#3 should be an aftermarket intercooler, especially for those who live in hot climates and/or elevation areas. Unless you want your turbo to blow after the tune, get an aftermarket intercooler before aesthetic mods like wheels, tires, and coilovers. Reliability first!
Somewhat I agree with your list 1. Definitely a tune, pretty much a good big bang for a buck 2. Definitely downpipe 3. Clutch for sure, Tune for Automatics 4. Intercoolers. This is Definitely a controversy one because some people prefer DR intercoolers instead of front mount. I have a front mount. Not only was it cheaper but saved myself a lot of time and money. 5. Drop filter 6. Anything. Im saving money for going Big turbo. My list focuses on mostly speed than anything. Wheels are debatable as well as suspension components. Would Definitely recommend mods to like engine mounts and Dog bone mount. Fuel pumps and rs7 spark plugs.
@@coreytelfer4566 Thats awesome!! Im Keeping with the Fueling upgrades, dont know if I really want to spend the extra money for Methanol. Im pretty much ready for stage 3, definitely installing an upgraded is38 turbo.
For DSG owners: Getting a DSG tune is 10,000% worth it, especially so if you complain about the "gear hunting" and how the factory shift points lug the engine. It completely transforms the car from a driveability standpoint and is as much or more of a drastic improvement over stock when compared to and ECU tune. You can usually get DSG tunes for less than $200 through several tuners on the platform if you have a DSG enabled Accessport.
VW RacingLine lowering springs are designed to be used with the factory struts. Probably the best low cost option for those who don’t want to spend the money on coilovers.
My top 10 mod list is this: 1. Tune (Cobb AP and go from there because it gives options for many OTS tunes and custom tunes) 2. Downpipe 3. Intercooler 4. Plugs 5. K&N drop in and modified stock intake 6. Dogbone insert 7. DSG tune for DSG boys, Short shifter for manual boys 8. Wheels and tires 9. Coilovers 10. $$ for maintenance and/or broken parts
I just got my mk7.5 last month. first mods are neuspeed short shift kit, CTS blow off valve are the first to install. after the break in period I'm installing the COBB accessport, bigger intercooler and ram-air style intake (COBBs stage 2 package) stage 2 clutch and then prob coilovers and new shocks/struts. We shall see what comes after that lol. New subscriber here, thanks for great content!!!
Intakes don't do anything for these cars BUT if you get an Intake + inlet pipe + muffler delete/discharge pipe it will make a difference. You can't get an intake alone and expect a performance difference when there's restrictive piping. Also if you're gonna get an intake don't get an open one or a small one like the APR. Racingline and Integrated engineering make the best intakes for the GTI
on uni stage 1+ and im still scratching my head on what i want to do for big turbo set up. Didnt know if you were ever going that route. Also cant wait for all the aerofabb stuff!
@@hospagalief so far for me it's been great. Still leaves me wanting more but still a good tune. Only thing mine does is it will go into this limp mode State if I push it like full boost for a bit. I'd then have to restart the car to refresh computer. Have throttle pipes, inlet pipe and turbo muffler delete. Don't know if that is causing over boost or something
@@otonielaburtobermejo4774 I bought tsw Nurburgring wheels in 18” and for a street tire I went with hankook Ventus v12 evo 2 with a 235 width. Incredible tire for a daily and even wet traction is great and confidence inspiring
Does the super pin help out on making it less of a pain to put it in 1st gear and/or 1st to 2nd? It feels really rough when I do it unless I put it in neutral then back to 1st. Great video btw
@@w116tjb I don’t think it has anything to do with the clutch, I’m talking about physically putting the shift knob in gear. Felt like it could be synchros
@@BerryMK7 it is the synchros. Try not to jam your shifter into first gear unless you are going very slow. Definetly don’t downshift into first if you have been doing that.
DP, intercooler, and E30 tune will get you 320whp, maybe a little more. 93 octane can get you close to 300whp but that's about the limit for that hardware. Burbles can be enabled on stock downpipe (not recommended as you'll eventually clog the cat) or aftermarket.
dude, C L U T C H You're saying go stage 2 or pro tuned lmfao these clutches slip with stage 1. Wait on the coils and wheels, get a clutch so you don't get stranded on the side of the road 🤣
@@MeltingRubberZ28 That's great, most don't, and you objectively can't put down the power you're spending all that money on with a stock clutch. Operating tolerances > his anecdotal evidence > your opinion.
@@MeltingRubberZ28 No he did not 🤣 He may not have noticed but APR is a very aggressive tune, the stock clutch literally can't put stage 2 power down. This isn't a question, and it's not just some randos on forums. I've talked to everyone from VW master techs to tuning companies, the stock clutch is the biggest weak point in modding these cars. Telling people to get wheels and coilovers after a tune and downpipe but not even mentioning a clutch is just irresponsible lol. Lots of people gonna be out of a car till they can scrape up 2k when they burn out their clutch in a week.
@@iRant4u haha ok bud I'm totally lying he never did and my setup must have an upgraded clutch directly from VW. Not saying it isn't a priority and shouldn't be planned to be replaced after tuning, but a lot of people upgrade it before even tuning and half the life of it's gone before they actually tune.
If I were to guess, sounds like decat would be just cutting the catalytic converter off and replacing that with a piece of straight pipe. No one does that on these cars, plus with how the factory pipe is bent at a 90 that would be quite a PITA to do
I’d recommend at least a dogbone mount insert. That really helps especially with the manual cars. Engine/trans mounts too if the funds are available, but the insert is like 50 bucks and makes a huge difference.
Air intake: first pull out the “snow guard” from the filter box, drop in filter, and replace factory intake pipe with a 3”silicone intake pipe. Maybe $100-$120 total. Results: gives you the same cfm as a “cold intake” for a fraction of the price.
Really depends. Most people say you need to upgrade your clutch if you go stage 2 or even stage 1. Ive been stage 2 for the better part of a year on the stock clutch and it’s holding up fine. Definetly upgrading when I go big turbo soon though
@@coreytelfer4566 yeah I've been stage 2 for over a year and my stock clutch is still holding. We've got the boost set to come on a bit smoother though so I feel like that's definitely helping
I would change this list up for those of us who daily, or maybe just aren't interested in maximum power in the long term. Mine is still under warranty, and the roads are sketchy around here. I physically wouldn't be able to drive my car to the dealer if I lowered it because the entrance is on a *steep* incline relative to the road. Even at stock height I get nervous lol So I would suggest (in a loose order [also my list is more specific to DSG owners as that's what I have]) 1) Tires (the stock Pirelli P7's that came on mine were *megatrash*. I got a set of PSAS4's and they're phenomenal) 2) Alltrack Skid plate (to protect the plastic oil pan - note from what I've read that this will have to be removed if you go stage 2 + as a larger front mount intercooler may not fit) 3) OBD Eleven, or some software customization that allows you to enjoy extra software ready features that didn't come standard on US models (like comfort open/close, alternate turn signals, etc) 4) If you plan on tuning, definitely a downpipe (and a DSG tune). For stage 1 the downpipe isn't mandatory, but for anything beyond: it is. Also, for stage 2 and after an intercooler as well, and IIRC a charge pipe 4) Wheels are a solid option, though beware that lighter wheels are generally more likely to bend/ crack from potholes. 5) Mudflaps. Especially if you run sticky tires, beware of road debris kicked up into your undercarriage. Also, avoid any guards that touch paint or wrap over/around body panels/surfaces, as they can trap grit that will scuff your paint. I went with a set of Rally Armor and I love the look. Beyond that, the world is your oyster with these cars. Get a few visual mods and make your GTI unique. I really like seeing others on the road and what they've done to them.
@@jpellee9113 I wouldn't. The stock clutch is basically designed for stock power levels and that's it. It'll probably start slipping pretty noticeably under load. There are tons of aftermarket clutches that are pretty good quality. I've read good things about Southbend
He is only on lowering springs. Some upgraded dampers are compatible with dcc and some aren’t, you’d just have to look into it. I’d recommend the Racingline sport dampers and sport springs. It’s the perfect setup and much cheaper than coilovers.
This video is great, I have pretty much the exact same car (plaid seats, manual, the works) and I absolutely love it. Had it for 2ish years and I wanna start doing some stuff to it and this is a great start. Think I’m gonna start with the super pin/short shifter.
I wish I had a Cobb access port over APR. But I love my intake, it was like $80-$100. Looks cool and sounds good. I don’t care about performance I just want that turbo noise.
Pretty Good Video. I have the Super Pin and a few other Diesel Geek Goodies. It is well worth it. Do have a K&N Filter too. Thinking about getting the access port and downpipe soon. What are the your thoughts on a rear sway bar?
The three best mods I ever did that I always recommend are: sway bar, short shifter and air intake. Handles better, shifts better and sounds better. For a total of 1000$, that’s the bang for your buck. If you enjoy spirited driving and tracking, the sway bar becomes the best mod.
You couldn’t have uploaded this at a better time. I’m picking up my 2016 gti tomorrow! Love the content, keep doing you
6MT or DSG? I'm switching from a Focus ST to a DSG GTI, really excited to make the switch but just wondering how you're enjoying it?
@@EJ-497 aye i’m also switching from a focus st to a gti
@@ethanschoonderbeek why may i ask. i was actually thinking about trading in my 16 gti for a focus st
#3 should be an aftermarket intercooler, especially for those who live in hot climates and/or elevation areas. Unless you want your turbo to blow after the tune, get an aftermarket intercooler before aesthetic mods like wheels, tires, and coilovers. Reliability first!
The only way for the intercooler to affect the turbocharger is a result of high backpressure, which is not a problem with the stock GTI intercooler.
turbo inlet pipe along with the drop in filter is the best intake setup according to most and its like 200$ cheaper than most intake setups
Finally a gti modding channel that isn't garbage!
Somewhat I agree with your list
1. Definitely a tune, pretty much a good big bang for a buck
2. Definitely downpipe
3. Clutch for sure, Tune for Automatics
4. Intercoolers. This is Definitely a controversy one because some people prefer DR intercoolers instead of front mount. I have a front mount. Not only was it cheaper but saved myself a lot of time and money.
5. Drop filter
6. Anything.
Im saving money for going Big turbo.
My list focuses on mostly speed than anything.
Wheels are debatable as well as suspension components. Would Definitely recommend mods to like engine mounts and Dog bone mount. Fuel pumps and rs7 spark plugs.
Perfect list. What turbo setup are you planning on going with? I’m probably just going to go is38 + methanol instead of fueling upgrades.
@@coreytelfer4566 Thats awesome!! Im Keeping with the Fueling upgrades, dont know if I really want to spend the extra money for Methanol.
Im pretty much ready for stage 3, definitely installing an upgraded is38 turbo.
For DSG owners: Getting a DSG tune is 10,000% worth it, especially so if you complain about the "gear hunting" and how the factory shift points lug the engine. It completely transforms the car from a driveability standpoint and is as much or more of a drastic improvement over stock when compared to and ECU tune. You can usually get DSG tunes for less than $200 through several tuners on the platform if you have a DSG enabled Accessport.
I’ve had my 2017 gti autobahn for almost a year and I haven’t decided what mods I want to do or even where to start. Thanks for this video!
Mr too haha!!
VW RacingLine lowering springs are designed to be used with the factory struts. Probably the best low cost option for those who don’t want to spend the money on coilovers.
My top 10 mod list is this:
1. Tune (Cobb AP and go from there because it gives options for many OTS tunes and custom tunes)
2. Downpipe
3. Intercooler
4. Plugs
5. K&N drop in and modified stock intake
6. Dogbone insert
7. DSG tune for DSG boys, Short shifter for manual boys
8. Wheels and tires
9. Coilovers
10. $$ for maintenance and/or broken parts
Could i run 300 ish horsepower tune on stock 2015 manual clutch?
I just got my mk7.5 last month. first mods are neuspeed short shift kit, CTS blow off valve are the first to install. after the break in period I'm installing the COBB accessport, bigger intercooler and ram-air style intake (COBBs stage 2 package) stage 2 clutch and then prob coilovers and new shocks/struts. We shall see what comes after that lol. New subscriber here, thanks for great content!!!
Agree with most except Super Pin, have read too many testimonials of people installing then removing.
I always thought APR tune would be best but recently started thinking the Cobb AccessPort would be better.. nice timing with this!
Dont run the cobb 2 ots... my 17' hated it.....
@WonderWaffle ok, how do I DO that, is the question
Intakes don't do anything for these cars BUT if you get an Intake + inlet pipe + muffler delete/discharge pipe it will make a difference. You can't get an intake alone and expect a performance difference when there's restrictive piping. Also if you're gonna get an intake don't get an open one or a small one like the APR. Racingline and Integrated engineering make the best intakes for the GTI
Cobb accessport, downpipe, fmic, drop in filter stage two tune (ecu/tcu) All the gains!
I recently bought a 2015 gti dsg autobahn and I’ve added a hooker catback exhaust and a set of vors wheels.
Hell yeah
Good list, man. Congrats on that dope ride. Interested: Why no intercooler or rear sway bar?
I think the list was spot on.
on uni stage 1+ and im still scratching my head on what i want to do for big turbo set up. Didnt know if you were ever going that route. Also cant wait for all the aerofabb stuff!
Just got stage 1 unitronic for my 21 gti, any thoughts or advice?
@@hospagalief so far for me it's been great. Still leaves me wanting more but still a good tune. Only thing mine does is it will go into this limp mode State if I push it like full boost for a bit. I'd then have to restart the car to refresh computer. Have throttle pipes, inlet pipe and turbo muffler delete. Don't know if that is causing over boost or something
@@jerry3605 I have everything stock, but feel the same way, want stage 2 but need some mods
@@hospagalief biggest hurdle for me is clutch... but other then that I'd definitely go more power.
Just got a unitronic stage 1 for my 21 gti
Unless you are adding HP with an IS38, intercooler and turbo back exhaust, once the point of anything else.
Well, an exhaust is 100% pointless. It just gives sound. Waste of $$
First thing I did was lighter wheels and stickier rubber.night and day difference
Any recommendations?
@@otonielaburtobermejo4774 I bought tsw Nurburgring wheels in 18” and for a street tire I went with hankook Ventus v12 evo 2 with a 235 width. Incredible tire for a daily and even wet traction is great and confidence inspiring
@@kolourblind3124 nice, I'll definitely look it up now. I appreciate the info 👍
Would you recommend replacing the clutch? Before all these mods
Does the super pin help out on making it less of a pain to put it in 1st gear and/or 1st to 2nd? It feels really rough when I do it unless I put it in neutral then back to 1st. Great video btw
The clutch bleeder block hack (removing the gasket) or buying a new unrestricted one from ECS Tuning will help with this.
@@w116tjb I don’t think it has anything to do with the clutch, I’m talking about physically putting the shift knob in gear. Felt like it could be synchros
@@BerryMK7 it is the synchros. Try not to jam your shifter into first gear unless you are going very slow. Definetly don’t downshift into first if you have been doing that.
Double-clutch shifting helps me in these situations. The syncros act funny in the first couple gears unless you do that, or shift around 3-3.5k rpm.
What are your thoughts on the eurdine tuning suite???
Just got my 2021 GTI SE. I love it so far! Quick question for you. Where did you get the diffuser fins at 7:59?
Neverminded I found it. :)
opinions on H&R coil over?
1. used intake
2. Nice catless downpipe
3 intercooler
4. sparkplugs
5 Cobb AP and a decent tune
how do you feel about change from the audi OEM short shifter to the DAP holy shift?
short shifter will be my first non-aesthetic mod.
Night and day difference! The holy shift is amazing in every way!
@@Russellscottx thanks man!
Solid !!
So if I get a cobb access port and Dyno it can I ask them to get me like 320 HP and make it burble
DP, intercooler, and E30 tune will get you 320whp, maybe a little more. 93 octane can get you close to 300whp but that's about the limit for that hardware. Burbles can be enabled on stock downpipe (not recommended as you'll eventually clog the cat) or aftermarket.
@@turbocell0410 EQT E30 on IS20 made 340whp/400wtq.
FBO with JB4 as the tuner (NOT stacked with a flash tune) made 323WHP on 93
dude, C L U T C H
You're saying go stage 2 or pro tuned lmfao these clutches slip with stage 1. Wait on the coils and wheels, get a clutch so you don't get stranded on the side of the road 🤣
He got 85,000 out of his stock clutch. His experience>your opinion
@@MeltingRubberZ28 That's great, most don't, and you objectively can't put down the power you're spending all that money on with a stock clutch. Operating tolerances > his anecdotal evidence > your opinion.
@@iRant4u haha. He objectively did for years bud 👍. I've got 1.5 years on my setup too.
But hey you read forums so you know best
@@MeltingRubberZ28 No he did not 🤣 He may not have noticed but APR is a very aggressive tune, the stock clutch literally can't put stage 2 power down. This isn't a question, and it's not just some randos on forums. I've talked to everyone from VW master techs to tuning companies, the stock clutch is the biggest weak point in modding these cars. Telling people to get wheels and coilovers after a tune and downpipe but not even mentioning a clutch is just irresponsible lol. Lots of people gonna be out of a car till they can scrape up 2k when they burn out their clutch in a week.
@@iRant4u haha ok bud I'm totally lying he never did and my setup must have an upgraded clutch directly from VW.
Not saying it isn't a priority and shouldn't be planned to be replaced after tuning, but a lot of people upgrade it before even tuning and half the life of it's gone before they actually tune.
First
Yeet
Bought my GTI mk7 with 66,000 miles. I had a Volkswagen previous I’m scared of it breaking down again like what happened to my old VW
Don’t know if this is a silly question but what’s the difference between a down pipe and a decat or sport cats
If I were to guess, sounds like decat would be just cutting the catalytic converter off and replacing that with a piece of straight pipe. No one does that on these cars, plus with how the factory pipe is bent at a 90 that would be quite a PITA to do
I will shout "Integrated Engineering" from rooftops. DYI tunes, downpipes, and many assorted bits for MK7 GTI.
I’d recommend at least a dogbone mount insert. That really helps especially with the manual cars. Engine/trans mounts too if the funds are available, but the insert is like 50 bucks and makes a huge difference.
Just did an insert monday... little vibration at takeoff as expected but zero wheel hop now... well worth it
@@shannonmcatee9610 it'll break in and the vibrations will mellow out. definitely worth it
Definitely gonna cause me to need that stage 2 clutch sooner then later 😂
Air intake: first pull out the “snow guard” from the filter box, drop in filter, and replace factory intake pipe with a 3”silicone intake pipe. Maybe $100-$120 total. Results: gives you the same cfm as a “cold intake” for a fraction of the price.
Ever think if u took all the money u sank into that car that u could have just bought a much better car? That’s what I would do
are you on and upgraded clutch or stock? how well does it hold up on stage 2?
You’ll cook a stock clutch going stage 2 , trust me lol
Really depends. Most people say you need to upgrade your clutch if you go stage 2 or even stage 1. Ive been stage 2 for the better part of a year on the stock clutch and it’s holding up fine. Definetly upgrading when I go big turbo soon though
Stock clutch got stage 1 unitronic, just got it hope clutch holds up
@@coreytelfer4566 yeah I've been stage 2 for over a year and my stock clutch is still holding. We've got the boost set to come on a bit smoother though so I feel like that's definitely helping
@@MeltingRubberZ28 yeah keeping that torque curve flat is pretty important for stock clutch and stock motor
Wheels/Tires first then go from there
I would change this list up for those of us who daily, or maybe just aren't interested in maximum power in the long term. Mine is still under warranty, and the roads are sketchy around here. I physically wouldn't be able to drive my car to the dealer if I lowered it because the entrance is on a *steep* incline relative to the road. Even at stock height I get nervous lol
So I would suggest (in a loose order [also my list is more specific to DSG owners as that's what I have])
1) Tires (the stock Pirelli P7's that came on mine were *megatrash*. I got a set of PSAS4's and they're phenomenal)
2) Alltrack Skid plate (to protect the plastic oil pan - note from what I've read that this will have to be removed if you go stage 2 + as a larger front mount intercooler may not fit)
3) OBD Eleven, or some software customization that allows you to enjoy extra software ready features that didn't come standard on US models (like comfort open/close, alternate turn signals, etc)
4) If you plan on tuning, definitely a downpipe (and a DSG tune). For stage 1 the downpipe isn't mandatory, but for anything beyond: it is. Also, for stage 2 and after an intercooler as well, and IIRC a charge pipe
4) Wheels are a solid option, though beware that lighter wheels are generally more likely to bend/ crack from potholes.
5) Mudflaps. Especially if you run sticky tires, beware of road debris kicked up into your undercarriage. Also, avoid any guards that touch paint or wrap over/around body panels/surfaces, as they can trap grit that will scuff your paint. I went with a set of Rally Armor and I love the look.
Beyond that, the world is your oyster with these cars. Get a few visual mods and make your GTI unique. I really like seeing others on the road and what they've done to them.
Thanks for the advice! I' just got my 2020 GTI sport and the tires spin like crazy
Could i run 300 ish horsepower tune on stock 2015 manual clutch?
@@jpellee9113 I wouldn't. The stock clutch is basically designed for stock power levels and that's it. It'll probably start slipping pretty noticeably under load. There are tons of aftermarket clutches that are pretty good quality. I've read good things about Southbend
@@psnmadracer27 yea i might be looking at the stage 2 daily by southbend
Do you have upgraded dampers and if so what about you DCC?
He is only on lowering springs. Some upgraded dampers are compatible with dcc and some aren’t, you’d just have to look into it. I’d recommend the Racingline sport dampers and sport springs. It’s the perfect setup and much cheaper than coilovers.
Where did you get those rim bro.They dope af 💯
Those look like OZ wheels, not too sure which one exactly
Hey little new here but if i get a tuning done to my gti is it necessary to get it downpiped or can i keep the exhaust stock?
Intercooler should be #2. Even the stock tune suffers badly with the oem cooler.
There’s a site with someone who did the stock intake mod and tested it against after market, the stock was neck n neck.
This video is great, I have pretty much the exact same car (plaid seats, manual, the works) and I absolutely love it. Had it for 2ish years and I wanna start doing some stuff to it and this is a great start. Think I’m gonna start with the super pin/short shifter.
Aerofabb makes real quality stuff
Audi short shifter is the first mod.
Love the DieselGeek short shifter on my MK6. Also agreed with you on the APR intake...the extra noises are neat, but that's about it.
Dope
APR just discontinued their tunes
$499 for mk7 gti stage 1
Lol more like 700+ for the stage 1 and I recommend getting the DSG tune along with it if you can. It’s a lot more smoother.
I wish I had a Cobb access port over APR. But I love my intake, it was like $80-$100. Looks cool and sounds good. I don’t care about performance I just want that turbo noise.
What intake?
Pretty Good Video. I have the Super Pin and a few other Diesel Geek Goodies. It is well worth it. Do have a K&N Filter too. Thinking about getting the access port and downpipe soon. What are the your thoughts on a rear sway bar?
Rear sway bar is honestly such a must lol. I got a 034 one used for $200. Strong recommend
What about clutch?
yes if you have a manual before you do ANYTHING upgrade your clutch. the gti clutch is only rated for the stock power
Just wondering if his Mk7 clutch has been replaced yet??
@@aster6988 got a stage 1 unitronic and hoping clutch holds up fine
@@UnplugNUnwind his was still stock at 85,000 miles
Shoulda bought an R
Sounds like im doing well, I have a '17 DSG and the last thing on the list is wheels and tires 😅
Tires done and got an intake for the stututu
Neuspeed open air intake is where it’s at. Forget about APR intakes..
If i go with this intake can still go with a stage 1 APR tune?
or do you have other stage 1 tunes I should look into
@@THETOOTHPICK1534 absolutely that’s what I have on my 2016 Golf R
First thing to do would be buy a 3 Dr in the first place 🤣
Incorrect. More doors, more whores. More hinges, more minges.
The three best mods I ever did that I always recommend are: sway bar, short shifter and air intake. Handles better, shifts better and sounds better. For a total of 1000$, that’s the bang for your buck. If you enjoy spirited driving and tracking, the sway bar becomes the best mod.