I've had my '12 Golf R for a few years, but never got around to posting a build thread, so here goes.
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Background
Back in 2017, I still had my MKIV R32 which had been converted to a 4motion big turbo PD TDI. Car had been amazing. I had daily'ed it for 5 years and had been relatively reliable overall during that time. The car was starting to show its age, and just continued to become less reliable, and as most motor swaps are, a relatively painful daily to own.
I wanted to get a new daily that was:
Ideally, I was looking for a car with rods, a balance shaft delete, and stiffer valve springs to hopefully prevent the EA113 from eating itself, but nothing perfect came along when I was in the market. When I saw Dan Shook's car come up (61k mile IE450T MKVI Golf R), I read through his build thread and saw all the work he put into the car. After reading though it and speaking with him, it seemed that he had worked through all the bugs of the IE kit/tuning.
So, with some caution and lots of excitement, I bought it in April of 2017 from Dan and ventured from Chicago to Battle Creek, MI to pick it up.
![Automotive tail & brake light Automotive design Automotive exterior Vehicle Automotive lighting]()
Modifications After Taking Ownership
Here are all the current modifications to date with notes when the particular mod was done. I have bolded all mods performed after taking ownership. The hyperlinks are mostly for reference if needed. Original specs can be found in the original sale post.
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January 2020 engine bay glamor shot
![Rectangle Slope Font Parallel Pattern]()
September dyno (Mustang) with United Motorsport 92 octane tune
Engine
Exhaust
Trans/Driveline
Wheels/Tires
Summer
Chassis & Suspension
Interior
Cosmetic & Exterior
Modifications/Maintenance
Here is the basic modifications and maintence up to the present. Will be documenting any meaningful work done in this thread after this point.
As you will see, somehow my thought of "buying a modified car and just driving it" went out the window. I've done a fair amount of work since taking ownership – some of it regular maintenance, some upgrades, and some, unfortunately, unscheduled maintenance.
@65,000 miles
@75,000 miles
During installation of intake manifold and billet valve cover, major abrasion and missing material was discovered with both cams (mostly on intake) and the roller rocker assemblies. There was significant missing material from the cam journals in the head, and the sealant was the wrong color (non-OEM). This head had been tampered with by a prior owner.
Head is being replaced with a built head (was available on VWvortex - did not purchase with cams since they would require custom pistons with deeper reliefs and a different custom tune) since the MKVI Golf R (CRZA engine code) has stiffer springs, and a different cam profile.
Repairs (VW genuine parts unless noted):
@90,100 miles
Background
Back in 2017, I still had my MKIV R32 which had been converted to a 4motion big turbo PD TDI. Car had been amazing. I had daily'ed it for 5 years and had been relatively reliable overall during that time. The car was starting to show its age, and just continued to become less reliable, and as most motor swaps are, a relatively painful daily to own.
I wanted to get a new daily that was:
- 6 speed manual
- AWD
- Hatch or wagon
- 4/5 doors
- Made reasonable power
- Some modern tech/creature comforts
- Good aftermarket
- Reasonably reliable
- Reasonably efficient
- 2014 Subaru WRX STi hatch
- 2012 VW Golf R
- B7 Audi A4 Avant
- BMW E91 328xi Touring
Ideally, I was looking for a car with rods, a balance shaft delete, and stiffer valve springs to hopefully prevent the EA113 from eating itself, but nothing perfect came along when I was in the market. When I saw Dan Shook's car come up (61k mile IE450T MKVI Golf R), I read through his build thread and saw all the work he put into the car. After reading though it and speaking with him, it seemed that he had worked through all the bugs of the IE kit/tuning.
So, with some caution and lots of excitement, I bought it in April of 2017 from Dan and ventured from Chicago to Battle Creek, MI to pick it up.
Modifications After Taking Ownership
Here are all the current modifications to date with notes when the particular mod was done. I have bolded all mods performed after taking ownership. The hyperlinks are mostly for reference if needed. Original specs can be found in the original sale post.
January 2020 engine bay glamor shot
September dyno (Mustang) with United Motorsport 92 octane tune
Engine
- United Motorsport “fully loaded” (custom) tune - Mustang dyno (eddy current) tuned - 403 WHP / 376 LB-FT
- Was 352 WHP / 350 LB-FT on IE 450T software
- Built Cylinder Head (added 89,154 miles)
- CNC ported and polished
- Intake runner flap notches filled
- CNC machined for the bigger springs to fit
- Combustion chamber was polished/smoothed out
- Resurfaced
- Parts installed in custom head:
- ARP FSI Head Studs - p/n 204-4302 (added 89,154 miles)
- Genuine VW Golf R cams (CZRA head has stiffer valve springs & aggressive cams over MKV BPY) 06F109101K and 06F109102F (added 89,154 miles)
- 16x Cat cams upper retainer 99545/s
- 16x Cat cams lower retainer 99546/O
- 16x Cat cams outer valve spring PAC-E99865 (enlarged seats, oversized springs)
- 16x Cat cams inner valve spring PAC-I99865 (enlarged seats, oversized springs)
- 8x Supertech inconel +1mm exhaust valves
- 8x Supertech +1mm intake valves
- 16x IE valve guides
- 16x VW OEM valve seals
- ARP cam cradle bolts - p/n 04-1001 (added 89,154 miles)
- CTS Turbo Throttle Pipe
- Modified for OEM-style mount/retainer to prevent movement and coupler from sliding off (added 89,154 miles)
- IE FDS Front Mount Intercooler
- IE High Pressure Fuel Pump
- Dynodrome 165 bar FPRV (added 94,400 miles)
- IE 450T Turbo Kit
- BorgWarner EFR 6758 Twin Scroll Turbo
- Turbosmart IWG-75 wastegate actuator
- IE cast Exhaust Manifold
- IE charge pipes
- BorgWarner EFR 6758 Twin Scroll Turbo
- IE Cold Air intake
- OEM R8 coil packs (added 65,000 miles)
- 034 Motorsports Catch Can and continuous drain line (added 84,500 miles)
- Optima Yellowtop H6 battery (added 86,500 miles)
- IE VW & Audi 2.0T Performance Intake Manifold (added 89,154 miles)
- CTS Turbo billet valve cover - 2.0T FSI (added 89,154 miles)
- Full -10AN catch can plumbing (added 89,154 miles)
- EVAP Crossover Tube Relocation Kit for 2.0T FSI with IE Valve Cover (added 89,154 miles)
- IE Block Breather Adapter for 2.0T FSI and 2.5L 5 Cyl Engines (added 89,154 miles)
- IE Rear Breather Blockoff Plate for 2.0T FSI & TSI (Gen1 & 2) Engines with -10AN to ⅜ NPT fitting at turbo inlet (added 89,154 miles)
- Engine bay misc aluminum cosmetic upgrades
- Washer Fluid Reservoir Cap - Black Anodized (added 89,154 miles)
- Expansion Tank Cap - Black Anodized (added 89,154 miles)
- Fuidampr crank pulley - P/N 551211 (added 89,154 miles)
- iABED TSI cam follower conversion adapter - p/n 462-103-107SLR (added 89,154 miles)
- Spulen Recirculation Hose-Black For 2.0T FSI DV (added 94,300 miles)
- Fumoto F106SX Drain Valve (added 94,600 miles)
Exhaust
- IE 450T downpipe (non-catted as from IE)
- CTS Catback- full 3” all the way back
- Restrictions removed at 89,154 miles
- G-Sport Catalytic Converters - GEN1 - Ultra High Output - EPA Compliant - 3" 85030 (added 92,200 miles)
- Vibrant Performance 1142 - Vibrant Performance Ultra-Quiet Resonator (added 92,200 miles)
Trans/Driveline
- Diesel Geek Sigma 6 Short Shifter
- BFI Stage 4 Clutch/Flywheel Setup
- Torque Arm Insert BSH (dog bone insert)
- BFI MK6 Stage 1 Transmission Mount (added 94,600 miles)
- BFI MK6 Stage 1 Engine Mount (added 94,600 miles)
- HPA Competition Haldex Controller
- BMS Clutch Stop
Wheels/Tires
Summer
- 18x8 OZ Superturismo LM MGS
- Diameter: 18 inches
- Width: 8 inches
- Stock is 7.5Jx18
- Colour: Gunmetal
- PCD: 5x120
- Offset (ET): 40
- Stock is ET 51 (other places have said 45)
- Max load: 705 kg
- Weight: 10.27 kg
- 235 x 40 x 18 Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4(added 92,200 miles)
- Replaced 255/40ZR-18 SUMITOMO HTR Z III XL tires (added 65,000 miles)
- Almost completely eliminated rubbing
- Opted for these over PS4S because of Washington climate
- Replaced 255/40ZR-18 SUMITOMO HTR Z III XL tires (added 65,000 miles)
- Michelin x-ice xi3
- Stock Powdercoated Wheels
- (factory total offset 57.1)
- Stock tire: 225/40ZR18 92Y
- Diameter: 18”
- Width: 7.5”
- Positive offset of 51mm
Chassis & Suspension
- H&R Sway Bars
- Tyrolsport front and rear deadset subframe kits (added 84,500 miles)
- Whiteline front and rear sway bar end links (added 84,500 miles)
- Whiteline poly trailing arm bushings (added 84,500 miles)
- Whiteline ball joints (bump steer/roll center correction) (added 84,500 miles)
- Whiteline poly rear lower control arm bushings (added 84,500 miles)
- KW V3 coilovers (added 84,500 miles)
- ECS heavy duty strut mounts & bearings (added 84,500 miles)
- Supaloy front lower control arms and poly bushings (added 84,500 miles)
- KW 30MM Spring Spacers (rear) (added 87,500 miles)
- The tire width has necessitated spacers to minimize rubbing on the inner fender liner (the KW V3s will not go high enough to accommodate)
- Will be switching to 235s in the future
- OE front rotors (added 86,900 miles)
- Stoptech slotted rotors were out of stock everywhere when I realized rotors needed replacement
- Stoptech slotted rear rotors (added 65,000 miles)
- Stoptech Stainless Lines
- ATE Type 200 Brake Fluid
- Hawk HPS rear brake pads (added 65,000 miles)
- Hawk HPS front brake pads (added 86,900 miles)
- Tyrolsport front brake caliper stiffeners (added 86,900 miles)
- Tyrolsport Master Cylinder Bracket (added 94,600 miles)
Interior
- BFI Heavy Weight Shift Knob SCHWARZ - Black Alcantara
- Interior LED’s
- Bold Sport stainless R seat inserts
- OEM VW RCD330 Plus CarPlay/Android Auto (Noname Linux OS version) 187B Stereo 6RD 035 187 B (added 80,000 miles)
- Rennline PM0110 magnetic phone mount for MKVI (added at 80,000 miles)
- BFI blue stitching leather shift boot (added at 88,900 miles)
- Genuine VW European light switch with automatic function (added at 89,450 miles)
- P3 v2 Blue/White digital gauge with track pack (added at 90,700 miles)
Cosmetic & Exterior
- IE Badge
- OEM Dark Cherry Euro Tails
- Black Front VW Badge
- Blue/Black Hatch Badge
- LED license plate lights
- ECS aspherical side-view mirrors (added 65,000 miles)
- US Millworks tow-hook license plate mount (added 65,000 miles)
- OEM Rear tow hook cover (added 65,000 miles)
- Rolled front fenders (added at 84,400 miles)
- Dynamic Trajectory Rear View Backup Camera RVC For VW Golf 6/POLO AT For RCD330 (added at 88,900 miles)
- Evolution Imports Osiris Skid Plate(added 97,500 miles)
- Osiris Oil cover for simplifying oil changes
Modifications/Maintenance
Here is the basic modifications and maintence up to the present. Will be documenting any meaningful work done in this thread after this point.
As you will see, somehow my thought of "buying a modified car and just driving it" went out the window. I've done a fair amount of work since taking ownership – some of it regular maintenance, some upgrades, and some, unfortunately, unscheduled maintenance.
@65,000 miles
- Heated aspherical mirror set
- Fuel pump cam follower change
- Oil change
- Golf R Rear Bumper Tow Hook Cover
- Hawk HPS rear brake pads
- Stoptech slotted rear rotors
- 255/40ZR-18 SUMITOMO HTR Z III XL tires
- OZ hub-centric rings
@75,000 miles
- OEM R8 coil packs
- NGK iridium spark plugs
- Fuel pump cam follower change
- Oil change
- Tyrolsport front and rear deadset subframe kits
- Whiteline front and rear sway bar end links
- Whiteline poly trailing arm bushings
- Whiteline ball joints (bump steer/roll center correction)
- Whiteline steering rack bushing - could not install
- Whiteline poly rear lower control arm bushing
- KW V3 coilovers
- ECS heavy coilover install kit
- ECS Tie rod service kit
- Supaloy front lower control arms and poly bushings
- 034 Motorsports Catch Can and continuous drain line
- Clean intake valves with CDC GDI IVD Intake Valve and Turbo Cleaner (did not seem to do much)
- Alignment x1
- Oil change
- Fuel pump cam follower change
- Rolled front fenders
- Optima Yellowtop H6 battery
- Timing belt, tensioner, rollers, water pump, serpentine belt, coolant service
- Head and intake cleaning (walnut blast)
- Drain intercooler of oil
- Modify charge pipe adjacent to throttle body and fix boost leak
- Front brakes
- OE rotors (Stoptech drilled/slotted out of stock at all vendors at this time)
- Brake flush
- Hawk HPS pads
- Walnut blast intake/head to remove carbon buildup
- Cleaned engine bay
- Tyrolsport front brake caliper stiffeners
- Haldex fluid and filter service
- KW 30MM Spring Spacers(rear)
- Raised the car
- Still rubs with this tire/wheel combo
- Alignment
- BFI blue stitching leather shift boot
- Replacement inner shifter trim ring (wish someone made a billet Al one)
- Replacement outer (aluminum look GTI) shifter trim ring (wish someone made a billet Al one)
- Purchase IE Power Link v4 (original clear one is not supported anymore)
- Replacement rear wiper (Bosch)
- Dynamic Trajectory Rear View Backup Camera RVC For VW Golf 6/POLO AT For RCD330 (added at 88,900 miles)
During installation of intake manifold and billet valve cover, major abrasion and missing material was discovered with both cams (mostly on intake) and the roller rocker assemblies. There was significant missing material from the cam journals in the head, and the sealant was the wrong color (non-OEM). This head had been tampered with by a prior owner.
Head is being replaced with a built head (was available on VWvortex - did not purchase with cams since they would require custom pistons with deeper reliefs and a different custom tune) since the MKVI Golf R (CRZA engine code) has stiffer springs, and a different cam profile.
- CNC ported and polished
- Intake runner flap notches filled
- CNC machined for the bigger springs to fit
- Combustion chamber was polished/ smoothed out
- Resurfaced
- Parts installed in custom head:
- Cat cams 762006 cams (biggest cam available in the market for the FSI )
- Genuine VW Golf R cams (CZRA head has stiffer valve springs & aggressive cames over MKV BPY) 06F109101K and 06F109102F
- 16x Cat cams upper retainer 99545/s
- 16x Cat cams lower retainer 99546/O
- 16x Cat cams outer valve spring PAC-E99865 (enlarged seats, oversized springs)
- 16x Cat cams inner valve spring PAC-I99865 (enlarged seats, oversized springs)
- 8x Supertech inconel +1mm exhaust valves
- 8x Supertech +1 intake valves
- 16x IE valve guides
- 16x VW OEM valve seals
- ARP cam cradle bolts - p/n 04-1001
- Cat cams 762006 cams (biggest cam available in the market for the FSI )
Repairs (VW genuine parts unless noted):
- Genuine VW Intake camshaft
- Genuine VW Exhaust camshaft
- Genuine VW Roller rocker arms
- Genuine VW Hydraulic lifters
- OES Timing chain
- OES Timing chain tensioner
- Associated fasteners, seals, etc.
- Replaced Turbosmart TS-0205-3111 Blow Off Valve -3AN Banjo Nipple Replacement
- Welded 3” section in downpipe-exhaust to remove restriction
- Replaced 2.5” exhaust slip-clamp and replaced with proper 3” APR slip-clamp
- Modified throttle body inlet piping (welded extension)
- IE VW & Audi 2.0T Performance Intake Manifold
- CTS Turbo billet valve cover - 2.0T FSI - CTS TURBO
- Full -10AN catch can plumbing
- EVAP Crossover Tube Relocation Kit for 2.0T FSI with IE Valve Cover
- IE Block Breather Adapter for 2.0T FSI and 2.5L 5 Cyl Engines
- IE Rear Breather Blockoff Plate for 2.0T FSI & TSI (Gen1 & 2) Engines with -10AN to ⅜ NPT fitting at turbo inlet
- Engine bay AL
- Fuidampr crank pulley - P/N 551211
- ARP FSI Head Studs - p/n 204-4302
- iABED TSI cam follower conversion adapter - p/n 462-103-107SLR
- Genuine VW European light switch with automatic function
- Added light sensor
- Added wiring for independent DRL
- Soundaktor defeat
- Replacement IE 5” dry cone intake filter
@90,100 miles
- Replaced G247 sensor with Bosch (Genuine VW is supplied by Bosch 0261545050) - hoping to resolve the issues below:
- Was getting 004506 - Fuel Pressure Sensor (G247) P119A - 001 - Malfunction - MIL ON error between 20 and 175 miles
- Got 000369 - Fuel Trim; Bank 1 P0171 - 001 - System Too Lean - MIL ON ONCE
- Got 000136 - Fuel Rail/System Pressure
- P0088 - 001 - Too High - Intermittent
- Freeze Frame:
- Fault Status: 00100001
- Fault Priority: 2
- Fault Frequency: 3
- The car seemed to drive normally, so I am hoping that the new sensor resolves the issue
- I have driven the car over 500 miles since w/o a CEL
- Updated IE450T + manifold tune - addresses CEL for missing intake runner flap motor
- Confirmed working
- Replaced set screw style BFI shifter knob adapter with updated version
- P3 v2 Blue/White digital gauge with track pack
- Replaced right outer damaged OEM Euro LED tail light with OEM replacement
- Installed ECS Billet Dipstick
- Installed 235 x 40 x 18 Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4
- Exhaust work
- G-Sport Catalytic Converters - GEN1 - Ultra High Output - EPA Compliant - 3" 85030
- Vibrant Performance 1142 - Vibrant Performance Ultra-Quiet Resonator
- Modified tips to center/fit properly
- There was a center V-band that had a lip with a mating V-band that did not - it had been sealed by silicone
- Lip was ground down and now seals properly
- Dynodrome 165 bar FPRV installed
- United Motorsport “fully loaded” (custom) tune - Mustang dyno (eddy current) tuned
- Was 352 WHP / 350 LB-FT on IE stage 3
- Now is 403 WHP / 376 LB-FT on UM software
- Now getting 2x timing faults
- Spulen Recirculation Hose-Black For 2.0T FSI DV
- N205 valve (06F109257C - URO brand) and camshaft position sensor(genuine VW 07K907601A) to address P000A & P0011 timing codes
- Did not resolve
- Installed aftermarket timing cover rebuild kitafter discovering 1/3 missing control seal, 1/3 broken control seal: control seals, timing cover gasket, HPFP gasket, vacuum pump gasket
- P000A & P0011 timing codes resolved!
- Racingline 70mm conical seat stud & nut conversion
- Fixed rear HID level arm to address low-aimed headlights
- Oil & filter change - Liqui Moly Molygen 5w40 & Mann filter
- Fumoto F106SX Drain Valve
- Tyrolsport Master Cylinder Bracket
- Modified & relocated 034 catch can mount point from motor mount to frame
- Re-plumb catch can continuous drain with AN-6 plumbing to AN shutoff valve OR 034 drain flange
- 034Motorsport CATCH CAN OIL DRAIN FLANGE ADAPTER - 034-101-Z003
- AN-6 to ⅛” NPT, 90º AN-6 to ⅛” NPT swivel
- BFI MK6 Stage 1 Transmission Mount
- BFI MK6 Stage 1 Engine Mount
- Mann WK-69 fuel filter
- Evolution Imports Osiris Skid Plate
- Osiris Oil cover (for simplifying oil changes)
- Swapped for stainless hardware
- Replaced bolts with stud/nut-type setup for front hardware
- Trimmed passenger-side intercooler hose to remove kink
