Big Turbo GTI v. R Upgrade

[jimlloyd40]

Will you be making a thread w/review on this turbo? It will be nice to get some real info on this turbo finally.

Quick mini review is. It's a great turbo. I came from an IS38 and the IS38 has more torque up to 3700 RPM and that's where the TPC20 really takes off. Pulls much harder than the IS38. The TPC20 continues to build HP right up to the rev limiter. At 5600 RPM it is putting out 50 more HP than the IS38. And it starts to put out more HP from 4000 RPM.

 

[The Dude]

well, side bar, I threw down on the brushless pump from pagparts, G25 is coming soon...

 

[Acadia18]

Quick mini review is. It's a great turbo. I came from an IS38 and the IS38 has more torque up to 3700 RPM and that's where the TPC20 really takes off. Pulls much harder than the IS38. The TPC20 continues to build HP right up to the rev limiter. At 5600 RPM it is putting out 50 more HP than the IS38. And it starts to put out more HP from 4000 RPM.

You're making me want one real bad.

 

[GTIfan99]

I'd kill for a real electric turbo for our cars. I know manufactures are working on it, but I'm ready now. I'm thinking a big turbo run off exhaust gasses with electric motor spinning it up intantly.

 

[PowerDemon]

I'd kill for a real electric turbo for our cars. I know manufactures are working on it, but I'm ready now. I'm thinking a big turbo run off exhaust gasses with electric motor spinning it up intantly.

They've done exactly that with the Audi SQ8. Granted it is diesel but it’s the same concept. It’s got two turbos and one electric compressor. The electric compressor runs off the cars 48v electric system which spools almost instantly, then a smaller turbo for low engine speed, and then there’s the larger turbo is for high engine speed. I personally think it’s too complex and expensive for this platform, but that’s just my opinion. Also I’m biased as turbo lag never really bothered me.

 

[The Dude]

I'd kill for a real electric turbo for our cars. I know manufactures are working on it, but I'm ready now. I'm thinking a big turbo run off exhaust gasses with electric motor spinning it up intantly.

Garrett makes them.

 

[GTIfan99]

Garrett makes them.

I don't think they have any in production vehicles or turbos for sale yet. Hopefully soon.

 

[The Dude]

I don't think they have any in production vehicles or turbos for sale yet. Hopefully soon.

I believe you're correct. You can read their white paper though. There are some interesting combustion strategies they outline as possibilities for increasing efficiency and decreasing emissions.

 

[The Dude]

oh no doubt. I usually qualify that with "had I the disposable money..." (which I don't really foresee ever having). I also probably don't have to mention that the only reason I've thought of this is the lack of hatchback RS3 in the US...it's really the only reason. A true MINO dream.

I would also be thoroughly unqualified to do this kind of work; don't really know what all would be required, I just know the engine would fit and if for some reason you can't transfer the RS3 transmission over to the R, an R DSG should? be adequate, if not an easy enough upgrade. Are the Haldex systems between the 2 the same? So...I would have to pay a pretty penny more for someone to do this work for me or at least let me in on the assist & vastly extra time required if my dumb hands were involved.

I just think it's criminal that that 5-cyl doesn't make more appearances in the market.

out of curiousity, what was your best estimate for the whole project?

I forget the shop, but they said you'd be looking at 25k, easy.

 

[zinfamous]

I forget the shop, but they said you'd be looking at 25k, easy.

OK, is that for the work? so let's add purchase price for ~new R and RS3 motor?

ouch!

 

[qomn]

Despite my GTI only being a year old I've thought about this question. I've already gone in with downpipe + stage 2 tune and with summer tires I have no problem putting the power down. A bigger turbo would actually reduce torque down low where traction usually falters and increase power up top, so that almost sounds like it should be more ideal for the car - please correct me if this is completely wrong, I've gotten that information just by reading through these forums. So, if I were to keep this car, I'd go big turbo for sure, though the alternative would be to hold off on that and push that cost to eventually buying an R.

It's a tough choice to make without having driven a stage 3 GTI or a stage 1/2/3 R. It could be that the R would knock my socks off and I want that AWD, or it could be I find what I'm hoping, and that is that a stage 3 GTI drives great on fat and sticky tires.

 

[GTIfan99]

Yeah, I'm pretty much decided to do an IS38 from FCPeuro. Driving the GTI today after not being in it for a couple weeks, I forgot how hard it falls on its face above 5000 rpms.

 

[jimlloyd40]

Yeah, I'm pretty much decided to do an IS38 from FCPeuro. Driving the GTI today after not being in it for a couple weeks, I forgot how hard it falls on its face above 5000 rpms.

Have you considered the TPC20? I had an IS38 and the TPC20 puts out more power.

 

[El_bigote_AJ]

Have you considered the TPC20? I had an IS38 and the TPC20 puts out more power.

$999 vs $1,749.... that’s the price I’m seeing on their website when you don’t give them your core right?

 

[PowerDemon]

Yeah, I'm pretty much decided to do an IS38 from FCPeuro. Driving the GTI today after not being in it for a couple weeks, I forgot how hard it falls on its face above 5000 rpms.

Just went hybrid recently and I also considered an IS38. Unless spool is paramount to you just go for a hybrid. You’ll have the headroom for more if you want it and upgraded internals. To me the extra few hundred bucks is well worth it over the IS38. Plus most of them will easily outperform the IS38. There are some fantastic hybrid options on the market right now. Just something to consider.