My Tornado Red GTI Build

[ryohei47]

OEM+ Tornado Red GTI Build

After receiving the car ('16 Tornado Red 4 Door GTI S) in April of 2016, I've been quickly trying to bring the car to the OEM+ level I was so used to in my old BMW e46. While I prefer the styling of that car more, the performance and technology of the MK7 make that easy to forget. From the grueling freeways of 101 to the freedom of Laguna Seca, the car has served me well.

Over the past two years, I've been able to maintain the OEM+ philosophy well with the breadth of parts available for the platform. The only thing that is debatably not OEM+ is the Clubsport inspired black vinyls, which you can fairly argue is inspired by an VW official version of the car.

Current Modifications
Performance
JB4
Magnaflow Catback Exhaust
034 Dogbone insert
DG Springs
CTS Turbo Inlet Pipe
ECS Rear Stainless Steel Brake Lines

Exterior
3M Color Stable window tint 50% front / 20% Rear
All Fit Lip
VMR v710 w/ Hankook Ventus Evo V12 235/40/18
Clubsport-style Black Door Stripes

Lighting
Ed's Golf R Headlights w/ Hylux HID
Deautokey Tail Light LEDs
OEM LED License Plate Lights

Interior
Pinalloy paddle shifter extensions
RFB Auto headlight conversion
Black side mirrors
Leather Seats (from Autobahn GTI)


Planned Modifications
SRS Tec Rear Spoiler OR Maxton 7.5 Rear Hatch Extension
UM DSG Tune
PP Brakes (Front)

4/16/16 The GTI runs in the family. Parked next to my Dad's APR Stage 1 Mk6

 

[Lagger1]

How's the JB1 run against the Unitronic Mk6?

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

 

[ryohei47]

How's the JB1 run against the Unitronic Mk6?

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

Its close, we stay pretty even for the most part but I get about half a length

 

[Chewy2]

Nice! I love me some TR, about to pick up a PW 2015 S this weekend.

Any pics of the paddle extensions installed? I just ordered some from urotuning.

 

[ryohei47]

Nice! I love me some TR, about to pick up a PW 2015 S this weekend.

Any pics of the paddle extensions installed? I just ordered some from urotuning.

Sorry I cant find any pictures at the moment, I'll try taking some later. They fit solidly with zero play when you press the extensions. There isn't a lot of room between the paddle and the windshield wiper stalk because of the construction. It hasn't bothered me, but I might switch to Pinalloy's paddle extensions since they are thinner and more flush.

 

[ryohei47]

7/31: Just bought a Magnaflow catback, Austin wheelskins, and the 034 dogbone insert!

 

[ryohei47]

Finally got around to installing the Magnaflow catback. The installation went smoothly and took about 2.5 hours, the tips fit a lot better than I was expecting. The exhaust sounds great, I'm still waiting for it to wear in but right now it's the perfect level of volume. It's a lot more noticeable than before especially between 3000-4000 rpm but not annoying while cruising on the freeway.




9/27 Here's a picture I took during the install of my new Austin wheelskins from Anwalt Designs (etsy) I like the black wheels on the red car better than the silver wheels and for 30 dollars its a great mod. I'm eventually going to get new wheels (VMR v710 or Neuspeed rse10) but that's happening in 15000 miles or so when I need new tires.

 

[Hulk1]

Second the VWR Springs. Sportier vibe, looks 1000% better, so worth it.

 

[ryohei47]

Second the VWR Springs. Sportier vibe, looks 1000% better, so worth it.

I'm between those and a set of coils now but you're right it looks so much better compared to the stock height. It's just that the installation is relatively complicated so I want the install to be the only time I need to mess with the suspension


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[ryohei47]

12/07
Pictures of the All-Fit Lip. The installation was easier than expected, I put three screws on each side in the black plastic area (didnt want to put screws in the bumper).





12/19 Update

I sold the Ebay paddle shifters and bought extensions from Pinalloy, I noticed thier shifter extensions protrude less than the ones I had which was starting to be a problem. There wasn't enough room between the old paddle shifters and the windshield wiper stalk so I would frequently bump into them. The Pinalloy extensions sit more flush but use screws to mount instead of double sided tape, we'll see how they fit. Just purchased a JB4, Its shipping to a distributor in Las Vegas before getting to me but will definitely be installed once it gets here

 

[ryohei47]

1/20/17 I bought black side mirrors from Ebay for 30 dollars, the paint isnt the best quality bt it easily passes the "3 feet test" and there arent any visible imperfections. The removal of the old caps was easier than expected but I cracked one of the tabs slightly. The black mirror caps are a good step towards making the car red/black, definitely a worthwhile mod

 

[Bäsemödel]

About to buy a set of those myself. I platidipped my red ones but it's starting to peel and I don't want to have to keep worrying about it. Glad to see they don't suck.

 

[ryohei47]

About to buy a set of those myself. I platidipped my red ones but it's starting to peel and I don't want to have to keep worrying about it. Glad to see they don't suck.

I got these, the seller had very high reviews and the clearest pictures which were accurate to how they appeared in person.

 

[ryohei47]

1/29 3M Roof Wrap

I wrapped my roof this weekend, not satisfied with the results. I've never worked with vinyl of this scale so it was substantially more difficult than wrapping interior panels like I'm used to. I struggled with creases and heating up the vinyl only stretched it which would make it harder to lay the next portion down. Not satisfied with the results, the front and rear have minimal blemishes but the large creases in the middle aren't up to my standards. It's unfortunate, I love how the black contrasts with the Tornado Red so I need to figure out another way to get the roof black.

 

[Libby]

12/07
Pictures of the All-Fit Lip. The installation was easier than expected, I put three screws on each side in the black plastic area (didnt want to put screws in the bumper).





12/19 Update

I sold the Ebay paddle shifters and bought extensions from Pinalloy, I noticed thier shifter extensions protrude less than the ones I had which was starting to be a problem. There wasn't enough room between the old paddle shifters and the windshield wiper stalk so I would frequently bump into them. The Pinalloy extensions sit more flush but use screws to mount instead of double sided tape, we'll see how they fit. Just purchased a JB4, Its shipping to a distributor in Las Vegas before getting to me but will definitely be installed once it gets here

It looks really good. Ppl are saying the bottom side is kinda useless as that is way too big. By the look I would say 9/10. I got mine in 2016