Are Golf R Engine Internals Better than a GTI?

Both the MK7 Golf R and the MK7 GTI are 2.0T engines that look very similar, BUT make different horse power out of the factory. There is a lot of speculation that Golf R engine internals are all around better to hold more power! What parts are forged vs cast? Which parts are better built? Should i put Golf R parts in my GTI? These are questions we aim to answer!
Today we look at the difference in intake cams‚ exhaust cams‚ cylinder heads‚ pistons‚ piston rods‚ engine blocks‚ crankshafts‚ oil squirters‚ and much more!
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[@supergoat94]

You're doing the Lord's work here.

[@YouTubeHandlesAreStupid]

and God regularly punishes Paul... commonly seen on video...

[@thinusburton2474]

thanks paul, cant wait for the next video in 3 months.

[@Philthese93]

I know! Quality > Quantity as they say 😞

[@themystx2]

So, basically adding 50-60 whp aka a typical stage 1 on a GTI shouldn’t negatively impact engine reliability much. Thanks for doing this!

[@kilovwdude6457]

Yep but i mean we've known this dudes have been running stage one from end of warranty until end of life since the 2.0T came out with the mk5

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Nope. And the kicker is if both the GTI and the Golf R engines upgraded their turbos to the same hybrid turbo, and ran the same exact software, both engines would make the same exact power and it’s “reliably threshold” would be exactly the same. So the moral of the story is that the Golf R’s engine isn’t different enough to actually deem it a stronger engine lol. It’s just all pointless talking points that Golf R owners try to argue to make them feel better about their car…

[@datadrivenmqb]

Nice to see some of the differences side by side! Great content and thanks for the mention!

[@UncleRayRayGarageEmporium]

FYI: The spring performace measuring device is a Boing-ometer.

[@peterbustin2683]

I thought it was called a wheredidthatgo-ometer

[@karstgeo7290]

Enjoyable and soothing content over my morning coffee. Paul's voice is angelic 😂😂😂

[@stefandegraaf5675]

Great video man!! This is what real car enthousiasts want to see! VERY informative and exactly the things you want to see when checking the difference, all so clear now thanks again

[@acerimmer8338]

Sold my GTI over 1 year ago but this kinda stuff is why I stay subscribed. Great breakdown!

[@jdw242b]

Now do the 2.5l; VW vs Audi! Great vid!

[@andrewduncan9210]

Love the video and dispelling the theories and rhetoric. Good work Paul. We could do with more people like you in the world. Straight talking, problem solving. And when you don't know, you say so love it!!!😊

[@treythehardway]

The quality of these videos is just so good! And Paul steady keeps me chuckling. Love you DAP 🎉

[@NotyYTx86]

Really loving these more in depth/informational videos!

[@simonh870]

Vag go to the effort of using forged rods, forged cranks and optimising the rest of the design. Then they fit it with a plastic sump and plastic waterpump housing.

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Better than a plastic crank and a forged water pump

[@shizabox]

@@Deutscheautoparts LOL

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

I was wondering this yesterday. It's like you read my mind, Paul.

[@MyzteryMedia]

There’s absolutely no way Paul isn’t the funniest person on earth

[@wombatsauce]

Thank you for doing this - fun to know about this and I always enjoy your videos.

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Great VW content. it's all in the details, and sometimes the interwebs are quick to talk without truth behind it.

[@firedustman]

i don't have any golf at all but thank you for these informations Paul, 🙂🙂

[@OrlandoPaco]

The quality of metals!

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

Is it possible the Golf R cam is solid billet, as opposed to the pressed on lobes of the GTI cam? What would definitely make it more expensive, as the machining is more complex.

[@EinarLerschen]

Very informative. Nice.

[@Twonkyful]

If you want to compare two valve springs to see which is stronger, stack them end to end and put the pair on a vice and squeeze them against one another. The spring that compresses more is the weaker spring. You’re welcome.

[@lamboferruccio]

Very interesting info here, about the intake cams, I'm wondering if the cam phasers maybe move a few more degrees on the GolfR, maybe but who knows for sure.

[@damianappleby6608]

Would be cool to get a Seat Leon Cupra engine 280-290 or 300 version and see the difference between all 3 engines since they run the same engine aswell

[@Insan3Driver]

Now I wonder what would be the difference, if any, with the Macan’s Ea888

[@johnboy2436]

we needed this video. So might aswel get a GTI and slap a turbo on it. Differences are minor

[@Mad_Rass.mk6gli]

Engine wise yes but awd and suspension makes it worth it depending on application haha

[@johnboy2436]

@@Mad_Rass.mk6gli totally disagree mate. The GTI TCR and Cupra are both faster thant he Golf R around the nurburgring and on a roll which is more liked what you would race someone off on the street. The Cupra and GTI TCR are like 150kg lighter and dont have 12-15 percent drive train loss. I owned a cupra before my RS3 and it never ever once got beat by a GOLF R. Always big gaps. Sure though if you love booting it from traffic lights sure. I dont hammer any car iv got in first gear or launch them. Its too harsh on the transmission. So i wouldnt ever want a golf r... I think a GTI PP and then slap on a IS38 would be the best bang for your buck.

[@Mad_Rass.mk6gli]

@@johnboy2436 definitely could agree on that point as well but 1) this video is comparing a base GTI to a base R and 2) Here in North America we unfortunately do not have the tcr, clubsport, any seat/ cupra’s/ skoda’s so that’s also not a fair comparison haha. The only valid one is the PP GTI plenty of people here especially on the east coast are already at the limits of the factory LSD.

[@johnboy2436]

@@Mad_Rass.mk6gli Yes but the GTI PP with an IS38 is pretty much the same as a cupra which is faster than a golf R. I dont own one so thats not why im saying this however... it seems like a very good route to go. I would do all the labour myself... probably take a day to get the turbo changed over. Bang for buck you cant go wrong with a GTi PP. I didnt even realize the USA didnt have these models... that sucks.

[@Mad_Rass.mk6gli]

@@johnboy2436 yeah vw basically told us to lick their taint with that one😂😭 we do however get manual mk8’s tho so I guess we have something.

[@klieneB]

You didnt mention the differences in the piston rings, curious what you observe

[@Slowwagonftl]

Nooooo not the cast crank on the 1.8t Gen3 😫 Explains the torque limit being 340ftlbs(ish) but the limit on the 2.0ts being like 500 lolw

[@nicololorenzon3291]

Came for the engine stayed for the memes

[@MikeDancingBull]

The actuator for VVT in the intake cam for the R is what I think is the big price difference between the two. I would open those things up and see if they're different? Advancing and retarding the timing of the intake cam is important. IMO I'm just a Volvo guy who's first car was MK 2 GTi and still peeks over the fence at Audi/VW every now and then. Great video, very informative.

[@makingwaves1239]

I thought it was basically the same engine and that it was mainly electronically limited ... and then of course a difference in turbo and everything around.

[@adamg3911]

Awesome video!

[@zoinked1351]

Ah yes, the suck, squeeze, bang and blow

[@manuqtix8874]

Oooooooh! F*ck

[@manuqtix8874]

Oooooooh!!! F

[@RATS_SHIT]

😂

[@JustinPaul1st]

Sounds familiar🤣🤣🤣

[@EastDallasKicks]

I'm gonna do that to you zoinked

[@masiosareperez6902]

Excellent video mate. Do it in gens 4 (Evo 4) 245 vs 320 hp

[@AndreLaRiviere-ry7qo]

Such a good video!

[@mikebright3732]

I'm happy with my 2019 Golf R. I can't believe GTI's are made in MEXICO LOL! Punta Madre!!!

[@dudndadn12212]

Now do the same for the MK8, you have a gti and know w guy with a R. Lol

[@eldraino9933]

He’s ready to explode as a global KZbin sensation

[@AtumTetramorph]

Want to see this deep dive comparison onnmk8 evo 4 gti vs R. Pluhhhheassseee. Your videos are addicting

[@Deutscheautoparts]

We will if we can get our hands on them

[@blackops2376]

makes sense why GTI models break more often compared to the R models,, thanks for this very valueable video

[@Got_Boost]

Also has to do with the owners I hardly every see R’s that are being thrashed around and GTIs on the other hand well the opposite😂

[@Deutscheautoparts]

I agree I would attribute that more to the people who own them than the engines themselves. Way more GTIs out there and they are more abused.

[@kekogkek4831]

Can you do one of these videos but only on a 1.4 tsi 140hp and compare it to the gti?

[@04Saleen256]

I’d love to see the differences between the later mk7.5 R and GTI or mk8 R and GTI… to see if there are internal differences with the GTIs calling for 508 0w20 while the Rs are still using the more traditional 504 0w30

[@Deutscheautoparts]

They changed oil pumps for the 0w20 cars.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

ShopDap doing all GTI owners a big favor here, as well as the entire internet. Now Golf R owners really don’t have that much to say regarding their engine.

[@that06GTI]

Great video

[@JacesOwnWorld]

Every part is practically interchangeable. The Golf R has “stronger” internals from the factory, but the weird thing is when both the GTI and Golf R’s engine’s are tuned to max capacity (meaning max power before the engine needs to be rebuilt), the capacity that’s reached is basically the same. 600hp/500tq is each engines threshold before needing to be rebuilt. So really, what’s the purpose of the Golf R’s “stronger” internals if it does nothing for the power or longevity of its motor? Lol. It’s just a talking point for Golf R owners lol.

[@Flies2FLL]

They were designed by German engineers. These people are anal and cannot leave things alone.....

[@ItsERROLL]

I agree the only reason a golf r over the gti would be for the 4wd not the engine

[@billmccormick874]

Warranty claims, and a premium auto gets premium parts. If you tune it to the max or at all. VW gets to wash thier hands of your issue.

[@tomhunter91]

​@@billmccormick874 Captain obvious over here 😂

[@2stroke438]

Lol everything about the golf r is a talking point for their owners.

[@carbongecko]

thank you for the informative video.

[@carcrazyguysa4059]

Can we get a video just like this comparing the EA888 gen 3a vs 3b? Not sure if the US gets the 3b.

[@HardstyleBulgaria]

There is still one thing that i don’t understand- why does the launch control in both cars sound different? Like in the GTI is a continuous sound like “rrrrrrrrr”,while in the R is more like aggressive farting 😂 whoever knows what im talking about will understand me - you can even check sound clips. Why is that happening when the engines are the same?

[@shizabox]

I know what you mean. I have read that it has something to do with the R having a spark cut based launch control, while the GTI doesn't. The R is also higher RPM launch vs the GTI RPMs I think 4k vs 3200. So you are not wrong the launch is actually different I had to look it up myself I was looking forward to having that R style launch from my MK7 but got a GTI.

[@kfrdubber]

Curious what the weight differences between the cams. Well, maybe for everything else too.

[@dingoel2465]

Great video! It it only the USA sold Gti's that have engine's made in Mexico or also the European ones?

[@raleighpurtzer4601]

Spring K value is easy to calculate using a weights and a ruler…

[@Compound-Problems]

It would be interesting to see the difference if you'd just swap a Golf R exhaust cam onto a GTI. Probably just a very small improvement on turbo lag.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

I doubt it. I currently run an IS38 on my MK7 GTI. It’s tuned and running WMI. I hit full boost before 3krpm’s. Would love to see a Golf R’s full boost hit.

[@tomthompson7400]

outstanding video .

[@daniele3]

Cool! Now what's the difference between golf R and audi s3 engine 😅

[@Raymo2u]

Ive got a problem with my mk6 gti I bought in May. The car has been amazing but one day the key was hard to turn, the ignition was stuck and due to my dumbass, I broke the key off in the ignition. I replaced the ignition and the key, the immobilizer wouldnt let me start the car. I then replaced the guts of the ignition and key with the originals, the car started but this is where my issue starts. When I put it into reverse or drive the dsg sounds like its slipping or whining and then it catches with a massive clunk. I ran the codes and it said that solenoid N216 had a short/open. I replaced that solenoid and the code went away, I continue to have the same issue though. I bought a ODB11 and tried doing the transmission tolerances. I finally got it to stop making the noise and went for a ride without any issues, as soon as I got home and put it in park - it started to do it again. Do I need to purchase a Rosstech device so I can do clutch adaptations? ODB11 wont allow me to run either adaptations, only tolerances. The DSG worked perfect for the drive and worked perfect previous to the ignition problem, would this correlate? I dont have anyone or any "Car friends" so Im stuck learning and doing everything myself. I have always had manual vehicles and this is my first auto....and Im pretty unhappy about this. I need help and would appreciate any advice or tips! Thanks in advance.

[@Sargonarhes]

What would this do for my regular Golf. If I were to do any mods the 1st thing I'd want is a better intercooler and even add an oil cooler to compensate for the extra heat my engine would likely make doing this stuff to it.

[@dalesmit7869]

What are the metal composition differences between petrol and diesel engines? Or is this a petrol engine only channel. Tear part a diesel pd190 engine for all your subscribers.

[@John5ive]

Yes, more diesel content!!!

[@BS-ge4ne]

How long are 2017 R engines good for if well maintenaned? Have a 80k miles one and wondering how much further reliable motoring I have. Dsg 7 spd

[@MrPhilkite]

Can you say Golf R/TTS in the future? Thanks! Phil

[@UnWokeDad]

4:39 "You want this head?"

[@OlasupoOke-x1e]

Good information

[@stoveguy2133]

Kid across street has a golf tdi and just got a newer type r.

[@angusaylward7405]

If the cutout in the R pistons is bigger to enable a lower compression ratio does this make the engine capacity slightly larger?

[@ukwan]

How does the engine in the A4 TFSI Quattro compare? It's IS20 and 252hp.. sort of an interesting between engine.. is it more Golf R or more GTi 😅 I have a 2016 one 😅

[@Black_Magic_Pearl]

It’s probably only tuned differently from the factory. Kinda like a “stage 1/2” The engine in the Urus and Audi RSQ8 are identical but the urus generates about 40 more Hp. The only difference is one is tuned by Audi and the other Lamborghini

[@thedarkgreenvanman]

My understanding is the 1.8t is also the same it just has a different bore/stroke

[@kilovwdude6457]

Pretty much unless were talking the old 5valve 1.8neverloose

[@mikomikojet5248]

Thanks 😊👍👍👍

[@xz9592]

I want to buy something from SHOPDAP but I'm afraid Paul might answer the phone. What protections have been put in place to protect consumers?

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Don’t worry it’s pretty rare

[@jean-francoisdupras2357]

I want this for MK8 🙂

[@jurgsta1]

Are the engine mounts the same on MK8 GTI and R?

[@drcmch]

What is the third engine in comparision of pistons and crank shaft? Because I could not understand this "one eighteen"? :)

[@Deutscheautoparts]

1.8t

[@drcmch]

@@Deutscheautoparts ah, thanks 😁

[@JeffHazardous]

I wonder if there is a difference between the GTI engine and a A3 engine, one would assume they would be the same.

[@snowcoi]

AXX and BWA engines for example are the same in GTI and A3 ... 2.0T FSI with 200hp. To be more specific both AXX and BWA are found in both GTI and A3.

[@VanessaMalabanan-j9h]

Thank you for your professionalism and talent. Your videos are always impressive.‍♂️🖤🤸‍

[@dragospahontu]

Same same

[@nismops]

What’s the difference between EA888 gen 3 and evo 4?

[@xz9592]

Paul, please don't say you're cheap! Your haircut already did the talking.

[@24Coup]

Shopdap I want you to know I did lowering springs on my mk8 yesterday and it took me 11 hours including 1 trip to Autozone. My body and mind are broken. When I close my eyes I'm still trying to get bolts to line up. The biggest slowdowns were getting the driver side strut out and in, ended up loosening the steering column bolt (?), and getting the rear back together on each side. Had to try it in different orders jacking up and down over and over until finding the sweet spot for each bolt.

[@ThePeavey23]

Cool Paul thanks for the info. I’m still more of a 2.5 fan but maybe someday I’ll try a tsi but till then I like my simple i5 and it’s sound

[@xz9592]

If you ever bump into Paul on the street he will be wearing those latex gloves. Never takes them off. He also wears a set on his feet. Weird.

[@SeekYHWHsface]

So are golf Rs better engineered than a civic type R

[@miguelangel9708]

Do a VR6 comparison

[@2810Mad]

Hut ab!

[@eikasd2093]

So european Gti and R is going to be more or less the same parts.

[@xZeusAlmightyx]

4:38 😂

[@MikelDog]

tfsi ea113 cdl were built better all forged parts from factory, larger wrist pin, bigger cams, , sound better and the cars are more raw to drive

[@plickbomo]

suck, squeeze, bang, and blow!

[@xz9592]

Seeing Paul with a set of calipers in his hands is like seeing a chimpanzee with a set of calipers in their hands.

[@_Bosley]

Great time for this video as I'm looking at ordering a new 2025 Golf R to replace my 2016 GTi 😄

[@reecedrury4145]

If it is the same part, vw is taking the piss

[@d.l.carstens505]

Now do a F30 BMW 320 / 328

[@user-xu5vl5th9n]

Forged pistons, unlikely.

[@pavelstoikov3780]

with the micrometer u gonna se the diffrents just adea 1:29

[@wellingbadboy]

I'm the second comment, awesome!!

[@felix3287]

First 💯

[@humidozer]

Wut?

[@skkane]

Only difference is the turbo.

[@bunter6]

Either you didn't watch the video or you sit on a throne of lies.

[@JacesOwnWorld]

@@bunter6he is technically right though because Golf R owners claim certain things that are “better” than the GTI in its engine. Some of those claims were proven, but some were disproven. But the kicker is that the few parts, like the squirter, is so negligible that they literally do nothing for the longevity or performance of its engine. So really, it’s all just stupid talk from Golf R owners (especially now that they know even the GTI has forged parts from the factory haha) trying to make them feel better about their purchase…

[@bunter6]

@JacesOwnWorld they arent though are they. The head is cast out of a completely different metal composition with no channel for seconday air injection, the exhaust valves are different, exahsut cam duration is different and the pistons are different. So that's significantly more than just the turbo.

[@andrecampbell691]

Personally, I would never buy a VW.

[@bunter6]

Such is the advantage is freedom of choice. I mean I have have had no issue with vag products but you do you.

[@Got_Boost]

What would you buy?

[@wutrain4259]

@@Got_Boost he's definitately a fiat guy. jk jk.

[@AnnaFalk1]

Your channel is a place where quality always comes first. Thank you for your hard work and talent!🦾🫢🫠🌡

[@OliviaYoung-g8r8r]

Watching your channel is like an inspiring adventure that never ends. Continue to amaze us with your talent!😎🫦🫒

[@rleger123]

Great video!

[@Flies2FLL]

Great video!