5 tips for a sharper and more engaging MK7 GTI (some cost nothing!)

[@antonyv8171]

What makes the car more raw and engaging is definitely installing VWR lowering springs. Feel so connected to the road in my APR stage 2+ Golf 7R and with Michelin pilot sport 4S tyres I feel like I’m on rails! Nice meeting u today and thank you for the OEM oil drain plug!

[@trackhackau]

Likewise mate. Hit me up if you need any other OEM parts. Springs (plus other suspension work) is on the cards for later this year. Stay tuned.

[@antonyv8171]

Track Hack no worries, if u happen to stock oem dsg oil, oem dsg filter, oem Haldex oil, I will do this at my next 60,000km service, currently at 46,000. At the same time I will change my brake fluid to Project Mu. Think that’s about it. And will probably need to buy a new APR intake filter at the same time, may as well. Anything else besides oil that you think I’ll need to service during this big service at 60k?

[@trackhackau]

@@antonyv8171 I stock the DSG filters and the service kits for the haldex, with is an o-ring, pump bolts and fill/drain plugs. All pretty cheap. I found the cheapest place for Haldex oil was VW.

[@antonyv8171]

Track Hack I’ll hit u up for all my dsg & haldex needs when I need them in the next year or so . Hoping u have complete kits including their oils so I have one place to go to for all parts and don’t need to go to VW!

[@andrewkendall1425]

Antony V I’d like to have that too. 👍

[@sheldonm3535]

Great helpful video! I live in NY, USA so even if you had money you can’t buy the club sport as it was never offered here. I did buy a MK7 GTi with PP. gonna turn it into a club sport

[@trackhackau]

Do it man! All the parts are available and pretty easy to get.

[@D3GamingTV]

The clubsport s has aluminium control arms

[@derek723]

nice video. so far at 45k miles a stage 2 APR tune and downpipe have been nothing but awesome. about 80-100+hp for $1000

[@trackhackau]

Such amazing bang for buck. I want to tune mine eventually. But really waiting for a flash tune solution I can remove or switch off myself.

[@derek723]

@No you I didn't pay that 2 years ago. Also got my downpipe @ wholesale which I always forget so my bad. Still, considering some people pay $1,400 for a cat back that might get them 5hp, the price/hp is insane. I also wouldn't worry about labor costs. The dealership shouldn't charge you for labor on the tunes and the downpipe is a very doable DIY install

[@derek723]

@@trackhackau it's amazing what the EA888 can do. Any reasoning behind waiting for the flash tune? Personal preference?

[@trackhackau]

@Derek Anthony a few reasons. Main one is the class I currently compete (and do well in) doesn’t allow tuning. Second is I want to focus on the chassis and suspension first and get the most out of that before adding more power. That’s for the track, but for the street I wish I was tuned. There is currently no home flash solution in Australia. My only option is a JB4. Which I will probably pull the trigger on soon.

[@pimpunclemo]

Same

[@johnw2758]

A change of alloys to the Belvedere fully forged ones from those heavy 19 Brescias.....a massive saving on unsprung weight

[@trackhackau]

For sure. We didn't get those wheels here at all so difficult to find.

[@robertreid9071]

Nice video...

[@LITTLEbigREG]

I've fitted some Clubsport Belvedere alloys which has made a massive difference to how the car drives. They're only 7.5kg per wheel!

[@trackhackau]

Would love a set of those. Not easy to find. I have the forged Audi S3 19x8 instead which are 10kg.

[@LITTLEbigREG]

@@trackhackau - they're very hard to find. I bought mine from a guy in the Netherlands as there wasn't any for sale in the UK.

[@samculpan891]

How much extra engine noise does the sound-deadening free up? It’s a really interesting little mod actually. I’ve got a 2018 Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG that has the same insulation and I’m considering taking it out, as the exhaust noise is nice but could do with being a bit more vocal. Great video btw!

[@trackhackau]

For me I can now hear the intake noise even with standard airbox and I can hear the factory DV releasing as well. Engine noise in these engines as I’m sure you know is pretty non existent. Give it a shot. It’s reversible. And thank you!

[@samculpan891]

Track Hack funnily enough, when I first got the the car, I could hear a bit of induction and blow off noise with the windows down and sticking my head out of the window. Since having the resonator deleted though, that’s gone, as the exhaust note dominates everything. I’m hoping this brings it back. I might be putting the resonator back in anyway, as the drone is pretty bad IMO.

[@trackhackau]

Not sure if it will be loud enough to hear with the exhaust. But give it a go. You can always try lifting the weather strip at the back of the engine bay. That makes it much louder.

[@samculpan891]

Track Hack probably just leave it as it is. I’ve literally just taken off the hood insulation and I think I can hear a slight increase in engine sound. I think putting the resonator back on will be give it better effect. I do like the exhaust noise from the outside but the inside not so much. I also miss the cars engine growl.

[@BoondyIsOn]

Hey I just found your channel. Very interesting and I'm engaged. Keep up the good work. Would like to know more about this rear muffler. Ta Mate!

[@trackhackau]

Hi Andrias. Thank you for the kind feedback, The company is called Krystal Exhaust. They make valved systems out of stainless and titanium for McLarens, AMG, Lamborghini's etc. They have units for MK7 and 7.5 GTI and R.

[@Chrissy-H]

Great video, I'm going to do all of these to my GTi! You could also mention the Clubsport S rear anti-roll bar. The outer diameter is exactly the same but the wall thickness is 3.6mm rather than 3mm, so it's stiffer. Should be enough to make the tail a bit more willing to move around on track driving.

[@trackhackau]

Thank you! I have thought about the CSS RSB quite a bit actually but I think the difference is only slight. Someone did the math and it’s about 15-17% stiffer. I think if you want pure OEM+ it’s a great mod. But on a tuned and modified car you would want an aftermarket adjustable unit with adjustable endlinks.

[@Chrissy-H]

Track Hack agreed it might be a more subtle difference, although it's also a lot cheaper than an aftermarket bar. I do love how modular this MQB platform is and that all these bits bolt right on, it's my favourite car I've modified so far. Also, for track driving try fitting a set of the RS3 brake deflectors onto the front control arms. Cheap and help with brake temps 👍

[@trackhackau]

Agreed. Brake defectors work great. I did a video on brakes actually, including the RS3 guides. Getting the best out of your stock brakes (mk7 GTI Clubsport) kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3TCe2ewftJrgpo

[@samculpan891]

Have you done the snow guard removal mod for the air box? I’ve given that a go for a bit more engine sound too.

[@trackhackau]

Yes I have. Plus some further airbox modifications. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpvTpI2MiZqeoac

[@avizzy1237]

Hey mate! Sick channel, really Appreciate the tips and hard work. I live in Brissy and I have the performance edition 1 GTI mk7.5! Stage 1 to 220kw. Just wondering if the clubsport s mufflers will fit these 7.5 gti performance models?

[@trackhackau]

Hey Mate, thank you! You must also be rocking the fantastic Brescia wheels that I have on the 40. Clubsport S muffler won't fit a 7.5 I'm afraid. The tips don't sit in the same spot. I would wait and see what the GTI TCR ends up coming with. It may have a similar exhaust to the CSS that 7.5 cars can use.

[@avizzy1237]

@@trackhackau cheers mate! Great to know.

[@deutschhhhh6922]

No, but the TCR exhaust fits and sounds outstanding. Just got it on a few days ago. You’ll need to weld it locally as the kk 7.5’s have a 60mm vs the TCR’s 65mm piping

[@trivecta123]

The center of your hood seems darkened on the underside, have you noticed any issues with the paint up top?

[@trackhackau]

G'day. Yes I noticed too. There is no issue with the paint up top. I actually think it's oil vapour.

[@trivecta123]

@@trackhackau Yeah looks like my hood had it too (but the spots white since my car is black lol) surprisingly a huge difference in sound with my intake as well

[@trackhackau]

ziptiez happy to hear you have it a go. I couldn’t hear my intake at all until I removed it. Should be able to hear the stock DV now too.

[@cmiller18y]

Is your fog light trim different than my 17 GTI? Or is it the entire bumper? I have the American version of that helps anything.

[@trackhackau]

Yes this is the GTI Clubsport. Wasn't available in NA.

[@cmiller18y]

Thank you! I’m new to my GTI but I love your videos and have learned so much.

[@101TheKMan]

Are the engine, transmission and pendulum mounts for the clubsport edition 40 the same as the clubsport s?

[@trackhackau]

Yes they are.

[@gusconduceunautobus2556]

Are you using stock springs?

[@trackhackau]

Yes stock springs

[@tallgrass5061]

On this video I can only hear the faintest dialogue. No probs with the others so far.

[@trackhackau]

Really? It's pretty loud when I play it.

[@tallgrass5061]

@@trackhackau That's weird. It is FINE today and I have been coming back to retry it for the last 4 days with no luck. I'm glad it is only 5:42 long as we got our new "R" late yesterday and have only driven it home from the dealer's and I want to finish installing our dashcam & loading up with all the stuff from our traded GTS 86. I will watch first in case I learn something. Then BRRM BRRRRM on a decent trip.

[@tallgrass5061]

Woops. I spoke too soon. It STARTS quite loud but then at 0:24 it suddenly goes so quiet as to be virtually inaudible. Pity I can't lip read.

[@andrewkendall1425]

tallgrass I I think the dialogue is low compared to the opening sequence with music. But similar to the intro. I’ll take a look at the original cut on my computer.

[@tallgrass5061]

@@andrewkendall1425 Thanks. Strangely, I've just found the level is low but not too bad on my chromebook but barely audible on my PC. On my PC I am listeng through just the centre channel of my 5.1 surround pre-amp with no amps turned on to the L & R speakers so perhaps I am missing signal to those channels. The chromebook is using its 2 built in speakers. However, as I said before other KZbins, including yours, are OK.