APR Stage 3

Come this July, Ill be sealing the deal with APR Stage 3. The quality of the kit look outstanding, and although the price seems a little much, I've got a very good feeling that it ill put down some serious numbers.

Look at what you get for the cash!

To say the very least, APR has put considerable though and work into the development of this kit.

APR Claims:

382 crank HP on 93 Octane

Finally, meet the snail of the hour...APR utilized a GT2871R by Garrett. The Stage 3 software supposedly requests from 20-22 psi. Once you hit the request, its supposed to hold it all the way through redline. The 2871R is an amazing turbo, perfectly suited for the 2.0TFSI platform. Paired with DSG, theres no doubt that I'll be making some impressive numbers.

I'll have more up close info come July 2010, stay tuned!

APR software

Back in December, I got APR software for my GTi, and all I have to say is wow. Power is smooth, and coupled with DSG, it is an amazing feel. Based on APR, numbers are about a 40 HP gain with about an 80 ft/lb increase in torque, with just the flash. For anyone thats sceptical, APR offers a 5 hr trial for anyone to test out what 250hp and 300ft/lbs of torque feels like. With APR software, the stock 12 psi is bumped up to 20psi (at least thats what I'm boosting at).

I'm very impressed at how well APR software works with DSG. DSG fully adapts to the large increase in power very nicely with the software. There are no hard shifts or stalling of any kind. Shifts are stock smooth and still lightning quick. Also, you still retain launch control after the flash. APRs software comes with free lifetime updates (if knowledge serves correctly), and there are different flashed to accomodate different mods.

APR has a few different "stage" flashed that reflect certain aftermarket mods. To use APRs stage 2 flash successfully, you need a downpipe. The software for stage 2 accomodates for the downpipe, and you see appropriate gains.

For the time that I've had APR, I've been completely satisfied. They have amazing customer service, and you can get valuable info from reps on different forums. Adrin@APR on the Vortex is a very helpful and educated person. If you have a question ask him.

www.goapr.com

Got HID Xenon?

My uncle owns and distributes HID comversion kits, so I get all my lighting mods free :D. I've got some 6000K replacement bulbs for the headlights (since the car comes stock with HIDs), as well as 8000K fog light conversion kit. I decided to help out my uncle and make a sort of promo video. Its the least I could do, considering I get free samples. Hope you enjoy the vid.

By the way, check out his site: http://www.gothidxenon.com/

Find your bulb size at: http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/LampReplacementGuide/default.htm
If you guys have any questions and stuff, email me, I can try to answer your questions.

Michael.ferguson1989@yahoo.com

front view

lights

My ride

So let me introduce you to my pride and joy...

In 2007, I bagged myself a the "new" GTi with all the goodies that a 18 year-old dreams of. 3000 lbs of innovation, style, speed, sportiness, class, and German Engineering greatness... all sitting in 18s.

People always ask me "what possessed you to buy a Volkswagen, its... its a Volkswagen for heaven's sake". They don't understand the magnum of the company that is Volkswagen. VW is not just the "hippie" van, or a buggy. Its German Engineering at its best. VW is responsible for other forms of automotive supremacy including Lamborghini and Bugatti, just two of the worlds finest. When other see VW, they see Herbie (that buggy from that Linsay Lohan movie), when I see VW, I see world class performance.

Anyway, on to technical stuff...

07 GTi Specs:

ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4
Power (SAE net): 200 bhp @ 5100 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 207 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm

TRANSMISSIONS: DSG

FUEL ECONOMY: EPA city/highway driving: 21–22/29–31 mpg

This car is really amazing. I've test driven a bunch of cars, from the IS350 to the G35, and the GTi felt that best. The thing about that GTi that stood out the most to me was the low-end torque. When you gave it some gas, you can feel that smooth power. With power coming in at 1800 rpm, turbo lag is basically not even an issue. Coupled with DSG, the GTi is nothing but fun, not to mention the fuel economy. I can enjoy nice power without destroying my wallet. Thats the beauty of forced induction, its so efficient.

But I didn't only buy the GTi for its charming looks and classy transmission. The GTi is notorious for its tuning potential, and if I'm having that much fun at 12 psi, imagine how much fun I'd have at 20 psi :D