THE GARAGE / BUILD JOURNAL 001
The long way to a better GTI.
2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn.
Silver paint. Blue brakes. Plenty beneath the surface.
- THE PLATFORM
- 2016 / Autobahn
- THE GEARBOX
- DSG / EQT Stage 2
- THE TURBO
- IS38 / 92 octane
- THE ODOMETER
- 99,7xx milesApproximate · Nov 2026
A hot hatch. A lot of intention.
This is my 2016 Volkswagen Golf GTI Autobahn with DSG, leather, and a sunroof. The current odometer is in the 99,7xx-mile range, recorded in November 2026.
The build brings together an EQTuning IS38 and 92-octane Stage 2+ tune, KW V3 coilovers, a Brembo brake conversion, and supporting cooling and oil-control hardware. This journal collects the specification and the work behind it.
Every system. Every detail.
Open a system to explore the current owner-supplied modification list. Earlier configurations appear in the build photos; they are not additions to the current specification.
01Power & breathing9 entries
- EQTuning
- IS38 turbo
- EQTuning
- Stage 2+ ECU tune · 92 octane
- EQTuning
- Charge pipes
- COBB
- Accessport
- HPA Motorsports
- Catted downpipe
- AWE
- Touring cat-back exhaust · chrome tips
- RacingLine
- R600 intake
- MST
- Turbo inlet pipe with silicone intake tube
- Go Fast Bits
- DV+ diverter valve
02Cooling & oil control5 entries
- HPA Motorsports
- High-flow intercooler
- RacingLine
- Catch can
- RacingLine
- Oil cooler
- RacingLine
- Coolant under-hose
- iABED
- Baffled aluminum oil pan
03DSG & driver controls6 entries
- EQTuning
- Stage 2 DSG tune
- 034Motorsport
- DSG breather catch can
- JQWerks
- Magnetic paddle shifters with carbon-fiber paddles
- Interior
- Suede steering wheel cover and suede shifter
- VAD Pro
- In-car computer
- Volkswagen
- OEM cloth and rubber floor mat sets
04Chassis & contact patch7 entries
- KW
- V3 coilovers
- 034Motorsport
- Front and rear sway bars
- 034Motorsport
- Front and rear spherical end links
- 034Motorsport
- Front ball joints
- 034Motorsport
- Camster top plates
- 034Motorsport
- ZTF 18-inch wheels · anthracite
- Michelin
- Pilot Sport 4 S · 245/40-18
05Braking & brake cooling7 entries
- Brembo
- TT RS Brembo caliper swap
- Girodisc
- 370 mm slotted two-piece rotors
- HEL
- Stainless steel brake lines · front and rear
- Ferodo
- DS2500 front brake pads
- Motul
- Brake fluid flush/replacement
- CJM Industries
- Brake vent kit
- Audi RS3
- Brake deflectors
06Exterior & aero4 entries
- CJM Industries
- V2 front chassis-mounted splitter
- CJM Industries
- Notched side skirts with fins
- Verus Engineering
- Rear diffuser
- Mirrors
- Black mirror caps and sequential turn signals
More than what is under the hood.
The chassis specification pairs KW V3 coilovers with 034Motorsport sway bars, spherical end links, front ball joints, and Camster top plates. Anthracite 18-inch ZTF wheels wear 245/40-18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires.
The braking setup includes Ferodo DS2500 front pads, HEL stainless lines front and rear, a CJM Industries brake vent kit, and RS3 brake deflectors.
The chapter with the engine out.
Hillside Imports performed the engine swap and the majority of the initial installation work. During the swap, the shop installed the KW V3 coilovers, HPA catted downpipe, EQTuning IS38 turbo, RacingLine R600 intake, MST turbo inlet pipe and silicone intake tube, GFB DV+, and the front and rear sway bars and end links.
The workshop photos form part of the build record. The replacement date, chassis mileage at installation, and replacement engine mileage still need to be added to this journal.
The hands behind the build.
- ENGINE & CHASSIS
Hillside Imports
Engine swap, KW V3 coilovers, HPA catted downpipe, EQTuning IS38 turbo, RacingLine R600 intake, MST inlet pipe and silicone intake tube, GFB DV+, and front and rear sway bars and end links.
- BRAKES, COOLING & AERO
Mach1 Motorsports
Brembo brake conversion, Verus Engineering rear diffuser, CJM Industries side skirts and front splitter, HPA front intercooler, RacingLine oil cooler and catch can, 034Motorsport DSG breather catch can, AWE exhaust, Camster top plates, and front ball joints.
- THE FINAL ALIGNMENT
AR Motorsports
Dual-duty alignment after the new 034Motorsport wheels and Michelin tires were installed.
Take the long way around.
The exterior combines a CJM Industries chassis-mounted front splitter and notched side skirts with a Verus Engineering rear diffuser. Black mirror caps and sequential turn signals finish the details. The AWE Touring exhaust uses chrome tips.
Before this version.
A journal that keeps getting better.
This is a build journal, rather than an active sale listing. Maintenance invoices, installation dates, engine-replacement mileage, current condition disclosures, and an exact odometer reading will complete the record for a future sale.
The specification is owner supplied. No horsepower figures, measured performance claims, or inspection results are implied by the parts list.