We were excited when we were able to announce the immediate availability of the APR S3 Conversion Kit for the VW Mk5 GTI and Audi A3. Local enthusiast and friend Chris (xOphear) was the first to pull the trigger in giving us an opportunity to install this in-house and get first-hand experience with what this basic bolt-on upgrade is all about.
Chris has quite a bit in store for his 4-door Mk5 GTI project car. The car was delivered to us almost immediately after it left a body shop where Chris had some OSIR parts added to the car so it wasn’t quite stock - but a nice clean palette for us to build from. We hadn’t seen the OSIR body kit up close so it was nice to see it in person. Plus this car gets OSIR’s latest “matte carbon fiber” parts - something a bit different from what we’re used to seeing. From what I understand, there are even more OSIR body parts that have yet to be installed and will likely be the reason the car goes back into the body shop once we are done with it.
We are also very impressed with the quality of the hatch blend…
In true “build” form, Chris wanted to make sure he had base-line numbers to refer to prior to performance upgrade installation. The first thing we did was head over to Carb Connection for a base-line dyno.
We were pleased to see consistent results and numbers right along with what we had expected.
Installation of the S3 conversion kit starts today. The S3 conversion requires use of a turbo-back exhaust so the factory down-pipe is being swapped out with APR’s 3″ higher-flowing version. To mate with OSIR’s dual rear valence cut-out for the exhaust tips, we’ll be taking the APR quad-tipped exhaust and modifying it to fit the OSIR cut-outs. We’ll also be installing Stasis Streetsport coil-overs, an H&R Rear Sway Bar, Carbonio Cold Air Intake, and Neuspeed’s Torque Arm Insert (dog-bone insert).
Pictures of stock turbo and down-pipe removed:
Stock cat-back still on…
K04 installed:
The great thing is, after all this, the engine bay still looks OEM/stock.
And now we’re taking the $1200+ cat-back exhaust system and hacking it up!!
Stasis Streetsport Coil-Overs and Neuspeed Torque Arm Insert installed:
End of day Friday: Would have had this update all written up for you guys last week but the power went out (office portion only) Friday around 5pm. Didn’t stop us from getting work done in the shop though…
Had a good portion of the exhaust pre-mounted to the car for test-fitting. Turned out much easier than anticipated so we are definitely ahead of schedule. Here are pics of the “mock-up” of how we were having this exhaust routed through the OSIR valence - we still have a bit more “shortening” to do so we can even out the tips better.
Over-all, we are very happy with how this project is turning out.
**Update**
Just got back from our maiden voyage…. WOW!!! 
We had to put the S3 conversion project aside while we waited for fuel injector hardware to arrive. It’s actually our fault as we had two S3 conversion kits here, one that had the missing parts. We inadvertently (and thankfully) shipped the complete package to our Achtuning Korea store and had to wait till the end of this week to complete Chris’ car. This however did allow us to keep on schedule with our other suspension and exhaust appointments we had lined up this week. With Chris out of town while the project was being completed it helped us get a lot of things finalized and wrapped up.
Below are pics of the engine bay. Not much to see really considering the only visible difference is the addition of the Carbonio Cold Air Intake.
The combination of the DSG and K04 upgrade couldn’t be beat IMO. Between the very quick shifts and response of the DSG transmission coupled with the added power the S3 conversion makes, it really would be tough for most to keep up with this car…
Tonight we’ll be wrapping up the exhaust and tomorrow, the car will be picked up and taken back to the body shop. I’ll update this thread next when we have an opportunity to properly photoshoot the car with its new wheels, completed exhaust, and further body work.
Chris, congratulations!!
Update:
Turns out I had an opportunity to swing by the shop on Saturday just as the car was being picked up. Couldn’t resist taking some pictures of the completed exhaust work, despite the car itself not being completely done.
During mock-up of where mufflers are being relocated - and tacking the two mufflers into place:
Final assembly/welding of customized quad-tipped exhaust:
And finally, on the car…
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