From clear stance builds to manic drag machines – we’ve featured every kind of Volkswagen Golfs on Speedhunters through the years. As you’d anticipate, most of those builds have come out of Europe, however that’s not true of Golf we’re revisiting at this time.
The work of 034Motorsport in California, USA – an organization that’s been constructing wickedly fast Audis and VWs since 2005 – 10 years on this would possibly nonetheless be the wildest Golf we’ve ever featured. Learn on to see why…
2014 Characteristic
One of many issues I like about air-cooled Volkswagens is how they share DNA with Porsche fashions of the identical period. Positive, the 356s, 914s and 911s may need been sleeker, sexier and quicker than their Volkswagen cousins, however the truth they shared so many traits offered many with the inspiration to construct their Beetles into one thing greater than their low value and humble picture would possibly counsel.
In 1974 when Volkswagen launched the primary era Golf because the eventual alternative for the Beetle, I’m unsure if anybody knew it will go on to develop into the icon that’s at this time. Whether or not serving as fundamental transportation or a platform to benefit from the automotive pastime, the Golf would very a lot develop into the individuals’s automobile of a brand new era.
However even after many years of watching individuals construct some genuinely badass Golfs and watching VW itself frequently develop quicker and extra luxurious variations of the long-lasting hatchback, it’s laborious to take a look at a Golf and a Porsche facet by facet and see any form of significant connection.
Lately it’s not that you just anticipate a compact hatchback and a excessive finish sports activities automobile to be constructed from the identical stuff, however that connection is without doubt one of the issues that made air-cooled VWs so enjoyable to play with.
That brings me to 034Motorsport’s GTI RS – a automobile which due to some fairly gnarly engineering has injected a few of that Porsche spirit proper again into VW’s well-liked compact automobile. And no I’m not speaking about having styling influenced by Porsche – this can be a Golf that’s each mid-engined and turbocharged.
Whenever you’re working a excessive efficiency store, one of the best factor you are able to do is construct one thing to get individuals speaking – and actually, what higher means to do this than by doing one thing loopy like a mid-engined VW Golf?
So beginning with a fundamental 2001 GTI, the group at 034Motorsport started working creating one of many craziest Golfs the world has ever seen.
As you’d anticipate, changing a front-engined, front-wheel drive automobile to mid-engined, rear-wheel drive just isn’t the simplest of duties, and the very first thing the fellows did was fabricate a {custom} rear tubular subframe utilizing suspension parts from a Porsche 996 Turbo.
Together with the 996 suspension, the brand new subframe was additionally constructed with {custom} pickup factors, {custom} mounts for the engine and transmission mounts, and it even consists of the inventory 996 Turbo rear sway bar.
Subsequent up got here the duty of choosing and constructing an engine that will occupy the area the place the GTI’s rear passenger space as soon as was. Given 034’s expertise with Audi, it’s not stunning that they went with a 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 from a 2001 S4.
Not solely was the S4 motor an ideal match with the store’s picture, however in some ways the connection between VW and Audi at this time is similar as that of VW and Porsche means again when. You could be shopping for an entry stage Golf, however you don’t must look far to see the resemblance to the attractive Audis within the dealership down the road.
In fact the S4 motor on this explicit automobile is much from manufacturing unit spec. For starters, it’s been bored and stroked to a displacement of three liters and the underside finish has been totally strengthened with a solid crank, JE pistons and different heavy obligation bits. Up high, there are ported 2.8-liter heads from a B5 A4, a Supertech valvetrain and a set of excessive efficiency CAT cams.
The large story although, is the turbo set-up, which relying on the motive force’s temper might be switched between two totally different snails: both a Precision Turbo CEA 62mm GT35R or a Garrett GT42RS.
Both means, the turbo sits on a {custom} 034 manifold and is backed by a one-off consumption and exhaust set-ups together with a {custom} air-to-water intercooler. The entire set-up is then managed by an 034EFI stand-alone ECU with two totally different maps obtainable. With the GT42 turbine fitted, the GTI-RS made a powerful 807 horsepower and 596 foot kilos of torque to the rear wheels.
It additionally makes for a reasonably depraved sound, as you may see on this brief video clip that Larry grabbed when he shot the automobile.
And the way precisely does all that energy get to the rear wheels? It goes by means of an Audi 01E six-speed transmission with {custom} ratios, an 034 Motorsport LSD and heavy obligation axles from the Drive Shaft Store.
As for the suspension, the Golf is provided with custom-valved Öhlins three-way dampers within the entrance and rear with H2Sport entrance spindles and management arms up entrance.
Braking duties are dealt with by the manufacturing unit 996 Turbo brakes within the rear, whereas the entrance calipers have been swapped out for these from a 993 Turbo, together with {custom} 034 Motorsport rotors.
Consistent with the Porsche theme, the automobile is working a set of 996 Turbo ‘hole spoke’ wheels 18×8-inch within the entrance and 18×11-inch within the rear with Continental ExtremeContact DW tires throughout.
If somebody asks to pop the hood, they’ll discover the place the place the GTI’s authentic engine as soon as sat is now occupied by a big ATL gasoline cell.
Whereas the physique of the GTI has for essentially the most half been saved inventory, I’m not fairly certain when you may name this factor a sleeper. Particularly once you see issues like the massive vents in entrance of the rear wheels or the wide-body conversion, which was custom-built out of steel by the crew at 034.
Inside, the cockpit is surprisingly authentic with an authentic sprint, manufacturing unit GTI leather-based seats and an R32 steering wheel.
But when by some means you didn’t realise there was a wild turbocharged motor sitting behind you, the NHRA-spec roll hoop and rear chassis reinforcement would possibly elevate some suspicions.
In the long run, there’s lots to love about 034’s loopy undertaking. First off there’s the truth that this GTI is each very uncommon and really quick – two issues we at all times dig.
Then there’s the concept that these guys have taken a fundamental Volkswagen and blended it completely with some excessive tech Audi horsepower and a few quaint Porsche DNA. That is actually what Speedhunting is all about.
Mike Garrett
Instagram: japanifornia
Pictures by Larry Chen
Instagram: larry_chen_foto
