I'm a car geek and always looking to fix up my rides but on a budget. I could never find the info I needed so I decided to Blog then later do YouTube videos.
Being a father of 3 I have to be mindful with the toys I want and the toys my kids want.
Join me for information about my stuff and thoughts about making them nicer. I've introduced my kids when I can as my helpers.
www.youtube.com/RobDaman
Instagram: @_robdaman
I've always had a liking for the classic Ronal turbos of the 80s. I found out that they make a variation in 18s for them.
Years ago Ronal used to be in So Cal but they closed up shop and went back to Europe. Importing them from 'across the pond' isn't cheap. I'm going to try and find a set here stateside that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg.
Anyways while surfing, I found a cool configurator that allowed me to see how those wheels would look like on my R. The USA sites don't carry Ronal so unless you were a Photoshop aficionado, it wouldn't work plus this site is 3D so you can rotate the car. Not only that but you can choose the color of your car AND lower it!!!! I did a mild drop but you can do a slammed stance if you want.
That's so cool! I'm giddy like a grade school child.
This morning I got ready and took my sons with me to get the R dyno tested at AU Tuning. I had 3 runs done: baseline using the Tuning Box relay medium settings (yellow light over P) no red or green lights at + and - max settings (red light over P) max red lights over + light this video explains the modes:
Dyno sheet from today's BK Motorsports Tuning Box runs. stock baseline is 260whp 271tq and with the box set to 'max' it put down 294whp 304tq. The only bolt on is Apr intake. I used pump 91 octane So Cal gas. It was 59 degrees this morning.
Graph shows both baseline, "mid settings" , and "max settings"
I had an wiring harness issue that caused a CEL. BK sent me a harness right away but I was busy with other mods, cars, family etc.
It was a nice summer like day in So Cal today that allowed me to spend some time to get it installed. I'm happy to say no check engine lights.
I'm going to have the R dynoed at the same place where I had the JB1 tested. This time I should be easily able to get a baseline due to just swapping that little interface instead in the car.
I added some 10mm spacers to my rear wheels today. I didn't like the inward look especially since my fronts were closer to flush.
I had tried my 15mm spacers from my oem flush set up but it was just a tad too much. The 10mm is perfect.
One thing I learned is OZ wheels use ball lug bolts like oem unlike cone which are generally used in the aftermarket industry. Another thing that was REALLY important to know is that the hub for OZ are thicker than oem. I had maybe 2mm of threading using extended bolts (pic below).
The bolt on the left is already extended but I had to be even longer ones to be safe!
Another tip is to always torque them down then in about a week retorque them.
Also check out my youtube channel with details about this set up.
I received a SuperPro rear sway bar from a group buy for $225 shipped. It came all the way from Down Under.
RSB is installed. I haven't tested it out yet but i'm sure it'll be a nice difference.
below are some comparative pics vs stock.
You'll need triple square bits which I got from Amazon. I didn't drop the exhaust as another member did. It just took me a few minutes to get the rsb out and the new one back in.
After a couple weeks of myself and my family getting sick and also just getting plain lazy from the Thanksgiving holiday I'm back baby!!!!
I just removed the Burger Tuning JB1 so I could start testing out BK Motorsports TuningBox. Others have stated and I agree that it's manufactured by someone else and getting labeled under BK. I can't tell you yet if the tuning map itself is the same or not. I'll check with BK on that.
Here's some videos of the wiring comparison, where the TuningBox connects to and how you make your adjustments.
Stay "tuned" for my butt dyno opinions versus JB1.
Dyno tests have been completed!!! Tuning Box put of 30whp. JB1 substantially more.
I'm going to be testing a piggy back tuner called TuningBox on my R soon. It'll be dynoed on the same dyno as the JB1 I have. I'm curious on my butt dyno results and overall driveability. Stay "tuned" pun intended. So far it appears that the TuningBox is a multi-platform type of item meaning it can fit several cars depending on the configuration. There are 3 specific plugs for the piggyback which reminds me of the Neuspeed product.
So as you know I'm the original owner of my Golf R.
I wanted to change the cornering lights from the yellow shade to white to match the HIDs from the headlights. Well I bought a cheap pair (under $2 on ebay) and one was bad. I looked how it lit up and then I discovered the fingerprints! I wore rubber gloves but in order to put your paws in that reflector there are only 2 ways:
When assembling the housing or if for some reason you decide to stick a finger in the bulb opening for whatever nonsensical reason.
I wore gloves by the way so even if I had some weird thought to "finger" my headlight it wouldn't do that.
Well crap! I thought it as my imagination that it was also pointing too high until I tested it tonight in a dark business park! Horrible QA on the lights. If it wasn't the manufacturer who did this then why would the dealership do it? Makes no sense but at the same time explains how the fingerprints got there like they tried to do something with that corner light. I know that the headlight points a little higher on the left as well.
This morning we did a meet up /dyno day where 6 out of 7 MK7s were GTIs and myself the lonely R. As you may know I'm using the Burger Tuning JB1 "stage 1" piggy back and an APR intake. No other power mods.
The rest of the crew were all stage 2 versions of Revo, Eurodyne, Apr and Giac.
I did a respectable 309hp and 339 lbs tq at the front wheels. It was run like this because unless you have a roller type of dyno and the right settings, it won't run right. I think I like 2 wheel drive mode only since it's a head to head with the little brother GTI.
All in all for $400 and getting 45hp, it's not a bad mod. I'm planning on tweaking it with Map 6 to get better boosting.
