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The Imola Yellow Jetta has been running under GT3071R power for over 5000 miles so far. Yeah, we need to get back to work on this blog and fill in the gaps between the last installment and now, but at least we're posting up some decent progress pics illustrating the upgrade work required to go from the VF RSS kit to this ATP/Revo GT3071R set up.

The software file for this system is a beta version constructed by Revo. As a Revo tuning partner, we are fortunate in being able to offer these cutting-edge upgrades as soon as possible. The DSG transmission required a bit of extra tweaking on Revo's part (based on the logs and recommendations we shared with them), and at the moment we're required to use the stock diverter valve. Results are fantastic and the GLI now has a huge increase in power (around 100-hp extra!) vs. the GT28RS-based set up, and its demeanor is amazingly like stock - no surging, funny idle, flat spots or check engine lights. What's more, the DSG seems perfectly happy controlling the extra power. How long it remains that way is still to be determined, but affordable clutch packs and TCU tuning are just around the corner, so the future for DSG owners looks very bright.

It's tempting to scoff at the thought of 400-hp being delivered via two front tires, but the GLI's ability to effectively transfer its power in just that way is astounding. There is no torque steer or drama of any kind. Yes, wheelspin is excessive in the first two gears, but a careful right foot mitigates most of that and the car is an absolute terror on the highway.

We've recently added methanol injection to the mix and this has allowed us to get much more aggressive with the Revo software settings. This is a really impressive car with excellent every day usability. As proud as we are with our efforts, the owner really needs to be congratulated for his performance modification choices.

We'll provide more details and updates as we get time, but for now it's great to report that the car is being used daily and our owner is very happy with the results. How long he stays that way is up in the air, so don't be surprised if you see the phrase, GT35 upgrade in some future update...

A quote from the Feb. 1 update for this project:

We'll keep you updated on the GLI and how the kit is performing with even more miles on the clock. We'll mention here that our customer is currently saving up for VF RS/R version of this kit, with the larger GT2871R turbo and upgraded rods and pistons. I guess at some point we'll be determining if the DSG transmission can handle even more power - right around 400-hp worth.

Think back to the last update while considering the above quote and you'll probably easily see where this update is headed. The biggest twist so far is that since the VF RS/R kit is not yet available, we're going a different route altogether.

With the RS/S kit we already have an excellent compilation of quality parts, so it makes sense to use as much of them as possible. So while the turbo and GIAC programming will not be used from here on out, the turbo manifold, intercooler and plumbing, fuel injectors and fuel pump will al be reused. We're not exactly building our own version of the RS/R in that we'll be keeping the stock pistons and compression ratio and substituting a larger Garrett GT3071R turbo for the RS/R kit's GT2871R. Tests have shown that the difference in spool-up time between the two turbos is minimal when used in an FSI environment and since it's unlikely that our customer will ever be satisfied with any level of power for very long, the bigger turbo gives us more headroom for the future.

To work with the VF manifold we'll be using a (relatively) small T25 exhaust housing, but we don't expect to see a noticeable compromise in output or efficiency. Since we expect to go beyond 350-whp we've ordered up a set of Integrated Engineering forged connecting rods for some much needed bottom-end extra strength - for now and in the future.

Ultimately none of these high quality components means very much without some quality engine programming to make them all work together. As luck would have it, fifteen52 is a Revo Technik tuning partner and as such we have access to their yet-to-be-released 2.0TFSI GT3071R programming upgrade. Besides putting out quality programming options, Revo gives its dealers room to tweak for different fuel and timing scenarios.

By now some of you are wondering, "what about the completely stock DSG transmission - is it safe to put so much power through it?" The answer to that is that we do not know, but sure as hell aim to find out. You see, our customer understands there is an option should he require extra strength as far as his transmission his concerned, but he also understands that currently that option is priced in the $7k+ range. It's just a matter of time until other options become available and when this happens there's no doubt the cost will come down dramatically. We have good reason to believe he'll be just fine until then, and if something happens in the mean time we have a few tricks up our sleeve.

Below you see the pics of the disassembly process - nothing too interesting here - and tomorrow we'll begin by installing the new rods as well as removing the 28R turbo and installing the new 3071.

Did your parents ever tell you that power can be a corruptive influence? Well, here's your proof.

A few thousand more miles since the last update and all is well. VF-Engineering has inspected the high-flow fuel pump used in this beta RS/S prototype kit and concluded it's in perfect working order with no premature wear to be concerned about. We'll soon have it back and reinstalled in short order.

In the mean time, our customer has made a wise decision to outfit his GLI with a series of gauges designed to offer critical diagnostic information in a real-time format. Purchased from New South Engineering, the 3-gauge pod holds boost, oil pressure, and EGT (exhaust gas temperature) gauges, also purchased from NSP and designed to perfectly match the VW's OE red and blue light displays.

The installation was a bit of a challenge, but only because the turbo housing for the GT28RS was an issue by interfering with the fitting of the oil pressure sending unit. Tapping the downpipe for the EGT sensor was time consuming, but straightforward. In the end, the efforts were totally worthwhile as our customer now has a substantially greater amount of vital engine information within easy eyesight.

We're using this update to show off some of the other updates our customer has made over the past few months, with a set of sinister 19x8 black OZ Ultraleggera wheels being the main attraction.

There are now 5,000 trouble-free miles under the belt of our VF-Engineering RS/S GLI and today we scheduled a quick check-up. With the car up in the air, there was nothing unusual to note, and each component is situated properly and free from wear. No leaks, no chafing, no errors.

And as mentioned in the last update, we've been asked by VF to swap out the mechanical fuel pump and return it to them for an examination. This pump is integral to the ability to supply enough fuel to the bigger injectors, and VF wants to check for unusual wear* or anything else that may need to be tended to. If you remember, our RS/S kit is a beta version of the soon-to-be-released production version, and we've partnered with VF as a way of providing valuable feedback and real-world experience that will be incorporated into the production kit. We'd like to take a moment to note that there has been some concern amongst various forum posters regarding the reliability of high-flow fuel pumps. Apparently, there have been a few occurrences of what has been described as "fuel pump failures."

*We want to point out that we have yet to see actual proof that these incidents were caused by the fuel pumps themselves. It's an establish fact that some of the earlier 2.0TFSI cars were manufactured using camshafts with sub par materials. Since the FSI design uses the intake camshaft to operate the mechanical rail fuel pump, any premature wear on the camshaft will prematurely wear the point of contact on the fuel pump and eventually lead to a failure. As far as we're concerned, this scenario is far more likely than a random fuel pump failure and it should be noted that currently there are four RS/S beta cars on the road (including our customer's) with at least 4 months of use, and none has had any issues related to the VF high-flow fuel pump.

We'll keep you updated on the GLI and how the kit is performing with even more miles on the clock. We'll mention here that our customer is currently saving up for VF RS/R version of this kit, with the larger GT2871R turbo and upgraded rods and pistons. I guess at some point we'll be determining if the DSG transmission can handle even more power - right around 400-hp worth.

You'll also be seeing this Imola Yellow GLI in other blogs on our site, since we're using the car as a testbed for future fifteen52 products. First up will be a 1552/Alcon 4-wheel big brake kit.

After more 500 miles, the VF RS/S GLI is performing great, and yes, the DSG transmission is still in one piece.

In actuality, the DSG seems a perfect match for the bigger turbo, as the lightning-fast downshifts keep it spooled and relatively lag-free. The extra power is impressive, but it's not just the peak numbers that impress. Whereas the OE K03 turbo runs out of breath over 6k rpm, the GT28RS makes usable power all the way to redline. GIAC has tuned the DSG version of this kit for a bit less initial torque, so in most situations an RS/S 2.0T accelerates more smoothly than most stock turbo "chipped" cars. And what about all the hand-wringing regarding too much power in a fwd vehicle? Well, we won't kid you and say that traction isn't limited in certain situations, but the more moderate torque curve with the RS/S actually makes it easier to use your right foot as an effective form of traction control. In any situation other than a standing start, this RS/S GLI is extremely quick and very easy to drive. On the highway it's a seriously fast sedan.

We'll let our owner put some more miles on the car and then we'll get him back here for a check-up. We're also going to swap out the VF fuel pump for another and send the original back to VF for a quick exam.