V2 donor thoughts

[Anks329]

Been doing some research on options for a v2 donor and thought it might be useful to share here for others

Model	Years	Engine	Transmission Options	HP Tuner Compatibility	Key Changes/Features
Golf 1.8T	2015–2018	1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder (EA888 Gen 3)	- 5-speed manual (base trims) - 6-speed automatic	Fully compatible; stock ECU easy to modify	Focused on efficiency; moderate tuning potential (~240 hp).
Golf 1.4T	2019–2021	1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder (EA211)	- 6-speed manual - 8-speed automatic	Limited support for tuning; not ideal for high performance	Focused on fuel efficiency, 147 hp; replaced 1.8T engine.
Golf GTI	2015–2016	2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder (EA888 Gen 3)	- 6-speed manual - 6-speed DSG	Fully compatible; strong tuning support	Mk7 debut, 210–220 hp, plaid seats standard.
	2017	2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder (EA888 Gen 3)	- 6-speed manual - 6-speed DSG	Fully compatible; easy ECU/TCU access	Introduction of driver assistance and Sport trim.
	2018	2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder (EA888 Gen 3.5)	- 6-speed manual - 7-speed DSG	Fully compatible; improved DSG tuning	Mk7.5 facelift: updated lighting, tech, and DSG.
	2019–2021	2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder (EA888 Gen 3.5)	- 6-speed manual - 7-speed DSG	Fully compatible; continued strong support	Final Mk7.5 GTI models; updated infotainment and safety features.

Key Insights

1. 7-Speed DSG Availability:
   • The 7-speed DSG was introduced exclusively in the 2018 GTI as part of the Mk7.5 facelift.
   • Previous GTI models (2015–2017) feature the 6-speed DSG.
2. HP Tuners Compatibility:
   • All models (2015–2018) are fully compatible with HP Tuners for ECU/TCU tuning.
   • The 6-speed and 7-speed DSG can both be tuned via HP Tuners, allowing for faster shifts, optimized launch control, and increased torque limits.
3. Tuning Potential:
   • Golf 1.8T: Budget-friendly platform with mild gains (~240 hp) through bolt-ons and tunes.
   • GTI: Higher baseline power (210–220 hp stock), easily tuned to 300+ hp.
   • 2018 GTI with the 7-speed DSG offers quicker and smoother shifting than the earlier 6-speed DSG.
4. Golf (Base):
   • The Golf 1.4T replaced the 1.8T engine in 2019 for U.S. models.
   • Focused on efficiency with 147 hp, the 1.4T is not as performance-oriented as the 1.8T, and tuning potential is limited.
   • Paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic, the 1.4T is better suited for daily commuting than performance builds.
5. Golf GTI:
   • The Mk7.5 GTI continued with the 2.0L EA888 Gen 3.5 engine, producing 228 hp.
   • Offered with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed DSG automatic, with full HP Tuners support for both ECU and DSG tuning.
6. End of the Mk7 Era:
   • 2021 marked the final year for the Mk7 Golf and Mk7.5 GTI in the U.S.
   • The base Golf was discontinued in the U.S. after 2021, while the Mk8 GTI launched for the 2022 model year.

 

[ToxicBill]

The MK7 was available up to 2021. If I may, I'd suggest adding the additional years just to avoid any confusion. Otherwise, this is very useful information.

 

[Anks329]

Updates post to add information for the later year ones as well. I wasn’t sure if the 1.4L base from 2019-2021 will work ( @Lonny or @Adam can confirm)

 

[aaronc7]

One thing I'm curious on is if the ECU/TCU will require some sort of immo off solution to work correctly-- I suspect it would make things easier either way.

HPtuners support is very limited/basic for these cars just FYI, and would be difficult to disable the immobilizer as well, if that ends up being a desired thing.

Other thing I've been thinking about is the Performance Pack (PP) option for the GTIs, which is basically the e-diff. Would be cool to get that working, but might be more hassle than it's worth and probably better to just put some mechanical diff in it. Get a PP model if you want to look into that possibility.

 

[Ghostknife]

One thing I'm curious on is if the ECU/TCU will require some sort of immo off solution to work correctly-- I suspect it would make things easier either way.

HPtuners support is very limited/basic for these cars just FYI, and would be difficult to disable the immobilizer as well, if that ends up being a desired thing.

Other thing I've been thinking about is the Performance Pack (PP) option for the GTIs, which is basically the e-diff. Would be cool to get that working, but might be more hassle than it's worth and probably better to just put some mechanical diff in it. Get a PP model if you want to look into that possibility.

At a minimum you will need OBD Eleven for working in the ecu, perferably VCDS to help with the immo.

 

[aaronc7]

VCDS cannot defeat the immo, but agree that VCDS in general would be a good idea, never know what sort of random things you need to adapt or perhaps change long coding.

I have the old obd11 pro, but I can't really recommend it to anyone anymore with their new subscription model.

 

[Xtreme]

I wonder if you could do a VR6 engine?!?!?!?!

 

[Anks329]

I've got to do a little more research into the immobilizer and what that would be needed for. But FB groups have pointed me the direction of:

• Cobb access port loaded with EQT
• https://mabotech.net/ - custom tuner
• Simos Tools - which seems to be the most similar in capabilities to HP Tuners

In general it looks like several companies sell canned tunes for Golfs and GTIs with several stages. I'm not sure how these canned tunes will work once we move the engine/transmission over into the Goblin with a new intake/exhaust.

 

[aaronc7]

Simos tools looks pretty cool

Several ways to do immo, but some methods or getting a junkyard ECU you have to open the case and need expensive commercial tool or other complicated solutions. But... you can easily immo off flash over OBD if you do it on the donor car before you move it all over-- I think this will be the way to go.

I/we have created immo off patches for most common software versions and can make additional if needed. Don't think we need to get super in the weeds in this thread, but they're all posted online publicly.

If immo off is desired or needed, the off the shelf/canned could prove to be a little more difficult, but depends on method used to defeat the immo. Method I've used, disables it in the application software that you flash onto the ECU, and the problem with the canned stuff is you can't make these edits and flash your own file, basically.

 

[Jareth]

Here is perhaps a donor that someone might be interested in?

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Tree wreck caused by gravity, that's a one in a million chance. Diesel Goblin would be fun, especially when you could tell that Mustang or Ricer they just got stomped by an oil burner!

 

[Ark :D]

Isn't it one generation too old to be a V2 donor?

 

[Anks329]

Yup, v2 donors need to be 2015 - 2021. Now if a tree would fall on one of those cars

 

[Jareth]

Yes, didn’t notice that it was too old, my bad

 

[MeltedSolid]

I suspect based on DF's goals of allowing you to keep the drivetrain stock or use an OTS tune that they're planning for most goblins to have the immobilizer still enabled. Immo off might be needed for a donor with push button start though.

An option I think could actually be really interesting would be the 1.8t with the 5 speed manual. The MQ250 5 speed is a lot lighter than the 6 speed (50+ lbs lighter, having lifted both), and in a golf can hold up until right around 300whp/300ftlbs before they start to give out, which is enough for an IS20 swapped 1.8t. It would be a crazy little rocket.

I'm going to be using the 1.8t from my previous daily driver for the donor from my goblin, which (with Simos Tools) I've done MPI, Flex Fuel, IS38 turbo, etc... and currently makes ~370whp. Unfortunately I already sheared 3rd gear off of my 5 speed on that journey and did a 6 speed swap, so it's too late for me to go with the light transmission.