GolNat
Autocross Champion
Decided to make a build thread because why not. I bought my GTI back in November 2018 after my Fit was totaled by a drunk driver running a red light. I have always owned Honda's and have been scared to own a German car from a reliability fear. Most of these fears are based off stories and not from actual ownership so I figured I would try it out for myself. So far she has been doing great but only time will tell. It is a lot more of a pain in the ass to work on and you need so many more tools but regular maintenance has been pretty straight forward. This car is a blast to drive and is a great balance of gentleman and hooligan. This is my first “enthusiast” car besides a short ownership with a Nissan Sentra SER Spec-V in college.
For the most part I let the used parts market decide what mods I get next. I do have a general plan for the car but am not set on anything in particular.
Black 2013 GTI 6MT Coupe Base
Bought it with about 35k miles on the odometer in Nov 2018 Current mileage is 55,661 on 10-30-2020
Heidi is her name.
Engine/Transmission
Redline 5W-40 Oil and Mann Filter
VW MTF
Unitronic Stage 1+ (@ 37,403 for 12k miles)
Unitronic Stage 2 Tune (@ 49,529k for 6200 miles)
Unitronic Stage 2+ K04 (@ 55,704k)
Borg Warner K04
Integrated Engineering CAI
CTS 3" Downpipe
Unitronic Intercooler
Throttle Pipe
GFB DV+
R8 coil packs
Resonator Delete
APR Pendulum Mount
BFI Stage 1 Mounts
Neuspeed Dog bone Insert
RSR DIY Clutch Kit
HPA Short Shifter
Interior/Exterior
Plaid Shift Boot from StitchBoots
Slammer Shift Knob
New South Boost gauge w/ air vent mount
Klii Plaid Steering Wheel Inlay
Seat Lever Inlays
Rennline Phone mount
Side markers (thanks Torga). Vinyl wrapped currently.
4" Slant cut exhaust tips
Valentine One Radar/Laser Detector
DEPO LED Tail Lights
Suspension/Wheels/Brakes
10mm and 15mm spacers
17" OZ Racing Wheels with General G-Max summer tires
18" Detroit wheels for the winter
ST-X Coilovers
CTS Deadset Kit
SuperPro ALK
SuperPro LCA Bushings
Passat Aluminum LCA
Waiting to be installed:
Neuspeed Turbo Outlet Pipe
Euro Switch
Aux/USB Ports
Kill All Wipers rear wiper delete
First my 2009 Fit Sport which was a great car just slow (RIP Delilah):
Damn drunk drivers:
The GTI at time of purchase:
It's the base model so no bells and whistles but it's a low mileage 6 speed which was the most important thing. Oh and plaid seats, it had to have that!
As it sits now:
Timeline of progression with pictures
Verified updated tensioner before flashing to stage 1+
DV+ installed to prepare for tune.
O.Z.’s acquired cause I need more traction and a dedicated set of summer tires.
Tips and res delete cause I’m a cheap ass
New plugs and Coilpacks because maintenance and red is cool.
New South Boost Gauge for that racecar touch and I always wanted one.
IE Intake. Looks and sounds awesome.
Klii Inlay and seat lever inlays
Shift boot and Euro Impulse Knob (knob has been removed)
Stock knob is the best.
For the most part I let the used parts market decide what mods I get next. I do have a general plan for the car but am not set on anything in particular.
Black 2013 GTI 6MT Coupe Base
Bought it with about 35k miles on the odometer in Nov 2018 Current mileage is 55,661 on 10-30-2020
Heidi is her name.
Engine/Transmission
Redline 5W-40 Oil and Mann Filter
VW MTF
Unitronic Stage 2+ K04 (@ 55,704k)
Borg Warner K04
Integrated Engineering CAI
CTS 3" Downpipe
Unitronic Intercooler
Throttle Pipe
GFB DV+
R8 coil packs
Resonator Delete
APR Pendulum Mount
BFI Stage 1 Mounts
Neuspeed Dog bone Insert
RSR DIY Clutch Kit
HPA Short Shifter
Interior/Exterior
Plaid Shift Boot from StitchBoots
Slammer Shift Knob
New South Boost gauge w/ air vent mount
Klii Plaid Steering Wheel Inlay
Seat Lever Inlays
Rennline Phone mount
Side markers (thanks Torga). Vinyl wrapped currently.
4" Slant cut exhaust tips
Valentine One Radar/Laser Detector
DEPO LED Tail Lights
Suspension/Wheels/Brakes
10mm and 15mm spacers
17" OZ Racing Wheels with General G-Max summer tires
18" Detroit wheels for the winter
ST-X Coilovers
CTS Deadset Kit
SuperPro ALK
SuperPro LCA Bushings
Passat Aluminum LCA
Waiting to be installed:
Neuspeed Turbo Outlet Pipe
Euro Switch
Aux/USB Ports
Kill All Wipers rear wiper delete
First my 2009 Fit Sport which was a great car just slow (RIP Delilah):
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FZwJWSPql.jpg&hash=18189a3bcf829cc7c5cd9f0eddc663ff)
Damn drunk drivers:
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F7bX49aDl.jpg&hash=6078a1a6e1a7378cecab1358e7b9fc8a)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FiHsbG45l.jpg&hash=dffce4fde8328b81b606c6251cb61b29)
The GTI at time of purchase:
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FRJf4mFCl.jpg&hash=f07dd89981b99f786c68e3a4e350c6dd)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FSZ6nEyPl.jpg&hash=19e81f071fbe74d1b60cab63745750b7)
It's the base model so no bells and whistles but it's a low mileage 6 speed which was the most important thing. Oh and plaid seats, it had to have that!
As it sits now:
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FFJO7Hqul.jpg&hash=9d1f3e40cb31817e52183f93ce4b9865)
Timeline of progression with pictures
Verified updated tensioner before flashing to stage 1+
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FVKVoLITl.jpg&hash=0129d873f7645f0f5d8fa02726999884)
DV+ installed to prepare for tune.
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FCZAviQGl.jpg&hash=a0d5a1a3932bd1d92fb5a3adeb9c1ad6)
O.Z.’s acquired cause I need more traction and a dedicated set of summer tires.
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FIHNKEMFl.jpg&hash=b3c4e1e6f7e43ea59c0bee366edb487d)
Tips and res delete cause I’m a cheap ass
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FAcwD94Vl.jpg&hash=029bbba8b8327c9135c343487232d536)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FIYXZ1uQl.jpg&hash=bf06219bdd04e1873d5231fef2806bbe)
New plugs and Coilpacks because maintenance and red is cool.
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FhaZwJ7hl.jpg&hash=38f2c8c46279b91c1b0ab7bc741f1965)
New South Boost Gauge for that racecar touch and I always wanted one.
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FyIBLL65l.jpg&hash=7a9a4a1656b97afaf828a9c08ff3eb39)
IE Intake. Looks and sounds awesome.
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FgIZNfehl.jpg&hash=5b46c9839bc9354f358a1cf35496327f)
Klii Inlay and seat lever inlays
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FrqcRqKsl.jpg&hash=72393b01f92fd174e215ad9e8cf5b153)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FWoxndxSl.jpg&hash=ca98117b14c298759526ee9282adc23f)
Shift boot and Euro Impulse Knob (knob has been removed)
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F1BdFckQl.jpg&hash=6863004300e457ce827366853020c762)
Stock knob is the best.
![](/forums/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FqzTyiMEl.jpg&hash=460f902170ff2de64bdef56c1d130740)
Last edited: