James from Donut 2.5t MK3 Build - Start to Finish!

James Pumphrey from Donut Media is long time VW enthusiast. This video follows the start to finish life of the now 2.5 Turbo 5 cylinder MK3 Golf.
This MK3 started out as a very base model Golf CL, which is a European model. This car was imported by Jamie Orr, and was driven to the SEMA show which is where James purchased the car.
James then sent the car from Donut media in California to Eurowise for an overhaul. The guys from Eurowise have done an amazing job on this build and we are so happy to have chronicled it.
Shop VW and Audi Parts HERE!
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Check out Eurowise!
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A message from James
Thank you to my sponsors
@eurowise_performance - builder / fabricator
@autohaas - Engine provider
@deutscheauto - OEM replacement parts
@air_lift_performance - air suspension
@vibrant_performance - fabrication hardware
@integrated_engineering - 07k upgrades
@Rotiform - Wheels
@Tdc_Shop - Easy Swap harness
@blackforestindustries - catch can / knob / clutch
@united_motorsport - Custom Engine Tuning
@funktionperformance - Powdercoating
@zealous_mfg - specialty hardware
@garrettmotion - Turbocharger
@dapperlighting - Headlights
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VW AUDI Specialty Repair Cornelius NC
www.daprepair....
VW AUDI Specialty Repair Kent Ohio
www.daprepair....
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[@Donut]

Love it, dudes!

[@proveyourcrown]

🔥

[@isaac-nm4xz]

W

[@rusty7367]

Hello Donut Media! If you see this comment, just be sure I love your videos!

[@CloudyCub285]

Hut

[@jamieobrien9216]

We need a Bumper to Bumper on this guys

[@Bobby_Vang]

Honestly kind of crazy to see how chill and down to earth James is when he's not doing his Donut media persona.

[@buddysshop1860]

Yeah, I thought maybe he was hung over at first 😆

[@brandonmyers5340]

He’s very humble and thankful for his come up and support on the Donut it seems

[@Freedeeism]

I like him more chill.. to many americanos think they need to scream to make good content for some reason

[@slonky821]

he's been pretty chill since his heart issues

[@CoolTI-Daniel]

I agree... I actually avoid his videos as I can't stand the persona... I find it Douch-y... But taste is none negociable. If it works for views and brings success to the channel, good for them. Lesson is not to judge a book by it's cover. I like good, down to earth and modest people.

[@JamiesGarage1]

That engine swap went way smoother than the sirocco 😂

[@Deutscheautoparts]

Well it took 1.5 years..... so they had a little less stress than you, Charles and I 😜

[@buddysshop1860]

Shots fired 😆

[@JamiesGarage1]

@@Deutscheautoparts Pssshh, 1.5 years vs 4 days. That’s not too much of a difference.. 😂

[@jamesk3565]

@@JamiesGarage1 🤣

[@leobow3333]

Omg it got wolfsburg numbers :)

[@JamieOrr]

I’m so glad that this car is still living its best life now with James! The first thing I did after buying it in Germany was drive it flat out on the Autobahn, and it did manage over 100mph IIRC 😅So the old engine wasn’t that bad, but the new one is a work of art. Thanks for sharing the story Deutsche Auto Parts!

[@DanielBertolozi]

I was surprised to see what horsepower it was providing tho, was expecting more lol A quick trivia: you can find tons and tons of that engine in Brazil (as the so-called AP engine, just slightly different that the golf's). It's a favorite for cheap horsepower, people can easily get 200+ HP with a basic turbo setup w/ stock internals. Here's one example with 500+ HP: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iILaZWlne6h-jK8

[@zdrifterboy]

Definitely a good find,u done good and its nice it found a good home with j.p.,cant believe the clock it had next to the speedometer,never seen that before.. pretty cool.. the colours nice too.hope them kw's found a good home.i love mine. Now do me a favour and find me a pontius rear diffuser!! Lol. But seriously please do.😉

[@madhut3042]

@@DanielBertolozi epic video. I didn't understand what they were say but was this with forged internals? I want to turbo my Santana b2 aka passat here in SA. But I want to use stock intermals and abouy 200 wheel hp.

[@DanielBertolozi]

@@madhut3042 yep, for that they're using forget internals - I think pistons and rods. 200whp should be safe with stock internals and trans, btw

[@hephaistosthesmith2069]

@@zdrifterboy the clock was normal for the lower option models, its a base CL (comfort line) so literally just basics no ac, no heated seats you get me

[@S54VR6]

James to Jamie: “I don’t think I Can afford your car” Goes and get a complete 2.5 swap build 😂

[@trapzb3rag1n50]

I’m assuming that when this car got in James hands was when donut had finally got it’s good jump

[@S54VR6]

@@trapzb3rag1n50 certainly possible

[@carlsoto1747]

@@trapzb3rag1n50 Plus when you're prototyping a product on someone else's vehicle you usually do it for really cheap as a professional courtesy.

[@GunnyRaps]

Right...$30k later.

[@trapzb3rag1n50]

@@GunnyRaps it’s possible to not take a dime out, sponsors will send you parts and with James status and donutmedia it wouldn’t be to hard

[@Bobby_Vang]

Whoa, didn't know James had such a sick Golf.

[@jameskim1505]

He's a VW boy

[@julianhernandez9351]

He's talked abt it before on donut

[@blackericdenice]

The more I watch this channel. The better I feel about putting $9,000 into a $800 police impound auction 2004 Golf 2.0 manual. One day my car will be on Deutsche Auto Parts.

[@Chukijay]

I love MK4s. I miss my 1.8t all the time.

[@danimotomaga17]

@@Chukijay I had turd 01 MK4 1.8T Jetta. Not the fastest of cars and it came with the AWW motor, but I miss it so much.

[@fat420cracker]

@@Chukijay I used to have a jazz blue 20th mk4. Miss it but now have a mk4 R32 turbo =)

[@DividE546]

Currently building my Leon 1M. Just do it, it's the best feeling in the world. If you can afford it of course.

[@blackericdenice]

I just uploaded a video of me replacing the right front wheel bearing. It is so much quieter on the hwy.

[@tomstanden5451]

It’s weird seeing James not have his super hype persona on. He seems like a really chill guy

[@EliaFlowers]

It’s like watching the old Up To Speed episodes where he looks super depressed

[@Anon_Fox]

Love that James decided to go with the VW 5 cylinder over the audi 5 cyl. Hopefully this will bring more attention to this engine and open more possibilities for mods!

[@avrggamer69]

I'm pretty sure they're the same engine that you'll find in an Audi

[@Anon_Fox]

@@avrggamer69 no it’s not.

[@avrggamer69]

@@Anon_Fox yeah it is the 2.5 I5 that is found in Audi's were also being used in VWs it was just developed and designed by Audi but it's definitely the same engine

[@Anon_Fox]

@@avrggamer69 if you want to say it’s the same with different fueling, injectors, manifold, fuel pumps, etc then sure. Obviously the VW model is stripped down compared to the ttrs. I don’t consider that the same.

[@rigozuniga8096]

@@avrggamer69 no, ttrs/rs3 5cyl is way different from 5cyl from 2.5 NA jetta golf

[@8gti9]

See this is what the VW community is all about. Helping each other out, everyone chipping in to make someone's dream car come true 👍

[@skozlozlaurie712]

That exhaust manifold is a work of art, big ups to the fabricator!!!

[@justinturner4850]

James seems like such a cool dude. He and all the Donut crew deserves their success.

[@jah_b]

james sounds like he's about to break into tears when he talks

[@shorozk6998]

Schön so etwas in den USA zu sehen ! You are doing really well , i love it !

[@davidavizcaya]

I love this anime cross over with all my favorite people.

[@calumward1192]

I have a 94 mk3 golf estate, been in my family since new, it was my mums ex husbands car and she acquired it after he had passed from a brain tumour. I’m so happy these cars are getting featured in builds now and people like them. I went to school in my golf since I was 4, That car was my childhood and I still somehow have it, it’s in a sorry state in my back yard but it’s going to get fixed and engine swapped soon, I’m going to keep the exterior stock just for nostalgia! 🙂 My mum now happily drives her Forester STi instead and I now have an Abarth 500 in two tone blue

[@JohnnyGetsCash]

That was awesome! All this talk of period correct 90's accessories on a mk3 takes me back to the edition38 forum glory days!

[@GTAIVenjoyer]

I remember seeing a post on James' ig about this swap last year and didnt hear anything about it until now, so glad it's done and turned out even better than i thought.

[@ghassenellafi8478]

I grew up with a golf 3 2.0l 16 v GTI putting out 150 HP and a whopping 180 n.m of torque , seeing James's car brings back memories 😌🥲

[@fireplaceninja]

bought a mk4 golf (thats a lie, bought a golf city) back in december and it was not my first choice at the time at all, but the car is super clean and low km’s so I went with it. I’ve grown to absolutely love the car and now that im moving to a warmer climate for college I can’t wait to start throwing some facebook marketplace parts at it and have some fun with it. Really glad I get to be a part of the vw scene

[@SpecialFX99]

Glad this went better than the last time DAP had a MKV engine on the dyno!

[@darianistead2239]

Look at the dyno though.. About the only thing those are good for is checking peak figures on an already tuned car..

[@GarnerNest]

Love the idea of a hopped up 2.5 in a Mk3

[@evilpig247]

I love VW 2.5s they're so unique and sound awesome. Glad to see more aftermarket happening for them!

[@AVGarage_]

This thing is the same color as my V70R and they both have 5 cylinders! Sweet ride!

[@zero-twentysix]

Hey, you're the DIM hacker guy!

[@ThisIsJesus]

Never seen James be so normal.

[@speedracer2please]

He was like that in some early videos, and yeah it's unnerving now lol

[@joeygregory410]

You guys are like hoonigan except you guys actually appreciate a2/3 ; mk2/3 vws and known what a wide potential they have. LOVE IT BRAHHH.

[@clubsport9334]

Deutsche Autowerks: So James how much torque steer would you like? Pumphrey: Yes

[@KitKitChanIsaac]

here in donut we dont care abot torque steer,we only care about MO POWA BABEH!!

[@papa_pt]

@@KitKitChanIsaac start sending it to the rear wheels then 😂

[@DanielFrost79]

Around 300hp in front is no biggie. I've seen 500+hp on FWD with acceptable take offs though. But nothing compares to a 1100+hp RWD. A whole different story.

[@mintgoldheart6126]

@@DanielFrost79 I love not being able to use 90% of my power in corners.

[@andia6865]

I liver in Gernarnia and everytime i hear these engines... this build sounds insainly good. James, enjoy!

[@MERCEDES190e]

when i heard that beautiful sound from the golf on the dyno, i already knew what engine it was 😍😍

[@infadelakainf]

After having a MK2 in high school I always wanted a MK3. Great build

[@gersongtrz]

Dang it! That 5 cyl sounds so cool, I’ve got a V70 T5 and an 850R and 5 cylinders have such a delightful sound! Good choice

[@paddyjsheridan]

On your computer maybe

[@EzMatt90]

as a mechanic, this is mesmerizing. i love my job.

[@EnviousGenome]

This is legit my favorite car build I've seen now thank you keep up the great work and videos guys!

[@StanleyKubick1]

Sick. Jame's seems like a great guy who really deserves this.

[@blech71]

Just found the channel. Not a VW guy but when there’s a quality channel that delves into their respective profession it’s def worth the SUB! Great work! Good vid. SUBBED!

[@86superselica]

This is exactly the kind of content I am looking for for entertainment. Technical information, cool background, and detail. Please keep this coming Paul!

[@bhickey2012]

This is so sick on so many levels! More love for the 2.5 , yes!

[@thelockenessmonsta]

Love seeing more and more 2.5L swaps, they are honestly under rated and people are finally figuring that out thanks to Audi and their RS3 and TTRS’s

[@carlsoto1747]

I'm a Subaru guy first and foremost, and I will admit that I normally hate VWs for no rational reason, but this is absolutely fire. The thought of running a 2.5L I5 never occurred to me before, but after seeing this swap I really want to see more like it.

[@veedubcrew7292]

Bro I'm more of a Volkswagen guy but my entire goal is to take my slow GTI 1.8 t and try and make it beat my Brothers VR6 nitrous Jetta

[@idealist420]

Welp I respect your opinion but to hate a brand out of no rational reason is pure stupidity.

[@carlsoto1747]

@@idealist420 I hated them because of the douchebags in high school rolling coal with their diesel Jettas thinking they were cool. After the emissions scandal my dislike for VW is justified.

[@MiguelGarcia-vj7oo]

O7k sounds better then any Subaru engine while making power more reliably..... The vw groups only reliable motor........

[@MrAnthonyd68]

I had a wings west body kit on my MK3 back in high school I loved it. I had some weird hard to get GTI side trim badge that everyone flipped out about when I went to car meets. I guess it was rare? I also had the air ducts that replaced the reflectors in the bumper. and on the bottom in the corners I found some air ducts and had them shipped from the UK . I do have to say though I stuffed 19" axis wheels on my vr6 Bright white 5 spokes on a ALL red car it stood out. then I had another set of 17" BBS I uses to swap them out constantly. god I loved that car. I'm with you. I wish I could find one now and do everything I always wanted to do to it.

[@josephmacpherson584]

Awesome build! I love seeing the love people put into the older models.

[@kottarainen665]

Pure gold ❤️ Its awesome to see what kind of power our VAG culture holds. Greetings from Finland 🇫🇮

[@adamthompson4072]

Man, 5 cylinders sounds so good under load

[@danmay3464]

All this collaboration between everyone is so fn good for us all. I'm especially partial to all the NC guys pulling out these great projects together having lived there for 20 years (Now in FL). Keep up the awesomeness guys.

[@katzehvh]

I absolutely love VW Golf, especially the mk4. Not a really big fan of the mk3 but this build looks amazing. Good job!

[@brickson98m]

Over 300 horse in something that small is moving! That’s where I’m trying to get with my MK7. Glad I found this video, because I was always curious about his build.

[@rudymwaurah]

For the Mo Powa Baby ambassador to be rolling around in a 60hp econobox was *UNACCEPTABLLLLLEEE*

[@alb5753]

This car is gorgeous, definitely unique, I already love the 2.5 sound and the turbo just makes it better.

[@justinoliveira1365]

Great video I have a 2.5 u should do more with it it's a great engine thanks glad to know u guys have parts

[@radekpresents]

One of the best conversion I’ve ever seen!

[@freshwhiteteee]

love this. well done everyone.

[@keithcee6378]

Got a 98 vr6 Gti, with a vortech supercharger on it….have it under a car cover for the past 10 yrs. The car is like a time capsule at the moment. Seeing this clip just brought a whole new motivational kick in the ass to me lol

[@Matt-vz5wy]

This is sick. That sound is incredible, and I’m a diehard vr6 nerd.

[@toddwilliams9681]

It's about time 2.5's Getting Love!!!

[@EmberOfYourFaith]

7:51 How do you expect anyone to pay attention to axels with all that Ginster in their face?

[@knight838_]

Loved my Rabbit, 260kmiles and still ran strong. They are my favorite platform

[@justaguy6100]

Awesome project and results, but I heard "donated" quite a bit during the video. SO, in reality, how much would this have cost totally out of pocket?

[@MitchGadberry13]

Factoring man hour costs to fab all the custom parts and such that's probably a $100k golf

[@SeanWithaFada]

@@MitchGadberry13 hoooly shit that’s way more than i expected. to be fair though, i didn’t know what to expect.

[@blakebrockhaus347]

@@SeanWithaFada well, that was fully custom built. Which costs a hell of a lot more than normal

[@samvhell9104]

@@MitchGadberry13 Not at all, probably 15k including price of the car

[@paul5683]

100k isn't all that much money when it comes to prototyping. I have to say that I miss my mk3 gti 2.0. Yes, the infamous 2 point slow.

[@Gobboh]

the fact that James Golf has a license plate from Wolfsburg ist probably the best touch about it

[@marcusgent]

That is cool AF congratulations to james nothing like having the car you always wanted, bring back all 90s mods!!!

[@RadostinVelchev]

The original 1.8 port injected engine was known for going close to 1M kilometers without a rebuild.

[@papa_pt]

not surprising with how understressed /little power it makes

[@RadostinVelchev]

@@papa_pt it was produced until 1997 so it had to meet Euro 2 emissions. Like most port injected engines from this time they couldn't make more and still meet emissions.

[@papa_pt]

@@RadostinVelchev ahh gotcha. Nothing wrong with a long lasting motor , I've noticed that engines generally have a shorter life with high specific output

[@faviodezi9553]

That's good news, my mom has same engine in her MK3 and it has 210K now.

[@zen_-dt6ys]

one of the best looking third gen golfs out there

[@lukatomic8778]

I was expecting build video on their channel, but this is a nice collab 👌

[@silver911100]

So glad I’m done doing this stuff. Much more fun watching you guys spend your money and time to look cool. No hate what so ever….. getting old sucks lol. car looks good I must admit

[@spriggsvid]

Shopdap and James on my screen simultaneously?! My birthday isn't for another 8 months but I'll take it!!

[@ChargedTTq]

I'm not even a VW guy and this swap is siiiiiiick.

[@GoWstingray]

Haha you played the Secure Team channel theme tune 6 mins in! Great tune. Go Tylor!

[@DenisKapic]

wow, the only person this video is missing is charles! well done guys

[@TheMapleDaily]

THIS IS THE COLLAB WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR WHERE IS MY HUMBLE BOY THOUGH!

[@RetrocarStyle]

Man....those wheels.....I'm effin drooling!!!

[@scottegolf2509]

This content is right up my alley! I'm currently looking into doing a vr6 swap in my mk2 golf! Keep it up, you guys rock!! Easily my favorite channel on KZbin!!!

[@dubradiolol]

Damn, been years since ive seen Jamie. Used to be part of that group outta MD for a long time, good on him for continuing on the lifestyle :)

[@joaquinruedavi5991]

that was the most intricate manifold i've ever seen.

[@EmoNemoNinja]

Love James, love Donut, love you guys for this sick swap. That's one ice cold wooshy-boi.

[@tombosixer7342]

You’re so lucky to be able to do what you do man. Super jelly of this build

[@prematuredgravy8033]

James is the sole reason I got a MK5 rabbit for the 2.5L

[@dan_6915]

Had one and sold it. Now i want it back. This is my 90s only tru love

[@bbkg1979]

Such a dope story. Pound and a bear hug to all.

[@CavemanDrewski]

Sick deal. I miss James on the internet. Looking forward to speeed

[@welborns23]

Just a little test drive on Old Pineville Rd, love hearing those from Yancey.

[@lowera6]

Haha! What a coincidence! I found this video to see the swap to 5 cylinder and recognized during the video that it is the car from Jamie Orr. During the 2018 coming home event in Wolfsburg he also visited the R & Coffee-Meeting with this golf and i parked my Golf 2 TFSI right next to it... to that time the mk3 had no modifications... i have a photo of that 😄

[@hectorherbert6585]

great swap for this little beast..around 300 hp is plenty for a daily..I found out that when I swapped my first 5 cyl turbo motor in a V40 Volvo..i missed out on engine bay cooling and had heating issues even with the fire wall with the 'misplaced' turbo..too hot.!!!.so on the second car ,I made sure my air filter was boxed and sucked fresh outside air ,had extractor fans & vents (on demand with switch/temp gage & sensors..and a discret hood grill above that turbo...never had heat problems again...especially stuck in traffic between red light pulls..!!

[@Krishilbun]

This video had me in my feelers, such a cool colab!

[@seanhershey3390]

Love the sound of the 5cyl..( I had 2 Audi GTs)...and now a Volvo XC70 ..5cyl.

[@sambo5029]

Dude My dad has a mk2 golf gti that he swapped a 1.8t head from an older a4 onto a 2.0 engine and slapped a giant turbo, love that car

[@bbuny10]

I can’t believe I didn’t know about this till now. I just saw a short on the build, I got so much respect for how it is in that I had to see the process

[@ryan9505]

This sings to my soul.

[@ac3tate909]

Wow I never knew this was related to Orr He’s a legend in the PVW world Super dope build guys Looks absolutely amazing

[@DXTheGamer]

love everything but the headlights! but as long as my boy is happy, I-m happy!

[@Viejo93]

James definitely seems like a chill dude. and i just scored a 1997 Cabrio Highline for $57 lol so im in the process of polishing it up

[@PaulieBTV]

what an insane car community crossover mash up

[@mynameisnotcory]

The collab we TRULY NEEEEEDED

[@cadrien8]

Aa

[@freekvandeventer2575]

The mark 3 looks awesome james i have a original mark 3 jetta and i am enjoying every moment with it but the 2.5 motor swop is neat amd it sounds great

[@jeffh6960]

I had a mk3 whole in Germany and it only had 60k km. Literally owned my an old lady who passed away. Loved that grocery getter. :')

[@paulmartocci-smale2285]

I was just throwing around the idea of doing a 2.5 swap this is cool!

[@jeremiahfeliciano8525]

Let’s gooooo!!! James came along way and now got to do an engine swap on his car👏🏼 keep the content coming on donut media

[@henrikomsi98]

nice to see more classic audi fans

[@deltacharlieecho4732]

Someone tell James this is a way better presentation than his Donut persona. His acting isn't bad, but this down to earth version is just so chill we need more of it.

[@blindskt89]

Sounds amazing!

[@cartierglizzy6641]

I never knew how good the turbo 2.5 5cyl sounds 👀 Jesus that’s eargasm

[@adamcarolan5884]

Basically baby V10 noises with all the turbo goodness. Volvo 5 cylinder motors gotta be the best sounding ones imo

[@adamcarolan5884]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqDRlqaha7-Zqtk doesn't get any better than that

[@dogchainsaw3923]

The Audi AAN 2.2 5cyl gang represent!

[@chrisjones7281]

Been waiting for this since he bought the car from Jamie. Fantastic Build!!!