Sub-to-Dub's 2017 GTI Sport

[Sub-to-Dub]

Sub-to-Dub's Build Journal
2017 GTI Sport

This won't be the most adventurous build journal around but it'll be fun documenting the changes to the GTI.

Background:
I picked the car up from Stohlman Volkswagen in October 2016 for $22k. This is my first new car and my first Volkswagen. I'd always been a Subaru guy (previously drove a '94 Legacy Turbo and a '06 Impreza 2.5i wagon) but the GTI just had that perfect blend of sport and utility that was too hard to pass up as my daily driver. I've never owned a car with so many opportunities for upgrades and I'm looking forward to the adventures ahead!

Current Modifications:

Suspension/Chassis/Brakes

• Koni Special Active dampers
• H&R 26mm front sway bar
• H&R 24mm rear sway bar
• Euro Sport front strut brace
• Superpro lower arm control bushings
• Audi RS3 lower control arm bushings (waiting to be installed)
• 034 front + ECS rear subframe locking kits
• iSweep IS2000 front + iSweep IS1500 rear pads
• ECS master cylinder brace
• A3 rear subframe harmonic damper

Drivetrain/Shifter

• BFI engine + trans mounts (stage 1)
• OEM euro short shifter
• ECS solid shifter cable bushings
• Powerflex dogbone insert (red diesel version)
• Dieselgeek metal side-to-side bracket
• Dieselgeek shifter shaft bushing kit

Wheels/Tires

• BBS CO 18x8
• Pirelli P Zero All Season Plus 3 235/45R18
• Black APR wheel bolts

Exterior/Cosmetic

• Window tint (Llumar CTX @50%)
• OEM fog light retrofit
• OEM euro blindspot mirrors
• Color-matched mirror caps

Interior

• 8" EDM infotainment screen
• Helix subwoofer
• OEM auto-dimming mirror
• DIY weighted shift knob
• Viofo A139 dual channel dash cam

Utility/Protection

• Evolution Import Ares skid plate
• ECS Tunnel Shield
• EcoHitch trailer hitch

Small Tweaks/Mods

• SC SkunkWerks grounding kit
• Snow guard delete
• OEM intake block-off plate
• COBB ABS module heat shield
• EMD billet coolant adapter
• MK8 rear control arm aero covers
• Dual hatch lights
• Osram Night Breaker HID bulbs
• Burger Motorsports clutch stop
• Clutch bleeder delay valve delete
• Clutch pedal spring delete

OBDEleven Tweaks

• Vibration reduction - Deactivated
• Reverse mirror dip - On
• Soundaktor - Off
• Hill start assist - Early
• Seatbelt warning - Off
• Windows up/down with remote - On
• Front amber side marker/white dot - Off
• Rear sidemarker - Off
• Hot country AC - On
• Increased blower speed - On

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Previous Modifications:

• RS3 brake ducts - cracked
• Bilstein B8 dampers - removed for stock ride height
• VW DriveGear springs - removed for stock ride height
• AFe 29mm front sway bar - removed for smaller bar
• ST 25mm rear sway bar - removed for smaller bar
• 034 Motorsports 10mm rear spacers - no longer needed
• Dieselgeek super slider - replaced by Dieselgeek side to side bracket
• Dieselgeek Sigma Six short shifter - prefer a less notchy shift
• Boomba shift knob - got tired of the shape and appearance but do miss the weight
• VW Laguna Seca wheels - replaced with other wheels
• DAP wheel spacers (15mm/20mm) - not required on new wheels
• H&R OE Sport springs - bouncy w/ stock struts, reverse rake w/ TT pads+spacer
• Burger Motorsports JB1 - too much clutch slip
• Clubsport S muffler - didn't sound good enough of the time
• Boomba short shift adapter - pin broke, replaced w/ OEM Euro shifter
• Roc-Euro stabilizer bar - issue w/ bolts backing out, replaced w/ OEM
• ECS pendulum arm - bearing wore out, replaced w/ OEM
• ECS dog bone insert - replaced w/ Powerflex red for reduced vibrations
• OEM metal cable shift bracket - fitment issues, replaced w/ OEM
• 034 dog bone insert - deformed and became less effective, replaced by Powerflex red

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

October 2016

I picked up my '17 GTI Sport from Stohlman VW in Tysons Corner, VA with 18 miles on it. So excited to start the journey.

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

November 2016

I was thankful the dealer asked if I wanted the bumper drilled. Naturally I decided on using a tow hook mount. I ordered a US Millworks quick release mount and couldn't be happier!

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

November 2016

The Sport's Nogaro wheels were nice but I preferred the Austins found on other years/trims. I sold the Nogaros to a very nice local Tiguan owner and picked up a set of used Austins for $400 and put on some Continental ExtremeContact DWS06s.

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

November 2017

Just installed a Boomba Racing short shift adapter. Great price, very easy to install and a great improvement to shift feel; the best kind of upgrade!

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

January 2017

Not really an upgrade but I prefer the size and feel of the standard Golf shift knob. It's certainly not as cool as the golf ball but the materials match others in the cabin and it feels much nicer in the hand. I had to pick up an EDM model since our Golfs only had a 5-speed.

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

March 2017

The garden center proved to be a good first test of the GTIs practicality.

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

August 2017

I love my current DWS06s but found the grip under hard acceleration inadequate. I bit the bullet and picked up a set of used Laguna Seca wheels and Continental ExtremeContact Sport summer tires.

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

August 2017

Installed a V2 034 dogbone mount adapter. It added some vibration at lower RPMs but feels more solid, helped reduce (but not eliminate) wheel hop, and added back a little "sport" to the GTI equation.

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

August 2017

Installed an OEM metal shift cable bracket and Integrated Engineering solid bushings. It was a royal pain getting access without removing the battery but it's possible.

These parts make a very slight improvement in shift feel but it's also nice to know they'll never wear out and are no longer a weak link in the system. I also installed a Sigma shift kit but found it a little too notchy for me so I'm sticking with the Boomba adapter for now.

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

September 2017

Just hit 7,000 miles and have had no sutstantial issues (knock on wood!) Ok, maybe a few noises here and there but that's just part of getting used to a new car I suppose.

The only noteworthy thing is that the car occasionally flashes the "key not detected message" even though I can unlock and start the car just fine and the fob has a fresh battery. Also, the 1-2 shift can grind a little during quick shifts.

So far, so good and I am loving the car!

 

[AmericanEnthusiast]

Excellent thread brother.

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

Excellent thread brother.

Thanks! It's fun keeping track of these things.

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

September 2017

I realized the other week that the dealer had drilled the rear license plate holes almost an inch too far to the right. I don't know how my OCD didn't catch it sooner!

I ordered a mount that uses two screws to secure the mount to the bumper and the four screws for the plate screw into the mount. It's a similar style to the Volvo one some other MK7 owners have used. This one was about $20, fits great, and feels more secure than before.

 

[Sub-to-Dub]

October 2017

I have since uninstalled this mod because the bolts securing it to the tranny came loose and bent. See the post here.


I decided to continue my quest to tighten up the drivetrain with a Roc-Euro stabilizer bar. This replaces the OEM part with the rubber bushing.

Installation was incredibly simple and took about 10 minutes including setting up the ramps and getting out the tools.

Not a massive difference but it seems to have lessened and smoothed out the vibrations introduced by the 034 insert. I've also noticed that starting smoothly in first seems slightly easier. However, I'm not sure if it would make more or less of a difference for someone without a dogbone insert.

Overall I am satisfied: it made a positive improvement to the driving experience and seems like a very well made product.