Theoretical question: Mk4 Golf GTi Vs LCR

[RobM]

I know there are many variables with things like this, but bear with me...

If you had a MK4 Golf GTi 3-door that had been chipped and modified to around 210bhp and similar levels of torque, how would that stack up against a 210bhp LCR in standard form?

On paper I know it would be close, but the LCR weighs more by around 100KG. But as I understand it the lower, stiffer suspension of the LCR would enable the power to be put down easier compared to the more 'wallowy' Golf.

Any ideas?

 

[Ruddmeister]

I had a Mk4 Golf Gti Chipped then moved to an LCR, the Golf may well hang onto the LCR in stright line performance but (if the two drivers are equal) the LCR would pull away through the bends. Steering is faster (quicker rack) and better weighted in the LCR which inspires confidence and the car is more composed (body roll and suspension behaviour in general) the LCR corners flatter with less understeer.

To see the differences you really need to be on a track not road

 

[Mitchy]

I would have thought as figures are so close it would be down to the driver at the end of the day. 1 car may just edge away from another but there isn't going to be a great deal between them.

Does the golf gti brake aswell as the LCR. I mean if it were a race in the twistys, the LCR may have the ability to brake later and get on the gas pedal 1st once out of the corner and exit the bend with a greater speed.

I know the LCR is a little twitchy but when compared with the mk4 gti, its a lot better

 

[warren_cox]

Does the Mk4 Golf run a single intercooler as opposed to the LCR's twins?

If so would it suffer more heat soak and hence be less punchy at higher speeds after long runs as intake temps would be higher?

 

[virdi]

No i think the Mk4 golf's have one Intercooler.

it was the Audi S3's and TT's that have the twin intercooler setup like the LCR.

 

[Ruddmeister]

Does the Mk4 Golf run a single intercooler as opposed to the LCR's twins?

Yep single and KO3S versus KO4

 

[karlosR]

KO3S versus KO4

i'd have thought the smaller turbo'd car would be less laggy so would probably pull away at first before the LCR's k04 comes onto boost but then it'd be all over.

 

[Ruddmeister]

i'd have thought the smaller turbo'd car would be less laggy so would probably pull away at first before the LCR's k04 comes onto boost but then it'd be all over.

Doubt there will be much in it on the road, on track the LCR would edge away slowly but surely (better brakes and suspension, twin intercoolers = less heatsoak etc) provided the drivers were of equal standard

That's my guess, MK4 Golfs handle poorly in std trim

 

[virdi]

Didn't VW make a 180Bhp Golf Mk4 also..?

 

[Mitchy]

I reckon the Golf would be marginally faster in a straight line provided it was a K03s Golf with an AUM engine.

The torque on a 150bhp remapped K03s car is normally higher than a stock K04 210bhp car. Add that to the weight differential and the 5 speed gearbox in an AUM Golf vs 6 speed gearbox in the LCR, the Golf should be faster in a straight line at least.

The differences between the 210 LCR and a 150 GTi are;

Block
Head
Rods
Pistons
Turbo
Twin Intercoolers
Air Intake diameter and MAF
Injectors
Gearbox and clutch
Steering
Suspension
Exhaust
Manifold

and some other smaller bits and bobs.

Have you decided on what route your going yet?

Ko4, IHI, ATP Eliminator, or are you sticking with your current ko3?

 

[Mitchy]

Didn't VW make a 180Bhp Golf Mk4 also..?

Yes the anniversary version.

Same turbo as LC180

 

[RobM]

Cheers to everyone for the help and advice, makes good reading, and is pretty much what I expected

 

[Nathanio]

Question is.....which one would you prefer to be seen in?

`
`

 

[RobM]

Now that ones a no brainer

 

[Nathanio]

Frumpy Golf or sexy seat....

 

[warren_cox]

the Mk4 Golf GTi was ruined by the company car market. A colleague had a 2.0 GTi and my Lupo GTi ran circles round it.

For fear of being controvertial and being shot to pieces for saying this, I do wonder whether the Mk3 Golf GTi or the Mk4 Golf GTi was the most unworthy GTi badgewearer of all time. (Shudders and waits for the sh1t to start flying)

 

[RobM]

the Mk4 Golf GTi was ruined by the company car market. A colleague had a 2.0 GTi and my Lupo GTi ran circles round it.

For fear of being controvertial and being shot to pieces for saying this, I do wonder whether the Mk3 Golf GTi or the Mk4 Golf GTi was the most unworthy GTi badgewearer of all time. (Shudders and waits for the sh1t to start flying)

I totally agree! VW's decision to put the GTi badge on a straight-2.0 non turbo engine was madness and devalued the entire VW GTi image in my opinion. The 1.8T GTi was always underpowered for such a heavy car and it wasn't until they did the 180 edition that things started to look better for the GTi.

The fact that many 'normal' cars could keep pace with them proved the point. A GTi should be a fast car to be used every day. But while the second bit was true, the first certainly wasn't.

 

[Cupra_power]

the Mk4 Golf GTi was ruined by the company car market. A colleague had a 2.0 GTi and my Lupo GTi ran circles round it.

For fear of being controvertial and being shot to pieces for saying this, I do wonder whether the Mk3 Golf GTi or the Mk4 Golf GTi was the most unworthy GTi badgewearer of all time. (Shudders and waits for the sh1t to start flying)

100 % correct , the mk3 and mk4 were performance jokes, they never should have been badged as GTI at all.

 

[Nathanio]

Sorry but the mk4 looks like a heefalump when placed next to a Leon or anything of similar class i.e. A3 (sort of!) and focus is better looking in my opinion. Its just a bland car thats very forgettable

 

[Nathanio]

See I think the Bora is nicer looking than the Golf.