As it goes among the goodfellas, once you're in the "family," you don't just walk away. At least not easily. Remember Pacino in "The Godfather, Part III?"
"Every time I get out, they pull me back in."
The automotive tuning world is just as hard to escape. It's an abyss we all fall into. We buy a car thinking we'll keep it stock. Then we say something like, "Hmmm, I bet some wheels would really make this thing look bad-ass." Soon wheels turn into a new suspension, then you need more power. Maybe a stereo...
Billy Tyleska of Hurst, Texas tried to get out. He sold his built 1998 GTI VR6 and bought a four-door Golf GLS with a 1.8-liter turbocharged four banger to drive to work. But there's no escape. Soon Tyleska was pulled back in.
As the Golf's odometer clicked past 1,200 miles, Tyleska brought the car to a drag strip and then a road course. Soon the upgrading began.
Because Tyleska's car was one of the first with the 1.8T engine, just about everything had to be custom built. Alamo Autosports of Arlington, Texas got the call and Billy had a big intercooler and a full, 3-inch Forced Motion stainless-steel exhaust fitted. Then he blew up the stock K03 turbo, and all hell broke loose.
Internally, the 1.8T is basically stock, and no head work has been done. The heads even retain the stock valves, retainers, springs and cams. The stock turbo, however, was replaced with a Stage 5 Innovative Turbo Systems Dual Ball Bearing T3/TO4E and the exhaust manifold was replaced with one from ATP Mfg. Other than those items, everything else was custom made or adapted for this particular application by Tyleska and Alamo Autosports, including a Tial .9 Bar external wastegate, Tial blow-off valve, a custom stainless-steel 3-inch downpipe, ported manifold and throttle body and Unorthodox Racing underdrive pulleys. Providing more entertainment is a NOS 40-hp wet shot nitrous oxide system.
Fuel is now supplied by eight injectors, 250cc primaries and 370cc secondaries, with a GReddy Rebic IV injector controller and APR software in the stock ECU. Ignition Solutions direct fire coil packs provide serious spark, and reining in the turbo is a GReddy Profec B Boost Controller. Turbo longevity is aided by a GReddy turbo timer.
Incredibly, the engine has lasted thousands of miles with this setup, truly a testament to Volkswagen's engineers. On 110 octane, Tyleska claims the Golf's front wheels turn the rollers with 410 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque.
To handle the horsepower increase, the stock transmission was treated to a Clutch Masters Stage IV clutch, which grabs a custom 13-lb lightened and balanced flywheel. Tyleska also added a much needed Peloquin limited-slip differential.
The suspension remains relatively stock, but Koni coil-over shocks work with several sets of wheels and tires, depending on the situation. On the street, Tyleska runs 17x8 AEZ Radons and 235/40R-17 Kumho ECSTA Supra 712s, which are on the car in these photos. For the drags, he switches to 15x8 Bogart Drag-on Fly Stars with 24x8.5x15 M&H RaceMaster slicks up front and 15x3 Bogarts with 22.5x4x15 Mickey Thompson ET Fronts out back. For tight road courses, he goes with funky, orange 16x6.5 New Beetle steelies with 225/50R-16 Kumho V700 Victoracers.
The brakes remain stock so Tyleska can run 15-inch wheels at the strip, but they've proven to be a problem when he's on a road course. A brake upgrade may come later.
When the hood is closed, this little silver Golf is the consummate sleeper. Exterior mods are limited to a color-matched front lip and a Porsche "turbo" badge.
Inside, A-pillar-mounted Omori boost and exhaust gas temperature gauges, a Momo Competition steering wheel, Momo shift knob, B&M short shifter and pedals from an Audi TT keep him well informed and in complete control.
By Dan Passe
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