Category: Project GTI
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GTI Series Part 8: Upgrading by Downgrading
It’s been a while since I last shared an update on my Project GTI. Like many ongoing things in life, progress isn’t always linear, and sometimes it takes a step back to realize where improvements can be made. Over the past few months, I’ve learned a valuable lesson—more modifications don’t always equal better performance. This
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GTI Series Part 7: New Brakes, New Wheels
The Late Brake is back with another GTI update. This time we actually fix the car and realize just how bad the brakes were after that track day at COTA almost a year ago. If you haven’t been following the series, long story short, make sure you have good brake fluid and brake pads rated
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GTI Series Part #6: Adding Roll Center Correction
The last time you heard about the GTI, I was limping it home from COTA after melting the brakes. Not literally, but pretty damn close. As it turns out, I’m an idiot. I’m not sure if something changed between my research and buying them or if I was wrong the whole time, but I thought
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GTI Series Part 5: Aero Modifications
As an avid car enthusiast, I’m always looking for new ways to modify my cars. Over the last few years, I have focused mostly on performance-specific upgrades. After waiting a very long time for the release of some new parts, I’m finally ready to share my thoughts on the new lineup from Aerofabb. Aerofabb is
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GTI Series Part 4: New Parts, New House
It’s been a long time, but I’m back! It’s been a crazy few months, but I finally was able to purchase my first home and have an actual garage to work in again—no more shitty apartment living for me. And, I return to The Late Brake with not just a home but with the holiest
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GTI Series Part 3: Lions, Tigers, and Handling Upgrade, Oh My!
Now that you’ve upgraded the power of your GTI, you have come to the right place. Handling modifications are often the most overlooked upgrades, but they are the most effective. These mods are genuinely where you get the most performance from your car. If you don’t believe me, watch this race between a classic Mini
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GTI Series Part 2: Easy Power
One of the first things I did with my GTI added more power. The MK7 platform, specifically the 2.0T EA888 Gen 3 engine, is one of the more upgradable engines. It won’t make 2JZ power in stock form, but you can crank out some killer numbers with some simple modifications. I added a few items
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GTI Series Part 1: Why you should buy a MK7 GTI
When it comes to deciding what is the best enthusiast car for the money, the answer is always GTI. The Mk7 GTI specifically that is. Back in 2016, I was fortunate enough to be able to cash in on a post-dieselgate priced GTI at the dealer. At the time, I was just happy to get
The Late Brake 