Newbie Naive question GTI

[StevenB]

Hi 2009 GTI, some models have the exhaust on one side and the later ones twin exhausts, one each side. Question, what is the difference in the cars bar the exhaust.
Cheers
Steven

[Lucas_R]

If your car is a 2009 model, it sounds like you have the last of the Mk5 model just before the Mk6 was released. The Mk5 and Mk6 are very much the same car (same chassis, suspension, same engines in some models - although the Mk6 GTI engine was different to that in the Mk5 GTI). Externally the cars look different (bonnet, bumpers, headlights etc) as well as the interior (dash etc). I believe the roof is the only external body part that is shared between the Mk5 and Mk6.

The Mk5 GTI had the exhaust exit on the passenger side with 2x tips whereas the Mk6 GTI had one tip out each side. If you wanted to have the Mk6 exhaust setup on your MK5, you would need to buy a Mk6 GTI catback exhaust, and then either modify your current rear diffuser to allow the 2nd pipe to exit on the drivers side, or purchase an aftermarket diffuser with the dual cutouts.

[ericcs]

my understanding is, and i could be wrong. the early mk5 had the FSI engine with a cam belt, while the mk6, and maybe the last of the mk5's had the TSI engine with a cam chain!

[Herbi3221]

my understanding is, and i could be wrong. the early mk5 had the FSI engine with a cam belt, while the mk6, and maybe the last of the mk5's had the TSI engine with a cam chain!

That is correct. If I'm not mistaken it is 2008.5+ MK5 had the EA888 engine with timing chains like in the MK6 GTI and above. The rest of the MK5 GTI's had the EA113 engine with timing belts.

[vinnY]

^oddly enough the EA113 had both a belt on the crank side then a little chain tying the two cams together

[Lucas_R]

The older engine (EA113) is a much more reliable engine IMO. Much fewer issues (eg water pump, intake manifold, timing chain, timing chain tensioner). I have owned both and the timing belt driven EA113 is the one to have IMO.