The 'Chimera' - Progression of my 1.8T by SKVeeDubR

You got me intrigued with this SAI delete. I'm guessing since there is still a filter just relocated to the pump, there is no CEL or any other side effects?

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sprinks said:

Looks sharp! Great job on the cover. I pulled my cover off as I don't care for plain black covers in the engine bay, but this looks great, and definitely a worthwhile effort if you're showing off the engine bay!

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Thanks! Yeah I actually am having the stock one done in white as well - not only to keep options open, but my keep the script cover fresh for summers/car shows etc, But I love the look of the paint-matched cover!

Bäsemödel said:

great work man! that car is something special!

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Appreciate it, dude!

TJN said:

You got me intrigued with this SAI delete. I'm guessing since there is still a filter just relocated to the pump, there is no CEL or any other side effects?

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correct, attached the Unitronic filter directly to the SAI pump. did an SAI hose delete, but pump definitely still there. No ill effects. Will check on the filter periodically to see how things are going down there.

SK VeeDubR said:

Quick little pic the morning after install

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DG Springs? How is the ride with those 19 Prets?

Blade3562 said:

Definitely like your sai solution until someone offers a full delete. Super jealous of the clubsport bumper. Once I have the cash both cars will definitely get it. It's so mean and perfect!

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Yes it definitely puts a smile on my face! Cheers!


Realized I forgot to show this - accent lighting in my ducting - fully controllable LED lighting, adapted to fit in the brake ducting without interrupting airflow. LED bulbs are waterproof and weather-resistant, suitable for extreme temp applications. Fully controlled via my headlight switch, and programmed as well for CH/LH (coming home/leaving home) function as well. Pic taken prior to me coding out amber side marker bulb..

Kris12V said:

DG Springs? How is the ride with those 19 Prets?

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Honestly it’s no real difference than the 18” Durban’s the car originally was spec’d with - the Prets are light so they don’t hamper performance. Correct DG springs, I find the ride a little softer and the rebound rate a little slower than my R which also has drive select. But day-to day the car is quite comfortable, and with the RSB etc it’s pretty stable in the twisties. When I first got the car I did not care for the body roll when compared to the R.. after lowering the car slightly, uprating the RSB, and going to a stiffer sidewall, it’s really nice.

06/01/2019 - swapped out the rest of my hose clamps for OEM ones..


Going back to the Unitronic Charge Pipes and intake pipe discussion for a minute.. While I am super happy with the piping itself, I felt that the hose clamps supplied could be more robust. I was able to reuse a few of my existing OE hose clamps, but I also had to order a few in various sizes to complete my goal. OEM hose clamps are simply a better design, there is a spring built in which compresses as you tighten for a consistent and increasingly higher torque value. Most generic hose clamps don't have this feature, and tend to 'skip', getting tighter, then loose, then tighter etc. Too inconsistent and unreliable for my liking, the last thing I want is a hose coming off as that is simply a pain in the ass I don't need.


Here are a couple for visual purposes..

06/02/2019 - 'justagolf'


had some decals made up utilizing the Clubsport font.. I've been thrown this word around for quite some time.. I feel now it is more fitting than ever haha!





Also had a couple shirts done, because I can.

06/08/2019 - 8 inches of glory

Look what I found! Apparently there was an 'incident' where a new VW Atlas fell off the truck. A breaker bought the Atlas to part, and I ended up with a NEW 8" MIB2 Discover Pro glass media screen!





While I could have opted for the AliExpress special, I decided I didn't want to wait so I went ahead and ordered the corresponding Gloss Black trim for a Golf R. Vents pre-installed on OEM units, couldn't be easier!





Plug n' Play





No calibration needed, touchscreen works FLAWLESSLY! Better response than the original 6.5" it replaced. I LOVE it.





The only thing that currently is inactive is the 'APP' touch. Instead of being able to hit the 'APP button' to directly take you to the APP screen on 2016 and earlier cars, you first select the 'MEDIA' button, then select your APP screen from within the display itself. So.. One extra step, but honestly no different than before as there was no 'APP' button on the earlier units. The button it replaced was the 'TRAFFIC' button which I also never used so big whoop. I thought I had read somewhere that there may be an adaptation that can be performed to enable the APP button on pre-facelift cars, but I honestly haven't looked too much into it. If anyone knows if there is truth to this please feel free to share!

That screen is PURRRRRRTY! On my eventual upgrade list.


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Have you swapped the rest of the silver interior trim bits to black so it all matches?

MysticBlueX3 said:

That screen is PURRRRRRTY! On my eventual upgrade list.


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Well worth it - it’s a significant upgrade!

Bäsemödel said:

Have you swapped the rest of the silver interior trim bits to black so it all matches?

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Already had all gloss black trim

It all matches.

dangggg looking good with that screen. also lol at the justagolf. If there are any golf's out there deserving to be upbadged at this point, i'd say yours is in the running.

SK VeeDubR said:

Quick little pic the morning after install

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Gorgeous.

sprinks said:

dangggg looking good with that screen. also lol at the justagolf. If there are any golf's out there deserving to be upbadged at this point, i'd say yours is in the running.

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Haha at first I read that as ‘deserving to be DEbadged’.. and yes, my typical response when someone says to me ‘nice GTI’ is to say ‘it’s justagolf’. But honestly it’s easier to not have to try and explain to most ppl so then I follow with ‘thank you’.

Mk5Dom said:

Gorgeous.

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Thanks!!

06/18/2019 - Finally voided warranty

Whelp, for those that have been following this has been a LONG time coming! Have had my eye on the Unitronic offerings since their initial release for this platform.





Always slightly nerve-wracking. Remember to follow the instructions kids! Best to tune remotely during business hours, ensure a good internet connection and adequate system requirements.. Oh and put a battery tender on and kill all accessory drains for good measure!





Considering this post is about a month late it HAS given me a chance to spend some time with the Unitronic Stage 1+ on this platform.

Unitronic claims +84hp and +108Lb-Ft over stock for 254hp and 293Lb-Ft... And my ButtDyno believes every bit of these numbers! I didn't tell my wife I had tuned the car and one day she took it out to run some errands, when she came back she was grinning ear-to-ear, her words and I quote 'it feels just as fast as the R now!'.. The car definitely IS quicker, and I'll be damned - drivability IS maintained with the Unitronic software - highly recommended! The real test will be on our annual trip out west where I can stretch her legs and see how she performs. Definitely looking forward to the trip this year!

If I were to go to Stage 2 (necessitating a high-flow DP), the numbers from unitronic don't vary much from stage 1+ due to the limitations of the factory is12 turbo, which is why, for the time-being I am staying at 1+. If you must know, I had a low-mile, late-revision is20 a couple years ago that I was sitting on, and in a sheer moment of weakness I unloaded many parts I had been stockpiling. That's ok I WILL have another is20, I'll just be sure to install it this time around

07/05/2019 - Did someone say OEM+?