APR Stage 3+ kit 15,000 miles on.

Ianb

Full Member
Nov 13, 2003
332
0
Well just a quick update on my experiences of the kit thus far.

Well since the engine build on my Golf at 110k (the kit had done 10k on the original engine) thankfully Rods and Bores were all in excellent condition.

I decided asking some good old mates from the Tim Stiles era (TSR) for the re build putting in extra strength every where possible ie pistons and rods valves bearings nad baffled sump.

Dyno results have shown some good gains since the build with no oil consumption on the stick but just the usual amounts of emulsified oil in the catch tank.

Reading other posts especially the recent Backdraft reports most of these kits can be a trial for the private customer mine certainly was being the first Golf fitted with this kit. I had at least 2 visits back to AWESOME for upgrades one being a new manifold due to in correct manifold to turbo studs causing a slight blow, I needed Inconnel items. A new manifold was replaced FOC by Aweesome but after some time I came across an issue with the DP knocking about on the steering rack as the old mounts were tired. This ocuured under full bore acceleration and on left hand corners under load where the engine was moving on the old tired mounts.

I initially tried the VF mounts but found the vibration a real issue and unacceptable for road use. I then tried TT mounts which were better but still not strong enough to hold the DP tightly in place.
So I'm now on Vibratechnics ones which are good but still not perfect as it's still a harsh over OE items especially on the motorway there's more noise normally under acceleration in top gear. I contacted APS and they recommended Diesel 150PD Golf items with a VF Dogmount.

As for heat thankfully Awesome pretty well sorted it all on the install with shielding. We had to remove the heat wrap on the already ceramic coated manifold due to high EGT's...a wise move. Guy Harding who designed the manifold for RHD APR Stage 3 car's had found from their TT in Oz that the wrap was causing the heat to be trapped and this in turn caused higher EGT's.

My latest mod will be some new studs and gasket for the DP to turbo connection which has a slight blow when cold which I'm fixing in the next few weeks. Jim at Awesome supplied the uprated items which will seal this and will be easier to maintain if I need to change the gasket in future.

Amazingly still getting high 30's on the trundle to work at 50mph 30-34 at mway speeds and sub 20 at full tilt!

On track it's been remarkable on road tyres all things considered.....it does however need to be on my Dunlop D01j's (Intermediates Tyres) though and my brakes could be better on the rear now and even bigger on the front! My 6 Pot brakes are brilliant but for track use everything has it's limits under those conditions.

Some 'minor' teething issues I'm sure you'll agree but overall but the kit has been excellent the delivery better than OE and apart from the engine mounts annoying me (perhaps I'm getting old!)

The car is seriously quick with all the 'right' bit's done properly and will show a clean pair of heals to most things. The APR kit is so user friendly and as an everyday proposition great as a road car giving a better than OE delivery. The back up and quality are all built in. Maybe slightly more expensive than the DIY kit but for peace of mind it's a no brainer for me! (RS4/M3/911 performance in a hot hatch...makes me smile for sure)

Best part with having these levels of performance is that it other people don't expect it. :D
 
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stewbie55

No longer a Newbie
Aug 12, 2006
427
0
Nice write up - theres very few (any?) BT cars that haven't had some issues.

You could try the Density Line mounts that INA does on here. I can certainly vouch for the dogbone - not harsh at all. Most have gone for street density on the engine mounts but Dave has full set of race density I believe.

Just a thought - as mine is a cupra R does that mean my main engine mounts are stiffer anyway like the TT ones you mention??
 

AwesomeSarah

Forum Sponsor
Mar 6, 2006
727
0
Hi Ian
That was a nice write up
Thank you for that , as always was good to see you here on the rolling road day

Take care and we are here if you ever need any help
Sarah
 

RobDon

Pro Detailer
Get INA's density line mounts, I got the street density engine and tranny mounts with the track density dogbone and they are superb - no vibration and quiet but nice and solid shifting. I had the VF mounts before and I hated them.
 

Ianb

Full Member
Nov 13, 2003
332
0
Hi Ian
That was a nice write up
Thank you for that , as always was good to see you here on the rolling road day

Take care and we are here if you ever need any help
Sarah

Thanks Sarah

In fact can you ask Andy to ring me re my brake disc prices.

Thanks

Ian
 

Ianb

Full Member
Nov 13, 2003
332
0
Get INA's density line mounts, I got the street density engine and tranny mounts with the track density dogbone and they are superb - no vibration and quiet but nice and solid shifting. I had the VF mounts before and I hated them.

Rob

I may try these.....how much are these and where do I order them?

The Vibratechnins aern't too bad but just a bit harsher than OE. There's more cabin noise especially motorway speeds with them when accelerating when cruising.

Are the Street density give the same levels of noise as OE items?

I may trial them although I'd like to try before I buy.
 

RobDon

Pro Detailer
Rob

I may try these.....how much are these and where do I order them?

The Vibratechnins aern't too bad but just a bit harsher than OE. There's more cabin noise especially motorway speeds with them when accelerating when cruising.

Are the Street density give the same levels of noise as OE items?

I may trial them although I'd like to try before I buy.


Try before you buy? Don't think anyone sells stuff on a trial basis these days?

Yes they are very nice indeed, alot quieter with no noticeable vibration:

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=178365
 

AndyHazza

Ex-Awesome GTi Staff
Mar 30, 2005
1,455
0
Bolton
www.awesome-gti.co.uk
Hi Ian,

Great write up mate, glad all is well with it and your still surprising all those people with it :thumbup:

I'm sorry for the delay on the brake prices mate, i've been waiting still myself! I'll give them a kick up the a&$e on monday :)
 

Ianb

Full Member
Nov 13, 2003
332
0
Sadly my car is up for sale after 2 yrs of use and every concievable upgrade completed for longevity and safety ie brakes/ diff/clutch and suspension.

Anyone interested in my car it's up for sale and I have a reduced it at a realistic price accordingly to it's spec and condition and will be a bargain for this price as the parts alone without labour cost more than the car!

Thanks for looking
 
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Ianb

Full Member
Nov 13, 2003
332
0
Considered selling the Stage 3+ kit separately?

I would if anyone's interested but I would then need to source a KO3s injectors and DP.

What's it worth though? Difficult one as I would have to pay someone to take it off

Ian
 

Ianb

Full Member
Nov 13, 2003
332
0
thats bizarre. :confused:

The Octy got sold thru 4-sale ads on forums thats all I was suggesting it for

cr4p time to sell cars period.
good luck

Thanks Bill...it's is on several forums now, bad times I agree so I'm in for the long haul.

I got a 'see rules ' reply from the mod on this forum...strange I agree I can't understand it!

Still it will be a good buy for someone as it's a big big saving with it all done.....still have second thoughts selling it when driving it though!

Ian
 

m0rk

sarcasm comes free
Staff member
May 19, 2001
27,787
33
Clanfield, UK
Thanks Bill...it's is on several forums now, bad times I agree so I'm in for the long haul.

I got a 'see rules ' reply from the mod on this forum...strange I agree I can't understand it!

Still it will be a good buy for someone as it's a big big saving with it all done.....still have second thoughts selling it when driving it though!

Ian

Maybe you needed to 'see the rules'
 

Ianb

Full Member
Nov 13, 2003
332
0
I did..other cars sold on here from other marques...couldn't see the problem from a quick check thru...straight forward ad and link to my ad on pistonheads
 

Ianb

Full Member
Nov 13, 2003
332
0
Mork
Are you suggesting that I post the full thats on Piston Heads on your forum?

Ian