One and only thing you need to remember is the number 608. No, it’s not the owner’s area code, or even his credit score; it’s the horsepower his 2012 VW Golf R makes at the wheels – all of them!
He claims to have the most powerful Golf R in the US – some dude in Romania apparently made 612hp for the wheels, but both cars are north of 600whp.., as a result.Had to step down in price, owner Jason Crouch told us, even though after the sale, I needed another VAG product.
The downward step was even more of a lateral one in our opinion, into an early Volkswagen Golf R. I chose it because of its potential, its AWD system and because it was a stick. I wanted some thing involving. It only took Crouch 2 weeks to devise a plan for his new hot hatch, though i liked the DSG in the TT RS. And unlike most builds that start small and simmer to the boil, in the words of the late Bambino, he swung to the fences.
I’d seen a couple of Golf R owners attempt to make big power but fall lacking the magical number 700. So I managed to get my goal to make 700hp at the crank, or 608hp at the wheels, which allows for your typical 22% drivetrain loss from the AWD system, Crouch explained.What happened next could possibly be straight from a movie script. The VW story is one of resurrection, hope, despair and help from his friends – industry friends with big hearts and steadfast determination.
Explained, It’s the legacy of the story that really counts…””, although when asked to share his favorite part of the Volkswagen, Crouch didn’t mention the power or something that is from the amazing spec list””
At one point I used to be typing out a ‘for sale’ thread when a few pivotal people helped me rediscover the importance of the project and discover it through to the end, he stated. fellow and Friend enthusiast, Ken Philpot from BSH Speedshop, told me that giving up wasn’t possible. He reminded me the car was almost complete and that I wasn’t one tohelp me save the auto. It was the final push I needed to return on the ‘Wagen, Jason continued.
Your title here…
So, what had happened? With just 2000 miles on the odometer and after 14 days of ownership, I took the Golf R to a shop that came highly recommended. I hoped they’d build the 700hp monster of my dreams but, one year later, it was actually pushed onto a flatbed and left the same shop as a shell of what it once was. It was incomplete and broken, he told us.
During that year, Jason recounted a catalog of events that reads like a horror story for any folks who entrust our vehicles to a tuning shop. However, there’s a happy ending because Bluewater rode in to save the day.
Starting from scratch, they retained many of the new hardware but added some custom touches of their very own, like the cold-air intake that avoids the side in thelook for a Bluewater polished cylinder head fitted with Ferrea valvetrain components.
Bluewater disassembled the full Volkswagen motor as a precaution and found some problems with the cam and valvetrain chain that have been easily resolved but would have been disastrous if they’d proceeded.
These folks were then safe to bolt the hefty Precision 5858 turbo with 46mm external wastegate towards the custom BSH tubular exhaust manifold. It had been accompanied by a custom FMIC with massive Spearco core. Custom software from United Motorsports took many hours to ensure both OEM-like drivability on part throttle and insanity at WOT. And since it’s a VW, they took the precaution of adding Okada Projects ignition coils to provide a good spark. An AEM methanol injection kit with FailSafe feature adds an extra layer of protection on the built motor that is dressed with a gorgeous INA billet cam cover.
Chassis
All that power has to go somewhere, and so a DXD Racing/South Bend stage 4 clutch and flywheel kit was installed, together with a Haldex Competition controller to distribute the torque better.
A set of KW Variant 2 coilovers, Integrated Engineering camber plates, JOM rear sway bar and Whiteline bushing kit helped the VW hatch handle like it’s on rails. It’s amazing how well the automobile handles taking into consideration the simple mix ofin advance with 365mm slotted rotors that were matched to a set of custom Adams Rotors within the rear. Again, the brakes were this kind of simple combo but are super-effective, even from high speed, Crouch said.
Seeking to ensure he had enough rubber on the highway, Jason used a pair of wide front fenders from SRS-Tec in Germany. They add an extra 1 to each bolt and side-on without requiring modifications to either the front side bumper or side skirts. The design mimics the OE panels therefore it looks discreet but allowed the Volkswagen to be fitted with 19×9 HRE Vintage 505 wheels front and rear. These were custom-built with a wider rear lip to improve the car’s stance.
While he was at it, Crouch had the front side bumper, hood notch and turn signals shaved just before thenotice the custom half-cage in the car. Painted black, it certainly doesn’t draw unwanted attention. I’m all about understated excellence, and so the interior was left stock save for that cage, some AEM gauges and a simple stereo using a stealth sub, Crouch explained.
With its matte wrap, lowered ride height, aggressive offsets and rollcage, it doesn’t take a mastermind to figure something is up with this Golf R. It’s still considered stealthy because nobody would suspect this hatchback is packing 700hp with the crank, however!
For reference, that’s more power than most supercars. And don’t suggest it’s just a numbers car, because Jason offers to turn it loose on a drag strip soon. So, when he can lay claim to having the most powerful Golf R in the united states, perhaps this year he’ll wear the crown of the world’s fastest, too.
Tech Spec
2012 Volkswagen Golf R
Jason Crouch
Bay Area, CA
Videographer
Engine
2.-liter four cylinder 16v with custom RS Worx forged Mahle ARP, rods and pistons hardware, polished Bluewater Performance cylinder head, Ferrea valvetrain, Precision Turbo 5858 turbo, 46mm external wastegate, BSH Speedshop tubular exhaust manifold, FMIC and methanol tank, HEP intake manifold and fuel rail, United Motorsports software, Bluewater custom 3 downpipe and CAIUnited and turbo Motorsports software. The outcomeHollywood and Gabe at Bluewater Performance (bwperformance.com), Jeffrey at United Motorsports (unitedmotorsport.net), Brendan and Jaime at Boardwalk AutoMall, Lawson at AEM (aempower.com), Lyle and Jordan at Vinyl Styles (vinylstyles.com), Arin at APR (goapr.com), Howie at HEP (heperformance.com), Pete at BFI (blackforestindustries.com), Joe at Precision Turbo (precisionturbo.net), Nik Brewer at Uber Stealth (uberstealthaudio.com), John at Meisterschaft (gthaus.com), Issam at INA Engineering (inaengineering.com), Paul at Hankook (hankooktireusa.com), Andy at DXD Racing (dxdracingclutches.com), Zeke at Ferrea (ferrea.com), Patrick at RS Worx (redlinespeedworx.com), Michael at SRS-Tec (srs-tec.de), Sarah at Mishimoto (mishimoto.com), Jim at Dieselgeek (dieselgeek.com), Alan and Ken at BSH (bshspeedshop.comJeff, ) and Phil USP Motorsports (uspmotorsports.com), Ian at Evolution Motorsports (evoms.com), Doug at Cascade Audio (cascadeaudio.com), George at KW (kw-suspension.com), Lon and Patrick at HRE (hrewheels.com), Danni at Brembo (racetechnologies.com), Adam at Adams Rotors (adamsrotors.com)
