Been gone a bit but I am back. Anyone miss IndyTom?
After the crappiest Winter on Record and 179 days since the last time we saw 70 degree weather I finally took some pics of my new edition. Well, it's a year old today. Happy Birthday HMMBUG. I just haven't driven it a lot and it's been hibernating for the last 5 months in the Garage. The weekend was great with 75 and 78 degree weather and even some sun. Too bad that didn't last. Today it was 26 degrees and we had some major snow showers. What the HecK. It's been an interesting winter that has been lingering on into spring.
Anyway, I got HMMBUG here for a Great deal last year in April.
It was a Closeout Late Turbo Launch edition which came with the LED/HID headlights, the 19 inch Tornado wheels, Full gauge pod and a few other goodies. Did some upgrades to her since then. APR Carbonio Intake, APR Downpipe, APR Stage II tune, USP Traction Control Button, HPA Core 75a Subframe mount, S3 Short shifter with solid shifter bushings, HSTuning RSR Clutch.
Car runs Great and gets decent gas mileage even with my Lead Foot.
Hope to stick my head in here more often from now on.
Attached are a couple of pictures. Sorry for the quality they are Cell Phone pics and that Cell phone is about 3 years old and not so Smart
The car is running fantastic. The Stage II from I upgrade wasn't as significant as going from stock to Stage I but I still noticed a difference. A bigger difference in performance was the HSTuning RSR clutch. That thing was a major improvement over the mushy stock clutch. The only problem after this upgrade is major Wheel Hop. I have the HPA 75a Dogbone mount coming and will install that this weekend. It is suppose to curb most of the wheel hop. Going to get VWR sport springs installed later this spring. Not going K04 until maybe next year. Funds are a bit tight and we are moving to Florida this Fall so I can't make any unnecessary purchases this year
I'm going to try to tackle my subframe insert tomorrow since I'm off... I would recommend that you pick up the rear bushing from ECS Tuning while you're at it. It was about $30
With those two parts combined it is the same thing as getting a full on subframe mount just using stock metal parts.
If I end up installing it tomorrow I'll let you know how it goes.
I hope to go to stage II soon and would LOVE to go K04 but don't see that happening anytime soon.
I went with Spulen brand from USP Motorsports since I got my tune and boost pipes from them. Actually got most of it during their Christmas sale this past year. Speaking of their boost pipes, what a difference that made!! If you wait for them to go on sale again, you can save about $80 off retail. I'm waiting for their next sale to get the traction control button because they drop it to $80 rather than $109. OEM / Performance Parts for VW, Audi, and Porsche Vehicles- USP Motorsports
The boost pipes are the two pipes that go from the turbo to the intercooler and from the intercooler to the throttle body. The biggest improvement though was from the pipe going from the turbo to intercooler as VW really smashes it down to clear the pulleys. You can see more pictures and details either on their site link above or I have some install pics in my build thread. It's about page 6-8 I think
I plan on starting the install here shortly. Just have to go make sure I have a 22mm socket first as I learned from watching some YouTube videos last night. If you've never done one (like me!) the those videos were really helpful. Also USP and ECS Tuning both have videos on their site but only show the majority of the install
Thanks for the GREAT info. I do have the USP Traction control switch and it makes a huge difference in take off. Actually too much of a difference because of uncontrollable wheel hop. I have the HPA mount coming and will install it as soon as it gets here. This one replaces the entire lower mount and I need to cut and remove the stock mount. Most people that installed it said the hardest part was getting the old one out. I will probably use a few cuss words before that thing is installed I think you actually need a 21mm socket and not a 22mm socket to get the bolt out from the lower dogbone mount. I read it somewhere where they said it's not a 22mm but a 21mm. I guess I will find out once I get underneath there.
Did you have any trouble fitting those charge pipes? I was thinking of putting those on as well but wasn't sure if I could do it on my own or if it was even worth the trouble. Besides the visual difference which of course suggests better airflow did you actually "Feel" the difference in performance?
If so I will also invest in the charge pipes and get those on there once the weather starts cooperating. Today is actually very nice out. Sunny and 54 degrees. Beets 18 degrees we had yesterday morning. ;-)
Thanks again for your suggestions and help.
Yes you are correct it is a 21mm bolt to remove the factory but they replace it with a 22mm bolt when using the red urethane insert like I have.
The part you purchased sounds alot like the VW Racing version. Supposed to be much better than just the insert itself. While you have it apart really consider that Dogbone bushing from ECS. You will have to have a shop press it out and in but other than that was really not any extra work.
I noticed a big reduction in wheel hop and wheel spin but there was a lot of vibration added at idle. Once you start moving its not noticeable. I hear it dies down close to normal after it breaks in which can take a few hundred miles... Hopefully so or I'm taking it back out! I'll have to leave the dogbone bushing though.
The HPA hockey puck is suppose to be fairly low on added vibration. I hope it is anyway since I really don't like a lot of added vibration in the cabin. But anytime you tighten things up and gain one advantage you also make it less comfortable. It's somewhat of a trade off. Did you go with the Spulen Red insert or the more ridged one? At least with your option you can reverse it. With the HPA option you are pretty much stuck since you have to destroy the lower mount in order to replace it with the HPA 75a core mount. Most of the reviews I have seen were pretty positive. Sure at idle and reverse there will be added feedback since the Poly is a lot stiffer than the stock unit and therefore send those vibrations through the cabin. I just hope it will not be too unbearable. We shall see. I think the rear bushing would actually make things worse so I am staying away from it for now. Just hopeful that wheelhop will be reduced with minimal discomfort