VW Golf Mk3 Tuning Mods

"All you need to know about performance tuning the VW Golf Mk3!"

A viewer on our YouTube channel asked for some tips on improving the Golf Mk3 and which tuning modifications we rate as the most optimal, so we've created this feature to take you through what we feel are the main modifications and methods of modifying and tuning on the Golf Mk3.

The Golf GTi still reins supreme in the world of hot hatches, but the Mk3 seemed to lose some of the shine of the early models, primarily due to the engines chosen and the suspension, both of which an owner can do much to improve with the right mods, so we'll look at this and explore your options for the MK3 Golf.

The Volkswagen Golf Mk3 are good project cars and with carefully picked motorsport modifications like a remap, turbo upgrades and camshafts you will maximize your driving opportunities.

TorqueCars will look into Golf Mk3 tuning and provide tips on the greatest modifications for your car. If you want tips on other Golf models see also our tuning guides for  Mk4 Golf Mods, Mk5 Golf Mods, Mk6 Golf Mods and MK7 Golf mods.

Please watch our video introduction to VW Tuning.

History of the Golf Mk3 Engine

1.4	ABD	1992−1995	60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)@5200 rpm	107 Nm (79 lbft)@2800−3200 rpm
1.4	AEX/APQ	1995−1997	60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)@4700 rpm	116 Nm (86 lbft)@2800−3200 rpm
1.6	ABU	1992−1994	75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)@5200 rpm	125 Nm (92 lbft)@3400 rpm
1.6	AEA	1994−1995	75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)@5200 rpm	126 Nm (93 lbft)@2600 rpm
1.6	AEE	1995−1997	75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)@4800 rpm	135 Nm (100 lbft)@2800−3600 rpm
1.6	AEK	1994−1995	101 PS (74 kW; 100 hp)@5800 rpm	135 Nm (100 lbft)@4400 rpm
1.6	AFT/AKS	1995−1997	101 PS (74 kW; 100 hp)@5800 rpm	140 Nm (103 lbfft)@3500 rpm
1.8	AAM/ANN	1992−1997	75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)@5000 rpm	140 Nm (103 lbfft)@2500 rpm
1.8	ABS/ADZ/ANP/ACC	1992−1997	90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp)@5500 rpm	145 Nm (107 lbft)@2500 rpm
2.0 GTI	2E/ABA/ADY/AGG	1992−1997	118 PS (87 kW; 116 hp)@5400 rpm	166 Nm (122 lbft)@3200 rpm
2.0 GTI 16V	ABF	1993−1997	152 PS (112 kW; 150 hp)@6000 rpm	180 Nm (133 lbfft)@4600 rpm
2.8 VR6	AAA	1992−1998	176 PS (129 kW; 174 hp)@5800 rpm	235 Nm (173 lbft)@4200 rpm
2.9 VR6	ABV	1994−1997	190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp)@5800 rpm	245 Nm (181 lbft)@4200 rpm
1.9 D	1Y	1992−1997	64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp)@4400 rpm	124 Nm (91 lbft)@2000−3000 rpm
1.9 SDI	AEY	1995−1997	64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp)@4200 rpm	125 Nm (92 lbft)@2200−2800 rpm
1.9 TD	AAZ	1992−1997	75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)@4200 rpm	150 Nm (111 lbfft)@2400−3400 rpm
1.9 TDI	1Z	1993−1996	90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp)@4000 rpm	202 Nm (149 lbft)@1900 rpm
1.9 TDI	AHU	1996−1997	90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp)@4000 rpm	210 Nm (155 lbfft)@1900 rpm
1.9 TDI	AFN	1996−1997	110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp)@4150 rpm	235 Nm (173 lbft)@1900 rpm

Tuning the Volkswagen Golf Mk3 and best Golf Mk3 performance parts.

The best MK3 Golf engines to go for are in my opinion the 16v 2.0 which gives phenomenal power and refinement considering it's era, and the 6 cylinder VR6. The 1.9 TDi is also a very worthy contender and with a tune/remap and turbo upgrade will outperform all the other engine options in stock form, but still return massive amounts of fuel economy.

You can find links to our Golf engine tuning guides below. They contain a wealth of information on how to improve the performance of these engines. Even though swapping engines from a different vintage is sometimes easier, many of these would be strong candidates for engine replacements.

• 1.4 1.5 TFSi tuning
• 1.4 TSi/TFSi/Twincharge tuning
• 1.8T engine Tuning
• 1.8 & 2.0 TFSi (mk1) Tuning
• 1.8 2.0 TFSi (ea888) Tuning
• 2.0 TFSi carbon issue & care guide
• 2.5tfsi tuning
• 3.0 V6 24v TFSI Tuning
• 2.8 V6 30 valve, 24 valve 3.0 V6 30v and 3.2 VR6 Tuning
• 3.6 VR6 Tuning
• 1.6 TDi tuning
• 1.9 TDi tuning
• 2.0 TDI 140-170 tuning
• 2.0 TDI tuning (EA188)
• 2.5 TDI tuning
• 2.7 & 3.0 TDI tuning

Best Golf Mk3 upgrades

Despite the fact that particular tuning parts are are common on Golf Mk3 it doesn't mean it is good, so we'll focus on the optimum tuning parts that will give your Golf Mk3 the best power gain for you money.

Best mods for your Golf Mk3

• Golf Mk3 Suspension Kits - Upgrading your suspension dramatically improves Golf Mk3 handling Poly Bushes and Coilovers are typically fitted to achieve this
• Swapping an 8V head for a 16V version
• Intake Upgrades and Sports Exhausts - Be aware on their own these mods will NOT ADD POWER in most applications, but they can help release power after other modifications by losing a restriction.
• Upgraded cams are are often the best upgrade for an engine, but we recommend they be setup by someone understands performance engines and some cams are hard to find but we are sure you'll find a local firm to regrind a stock camshaft .
• Forced induction upgrades - A New Turbo is the most dramatic method to improve intake air supply, ensuring you are able to use more fuel and make better power figures. Usually one of the most expensive upgrades you'll see massive gains.
• Braking Mods - Stopping your Golf Mk3 should be somewhere in your mods list.
• ECU Tunes - Golf Mk3 engine tuning/remapping ensures the most advantage for your outlay, aftermarket ECUs, and inline Tuning boxes are all alternatives.
• Flywheel lightening - a lower mass flywheel will significantly improve the engines rev changes. But not always suitable for all Golf Mk3 engines.
• Internal engine mods - crank, pistons, conrods & compression ratio including balancing and blueprinting

Golf Mk3 Tuning Stages

Typical stage 1 mods often include: Fast road camshaft, Performance Brake Pads, Intake manifolds, Remaps/piggy back ECU, New Bushes, Sports exhaust manifold.

Typical stage 2 mods often include: high flow fuel injectors, Suspension (Sports), Brake Discs (drilled/slotted or grooved, Fast road cam, Sports catalyst & performance exhaust, induction kit.

Typical stage 3 mods often include: Competition cam, Crank and Piston upgrades to alter compression, Adding or Upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger), Engine balancing & blueprinting, Twin charging conversions, Internal engine upgrades (head flowing porting/bigger valves).

Quartermile times for a tuned Mk3 Golf (ballast used to match 1200kg for comparison, base car weight is 1100kg without driver).

Quarter Mile times
Base Power	Quarter Mile	Weight	Tuned Power	Quarter Mile
60hp	21.47	1200kg	75hp	19.98
75hp	19.97	1200kg	90hp	18.88
89hp	18.89	1200kg	110hp	17.64
115hp	17.38	1200kg	135hp	16.51
150hp	15.95	1200kg	170hp	15.32
174hp	15.21	1200kg	185hp	14.91
174hp	15.21	1200kg	210hp	14.31
400hp (1000kg)	10.99	1200kg	547hp	10.99

To have a 10 second Golf Mk3 would take quite a bit of power, and this wouldn't work through a fwd tranmission anyway, but you can get there with 547hp at 1200kg or 400hp if you shave off 200kgs.

Golf Mk3 Handling/Suspension Upgrades

Adjusting the handling is often the first step in using the Golf Mk3.Adjusting the Golf Mk3's handling is often the first step in modding it.

When it comes to tuning your Golf Mk3, one of the most often aims and reasons is to better its handling. However, we repeatedly witness the same mistakes.

Strut braces and anti roll bars are a great option for the Mk3 Golf, helping to improve your cornering and the general handling, but a slight drop is in order here, along with a camber adjustment.

Coilovers permit you to set a ride height and this allows you to fine tune your cars handling to suit your driving style.

One of the most popular reasons for modifying your Golf Mk3 suspension is to improve its handling. However, we see the same errors regularly repeated again and over.

Improvements to the bushings

Bushing improvements are needed so what's involved?

The suspension components of the Golf Mk3 may be connected to the car's chassis through bushings, which are rotatable rubber mounts. These rubber ones will deteriorate over time.

Replacement OEM rubber bushings may have a major impact on the performance of your vehicle.

Because polyurethane bushes are stiffer, the ride may be rougher, but the bushes will last longer and maintain the car's handling over a longer time.

Worn bushings may also hasten the depreciation of other suspension components due to the increased vibration and play.

With a new set of polyeyurothane bushes, the excessive play associated with rubber bushings may be reducde.

You may struggle to find a full set of poly bushings, but most stores have the primary mounts available. You may be able to have custom poly bushes created to suit your needs.

How low should you go on the Golf Mk3?

According to TorqueCars research and testing, the maximum amount of suspension drop for most road vehicles is 24 - 41 millimetres, whereas versions that come with lowered sporty suspension already have a maximum suspension drop of 20 millimetres.

Tolerances may be greatly diminished by altering the diameter of the wheels. Lowering a vehicle, even with 17-inch wheels and stock suspension, will create several issues.

Brake Upgrades for the Golf MK3

It makes no difference what kind of vehicle you're working on; upgrading your brakes can be a perfect place to start.

Brake pads are equally as important as discs, if not more so, and selecting the incorrect pad material may have a significant influence on the braking performance of your Golf as well as the life of your discs.

Recommendations for brake pads

You may improve your Golf's stopping power simply by installing high-quality brake pads.

Drivers should keep in mind that race-spec brake pads are intended to operate at greater temperatures than ordinary brake pads. It means they can remain on the track even when it's scorching hot, and the brakes won't fade.

Yet, street usage is discouraged due to the racing pads' inability to bite while cold; however, it would only take a second or two for them to heat up and start biting, leading to greater stopping distances than alternative options on a road vehicle.

As the pads age, the many heating and cooling cycles lead to a decrease in pad friction.

My Pagid brake pads, which I installed on my Golf, are capable of functioning effectively both on the road and on the track. Despite the fact that the EBC Greenstuff pads made less dust and performed as well, I prefer the Pagid pads for sheer stopping power and lifespan.

Please visit our forums to seek advice from our users who have tested a variety of various items and provided comments and recommendations.

For significant gains in stopping power, better performance brake pads should be utilised in combination with bigger brake discs.

It is critical to remember that racing pads may grind and must be heated before they bite.

Because the brakes are only utilised once or twice every 15 minutes, friction pads with a low operating temperature will not be able to stop you as efficiently (race spec pads).

Suggestions for Low-Cost Brake Modifications for Your Golf MK3

Before obtaining an upgrade, check to determine whether your 1.4 or 1.6 contains 256mm discs or the bigger, more flexible 288mm discs. If they don't, a hub replacement could be required. If you're larger, you have a lot more options for advancement.

When upgrading your Golf, for example, you may easily move from a 1.4 Golf to a 2.9 Golf or an VR6 by swapping out the discs and assembly.

It's comforting to know that there are a number of aftermarket choices available, including 4 and 6 pot calliper conversions, vented, drilled, and grooved brakes, and even expensive massive brake systems.

In compared to the expense of an aftermarket arrangement, most Golf owners will be quite satisfied with a slightly bigger set from more recent models like the R32, Audi S, or RS line of vehicles. You may get one of these for a lot less money if you go to a salvage yard or a second hand market (see our store link at the top to find sources of these).

Golf Mk3 Camshaft Upgrades

Sporty camshaft profiles raise the top end power which makes it a best mod for NASP and turbo petrol engines, but not so much on diesels.

You will usually get a top end power increases through performance camshafts on most engines. So altering your Golf Mk3 cam will make a difference to the engine power band. Choosing a higher performance cam profile raises the engines power accordingly.

Fast road cams normally increase the bhp over the rev band, you may lose a little bottom end power but high end rpm power will be lifted.

Competition cams, increase the high end rpm power band but as a result the car will not idle smoothly and low end power nearly always suffers.

For a typical daily driver one must carefully try to match your bhp range to your usage of the car.

You will never think that a Golf Mk3 Race camshaft is at all pleasant when driving around busy urban areas. The low end idle will typically be lumpy and irregular, and this is something you'd notice on a track when you drive in the upper third of the rpm band, but on roads this is a serious issue and we've heard from lots of drivers regretting their decision to install a more extreme competition cam profile to their engine.

Different Golf Mk3 engines respond differently due to the head and flow characteristics when camshafts are fitted depending on the camshaft being more aggressive camshaft durations so view each engine and camshaft as unique due to manufacturing tolerances and quality variations so check your engine on a rolling road.

The map and fuelling and fuel pump and injectors also have a large bearing on the bhp gains you'll achieve.

A longer valve duration can adjust the bhp band, and on most engines there are some advantages to extending the intake or exhaust durations and valve lift.

ECU Mapping Improvements for the Golf Mk3

ECU mapping allows a tuner to to establish the full potential of all the modifications you've installed on your Golf Mk3.

Most of the ECU's on the Mk3 Golf are not very mapping friendly so an aftermarket ECU will allow much more control over fuelling and timing, and should be considered an essential mod if you add forced induction.

(Sometimes engine tuning/remapping the ECU is not an option, so an aftermarket ECU is the route to take, and most of these exceed the specs and performance of your factory ECU's but ensure it has knock protection and that you get it setup properly.)

It will usually give around 30% more power on turbocharged vehicles and you can expect to see around 15% on NA (naturally aspirated) engines, but power output often depend much on the modifications you've carried out and the condition of your engine.

Head Mods on the MK3 Golf

The 8V head from a MK4 has been fitted to the Mk3 but will require head bolt hole size increasing and a mod to the oil drain if you are going from a MK3 on a Mk4 engine.

Bear in mind that on most of these gains can be had by improving the fuelling by way of something like fitting the AKL crossflow head and weber 45 DCOE carb manifold.

Putting larger valves on the 8V head will do a fair bit to improve airflow, and a 3 angle valve seat job finishes this off nicely giving you a high revving engine.

Engine transplants are probably the best route to add power, with the 1.8T from the Mk4/5 fitting in the engine bay with custom mounts.

Air Flow improvements on the Golf Mk3

Breathing mods are usually next up. Pushing fuel and air into the Golf Mk3 engine is the aim to any car tuning job.

Intake Manifolds carry or channel the air from the filter and allow it to be pulled into the engine cylinders.

The size of bore and shape and flow characteristics of the Intake manifold can make a big difference to to fuel atomisation and engine efficiency on the Golf Mk3.

I usually find manifolds are in dire need of a performance upgrade, although a few makers provide reasonably good headers.

Larger Golf Mk3 valves, doing a bit of Golf Mk3 port enlargement and head flowing will also increase performance, and importantly will raise potential for a better performance increase on other modifications.

Golf Mk3 Induction Kits

Please note that WE DO NOT SEE IMPROVEMENTS WITH INDUCTION KITS, unless you have tuned your car extensively and are finding that the standard air intake has become limited.

Induction kits can work well on turbo engines and larger engines (if supplied with a suitable cold air feed or air box), generally though we'd just recommend for Golf Mk3 engines you should go with a performance panel air filter preferably made from cotton.

Golf Mk3 Turbo upgrades

NA (naturally aspirated) engines need quite a lot of work when you add a turbo, so we have a separate guide to help you take into account the pros and cons of going this route on your Golf Mk3

The more air you can get into an engine, the more fuel it can burn and uprating the induction with a turbocharger upgrade makes major power gains.

When your motor is fitted with a turbocharger upgrades are simpler to install and we find turbocharged engines are built using harder and stronger components.

However you'll find engines will have power limits. Research these restrictions and fit stronger pistons, crank and engine components to survive the power.

There are many guys spending loads on turbo upgrades on the Golf Mk3 only to have the Golf Mk3 literally blow up soon after it's used in anger.

Larger capacity turbo chargers commonly experience low end lag, and small turbo chargers spool up more quickly but don't have the high rpm engines power gains.

In the last 10 years the choice of turbochargers is always increasing and we are seeing variable vane turbochargers, allowing the vane angle is altered according to speed to lower lag and increase top end torque.

Twin scroll turbochargers divert the exhaust flow into a couple of channels and push these at differently profiled vanes in the turbo charger. They also help the scavenging effect of the engine.

You'll commonly see there is a restriction in the air flow sensor AFM/MAP on the Golf Mk3 when a lot more air is being sucked into the engine.

We note 4 bar air sensors coping with quite large power gains, whereas the OEM air sensor limited bhp and torque at a much lower level.

Adding a supercharger or additional turbo will make large bhp and torque gains, although more complex to configure. We have this feature on twinchargers if you want to read more.

Golf Mk3 Fuelling Upgrades

Don't miss you'll need to improve the fuel system when you are increasing the torque - it makes the car more thirsty. Performance fuel pressure regulators can can provide a better throttle response.

Fitting throttle bodies to each cylinder or a twin 40 or 45 Weber carb are good ways to control the flow of fuel into your engine.

The best gains usually come from fuel injected engines and conversion to fuel injection should also be considered if you are looking to maximize your power gains.

We would recommend you to be generous with your injectors flow rate.

The rule of thumb is to add another 20% when buying an injector, this takes into account injector deterioration and affords a little spare capacity should the engine require more fuel.

We think this one is common sense, but you'll need to match your fuel injector to the type of fuel your car uses as well.

Golf Mk3 Performance Exhausts

Only look to replace your exhaust if the current exhaust is actually causing a restriction in flow.

On most factory exhausts you'll find your flow rate is fine even on modest power gains, but when you start pushing up the power levels you will need to get a better flowing exhaust.

Sports exhausts increase the flow of air through the engine.

But if your exhaust pipe is too large, ie: it's over 2.5 inches bore, you will lose much of the exhaust flow rate and end up sapping power and torque.

Typically exhaust restrictions can be traced to the catalysts installed, so adding a faster flowing high performance aftermarket version improves flow, and instead of doing an illegal catless mod, will keep the car road legal. Please note that performance catalyst perform comparably to cat removal and have the added benefit of keeping your car street legal, as decat or catalyst removal is not a street legal modification.

Golf Mk3 Alloy wheel upgrades.

Due to the fact that alloy wheels are lighter they improve performance and they help to cool the brake disks.

Pay attention to your choice of tyres (tires) for your car, a good soft compound tire can really enhance your cars handling. It is worth noting that although they can look cool on the Golf Mk3 big alloy wheels will actually decrease your performance. The larger you go the lower your acceleration will be - this to the change in your effective final drive ratio.

For this reason we would advise sticking to a maximum wheel size of 16 inches, although we know some of our members have with bigger wheels with no problems when they also adjusted the suspension.

Weak spots, Issues & problem areas on the Golf Mk3

The Golf Mk3 engines are pretty solid and give little trouble as long as they are well maintained.

Carbon build up in the head, particularly around the valves which will cause flat spots and loss of power, this is a very common problem on direct injection engines but should be looked out for on all engines. We have tips on intake clean to remove carbon build up By avoiding short journeys where the engine doesn't warm up and using good quality fuel you can reduce this risk.

Frequent oil changes are essential on the Golf Mk3, and more so when the car is modified and will help maintain the long life of the engine.

To find out more about mods and upgrades, or just get some friendly advice on Tuning your Golf Mk3 engine please join us in our friendly forum where you can discuss Golf Mk3 tuning options in more detail with our Golf Mk3 owners. It would also be worth reading our unbiased Volkswagen tuning articles to get insights into each modification and how effective they will be.

Please help us improve these tips by sending us your feedback in the comments box below.

We love to know what our members have got up to and which modifications work best for them on each model of car. We use your comments and feedback to improve the accuracy of these Golf Mk3 tuning guides which get regular updates and revisions.

This article is flagged for an update, so please pass on specific tips below that I can include. All articles, and content was written by me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder. Some outlines are just too general so I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. This entry was filed under Volkswagen. You can leave a response below or join our forum to discuss this article and car modification in detail with our members.

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