V2 Goblin V2 Donor Compatibility

[Adam]

Confirmed Compatible Donors

• Volkswagen Golf Mk7 (2015–2021)
  • 1.8T TSI (EA888 Gen 3) – Base Golf (auto or manual) with IS12 turbo
  • 2.0T GTI (EA888 Gen 3) – All GTI trims (DSG or manual) with IS20 turbo
  • Both engines are turbocharged and well-supported in the aftermarket

This is the only donor we currently guarantee full compatibility with the Goblin V2.


Donors Under Evaluation

• Audi A3 1.8 (8V, 2015–2016) – Front-Wheel Drive only
  • Shares the same MQB platform as the Mk7 Golf
  • Available with the same 1.8T with IS12 turbo as the base Golf
  • Audi A3 2.0 cars are not suitable
  • AWD/quattro versions are not suitable

We are actively exploring the A3 FWD as a potential donor option. At this stage, however, it is not officially supported.


Not Supported

• Golf R (Mk7) – AWD layout is incompatible
• Audi A3 2.0 FWD – EA888 Gen3b is a different engine and ECU. No flashing solutions.
• Audi A3 AWD – AWD layout is incompatible
• Audi S3 (8V) – AWD-only in North America
• Any AWD (4Motion/quattro) MQB model – not supported

Key Takeaway

For now, the Mk7 Golf remains the only confirmed donor for the Goblin V2. The Audi A3 FWD looks promising, and we’ll share updates as we confirm compatibility through testing.

 

[aaronc7]

@Adam About the Audi A3s

2015-2016 is EA888Gen3 1.8 that's just like the base 1.8 Golfs
2017+ is the Gen3b version that is a b-cycle engine. It is 2.0T, but it's a different engine and totally different ECU and no (known?) flashing solutions. I would definitely avoid this one completely for now or throw out the big caveat.

I can get the engine codes too, which might be helpful way to ID and confirm/deny things.

 

[Adam]

@Adam About the Audi A3s

2015-2016 is EA888Gen3 1.8 that's just like the base 1.8 Golfs
2017+ is the Gen3b version that is a b-cycle engine. It is 2.0T, but it's a different engine and totally different ECU and no (known?) flashing solutions. I would definitely avoid this one completely for now or throw out the big caveat.

I can get the engine versions too, which might be helpful way to ID and confirm/deny things.

Updated the first post to match the new data.

 

[Blizzard25]

@Adam About the Audi A3s

2015-2016 is EA888Gen3 1.8 that's just like the base 1.8 Golfs
2017+ is the Gen3b version that is a b-cycle engine. It is 2.0T, but it's a different engine and totally different ECU and no (known?) flashing solutions. I would definitely avoid this one completely for now or throw out the big caveat.

I can get the engine codes too, which might be helpful way to ID and confirm/deny things.

A flashing solution for the 3b does exist, with a manual unlock process from APR: https://www.audizine.com/forum/show...-3B-2017-Audi-A3-FWD-is-Here!#google_vignette

If anyone wants to send an ECM I can investigate if an OBD only solution is possible. I think the business case is enough there to justify the R&D.

 

[Blizzard25]

2019+ Jetta GLI is FWD, EA888 from the later year GTIs, same DQ381 7 speed, same control modules, and I'm fairly certain the dimensions are the same on the rest although I'm not 100% positive. It even uses the same calibration on the ECM as the GTI. They've been selling for a very similar auction price on Copart/IAA, i actually thought about picking one up before i found my current donor.

The thing that may be different is the broadcast CAN IDs that are sent to the cluster but that's a pretty simple change

 

[aaronc7]

I'm 99 percent positive the 19+ GLIs would be fine too. I was shopping for them as well.