SAC VW Golf MK VI GTI Finally Complete!
We started this exciting project a full 6 months ago and can now report that our Volkswagen Golf MK6 GTI upgrade is finally complete and ready to transform the hot hatch battle that goes on around the country right now!
Before we even get into the journey we took in order to bring you a substantially quicker and more tractable car, it is worth noting that the 155kW Volkswagen Golf MK6 is not just a ‘chipped’ version of the older 147kW VW Mk V.
The engine tune up, and more specifically the cylinder head and valve train are completely different to that of the previous GTI.
So this was no simple, add a ‘chip and exhaust’ mod from the previous MkV project, there were many hurdles in our way, for which we had to try different things and change our way of thinking and embrace new tuning and control methods.
The first was being able to completely and safely control the electronics of the car, and for this we used a Uni Q Chip.
This tune up process took weeks when approached in the traditional way, finally we settled on going about the task by using the oxygen sensor and a closed loop fuel tuning method. Ground breaking stuff!
We then fitted a specially made 306 polished stainless steel 76 mm down pipe and catalytic converter free, free-flow exhaust system from De Graaf.
This bespoke exhaust system now not only looks and sounds the part with the SAC logos professionally engraved on the tail pieces, but is now available as a bolt on system over the counter.
Cheaper mild steel options are also available.
The final puzzle in the Stage 1 upgrade was to do a SAC airbox mod that sees more cold air making its way into the 2.0 litre FSI turbocharged engine.
This upgrade sees the power increase by around 15% and can be done in a single day at any one of our branches situated countrywide.
The cost varies depending on the quality of exhaust system you fit and whether you opt for a removable Power Plug unit over a hard wired Uni Q Chip.
The second stage of this project saw the cylinder head being removed, the rough edges being cleaned up, and the compression ratio dropped from a high 10.3.1 to 9.7.1 by removing a few cc’s from the combustion chambers.
The intake camshaft also received some attention so that the two cams were now similar in lift and duration.
As this was done more for our development sake than outright power, we were not too surprised when there was only a marginal further 3% gain in overall power, and most of this gained by being able to add some extra timing due to the reduced compression.
None the less, you can opt to go this route if you are the type of customer who wants the most reliable horsepower that can be gained from a MK VI GTI without adding bigger turbos and intercoolers.
Now that you know that you have a GTI that makes around 180 kW and 330 Nm, up from 155 and 280 respectively, what does this mean out on the road?
Make no mistake; the GTI is already a very quick car in standard trim and gets to 100 km/h in 7 seconds, does the 1km sprint at 196 km/h and goes on to a true top speed of 240 km/h.
This is quick enough to see off Opel’s Astra OPC, Ford’s Focus ST and Mazda 3’s MPS, all substantially more powerful machines.
But the SAC MK6, which we had independently tested, now puts you in a position to tackle the likes of Audi’s mighty all wheel drive 188 kW / 350Nm S3 Sportback, which by the way is what we put our car up against, and the outcome was nothing short of impressive!
Test Results SAC Golf Mk VI Audi S3 Sportback
0-100 km/h 6.06 secs 7.00 secs
0-200 km/h 25.16 secs 26.00 secs
¼ Mile 14.35 secs @ 160.44 km/h 14.89 secs @ 156.03 km/h
1 Km 26.06 secs @ 202.27 km/h 26.77 secs @ 202.35 km/h
Top Speed 251.46 km/h @ 6 200 rpm in 6th 252.35 km/h @ 6 300 in 6th
*All tests were conducted using a full tank of normal 95 octane pump fuel, standard factory rubber pumped to the manufacturer’s recommend pressures
But for the record and as valuable information for the more hardcore enthusiast out there, we also conducted tests with 98 octane racing fuel and Av Gas, but this made no difference as our car has been set-up without a hint of detonation and is properly tuned to run 93 or 95 octane pump fuel.
We also fitted a set of Bridgestone 225/40 18 inch semi slicks to limit wheel spin and this saw an improvement of around 0.5 seconds in the recorded times you see above, so they are well worth the effort if you are into drag racing and can live with the extra tyre noise generated from them when on the road in normal driving conditions.

Bolt on exhausts

Gone are the days that you take your half a million-rand Bakkie to a corner exhaust shop for a cheap free flow exhaust. It’s fair to say that the bolt-on free flow exhausts of today at SAC have been revolutionized and are becoming more and more popular amongst the enthusiasts. It is no longer just a poorly welded and routed exhaust that rattles and knocks over every bump, it is a properly engineered, big bore, mandrill bent stainless steel-low restriction exhaust system.  It is manufactured in such a way to be a bolt-on fitment in a workshop with very little effort to ensure perfection. Seeing the exhaust system in its raw form, packed and laying on a shelf – it is clear to see that this is an export quality product that will be installed on your vehicle, and it will compliment without any doubt – the performance enhancement plug and play kit and or upgraded intercooler system in many ways – most of all the sound and power will be much improved.  The bolt-on exhaust system is routed along the exact same rout under your vehicle and hangs with similar brackets on the standard rubbers.  The heat protection that has been provided by the manufacturer under your vehicle to protect the undercarriage is still effective and useful with the fitment of these bolt-on exhaust systems. So, if you want the ultimate Bakkie performance enhancement package speak to our sales and service advisors about a bolt-on exhaust system. Contact us today for your free quotation.