Performance VW

We’ve got a pretty packed issue for you this month, with Jake Nelson’s 330bhp homegrown Mk1 Berg Cup monster stealing cover. Alongside him, we have a couple of resto-modded classics in Martin Peace’s race-spec Mk3 Polo on carbs and Steve Holden’s stunning Euro-look Mk1 Derby. We’re just glad we don’t have to choose our favourite out of those two. If new-wave is your bag then Dave Raybould’s rocket-ship Mk6 GTI and Alan Murchison’s stunning T6.1 Transporter will get your juices flowing for sure. While we’re on the subject of new wave, we also commissioned regular contributor, Alex Grant, to write an article on the future of tuning, which looks at where the modified scene might be in the next few years and how it might cross-over into EV-powered builds. I’ve got…

Twenty-six-year-old Dorset-based Jake Nelson is a coded welder for Babcock International who support the British Army with vehicle repairs. Jake has worked there for 10 years including an apprenticeship in welding/fabrication. Looking at the standard of workmanship on this gorgeous Golf, it appears that our fighting forces are in safe hands. Jake’s head was turned by cars at an early age. Dad, Robert is a huge motorsport fan and as a young boy, Jake would join him in the garage and witness him working on an array of cars including an MG Midget and a Renault 5 GT Turbo. Jake’s uncle Nik is a self-confessed air-cooled nerd and also had a Mk2 Golf back in the day. Jake wasted no time in getting into a Volkswagen Group product. “My first…

Having recently launched Performance ECU and TCU Software for the Mk8 GTI (which we announced in the News pages of PVW 1/23), Canadian tuner, Unitronic has followed this up with a Cat-back exhaust system for the EVO4-powered car. Constructed from 3” T304 stainless steel mandrel bent tubing, the system is designed to connect directly to the car’s factory cat and fixes to all the OEM mounting points. Unitronic claimed the exhaust won’t rust and, in fact, should outlast the car itself. This is back-up with the company’s limited lifetime warranty. Featuring high-temperature glass fibre packed silencers, high-quality v-band fasteners with T316 stainless flanges and exiting with dual, slash-cut 4” polished exhaust tips (engraved with the Unitronic logos) this exhaust looks as good as it performs. For those after a more sleeper appearance,…

APR has just released its new intake system for the Mk8 Golf which can be run as an open (lid off) or closed (lid on) system. The air box features dual inlets, can achieve up to 114% more flow than a stock air box and includes its own turbo inlet adapter. These are available with an OEM-style cover if you want to retain a stock look, but full carbon fibre or forged carbon is also an option if you’re feeling fancy. For more details, head over to goals.com PRICE: From $299.00 CONTACT: www.goapr.com…

You may remember we ran a press release on VADpro’s VAD28/32 smart displays back in the PVW 2/23 issue. Well, we’re pleased to announce the new VAD15 display from VADpro, which is a revolutionary 52mm Can-Bus OLED display specifically designed for OBD2 application. The 1.5” OLED display is designed to fit into most aftermarket gauge holders and supports all 2008 and newer ECUs that have an OBD2 interface. The four analogue inputs allow you to connect 0-5V sensors of your choice such as: oil pressure, fuel pressure, EGT, and boost pressure. The display features an integrated shift light, a rotary control dial to swap sensors on the fly, set min and max warning values, and enable or disable warning popups. It really is a trick piece of kit and all…

Old Volkswagens make for fantastic, useable classic cars, but in the depths of winter even the most deep-set enthusiasm starts to wane when you can’t keep warm inside! One of the most common reasons for lack of heat is a fan motor failure, and whilst it is a little bit tricky to remove and refit, the good thing is most budding mechanics can do it with no more than a basic tool kit. The Mk1 Golf (and Type 25) share the same snail shaped fan motor, and this has been reproduced to a decent quality by FORST, ready to heat things back up for you during the cold season. Sold by Heritage Parts Centre, they are priced at £28.95. PRICE: £28.95 CONTACT: www.hertitagepartscentre.com…