However, it's the USRT intake manifold that dominates the engine bay. The hand-built piece improves top-end power and should be put to good use when John goes big-turbo. The remainder of the bay was cleaned and polished for an ultra-shine.
Putting power to the ground is a five-speed manual transmission with a Spec stage two clutch and G60 lightened flywheel. We were surprised to find Raxle driveshafts on the car, especially since John's still running the stock K03 turbo. "I took it to the track once and there was a lot of wheel hop," he explained. "I shattered an axle so put something in there that wouldn't break again. Raxles are guaranteed forever and since I was running 13.9sec quarters with street tires I didn't want to take any chances. That was without pulleys and USRT intake manifold, so the car's capable of getting lower..."
The interior might be the tamest looking part of John's car. He first removed the original beige headliner for the black 20AE version to match his leather. Monitoring the turbo is an Omari boost gauge mounted above the steering column.
The most noticeable addition is the Mini-ITX Carputer above the heater controls. "I found somebody to do the molding. It's basically a radio cage with a screen molded into it," he said. With an OE look, the computer is functional and complements the feel of the car.
With the Carputer up front, John upgraded the rest of the sound system with Eclipse, Infinity and Rockford equipment. A new aluminum subwoofer sits in the trunk, along with two amps that power the sub and the Infinity components up front. A capacitor adds more bass to the overall sound package and complete the system.
Mr Boycheck continues to drive the car daily and is preparing it for a bigger turbo. While not working at UPS or attending school, he's a regular in the VW community whether online or at local GTGs. "I organize the Wawa rally from Baltimore to H2O International," he mentioned. "I've been doing it for three years and last year 140 cars showed up!" We look forward to more of John's service to the VW scene and next year's rally.
Tech Spec
2003 VW GTI 1.8T
Owner: John Boycheck
Location: Baltimore, MD
Occupation: UPS supervisor and student
Engine: 1.8 liter 20v four cylinder turbo with APR software, Eurojet front-mount intercooler and silicone throttle body hose, Samco turbo inlet pipe, Overboost manual boost controller, USRT intake manifold, Injen cold-air intake, Forge Motorsport 007 diverter valve, N75J valve, ECS Tuning pulleys, GHL 2.5" turbo-back exhaust, polished throttle body, valve cover, hood strut, oil cap, coolant cap and power steering cap
Drivetrain: five-speed manual with Spec stage two clutch, lightened G60 flywheel, Raxle driveshafts and ECS Tuning polyurethane mounts
Suspension: B&G RS Line coilovers, 22mm front and 28mm rear H&R sway bars
Brakes: factory
Wheels & Tires: 18x8.5" front and 18x9.5" rear MAM MT1 wheels, 225/30-18 front and 235/35-18 rear BFGoodrich g-Force KDW tires
Exterior: Jetta front-end conversion, modified and shaved R32-look front bumper, Dubtechnik side skirts and rear Euro bumper, bser hood, retrofitted Acura TSX HID headlights, Hella smoked tail lights, molded Mattig hatch blend, shaved door handles, hatch, rear wiper, side markers, moldings, drip rails, antenna, window tint, AutoLoc door popper kit, KVC-100 door and window controller
Interior: Omari boost gauge and steering column pod, 20AE black headliner, OE cubby holder, Euro headlight switch
Audio/Visual: Mini-ITX Carputer with touchscreen, Eclipse amplifier and 12" DVC aluminum subwoofer, front and rear Infinity components speakers powered by Rockford Fosgate amplifier, one farad capacitor, dual Euro air horns
Thanks: friends, dad, Arbutus Autobody