Turbo S Laundry List

[Palmettoguy]

Ok, as some of you know, I'm getting a 2002 Turbo S soon.
I'm looking at mods that I can do to increase performance,
Below is my list.
If something looks strange, makes no sense, or just plain not needed, PLEASE tell me.
Also, if you know where I can get the parts cheaper PLEASE tell me

APR tune $500
Silicone Induction Hose $168.80
Samco Kit - Intercooler Hoses $176.31
Turbo Air Intake Pipe : Neuspeed $259.95
Megan Performance Downpipe 2.5" $169.90
Megan Performance Cat Back 2.5" $284.99

Thanks in advance for any input

[VDub Dan-O]

What's your budget?
Have you considered a FrankenTurbo? $1100 gets you 240ish WHP and gobs of torque, after software tuning of course.
Comes with a high flow manifold and silicone TIP already.(along with other parts)

The stock air box flows well, no need to upgrade.
Malone tuning has a special going on for tunes, way less than APR.
I have a Unitrinic Stage 2+ with my FT.
I bought a 3" turbo back system for $250 or so.
The systems can be purchased on eBay for low dough.

[Tico4Life]

240 WHP...

[VDub Dan-O]

Yup, it's a good time.
My car is a fun go cart with torque.

[Palmettoguy]

240 WHP for 1,100...Tell me more.
I've got a budget of let's say 1,500.

I thought that if you went over 220 whp, you had to upgrade pistons, injectors, etc...thoughtI read that somewhere...I can obviously be wrong though considering I dont know squat about turbos

I was gonna shave the airbox...Free
Remove snow box...Free

[VDub Dan-O]

http://www.frankenturbo.com/new/F4T.html
You will need a bit more like a ECU re-flash that you were going to buy anyway, a MAF housing and injectors both of which can be purchased used for low dough.
Malone tuning is having a special, Google Malone Tuning or check out the Vortex, there's 3 gajillion page thread on the FrankenTurbo and Doug Harper (Mr. FrankenTurbo) is looking for a good tester to get on board with Malone.

300HP is the threshold for the stock rods.

[VDub Dan-O]

I forgot to add that there's someone selling a take-off 4000 mile FrankenTurbo kit WITH injectors, extra bolt down coils and a manual boost controller.
All you would need is a fresh set of exhaust gaskets and the tuning (maybe a MAF housing depending on who does your re-flash)

[Wingnut_rb]

You can push the internals to around 400 hp before you need to need to get different rods and such (IF you aren't over boosting!)

[Palmettoguy]

Hmmm. So, basically, everything I initally listed will get me 220hp, correct? And in order to get an extra 20hp, I would need MAF housing, bigger injectors, new fpr, high pressure fuel pump...

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by VDub Dan-O

I forgot to add that there's someone selling a take-off 4000 mile FrankenTurbo kit WITH injectors, extra bolt down coils and a manual boost controller.
All you would need is a fresh set of exhaust gaskets and the tuning (maybe a MAF housing depending on who does your re-flash)

Do you have a link?
I appreciate everyones help and comments!

[Wingnut_rb]

Don't forget gauges....it's always nice to know what's going on before the idiot lights tell you it's too late!

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by Wingnut_rb

Don't forget gauges....it's always nice to know what's going on before the idiot lights tell you it's too late!

Gauges? Didn't think about those...

[Tico4Life]

There goes the tax return

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by J.Arce

There goes the tax return

Lol...I used that to buy the car
I'm using NEXT years return to do this years upgrade...shhhh, don't tell the wifey.

[Tico4Life]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

Lol...I used that to buy the car
I'm using NEXT years return to do this years upgrade...shhhh, don't tell the wifey.

I'll be glad to pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today!
I thought I was the only one that did stuff like that, oh poor wives, the stuff they have to put up with. And on top of that we think we get away with it everytime guess we haven't grown up all that much.

Ok that's it, that was the last of my off topic comments on this thread, go on

[vwgary]

Originally Posted by Palmettoguy

Gauges? Didn't think about those...

Ummm, bigger brakes?

[Palmettoguy]

Originally Posted by J.Arce

Ok that's it, that was the last of my off topic comments on this thread, go on

Lol...

Ok, done some more research. I think I'll wait until the turbo that's already in the car goes bad before I replace with a Franken Turbo Kit.

That being said, I think Stage 1.5 is what I'm going after. How about this:
Malone Tuning Stage 1.5 $449
Silicone Induction Hose $168.80
Samco Kit - Intercooler Hoses $176.31
Turbo Air Intake Pipe : Neuspeed $259.95
Megan Performance Downpipe 2.5" $169.90
Megan Performance Cat Back 2.5" $284.99
Shave the airbox...Free
Remove the snow box...Free

Seems like all the above mods will get me 240whp for 1,500 bucks.

[VDub Dan-O]

If you get a boost controller, you will make 240 Crank HP, maybe, but the turbo of yours won't last long if you're pushing the boost levels needed to make that level of power all the time. Plus, at that power level you're tickling a little too close to static injector duty and that means lean which means motor melt down.
For comparative reference, those figure posted on the site are crankshaft power ratings.

I'm talking 245HP at the wheels not at the crankshaft--> Big difference.
The FrankenTurbo happily will support 22 pounds of boost just about all the way to redline. A K03S like the stock turbo S unit you have, will fail to provide.

X2 on the boost gauge. That's a must have once you get a tune!

The FrankenTurbo kit I posted includes a silicone TIP and other supporting go fast parts.
I would highly suggest going over to the Vortex and read read read. There is much technical knowledge there to be had.
This is more of a hobbyist site, Vortex is more tech.
Beware though, there are lots of A-Holes there, (see my signature) so I highly suggest searching and reading.
Come here for the feel good experience of owning a Bug, go to the Vortex for technical knowledge.

BTW, there's no way in hell that stock rods will take 400HP. Wingnut, that's just wrong information.
To achieve 400HP you'd have to be (over)boosting well past stock levels with a big turbo (GT28, T3,ect..)
A K03/K04 framed turbo would be dead at those levels. In reality, a K03/K04 just can't ever move enough air to make 400HP.
The stock crank is very comfortable at 400HP, the rods will be waving at you through the hole in the block they made at the 400HP level though.

If you go with a silicone TIP, you won't need the metal inlet pipe. the TIP replaces the restricted metal inlet tube and the upper hose that goes to the airbox all on one piece.

The silicone hose kit offers no performance gains and could be done more later than sooner.

You can get a full turbo back system (meaning downpipe, and full exhaust) for $200 on ebay. Polished stainless too! I had a 2.5" system on my 2001 and now have a 3" on my FrankenTurbo 2002 Turbo S.

[VDub Dan-O]

Originally Posted by vwgary

Ummm, bigger brakes?

Oh yeah, forgot about that.

TT front caliper brackets and new rotors will give you the ability to stop on a dime and get $.08 change.

Look for GTI anniversary front brackets and/or calipers.
Our calipers are the same, it's the bracket that moves the caliper out more to allow for a larger rotor.
The anniversary calipers are powder coated sexy red.
No need to upgrade the rears, other than for the red powder coating sexiness, but for that matter red caliper paint does the job nicely. I upgraded my front brakes and painted the rears to match.

[Palmettoguy]

Dan-O,
Thank you VERY MUCH for the help and information...
The world of turbos is very big and strange to me, so I will certainly start reading more and more.
That being said, I will first install a boost gauge, bigger brakes, and 3" turbo back.
After spending some time driving the car, getting to know her, reading, and doing the above mods, I'll look at the Franken Turbo and tuning software.
Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction and helping me not spend money needlessly.