I have the urge to build a 2.5

"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
06/25/2014 at 18:13 • Filed to: None

For around $2k, you can build a stealthy GTI killer that sounds like this:

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DISCUSSION (43)

Saracen > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 18:17

at least until the GTI owner drops $500 on a Stage 1 tune.

Though I also don't believe you can squeeze that much power out of the 2.5 without turbocharging...especially with only $2000 to work with.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 18:18

YES! MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!

Kinja'd!!!

If I do take the jetta as my first car, an AWE exhaust and a Carbonio CAI are going on within the first 2 months

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Saracen
06/25/2014 at 18:22

Considering any Golf is at least $5k cheaper than a comparable GTI...

Let's just say if you wanted to look at apples to apples on price, you could just build a turbo 2.5 that would eat a tuned GTI's lunch.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Saracen
06/25/2014 at 18:23

Oh, and 2k will get you a SRI and tune for the 2.5 that gives you 40hp. Look it up.

YSI-what can brown do for you > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 18:24

Turbo kit!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
06/25/2014 at 18:24

Shweet! The SRI and tune are where the big power comes from, but with an intake and exhaust accompanying them, you can do 200+ whp.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > YSI-what can brown do for you
06/25/2014 at 18:26

Badass!

Saracen > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 18:27

That is irrelevant. You said you could drop $2000 on a 2.5 and turn it into a GTI killer (which isn't possible). I am pointing out the futility of that effort (if it were possible).

There are turbocharged 2.5 liter MKVI's out there, including a swapped Golf R. Those builds cost a hell of a lot more than $5k. Just get a GTI or R and throw upgrades at it, or save the money and buy a used TTRS.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Saracen
06/25/2014 at 18:39

Building a car for 22k that beats a 25k car (and that gap widens significantly on the used market) is never futile.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 18:39

And then the 2.0T gets boosted to high heaven and dusts your imposter-5. The 2.5L inline 5 is a blasphemous motor. Audi's original I-5 from the 80s is the true king.

Besides, at the end of the day, you're still not in a GTI so you still can only go in a straight line. And if that's all you want to do then some redneck who spent half of that on a mustang or camaro will crush your dreams between the two banks on his V8. That price gap is so much more than just power you know.

Saracen > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 18:40

I'm aware of the short ram intake. The cars that gain 40 horsepower are running full header back exhausts and cold air intakes. Considerably more than $2k. Even then, they're making around a 200-210 horsepower, with only mild midrange gains. Hardly a GTI killer.

It's still a hell of a lot better than that horrible 2.o liter SOHC lump. Even with a supercharger that thing could only muster 140 horsepower without breaking.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/25/2014 at 18:42

Its half a Lamborghini motor. Its not supposed to come from Audi. And at the end of the day, you've still got 3k to spare, so I'm sure you could upgrade the suspension a bit. Plus there's the part where its like 200 lbs lighter. How's that for handling assistance?

Saracen > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 18:42

if the only thing that matters is drag racing, and stuff like bigger brakes, a better suspension, nicer wheels, nicer (sport) seats, and better infotainment don't matter to you, sure, it isn't futile.

Tom McParland > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 18:44

5cylers are nice and all...but V8s are better :D

http://oppositel ock.jalopnik.com/v8-mkiv-golf-drift-car-1595856935

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 18:50

If you wanted to build a track car, then by all means get the lesser model and motor. Less stuff to tear out. I guess my question is.....why? I get that you can make your jetta faster than a stock GTI in a straight line but the GTI was never that fast in a straight line to begin with. Plus the GTI has forced induction which responds so much better to basic upgrades than an NA motor when you do things like intake/exhaust/intercooler/tune/boost. And even if you make it handle as well as a GTI well now you've got a car that is about as fast overall as a GTI (maybe slightly faster) but you gained some weight with your suspension and brake upgrades (mk6 jettas used drums in the rear, I think) and you still have a worse interior and you'll still be crushed in a straight line by people who spent a lot less.

I guess I just wrote out a wordy way to say "Beating a GTI in a straight line isn't impressive. And at the end of the day, you're in a low rent Mk6 jetta. Would you really want to live with a Mk6 jetta that can only really beat cars like the GTI in a straight line?"

dmcspeedy > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/25/2014 at 19:20

The 2.5L is an I5? We don't get those in Europe, and I always assumed it was derived from the 2.3L "V5" they put in the Mk4 over here (actually a VR6 missing a cylinder).

Kinja'd!!!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/25/2014 at 19:21

I was talking about building a Golf or Rabbit. The Golf still has a lot of the GTIs good qualities, including discs all around and a multilink rear. And I like N/A cars. Coming from a Honda background, I don't believe in "boost or bust". At the end of the day, it could be a much better car. There's a reason GTI and even some R guys are doing turbo 2.5s. The engine was neglected by VW, but its not a bad engine.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 19:47

Having actually built a VW and spending a lot of time in the VW tuner world, I've yet to see anyone else say that the 2.5 is a better motor to tune on a budget. It actually might have a higher potential overall with that extra cylinder (or it might not, I don't follow the extreme builds for speed records) but the 2.0T is such a heavily developed and well built motor that it's just too easy to get 300hp in a very streetable build out of it. I am not at all surprised that people are tuning them because people tune EVERY VW motor because they're all nuts. Hell one guy set out to upgrade the 2.0L ABA motor like in the Mk3 jetta/golf. He ended up with a 250hp supercharged beast out of a 100hp gas saver NA motor. Granted, he spent about 6 grand on it, but he did it.

And besides, there's only one company in the world that actually made that motor work. They put it in precisely one production car. And oh lord is it glorious.

Kinja'd!!!

See? VW 5 cylinders are blasphemy. Audi turbo 5 cylinders are the true gospel. Praise be the Audi I-5 turbos!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/25/2014 at 20:07

I understand that the 2.0T has a larger customer base for tuning, but that has more to do with ease of tune than actual potential or engine ability. Tuning a 2.5 is not a matter of calling APR and hooking up a reflash. The 2.5 actually takes old-school wrenching to pull out the power. However, the 2.5 community is too big to ignore like everyone commenting against my post is doing.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 20:20

And like I said, a whole extra cylinder is nothing to sneeze at as Audi demonstrated with the TT-RS. 360hp in a warrantied 5 cylinder vehicle is a good amount of power. Easily tuneable to 400-500 or more. But that's not what your post was about. On a budget, the 2.5 will never come out ahead of the 2.0T unless you buy one that already has work done to it and is being sold as an unfinished project or something.

I'm sorry, but the 2.5 development is coming around too late in the engine's life to catch on with the masses. The 2.0Ts in mid to late 2000s VAG cars are just so damn cheap. Yeah you can make a lot of power with the 2.5 and I just glimpsed a few threads of the builds but if they haven't caught traction by now, I don't think they ever will. I showed my VW off at Eurohangar last year and I'm going to go again this year. I didn't see a single 2.5 motor among over 300 VW golfs and jettas built by tuners. And I've seen things like a Golf-R swapped jetta sportwagen and some stupidly powerful VR6 builds. There was also a whole section of built and modified Audi TTs and A4s, A6s, and more so it's not like there wasn't any money at the show. I have to assume if you are correct and the 2.5 tuning is catching on that it's a regional thing because in the midwest I have yet to see or hear about anything.

bimmerismyname > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 22:00

I've got a 2.5L Jetta Mk5. Love the engine. Torquey as none other. Got a BSH Cold Air Intake and a 2.5in Cat Back. Sounds awesome. Every now and then i look into turbo set ups but there's really only 1 kit out there and it has iffy reviews at best. IMO, if you go turbo go to a trusted shop that's good with turbos and get a custom set up done.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > bimmerismyname
06/25/2014 at 22:20

How is the performance with just the intake and exhaust?

And do you have the 150 or 170hp version?

bimmerismyname > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/25/2014 at 22:30

Definitely noticed a difference in performance with the CAI and Cat back exhaust. I have the 170HP Wolfsberg Edition 2.5L (2007). Haven't done a dyno or anything but i figure i gained 8-10HP from the CAI and 12-17HP from the Cat back. Both of those are pure guesses from me. I've tended to notice the power difference at highway speeds more so than city driving. Not to say the CAI and Cat back haven't effected the initial launch and take off, but i notice the power difference more so at highway speeds.

I'm going to be fitting a set of OBX headers + highflow cat soon as well. Hoping for more noise and power for doing that.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > bimmerismyname
06/25/2014 at 23:02

Noice! I dig it man. Glad to hear from the 2.5 faithful. People don't understand the appeal of the I5. The sound and the progressive torque curve is so nice.

bimmerismyname > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/26/2014 at 00:09

This is how my Mk5 sits now. I have VW center caps in there now. Yes, it's already sitting on Eibach Pro Cup Kit Springs, but with these wheels i'm thinking i need to get H&R springs or go with full Eibach race coilovers in order to have it sit like i want

Kinja'd!!!

Vicente Esteve > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/26/2014 at 00:34

Im liking all of this!

My sister has a mk6 Jetta Auto that we bought in 2011. Even when EVERYONE hated the thing to its last bolt, it was the car that made me get so adicted to Volkswagens. I think that engine is quirky and has its uniqueness that should be appreciated a bit more.

You are going the right way sir!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > bimmerismyname
06/26/2014 at 07:55

The heights not bad. It looks pretty settled as is, but a little lower wouldn't hurt. PS, I love gray and orange together. Any chance of painting the wheels to match your graphics?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Vicente Esteve
06/26/2014 at 07:59

Yeah man. My Jetta isn't a bad car. Did they change some things that shouldn't have been? Yes. But overall, its still top of its class. People seem to forget that half of the competition is using torsion beams or rear drums as well.

Vicente Esteve > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/26/2014 at 09:33

Exactly. But to be honest, Volkswagen spoiled everyone with the superior equipment and overall feeling of an upscale car. Taking it away from us was a big dissapointment. Still, the Jetta will live on to be what it is, and VW has learned the lesson. In Mexico, it still is THE car to have.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Vicente Esteve
06/26/2014 at 09:37

Oh yeah. The MkV was damn near a luxury car. The biggest problem was that VW wouldn't upgrade the important bits on the higher trims for a number of years. Even the SEL had drums for the first two years.

Vicente Esteve > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/26/2014 at 09:39

Exactly! And the dashboard was hard plastic yadayadayada. Yes, compared to a MK5, it did feel a lot worse, but it looked as any dash would, and for 2013 they have the soft dash back, which I have tried out in the dealership and feels Fantastic.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Vicente Esteve
06/26/2014 at 10:04

Oh yeah. The revised 2013+ is perfect. And the 2015 refresh is gonna be even better! Its so beautiful.

Vicente Esteve > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/26/2014 at 10:16

Hi there! Im a mini Audi! But dont tell my cousins, they get mad.

Kinja'd!!!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Vicente Esteve
06/26/2014 at 10:21

Lol. I'm really struggling to see why someone would buy an A3 at this point. The 1.8T is almost apples to apples against the Jetta. And the 2.0T's only advantage over the GLI is Quattro. But is that worth 10k more?

Vicente Esteve > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/26/2014 at 10:30

NOPE! Still, that GLI is much more engaging than the A3. Also, you wont be classified as a bage snob, much the opposite.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Vicente Esteve
06/26/2014 at 10:33

You know how I feel about badge chasers lol

Vicente Esteve > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/26/2014 at 10:34

Looking at you wife driving to the tennis club in bright silver 320i 8 Speed Auto with M Appearance and Cold weather pack.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Vicente Esteve
06/26/2014 at 10:38

My wife would rather be driving to the shooting range in a GTI or SRT8.

I'm a lucky man...

Vicente Esteve > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/26/2014 at 10:44

You are very lucky indeed! My girlfriend likes the Tiguan, so I feel pretty ecstatic as well!

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Vicente Esteve
06/26/2014 at 10:46

The Tiguan is an awesome car as well. I wouldn't mind a tuned one in the garage. Have you ever seen the orange off-road concept?

Vicente Esteve > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/26/2014 at 10:50

ITS EPIC! I dont know if it was a factory color, but I have seen this Tiguan running around in the city:

Kinja'd!!!

I have only seen 1

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Vicente Esteve
06/26/2014 at 10:54

That's Wild Cherry, so yes. Lol

bimmerismyname > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
06/26/2014 at 12:23

I'm going to keep the CH the reflex silver. I have my car set up to be driven, not shown. I do road trips regularly and a track day here n there. I fear if i go lower i'll have to deal with rubbing issues.

As for the graphics, those are coming off soon as i have to get some rust fixed. Once thats done, i'm going to dip my car blue and go with a slightly different look with the graphics.