Mk3 8v tuning - what have you done?

Discussion in 'Engines' started by mr.brown, Dec 21, 2003.

  1. mr.brown

    mr.brown Paid Member Paid Member

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    After some opinions/experience really.

    I've just stuck a 57i kit on mine and am looking at a remap and s/s exhaust (probably at AmD) in early Feb.

    Has anybody else done similar? And what improvements have you noticed?

    ALso, has anyone tried Ecotek valves?

    Thanks as ever
     
  2. spacka_horror Forum Member

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    I've just replaced the air filter with a Jetex and the exhaust with a Powerflow. Haven't bothered to have it dyno'ed but it feels better, don't think it's really made a difference at the top end though. Was considering getting it remapped by AMD but don't have the cash at the moment...
     
  3. spacka_horror Forum Member

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    I've heard the Ecotek valves are utter crap - just make a noise and could actually reduce performance, haven't tried one myself that's just what I've been told. Do a search of the forum for ecotek and you should get lots of threads - it's been quite widely discussed on here.
     
  4. Paradroid Forum Developer Paid Member

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    Not done much to mine. There doesn't seem to be a great deal that can be done to 2.0l 8v motors.

    Drilled airbox is about it, but I am getting it chiped and a new exhaust...AmD/miltek.
     
  5. neilmac Forum Member

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    Lets face it...MK3 8V's are just too heavy with a under powered engine and not much you can do really......that handle very very well. Such a shame they didnt make it a bit faster!!

    Edited by: neilmac
     
  6. binliner Forum Member

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    thats exactly what I did to mine!
     
  7. Jimbob Forum Member

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    instead of spending out on all the mods, save for a different engine, im not sure but i imagine the abf 2.0 16v is the easiest way to get power!
    my 1.6 driver is faster than a 8v MK III!
    i might get evil replies to this but i dont think that the 8v has the right to be called a GTI! isnt the 0-60 summin silly like 10.9 seconds?
     
  8. coullstar Forum Member

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    K&N, AMD chip and supersprint system on my old Raddo 8v. It did make the car feel more responsive and it was a bit quicker. The cars is just to heavy to notice slight bhp improvements.
     
  9. thebluebus Forum Junkie

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    you lot are making me very depressed about my 8v GTI! hmmmmm i'm gonna scrap it [:^(]
     
  10. Jimbob Forum Member

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    whats the insurance difference between a 16v and an 8v MK III? is it a lot more for the valver?
     
  11. Dave-in-Herts Forum Member

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    I'm paying 1100 on my valver, thats a 21 yr old with no no claims bonus, thats with HIC (good company) They quoted 1300 before I told them I was a Club GTi member ! :lol:

    The AA are unbelievable, they quoted 7000 fully comp on a mk3 gti 16V [:s]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  12. coullstar Forum Member

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    Clean it!!
     
  13. Jimbob Forum Member

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  14. chrismc Forum Junkie

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    I didnt think AmD were interested in "Older" N/A cars now...they dont re-chip digi mk2s anyhow..

    I am also extremely sceptical that a chip/exhaust makes as much difference that AmD claim.....115BHP-135BHP with a rechip & exhaust seems optimistic. Big driveability change Yes...Big power gain No! (I gained 5 BHP!)

    For comparison, my car with flowed Big Valve mk2 head, AmD chip, hot cam & 2L mk3 block makes around 145BHP which is considered about right for the spec..

    The head on the mk3 is notoriously CR*P so that would be where the biggest gains are to be found IMO..
     
  15. Paul Forum Member

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    Non according to Adrian Flux, when I was getting quotes for my 8V MK3 I asked about a 16V and it was the same price :o :clap:
     
  16. Jimbob Forum Member

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    mr brown, it might be worth looking into a 16v engine, i have been doin research into fitting one to my mk II, i know the abf engines are a litle more expensive (and im unsure what the prices are like where you live) but, i can pick up a 9a 2.0 16v engine cheaper than what it would cost to chip/re map an engine!
    (although i cant say whether the short block engines fit into the MK III the same as the tall blocks.)
    Im only going on prices of a diy transplant as i can do it myself, im going from a 100bhp driver to about 165bhp with loads more tuning potential for around 200. its a different story if ur paying someone 25 an hour to do it for you though!
     
  17. mr.brown

    mr.brown Paid Member Paid Member

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    If only I had a garage! As I don't I'll have to stick with modding what I've got. Also, insurance is the main problem - mine is a little high for the next couple of years - that's why I bought the 8v. The reason why I thought of a remap is that it's pretty "insurance friendly" ;).

    Still, 600 for a remap+exhaust is a bit steep. I might just put the money towards the R32/Mk5 in 2 years time!
     
  18. binliner Forum Member

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    I had the exhaust and remap and went from 115bhp-134bhp
    they owe me 1 bhp b*stards! ;)
     
  19. gti3_20 Forum Member

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    134bhp is obtainable on a mk3 8v with exhaust, de-restricted airbox and k&n panel filter. I also have an ecotek valve.

    I have the printout to prove it!
     
  20. chrismc Forum Junkie

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    From AmD???

    If it was that easy to gain 20BHP from the factory I cant understand why they only had a feeble 115BHP as standard :p
     

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