heard it makes a bigger difference than anything else. Its worth the expense whilst it in bits for the springs getting them fitted at the same time.

As for wheels look here PS on page 2 is my 4mot with the wheels fitted

http://www.uk-mkivs.net/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=39263

 

[putoline]

poo poo!

Chip: I've already had the superchips version done, so i'm not shelling out another ?350 to have the AMD one done. The guy at superchips said it will have put a 10% increase on my BHP and torque, so that's worth an extra 20BHP. And i gotta say, it really does go a lot better now, like i said cleaner and stronger pulling throuought and an extra 500 RPM.

Plus i emailed AMD first to get their advice, no one ever got back to me. In order to get the right advice i followed up with a phone call, a lady answered and told me the bloke i needed to speak to was out at lunch and would call me back (she took my number etc). Anyway, he never phoned me back either. It's a long way from Harrogate down to AMD and if they can't be bothered to answer my emails or return my phone calls, i'm sure i won't be putting my money into thier pockets. The guy from Superchips was spot on and did the work in no time.

K&N: I din't put the K&N on until a week after i'd done the superchip, the MPG was alreday down before the filter. I had no idea a K&N would knacker up the MAF, it's been in 2-weeks now and no problems so far. How would i know if the MAF was knackered, what are the signs? Should i definately ditch the K&N?

And damn it all, i've already paid for and picked up the springs, so i'm too late on the ARB's as well.

My first post on the site and turns out i've made all the wrong moves already! Any more good news?

;o)

Got any info on the ECOTEK valve for a 2.8 V6?

 

[andymac]

No dont worry about the springs they are a good mod BUT too SAVE you money I would get the koni dampers and ARB's and have them fitted all at once (so you are not paying to have the suspension stripped twice) PS the car should have a full alignment after having any suspension changed.

The problem with the K&N is it has oil in it and the oil can burn onto the maf's hotwire, trust me, if not search the forum it is well documented. PS the standard paper filter is fitted to the r32 and so should have plenty of flow for an engine with 400cc less just change it frequently.

How does the superchip guy know it has given you 20% more power did he rolling road it? TBH I would fight for some money back of them (due to degraded fuel consumption) and get the AMD map, Im from Liverpool and know what a trek it is but it will be my next MOD do a search here and a bit of reading and you will see how successfull they have been with 4motion and r32 remaps.

The differnce between the 2 remaps is like comparing a one size fits all Burton suit to a custom tailored Saville Row suit, the amd map is for your car and no other.

 

[andymac]

Ecoteks are a myth, seriously do you think if manufacturers could add a simple valve like that to the fuel/breather system and it would give them better MPG and performance figures they wouldnt be incorporating them as standard? Let alone the claims that they lower emmissions, if they did lower emmissions then surely they would become a mandatory fitment as say catalytic converters did to all new cars?

 

[Mikedav]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Superchips map mate, don't belief the hype. Superchips are one of the oldest and most experienced names in the business and you would certainly gain little or nothing from an AMD map at this stage.

Unfortunately you are limited for tuning options without big bucks - it is the way of the VR. The exhaust will be a good investment, the air filter less so; opinions vary but many seem to think the stock air box does a fine job. Other than that its superchargers (290BHP ish) or turbos (440BHP ish) but both are big money...I think new cams will be a logical progression in the future as it was the next step for the 12vs, but there is nothing out there for 24vs yet.

 

[GaryM]

Quote: posted by Mikedav on 21/09/2004 16:39:23

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Superchips map mate, don't belief the hype. Superchips are one of the oldest and most experienced names in the business and you would certainly gain little or nothing from an AMD map at this stage.

I totally agree and with some of the stories from AMD of late I would be inclined to say you chose the safer option.

 

[putoline]

Cheers for all the input fellas.

So to cover the responses:

It seems the springs are a good start, but i might need ARB's also later. Fortunately my mate does all the work at v.good prices, the garage he's at also does laser alignment, so he's fitting the springs and doing the laser set up all for only ?60.

My choice in Superchips was reasonable (disputable whether the best or not, but reasonable never the less) and has given the car a very good power boost. It moves when i drop the hammer, i don't need a rolling road to tell me that.

And the ECOTEK valave is apparently a load of old chud?

So with my tuning options now limited to a super/turbo charger, which i can't afford, the only question left is:

Does the K&N make a difference or just knck the MAF? If it does just kill the MAF, how would i know? I'm not even sure exactly where the MAF is, what it looks like or how to clean/check it.

Any suggestions peeps?

 

[Andy_Ran]

Well at the moment i am in the process of creating a Turbo Conversion for The MK4 4 Mo's

Aiming for 430++BHP and loads toqure!

Should be awesome when i get it finished!

 

[putoline]

OK, you've got my attention.

More info on the conversion please!

 

[MarkReading]

I've been very happy with my 4Mo since I got it a year ago now.

Been AmD'd, plus other small mods and still very impressed with the whole car. Never had a Golf until now so overall its good. MPG hasnt droppped in my mind since the remap unless I want a huge smile on my face when i press the loud peddle []

Cant complain anywhere yet so more happy miles for me.....

 

[putoline]

Just trawling through my old posts now that i'm a Golf owner again......8 years since i let my V6 4Mo-go! Regret selling it as its the only car i've ever had that was 'just the way i want it'.

Oh well....a turbo owner now (for the 1st time) and got the Golf bug again! lol Good times ;o)

 

[JazSeven]

i bet you miss the noise when you stick your foot down [] i know that's the main reason i'm hangin' onto my v5 []

still i guess with the gti you've got a more tuneable engine!

 

[Super-reed]

Just read your first post, bet it takes you back. Im enjoying the v6 but it is quite bouncy, it's comfortable but when your pressing on, on a nice a road it feels like t gets a bit overwhelmed suspension wise. I dont just want springs as I don't really want it lowered. I'm intrigued by the r32 arbs though. Are they a direct replacement to mine? Oh and where is the EGR as I think it needs a clean. Cheers

 

[5pot]

Just read your first post, bet it takes you back. Im enjoying the v6 but it is quite bouncy, it's comfortable but when your pressing on, on a nice a road it feels like t gets a bit overwhelmed suspension wise. I dont just want springs as I don't really want it lowered. I'm intrigued by the r32 arbs though. Are they a direct replacement to mine? Oh and where is the EGR as I think it needs a clean. Cheers

Just picked up my 4mo on Saturday. agree 100% with you about the suspension. Its got the engine punch that is fantastic when comming out of roundabouts onto a roads but the suspension is really sloppy. I was toying with the notion of putting R32 roll bars on and upgrading to R32 shock or shocks from a TT. Let me know what results you get.

 

[putoline]

Same here.....hated the wallow round corners, so fitted the Eibach Pro springs and a set of 18" RS4 Alloys, and it was brilliant......after that i would litteraly throw it round corners and it was great. See thread here, there is also a link to pics so you can see how it looked on the springs/alloys: http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/22728.aspx just sits nicely, not 'chav lowered'. ;o)

 

[putoline]

Pics: http://drunkmunkey3.tripod.com/

 

[RACK]

I've got r32 shocks and springs on mine and it totally changes the car. Makes it far better

 

[5pot]

Pics: http://drunkmunkey3.tripod.com/

Putoline.....thats 4motion porn!. That car looks great. If it handles as well as you say with stock shocks and roll bars but just upgrade the springs I may do that. Have a budget for this car. My Golf V5 has Koni shocks and Koni springs fitted but just don't want to spend that kind of cash on this car. I was looking for a 35mm drop and santa monica alloys but those pictures of yours may have changed my mind. Now contemplating the RS4 alloys and colour coding my valances. Took a snap of her yesterday after the rain. basically i'm working from a blank canvass as she is totally stock.

I think I would like to change the heated leather for cloth recaro though.

 

[King_antz]

I have had an AMD custom non resonated exhaust fitted by them and it has made a masice difference to my 4mo! Also have a Simota airfilter and I am happy with the performance so far.

I asked AMD about next upgrades and was said to get a remap 30+bhp...

And then the cams...

Also have a sports cat that can be done but Miltek is the only one that does one and it is pricy...

And a custom built manifold...

For more torque a upgrade clutch plate