mk4 max power for 2k budget

[Lito]

Had mine since 2009 and sure it's been off the road a bit but that's usually been my fault. Only time it has left me stranded is when the coolant y for the turbo feed disintegrated other than that it's been very reliable considering how far I've taken it down the mod path. Oh and the occasional exploded inner cv but bulk burn outs are fun

[elcono]

ha

I got mine for a grand because it was hail damaged, looks like it was left on a driving range. Least there is spare coins for mods

There has got to be some more cheap DIY mods?

I was looking at the option of putting in a smaller half height dual pass radiator in the bottom, instead of the stock unit. Then just with the remaining space above run a single pass radiator for a2w. Bottom half of the stock radiator looks like it gets most of the decent flow

The units I have been looking at are from jetskis, small, light and rated to 250-300hp. Already have a pump from elsewhere

Either that or just grab a smic from ebay for 170

but you know experiments....the dubdoo

[Sirocco20348]

Cheap diy... Let me see
1) if your BMI is not optimal, lose some weight.
2) remove the spare tire (18kg saving)
3) only ever run half a tank of fuel. (20kg saving)

I have never seen anyone want or need to change the radiator setup on the golf. What ultimately trying to achieve.

The smic are a waste of money, proven time and time again. I've logged my car with stage 2 tune, k03s on the street and track with vagcom. The stock intercooler is sufficient on the street. Hopeless on the track.
Only real option for gains is fmic and on a good day that will cost you $700 delivered from the UK.

[JustCruisn]

a gearbox from the 1.6 probably wouldn't have exploded if I didn't do bulk burnouts. Lesson learnt.

Nah it would have gone at some stage.
My diff rivets sheared and the 1.8T box is supposed to be better than the 1.6.

Things that left me stranded
Water pump
Cam sensor
Clutch
Diff rivets
Cam sensor
Clutch pedal snapped
Ran of fuel only got 28km on reserve, Friday 5pm freeway pissing rain.

[RubAVeeDubDub]

As someone who's spent at least double that on his car for parts (not labour) I'm going to advice to rather save your dosh and just enjoy the car for what it is because they're likely will come a time when you will struggle to do that. I can't believe how many things can go wrong in these cars. Stick with a mk5-mk7 if you want to spend money and ensure the car retains some value - these mk4s are worth nothing and no one wants them.

You probably would best be spending the 2k on a set of good wheels & tyres and a suspension upgrade. There's no use bumping up power if the car can't handle the extra power and the drivetrain prone to failure.

[elcono]

I know what your saying but I cant really justify going from a grand to 15k for a mk5 (ones I've seen at that price are only 30k kilometres less than what I have on the clock now). Ultimately I would want the Pirelli which isn't going to happen

I know most of the roads where I drive. And the stock suspension suits, I genuinely don't find it that bad. Im not going to track it and I don't lose any sleep if I cant take a corner at x speed. The brakes however I find terribad

Probably just going to plod along picking up second hand bits and bobs here and there when the price is right and eventually put the lump into my mk1 once I have fixed up the football sizes holes in the floor pan

plus to drive with just CTP is to drive without fear!

[dylan8]

mk4s (well the 2lt) are silly reliable if properly maintained.
I got my early 01 model in 2006 with 60k km, now its about to break 260k km.
original clutch, only just replaced the pads and discs for the first time (only needed to do one corner), only once left me on the side of the road with the standard broken clutch pedal. dont know of many other cars that age and km that have been so reliable.
its always had genuine parts fitted, serviced on time using genuine parts/products.

when you start adjusting things the older parts give out. 1.8t guys are always having issues with boost leaks, vac leaks when more pressure is applied or that are forced in to a new position

[YellowLemon]

..about to break 260k km. original clutch.

Wow that's awesome. I need to do the clutch in my 1,6L and it's at 170k km ... also considering doing the rivet upgrade for the ol' DUU box, but unfortunately I've found even with the independent service guys:

these mk4s are worth nothing and no one wants them..

None of the workshops around me in Melb seem too enthusiastic about working on my old mk4

[blackers10]

for a 1.6-2.0 or TDI you are best spending your money on looks/handling and not go.
vr6 and 1.8t are easy to get a good swag of power from tunes and exhaust/intake upgrades

[YellowLemon]

for a 1.6-2.0 or TDI you are best spending your money on looks/handling

Off topic but I've never seen a mk4 TDI !?