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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…

We’ve been awaiting this kit and it finally dropped into our hands today! The APR 2.0T S3 engine conversion kit takes the Audi A3 and VW MkV 2.0T cars to 320HP and 320 Lb-Ft of torque on 91 octane pump gas! This number increases to 355hp and 368 Lb-Ft of torque on 100 octane gas!

Now before you think that “Yeah but the car is only two wheel drive.” APR’s engineers have expertly recalibrated the engine management system to allow for nearly flat torque delivery from 2500 rpm’s to 5000 rpm’s which results in a smooth linear pull throughout the power band.

The full kit includes the needed APR FSI fuel pump though it is available without the pump for those who may have already purchased it. This kit also includes the software so no additional software purchase is necessary to use this kit.

The APR S3 conversion kit normally retails for $4,999, we will have it on sale until May 9th for only $4,499! We’re also offering discounted installation for only $699! Financing is available for local customers :).

A few other components are highly recommended with this kit such as an exhaust, intake and intercooler but it’s certainly possible to build your car up in stages if you wish.

We commissioned APR to make a dual exhaust solution for the Oettinger equipped VW Mk5 GTI. One of the rear valence options is the dual-exhaust version and up until now, there was not a simple solution to fill these two exhaust cut-outs. 

We are very pleased with fitment.  The exhaust install was very simple and everything lined up exactly where and how it should.  The staggered tip design even is a great touch and matches the curved contour of the Oettinger rear valence. 

For a very limited time, ACHTUN!NG is offering the StopTech 4-piston Front Big Brake Kit for the VW Mk4 Golf/Jetta applications at $100 off!! In addition, we will offer you a $400 trade-in credit once you ship your stock brake calipers back to us!! Not only are we giving you an opportunity to save up to $500 on this BBK set-up, but we’ll throw in FREE SHIPPING!!

They’re here, and ready to ship immediately!

This promotion only good while supplies last!!

Darren stopped by after he had a BUNCH of work done to his Mk4 Jetta GLI 1.9T - no, that is not a typo!! This motor has been bored out while receiving fresh, upgraded internals and larger turbo so an APR Stage 3 reflash was necessary. We had a chance to get a shot of the engine bay. You can’t help but notice the APR Motorsport Intake Manifold and Bahn Brenner Fuel Rail… An incredible amount of work!!

It’s done!!  Scott will be by tomorrow to pick up his “new-again” Mk5 GTI now that the APR Stage 3 install is complete. 

Prior to completion, we fitted the car with APR’s Stealth Turbo-Back Exhaust (remember his car was bone-stock when he dropped it off) and the subtle growl is absolutely a perfect combo with this turbo kit, and a necessary upgrade for the bigger turbo. 

Out for it’s first drive…

The car will be back though - upgraded brakes and clutch are certainly in order as the new-found power will easily wear on the stock clutch and fade the brakes quickly.  We’ll keep you posted with Scott’s plans when he returns. 

In our first segment, we mentioned our intent of running the Hartmann 367 wheel, a Porsche Carrera replica, on our VW Mk4 Jetta.  Well the rear 18×10s in the proper offset arrived not too long ago and we got them on the car finally. 

Running Falken 452s in a 245/35 out back, and 215/40s up front to ensure fender clearance considering the low stance, the fit could not be any more perfect!  We’ll let you be the judge…

We’ve fitted most of the parts from the APR Stage 3 kit over the weekend. Our technician was ambitious enough to come in after hours to continue the build and we were ahead of schedule.

We hit a snag on Monday however when we found that a replacement for a missing part from the kit went missing on its way to us from Alabama.

This has unfortunately halted the completion of this project but we have been over-nighted a second replacement part from APR which arrived early this morning.  We anticipate to continue and wrap-up this install tonight or early tomorrow once the ECU gets flashed.  Almost done, Scott!!

A bit more progress on our APR Stage 3 install…

Notice anything missing in the following?

And a comparison shot of the two turbos…

We’ll have more updates for you next week.

Scott dropped off his Candy White Mk5 GTI with us yesterday. He will be the first of many Mk5 customers to receive the APR Stage 3 treatment from Achtuning.

The award winning APR 2.0T FSI Stage III delivers a powerful, refined, turnkey solution from the expertly re-calibrated engine management system to the investment cast inconel exhaust manifold and upgraded FSI fuel injectors and fuel pump. Featuring the APR/Garrett Honeywell Ballistic Series GT2871APR Ball Bearing Turbocharger, the APR Stage III brings your MkV to 382 daily drivable horsepower and 332 pound feet of neck snapping torque.

We laid out Scott’s parts for him as this will be the last time we expect him to see these individual components in their virgin form.

So we’ve begun installation, and plan to have things wrapped up within the next few days. Here are some current progress pictures of the installation. New injectors are already in, along with the high pressure FSI fuel pump. The stock high pressure pump is incapable of pumping a high enough volume of fuel to support the FSI engine with even moderate mods, much less a large turbo kit. To rectify this, APR has developed a higher flowing fuel pump that eliminates this being a problem.

We’ve already begun the intercooler portion of the install as well and we’ll update you with more progress as we get the opportunity. Scott, we have definitely passed the point of no return.