Hey,
Id recommend at your point to do what I did. Just replace it. I went with your earlier suggestion and just swapped the follower. As I mentioned though the damn thing was getting eaten through. I really didnt have a choice.
ECS has a kit, which is what I used. Very nice and complete. Id recommend that. Its a revision J cam.
Assembled By ECS - 06F198101B - Complete 2.0T Camshaft Replacement Kit - Stage 1 (ecstuning.com)
The cam is aftermarket but a high quality one as well as most seals. The bolts are VW though. Comes with a new follower as well. I will drive mine to 5K since my oil change and pull it to check the follower......just to be sure.
Another suggestion at least from my perspective. If your replacing the cam, replace the chain as well as tensioner. I didnt replace the chain and its sometimes noisey where the old chain wore to the old cam sprocket. No issues but something I should have done.
After the cam swap, it does pull far harder and easier than it did before. I had power that was on the table I never got to use just because the ECM was too smart and said I cant have it - cause my fuel wasnt right.
I did install a catless downpipe with stock exhaust and it sounds great! Little more power and quicker spool. Very low key till boost hits then it screams. I may start on the headliner tonight. Will update. Stay in touch!
In reply to bonylad :
Ahhhhh - thanks for the reply.
I too agree that its time to replace the cam. It turn out that on ECS, the aftermarket (AMC Brand) Golf R intake cam, is cheaper than the A$ 2.0T intake cam. So I just ordered the AMC Golf R intake cam this morning:
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-amc-parts/intake-camshaft/06f109101k~amc/
My current cam is trash:
I was fool for re-using this cam when I was rebuiling my head this summer - but I was ignorant of how important a role the cam lobe plays:
Thank you for your awesome photos which convinced me to pull the trigger on the replacment cam.
In reply to FatMongo :
I'm glad I could help. It would have been a time bomb and your car would not perform as it should like it was. I learn that the hard way. The intake cam for the R. I thought of doin that but saw no real concrete gains. Only speculation on any gains. Plus without me being tuned. I wasn't sure it would have benefited me any.
I feel you too harsh on yourself and at least you're now on the way to gettin it right. Please replace that chain as otherwise once oil hits the adjuster and it comes into play it will be slightly noisey. Mine was worn in on a different cam and I didn't replace it. I replaced everything else but that. Don't be me. SMH. FACEPALM.
Off topic. I started scraping the glue gunk off my headliner. Easy with a plastic razor and then I followed up with a mild drill brush. Will perhaps get the headliner laid down tonight. We will see.
Update - no pics though.
I cant do upholstery work. I tried several times only to be defeated by bumps and creases that beat me like I owed them money. Will be taking the parts to a local shop. I did install hub centric rings on the wheels, massive improvement! I had a vibration which I attributed to that, but it wasnt bad enough to worry about. I did get tired of it and installed them. Massive difference. I have a cam follower stud conversion kit, as well as intake manifold flap deletes to install. While I am in there I will clean the intake manifold and try to clean any carbon out of the intake runners. Will def. post pics on that process. Found a small boost leak from my PCV block off plate, and fixed it.
Stay tuned!
So. Pullin the intake manifold to clean the intake valves. Also deleting the intake runner flappers. Upgrading the charge pipe to the throttle body. Cleaning and generally goin through it.
Ordered this.
My OCD kicked in. Found the maf wasn't seating fully in the intake pipe. Modded the maf a little and the piping. It's a aftermarket intake. So pretty sure that's the issue. So. I made it perfect. Now it's sealed so no possible unmetered air.
Used the good stuff. German das rtv. Lolz.
Also upgraded my tool box and shelving.
Easy enough.
Now to the carbon cleaning!
Began soaking the runners with GM top engine clean. Picking at the carbon with a pick being careful to not gouge anything. Using the flat side to scrape. Then sucking it out with a shop vac. On cylinder 1, I think the valves are partially open. So before I fire it off I will pull the plug on that cylinder and blow it out to make sure nothing nasty got in there. Though I imagine first start after all this and the flapper delete will be interesting. Pic.
Whilst waiting on misc parts to slap the intake back on. In that case the dipstick tube I broke and charge pipe. I worked on the interior. Voila!
So yesterday and finishing up today I got the runner flappers delete done.
Looks cool IMO.
Got it all back together. Definitely true what they say. With the flapper delete cold starts are rough. It settles down quickly though. Car pulls nicely. With that, carbon clean and upgraded charge pipe. Ordered a ton of parts. Short shifter and bushings. Grill both upper and lower and fog light grills. All badgeless and honey comb. As well as a tuner!
Little vid. Revs nicely.
Today I installed the ECS resonator delete. I didn't choose an exhaust as from what I understand the gains are minimal. I'd rather have the look of stock. But that's where it ends. The car is definitely louder but not Honda loud.
Quality stainless pipe.
Installed. Fit perfect. Though a hanger won't fit which I think is more to do with the down pipe being aftermarket.
I'll work on getting a cold start and exhaust clips.
Waiting on the front grill and other misc parts. Shifter and bushings probably next. I figure I'll replace the rear valance once I get the other stuff and can wash the car before I slap them on.
I did a resonator delete on my R. Then promptly put it back on the car when I did a downpipe. Was too loud for me...
I do think it's funny where apparently some people pay for a crackle and pop tune. Mine just does it.
In reply to docwyte :
Time will tell for me but I think it will be fine? Hope so!
docwyte said:
I did a resonator delete on my R. Then promptly put it back on the car when I did a downpipe. Was too loud for me...
I just realized your the gent with the R on here. Love your thread! I'd love to have one and I may scoop one as my next VW or a R32.
In reply to bonylad :
Thanks! I'm sorta looking for a Mk4 R32 but the prices, damn!
docwyte said:
In reply to bonylad :
Thanks! I'm sorta looking for a Mk4 R32 but the prices, damn!
Yeah. Exactly. I'm happy for now. Love to have awd!
Slapped in a VMR shirt shifter. 40 percent reduction. Had bushings to slap in but they were for an 06 not a 07. Either way. I'm happy.
Before.
After.
docwyte
PowerDork
2/10/21 8:28 a.m.
I did the Euro S3 shifter on mine too. Love the OEM+ stuff.
In reply to docwyte :
This is the VMR, had 2 options. 20 and 40 percent reduction. I went with the 40 percent reduction. Its very nice. I am not sure I will replace the shifter bushings. Unless the seller offers me a swap.
Seller sent me two left side open mesh fog light covers. So waiting on a correction for that. Till then I slapped my badge less grill cover on.
Also a pic of the Race Chip GTS. I'm happy with it. It provides a noticeable gain. Up to 7 levels. Base tune is level 5. I'm at level four. I have gone to 7 but felt it overpowered the car. Made it jumpy and just too much. I'd like to get a proper tune at some point though probably a stage 1 apr or something. I don't want to have a tire burning beast here. I want a little extra without the car becoming something it's not.
Well. The RaceChip is off the car......
Because I got a Integrated Engineering Stage 1 Tune!
Will post up more info once I get these thoughts together. So far its amazeballs!
Idk if anyone reads this but here is an update
As mentioned I took the RaceChip off. It worked fine and the only real reason I went with a flash is just this. Me. Idk why but piggybacks always bothered me. Regardless of the one in question having a spectacular reputation and me having no issues. I just still couldn't shake that feeling.
So.
I could have gone with a stage 2 tune and I may at some point. But as is. It's very nice.
Not my dyno but gains. Gains. Gains. Gains.
I am happy. The car drives amazing. I have to replace the cam follower as now the tune is asking for higher fuel pressure and my follower is due for replacement. It's been 3K and I checked it. Was fine. Could see some wear on the coating but nothing serious. Also switching to Rotella T6. Will update.
Did replace the my shift bushings. Woot. Amazing!
Planning on going back to a stock intake. From what I read. Other than the awesome noises the stock intake is great and really doesn't need sorting until mid 300s. I'm fine. Did clean it up. Waiting in some parts to reinstall it as well as the rear bumper valance.
I'm probably going to go back to my stock airbox too. While the turbo noises the open intake make are entertaining, I like the sleeper look of the stock airbox. Also the intake doesn't add any power, even at the HP levels my car is making. Plus it gets pretty hot here in the summer time and the factory airbox does a better job with heat soak
In reply to docwyte :
Its almost like they knew what they were doing?! Lol. Yeah I feel the overal drive ability of the car was better before hand, really.
I prefer the accessibility of the aftermarket intake for the general servicing of the car, plus the looks. I refer to the aftermarket here. The stock one performs better but seems to have to come off everytime you have to do anything!
I wouldnt call my MK5 a sleeper by any measure lol!
