2017 Jetta GLI IS38 Build - Fabricator owner tossing in a BIGGGer turbo

JonnyMkVI.5

ILL Dubs Founder/President
Nov 11, 2020
60
150
Plainfield
Real Name
Jonny Jones
So Señor Mook has encouraged me to start a thread for my current build.

Right now I have a 2017 Mk6.5 Jetta GLI (Non mqb) <- this has come to be an annoyance, as when I first purchased this car back in April of this year, I did not know all the wonderfully complicated secrets it had in store for me:rolleyes:

So many are familiar with GTIs assume it’s the exact same car, but in a sedan form this happens to not be the case for the face lift GLIs. the simple way to put it is “the turbo is literally backwards” and this happens to make swapping turbos on this car a pain in the ass.

This is where the build begins. I’m currently a fabricator at AMS performance and with the help of some friends, I had the idea to run an Is38 turbo (golf R/S3) in the stock location (its typically relocated to the top rear of the block), so I can utilize regular GLI downpipes and intakes. in order to do this I need to fabricate the necessary tubing for it to properly fit in place.

A Local performance shop offered to help me begin this process by giving me an IS38 turbo for R&D and so the journey to power begins. I’ll be posting all mod/tuning updates to this thread and the goal is to have it all set up for the TCG track day next year ;)

if you’d like to also follow the build on IG it’s @thealphawelder

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JonnyMkVI.5

ILL Dubs Founder/President
Nov 11, 2020
60
150
Plainfield
Real Name
Jonny Jones
So let me tune y’all in on my Downpipe dilemma,
I ordered a 3” downpipe from Urotuning around June it arrived quickly but it sat in the box for MONTHS since I had ordered an AWE cat back which took until this past weekend to arrive (shouts out to covid) so I get excited hit up my go to guy for work on my car and bring it in.....

we get the stock down pipe and exhaust taken off just to have my buddy tell me “you want me to kick you in the dick now or later” :rolleyes: “they sent you the wrong downpipe” I got sent a mk5/6 downpipe which isn’t a Vband connection as opposed to the correct one which is.
Urotuning almost tried to tell me it was my fault for ordering the incorrect Downpipe and told me I would have too pay the $100+ difference and send back the incorrect one. Little did they know I had a full invoice which also displayed the year and specific model of vehicle I selected from the drop down menu (see attached image).

after being presented with the COLD HARD FAX they decided to back pedal a bit and say it was an issue with their site and they’ll take care of everything so today I got the return shipped out and am eagerly waiting to get the CORRECT Downpipe :cautious: Moral of the story don’t trust them to get it right and open the box no matter how lazy you are :cautious: **end of rant thanks for reading**

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JonnyMkVI.5

ILL Dubs Founder/President
Nov 11, 2020
60
150
Plainfield
Real Name
Jonny Jones
Oh boy do I have a story to tell,
So as previously mentioned I had been shipped the wrong downpipe and was eagerly awaiting for my new one to arrive. Got a text saying it was delivered and I was quite excited to finally get it put on...

so I run in the house bust open the box to find a off centered poorly welded $600 Downpipe. Needless to say I was very disappointed.

I sent Unitronic an email simply stating that I wasn’t looking for a refund or exchange (because it won’t affect fitment and I don’t want to wait another 2.5 months for another one) in said email I mentioned I happened to be an automotive fabricator and I was expecting more from them as far as craftsmanship goes for the price point.

Their response was quite bitter, to make a long condescending email short he said “I can send it with the refund option and I can build my own to my own expectations”.... and they “stand behind their products” which to be quite honest was pretty surprising/disappointing considering all the praise I’ve heard about Unitronic’s products.

Attached below are the photos of what I received. If you guys want me to post the email exchange let me know and I will.

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Turbocharged400sbc

3800 & 4T80E > ALL
TCG Premium
Jun 16, 2007
32,540
15,849
hangover park IL
Yeah that's pretty shity it's not difficult to weld a few flat pieces inside of a few different hose clamps and end up with perfectly centered pipes when you tack weld them.

I can understand being off on two sides with out of round tubing, say in the middle of a mandrel Bend transition cross section.

But I would still expect them to at least split the difference
 

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