GMP Performance turned over the majority of their shop staff and entiriety of shop management over the last year. The owner of GMP emailed a few of us previous customers to let us know we should give them a try again.
With the new parts in hand, I decided to do just that out of ease of travel time and the quote provided.
Installed the APR intercooler and boost hose kit upgrade on the R. Also had the Racingline stage 3 brakes installed. This kit includes new stainless lines, lightweight two-piece front rotors, street pads and their CNC'd 6-piston brake caliper. I also picked up the matching stage 3 rear brake rotors. Total weight savings vs. factory irons with this kit are a little over 20lbs of unsprung weight. You may remember the Clubsport S/Performance Pack rotors saving about 6lbs of weight before. This kit is even lighter than that - substantially.
I chose these brakes after years of internal debate for their weight savings, pad choices, lack of needing spacers and design.
Turns out the wheel spacer part was false - even with their product descriptions saying that these will fit with OEM wheels and their extra 5mm spacer, we found that to be incorrect with the 18" Pretorias from the GTI that I run in the winter.
Quick thinking got us to ShopDAP in Cornelius (about 25 minutes away) to snag the 15mm and 11mm spacers the car needed. Side benefit is that the wheels are now flush to the fenders.
The new Racingline stage 3 brakes now installed are just sick. They look incredible on the car. The Racingline brake kit is running their street pad which is closer to the OEM R pads in terms of bite. The Clubsport S/Performance Pack pads are a little more aggressive but that’s ok. Track use will be on different pads.
The power band is smoother with the APR parts. A bit more boost threshold delay but it’s ok thanks to the amazing EQT stage 1 tune. It really likes the new plugs too.
Odds and ends that were also put on the car (while you’re in there):
- EQT Grounding Kit
- NGK one step colder plugs gapped to 0.24”
- Racingline coolant hose
- Oil change.
- Replaced some bumper trim my wife scratched up awhile back.
- Deutsche Auto wheel spacers.
Next up will be a paint correction detail, then off to Wookies in the Woods. I'll be swapping on the OEM 19" Pretorias with PS4S tires for that event. I'm curious if the 5mm spacer will fit those wheels.
This car doesn't feel like a factory Golf R anymore - it has definitely evolved into something much better, without the drawbacks of "race car".
Future plans include the MK6 Scirocco R wingback seats and a DAZA swap. Maybe some Ohlins when these OEM DCC shocks finally tire out.
In the meantime...
WEEEEEEEE
✖️MOD LIST✖️
- OEM 3 year old son in backseat
- Clubsport S Front Subframe
- Clubsport S Front LCA Bushings
- Clubsport S Front Knuckles
- Clubsport S Front Wheel Bearings
- Racingline Stage 3 BBK 355mm
- Racingline Stage 3 Rear Brake Rotors
- VW Performance Pack Akrapovic Axleback Exhaust
- VW Performance Pack Rear Lip Spoiler
- Audi RS3 Brake Air Ducts
- Castrol SRF Brake Fluid
- Racingline R600
- Racingline Coolant Hose
- Racingline Turbo Inlet
- Racingline Turbo Inlet Pipe
- EQT Stage 1 (93 octane)
- EQT DSG Tune
- APR Intercooler
- APR Boost Hose Kit
- Eurocode Front Strut Bar
- SuperPro 26mm Front Swaybar
- SuperPro Front Endlinks
- Racingline Rear Body Brace
- SuperPro 24mm Rear Swaybar
- SuperPro Rear Endlinks
- VW MK8 Rear LCA Aero Covers
- Black Pretoria Daily/Summer Wheels (18”/19”)
- Conti DWS06 (18”)
- Michelin Pilot PS4S (19”)
- Euro Folding Side Mirrors
- Euro Dynamic Taillights
- VW Dynamic Side Markers
- VW MK6 DSG Shift Knob
- Audi 12v Plug
- Euro Rear Headrests
- Homelink Rearview Mirror
Photos on my instagram @19_lapiz_r