My Mk7 GTI PP....turns out I cant resist the VAG.

**Veteran78** · 20-07-2021, 04:51 PM

How did you find the quality of the Aliexpress foot rest?

**Lucas_R** · 20-07-2021, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Veteran78

How did you find the quality of the Aliexpress foot rest?

Its great - no issues at all. Its slightly narrower than the original footrest (perhaps 10-15mm narrower) but its plenty wide enough still, fits perfectly and looks much better (especially so as mine was quite scratched from the previous owner).

Pics below show it.

**genebaby** · 21-07-2021, 04:35 PM

For some reason RHD cars only have this option, which is for manual cars, but it's better than nothing.

All RHD autos come with the plastic footrest, LHD cars have a nicer one.

**Lucas_R** · 03-08-2021, 06:31 PM

Next round of mods have arrived.

- ZSS 25.4mm rear swaybar (to replace the factory 21mm swaybar)
- Moog steel end links (to replace the rubbish factory plastic end links)
- do88 intercooler for MQB vehicles

I will be installing these over the next few weeks as time and enthusiasm allows.

**Lucas_R** · 31-10-2021, 01:08 PM

Well it was a busy afternoon working on the GTI yesterday. Starting with a 6 monthly oil and filter change + general check over, I then moved onto a job ive been dreading because its a $h!tfight......the intercooler.

The original GTI intercooler is a very basic unit, obviously made to a very low cost and leaves a lot of room for improvement. You could easily upgrade to an intercooler thats 1/2 the size but with a better quality core, and have a better performing intercooler.

The new do88 intercooler is a considerable upgrade in both core quality, thickness of the core (from 30mm to about 58mm) and more durable larger capacity cast end tanks.

With the bumper off, everything was given a good clean out with a vacuum first and then some soapy water as there was 5 years of bugs, leaves and other debris. I also vacuumed the radiator core and a/c core to remove bugs/feathers etc that was stuck on them.

Next weekend ill do the rear swaybar and end links upgrade and check my exhaust and downpipe while I am under there.

Oil change time:

These oil funnels which have a specific attachment for the EA888 engine are great:

Time to rip the whole front of the car off. Thankfully my trusty battery powered ratchet wrench made the job of removing a million Torx bolts faster:

Standard VW intercooler core:

do88 intercooler core:

Core comparison:

Putting it all back together:

A test drive confirmed everything is running beautifully and no leaks

. Getting ready for a Garrett Powermax GT2260S turbo incoming shortly.

**genebaby** · 01-11-2021, 10:02 AM

Nice work!

**Sharkie** · 02-11-2021, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by genebaby

Nice work!

Agree 100%, good job Lucas!

**Lucas_R** · 02-11-2021, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by genebaby

Nice work!

Originally Posted by Sharkie

Agree 100%, good job Lucas!

Thanks - im glad its done now as it was a job i was not looking forward to. I did it on my Mk6 R about 6-7 years ago so knew that I was in for a similar experience.

Im currently having an upgraded intercooler made up for my other car, my brother is a talented metal fabricator and has access to Garrett intercooler cores so he is custom making me a larger capacity (and better quality) intercooler for the SQ5. The Fab Warehouse

**Sharkie** · 02-11-2021, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Lucas_R

Thanks - im glad its done now as it was a job i was not looking forward to. I did it on my Mk6 R about 6-7 years ago so knew that I was in for a similar experience.

Yeah, its painful ... especially on your back LOL

I recently pulled the entire front of the Polo I'm fixing down to same level you did, still to put it back together though, should have labelled the screws etc better

Will need to do the same to the Up! when I'm adding an intercooler (eBay cheapie) and the foglights and when I do the R.

On the R will get the DP and IC fitted on the same day (need to order the IC still and leaning towards the IE one) before sending it for a clutch replacement. Running Stg 1 with high torque now and whilst its holding up stock for now, I think its deteriorating.

**Lucas_R** · 03-11-2021, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by Sharkie

Yeah, its painful ... especially on your back LOL

I recently pulled the entire front of the Polo I'm fixing down to same level you did, still to put it back together though, should have labelled the screws etc better

Will need to do the same to the Up! when I'm adding an intercooler (eBay cheapie) and the foglights and when I do the R.

On the R will get the DP and IC fitted on the same day (need to order the IC still and leaning towards the IE one) before sending it for a clutch replacement. Running Stg 1 with high torque now and whilst its holding up stock for now, I think its deteriorating.

If you can get the IE intercooler on sale then its not a bad deal - but very expensive if full price. But the IE and do88 are the pest performing intercoolers for the Mk7. Funnily enough the IE is on sale at the moment for $1629. The do88 was about $1150 so still a considerable price difference between them considering almost identical performance. I love the IE products but just couldn't justify paying an extra $500 for essentially the same product.

I love your little Up! project - will be such a cool and unique little car with the factory turbo engine.