VW 1.8 T questions - what 'WORKS' for HP??

Craig 930 RS · 07:12 AM

Spousal unit has a 2003 VW Beetle Turbo - had the ECU reflashed to bring HP from 150HP to 209HP & 242TQ.

What else is there that is PROVEN to be worthwhile to increase HP & TQ? Trying to stay far away from gimmciky hoses and overhyped 'down pipes' (if in fact this is true) etc.

European Car mag apparently has had has a ton of articles on this engine, but since I suscribed they have not had much.

What works - that isn't BIG bucks?

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

Nitro?

Aurel

osidak · 01-02-2005, 05:08 PM

contact Rene Berube of Upsolute and he can give you all the advice you could ever want

rberube@upsolute.com

Craig 930 RS · 01-02-2005, 05:39 PM

E-mailed Rene - THX!

Craig

chuckw951 · 01-03-2005, 01:55 AM

Check on www.vwvortex.com. I believe a larger turbo is available for the 1.8T.

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Craig911:
Funny, my better half also drives a 2003 New Bettle Turbo.

Can you provide details with how the ECU was reflashed?

BTW: A new beetle message board is HERE.

Thanks,
-Z.

Craig 930 RS · 01-03-2005, 05:55 AM

https://secure7.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/products.asp?CS=achtuning1&CategoryID=88&Refresh=True
Under APR performance chip upgrade

Made a HUGE, HUGE, difference. An absolute rocket!
Plus, you can select vis cruis control the stock or performance program.

Craig 930 RS · 01-03-2005, 07:10 AM

Or even better:
http://www.goapr.com/VW/products/ecu_upgrade_beetle18t.html

asphaltgambler · 01-03-2005, 09:02 AM

Free up the exhaust side, then it's onto a larger turbo and possibly matching header and larger intercooler, back to the intake side with larger t-body and runners, next are cams, so on and so on.

The basic long block will safely handle 350HP on pump gas.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-03-2005, 05:09 PM

I've always heard that 220 - 250 HP is the limit on the stock KO3 turbo, 300HP is pretty easy with a KO4, but then you're getting pretty pricey and serious. asphaltgambler pretty much covered it, I know on an A4 you can convert the crank driven fan to a second electric unit to free up a few HP, and put it on a thermostat to run after the car has shut off to help cool the turbo. Run synthetic, your turbo's bearings will thank you, and if you haven't yet, upgrade your diverter valve to a 710N off of the 220HP 1.8T TT, or better yet an aftermarket unit.

Craig 930 RS · 01-03-2005, 06:17 PM

Hey thanks for the advice, guys.
Matt - What does the diverter valve change bring?

Rufblackbird · 02:13 AM

If I'm not mistaken (though I very well might be) the Audi TT has the same 1.8T motor as the rest of the VAG family, but it's only the software that gives it its 225hp (the 225hp version, anyway). With decent software (APR is good, but I'm a fan of GIAC), K04 (or bigger) turbo, bigger (front mount) intercooler, plus an intake and exhaust (downpipe + cat back) will net you close to 300hp.

a couple sites to visit:
www.eiptuning.com
www.abdracing.com
www.neuspeed.com
www.techtonicstuning.com
http://www.bahnbrenner.com/
www.eurosportacc.com
www.momentummotorparts.com

asphaltgambler · 01-04-2005, 04:22 AM

Yes the Audi 1.8 is the same except for software changes

onewhippedpuppy · 04:26 PM

The TT does have a few other small changes, can't remember what though. The ECU changes basically crank up the boost, so the TT has an updated diverter valve. The diverter valve basically opens to bleed off excess boost when the throttle is closed to prevent turbo damage, but the stock one on the 150HP 1.8T is notorious for not holding like it should, especially when you chip and raise the boost. The 710N is the upgrade for the 220HP TT, or even better are the multiple aftermarket ones, I'm sure APR carries one. If you have a chip do it, you might be losing boost and Hp.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-04-2005, 02:50 PM

http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Volkswagen&engine=1.8T&model=New%20Beetle&submodel=&category=Engine&subcategory=Turbo
http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?make=Volkswagen&engine=1.8T&model=New%20Beetle&submodel=&category=Engine&subcategory=Intake

One of these is a frequency valve that is supposed to give 10HP, the other is the page with diverter valves.

ValveFloat · ValveFloat's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by onewhippedpuppy
I know on an A4 you can convert the crank driven fan to a second electric unit to free up a few HP, and put it on a thermostat to run after the car has shut off to help cool the turbo.

The Beetle has an electric fan since the motor is transvers, and all VWs will run the fan with the car off if the water temp is high enough.

Rufblackbird · 01-05-2005, 12:07 PM

Turbos are usually oil cooled (some are both oil/water), and it's actually a turbo timer that will help it cool down.

onewhippedpuppy · 01-05-2005, 03:48 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ValveFloat
The Beetle has an electric fan since the motor is transvers, and all VWs will run the fan with the car off if the water temp is high enough. [/QUOT

Nice, my A4 is longitudialy mounted, it has a crank driven fan, with an electric to supplement it. Ruf, a turbo timer is a better option, but there is a tech article on Audi World about converting the crank driven fan to an electric, and putting it on a thermostat to run after the engine is shut off to help cool the engine and turbo to prevent oil coking. At the least, it can't hurt. Eliminating the crank driven fan frees up a few HP too.