UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hey everyone,

I have big plans for my GTi as soon as the manufacturer warrenty expires (2 years) I know the engine is good for nearlly 500 BHP but think that would be a bit too much. Whats peoples opinions for the most power a front wheel drive car can have and still drive well. Dont mind a bit of torque steer but dont want it to be like my friends Fiesta Turbo that has real problems gripping in any gear! I'v already remapped mine and it'll do for the moment ............. I was thinking 300 BHP would be about the limit for the Polo?

300 shouldnt be too bad, i do think it would torque steer a bit though, especialy in greasy/wet conditions.
standard leons with remap run around 260bhp so with a few other mods 300 should be reach-able.
bear in mind though your engine is slightly different to the 225 one.

well the problem is mainly your choice of software, im running apr tuned stage 1 software but stage 2 is still under devoelopment, so will be stage 3

im running the following
stage 1 remap
forge 007p
turbo back milltek inc downpipe
green filter

now as its still restricted to the 98 ron apr map on stage 1 software im realistically expecting it to be about 210 - 220 bhp at fly, but its getting rr'd on saturday at awesome gti so ill confirm this when i know

now to go further bearing in mind its not a bam engine and has the k03s not the k04, a side mount not a front mount and the different bottom end al these would have to be upgraded to similar of better items to give similar stage 3 performance

im awaiting the apr stage 2 which im told to expect up to 245 - 250 bhp from

but then for me thats it

its simply not cost effective to be getting turbo (garret 2x eliminator recommended by awesone) manifold, forge front mount, 440 spec injectors etc and stage 3 map to run at 330 bhp, yeah the engine may be good for it, even with standard internals, but the running gear simply wont be, clutch, gearbox, driveshaft etc would just die too quick

and realistically, a well set up stage 2 car will be just as fast off the line with 250 bhp as a stage 3 car with 330 bhp as even with traction control, the stage 3 car would just spin up far too much

after tha stage 2 map i feel personally the polo turbo will be at the limit of its reliable every day use without affecting reliability and life much

just a thought to consider

Cheers Jeff,

Good Points! I do have a BAM engine I was thinking of getting ready to go into my car when I'm ready. I have ordered the Polo GTi Cup body kit (well its been on order in Germany for months, but its on back order!) then a front mount intercooler from a cup racer will be fitted. From research the Diesel gearbox would have a better time with more power, the clutch would have to be a paddle set up.
You really think 250 would be as quick?
The problem I have is a friend of mine has a 3-door Cosworth and although I know I can never be as quick as that it would be nice to at least be able to give him some stick!

Software is not an issue. There is more to life than APR - the 1.8T has been around for years and there are hepas of places that will custom map for you.

Personally i'd build the BAM and swap it in, much easier, you've got near 280bhp straight away if you go with the standard setup and a map.

The Polo is like a MK2 golf and they've been putting 225 1.8T lumps into those for years with near 300bhp and its not an issue, you've just got to get the basics right, decent suspension, brakes and a limited slip diff.

Diesel boxes are not the way to go, ratios are all wrong, throw in a VAG petrol 6 speed.

Swapping over all the K03s stuff for K04 is also no bid deal, custom downpipe required probably but again, MK2 golf boys have been getting downpipes made for years. Some custom pipework, remap a few 225 parts like injectors etc likely and away you go.

With regards to power 300bhp is probably a safe target, unless you go 4wd.

well depends on the state of time on the cossy, but my friend mark has a standard escort cosworth and we were just literally nexk and neck with mine just mapped

yes i know mines played with and his is standard and his could be mapped to kill mine but its still a good guide, now with the turbo back milltek, green induction and pd160 bits id hope i would have ever so slight edge on him

as for there being more to life than apr, course theres more maps out there, i just found out a lot about a lot of other companys when researching thoroughly with regards to reliability and usability of the software out there

and as i know from past experience with custom remaps, they aint always that special and sometimes bad for the engine

a well set up map with even only little increase in boost, but correct fueling, and advanced timing can make just reliable solid power all day long, without fear of the boost being max'd out and badly setup internaly

just a thought, well, my thoughts, obviously not everyone agrees, but thats cool

Dont mind a bit of torque steer but dont want it to be like my friends Fiesta Turbo that has real problems gripping in any gear!

i have around 270+ bhp in my polo with very little torque steer

rs turbo fords have a poor engine/gearbox layout thats why they torque steer so much

i have driven mine everyday for the last 2 years with that power no problems exept the clutch started to slip, i now have a MTM paddle clutch and all is fine

i am bored with 270bhp now and i am looking to go upto around 400bhp

Get your ride height set so that your dirveshafts are level and you will eliminate torque steer, its all to do with geometry

My friend's cossie (he is also called Mark!) is running a genuine 400, but is obviouly guttless off-boost. I can give him a run for his money round the lanes, but get onto a straight bit of road and its game over.

Whats it like living with a paddle clutch ceedubya?

andy947 wrote:Get your ride height set so that your dirveshafts are level and you will eliminate torque steer, its all to do with geometry

my shafts are as level as you can get

forgot to say i also have a peloquin ATB diff fitted

Whats it like living with a paddle clutch ceedubya?

its alot better than i expected, its a tiny bit more on/off than the standard TT clutch was but after 10 mins you forget all about it being a paddle clutch