Don Santora picked up his 2008 Volkswagen Golf GTI as his second vehicle after his first GTI was totalled after a tragic accident. For this GTI build, Santora decided he would modify the car extensively, with modifications including the first top mount big turbo of this platform.

Owner: Don Santora
Location: Copiaige, NY
Vehicle: 2008 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Horsepower: 450 whp
Club: Tuning Works

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Photography by @baiwithcam, Don Santora.

ENGINE & PERFORMANCE

• Wire tuck
• Swoops Built engine cover
• Swoops Built Brake res
• Swoops Built Catch can
• IE intake manifold
• Custom intake
• CTS turbo 750 HP true FMIC
• Garrett GTX3071r Turbo First ever top mount TSI turbo setup
• Custom stainless boost pipes
• Forge 44mm external wastegate
• Forge Short shift kit
• IE shift bracket
• SPM mounts polished and gold powder coat
• Forge oil/water caps
• SAI hose delete
• Tial Q50R valve
• Nostrum injectors
• Nostrum HPFP
• Custom LPFP
• Torqbyte pm4 control module
• Built IE sport short block and cylinder head

EXHAUST

• Custom R32-style car-back exhaust
• Swoops Built downpipe and titanium wastegate dump tube

PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS

• GIAC custom ECU Software

DRIVETRAIN

• Beetle Turbo transmission swap
• Peloquin LSD

WHEELS & TIRES

• Rotiform DSC 3-piece wheels - 18x11.5 -7 (f),18x13 -9 (r)
• Nitto Invo tires - 255/40/18 (f), 295/35/18 (r)

BRAKES

• Porsche Cayenne 18z calipers
• Dual rear caliper w/ Golf R caliper

CHASSIS & SUSPENSION

• Air Lift Performance Air struts
• Powerfelx Race series front and rear full bushing replacement
• Bilstein Sport rear shocks
• H&R 28mm Rear Swaybar
• Whiteline 25mm front adjustable swaybar

EXTERIOR

• ECS Tuning Carbon Fiber Fender Flares
• Seibon Carbon fiber DV hood
• Avery Satin black vinyl wrap
• R32 rear conversion
• Molded front bumper/OSIR lip
• APR Performance GT STI wing with custom mounts
• Euro mirror caps
• Euro door handles
• Badgeless grille
• Rear washer delete
• Gold painted rear emblem

LIGHTING

• R32 Euro tail lights

INTERIOR

• Euro Right Hand Drive Conversion
• Alcantara Wrapped Lambo-inspired Dashboard
• Alcantara headliner and pillars with seat belt deletes
• Porsche RS style door pull handles
• Custom vinyl dash/door/wheel trim
• Rear seat delete wrapped in black leather with gold diamond stitching
• Forge Big Knob gold anodized shift knob
• Cut shifter
• Gold-stitched Alcantara shift boot
• Hardwired V1 w/ Podi gauge display
• ECS Boost and AFR gauges
• Cobra Misano Anniversary Seats
• Cobra 4-point Harnesses
• Dash cubby with mold for Airlift 3P
• Double Apex Air Horn button into spare switch spots
• Double Apex water/meth button
• NRG Steering wheel restitch/reupholstered swap
• NRG short hub and quick release
• Custom built trunk floor
• Hardline air line setup
• Tuning works custom rear stress bar
• Tuning Works custom rear harness bar
• Viair dual stealth black 444c

AUDIO & MOBILE ELECTRONICS

• Kenwood 1000 W amplifier
• Rockford Fosgate slim-mount subwoofer
• Optima Battery relocated to trunk

FAVORITE MODIFICATION

"Euro right-hand-drive conversion would be my favorite conversion! It gives me a whole new driving experience and tons more fun to drive!"

FUTURE MODIFICATIONS

"Possibly an AWD conversion if I want to pull the car apart again."

SPONSORS

• Tuning Works
• Forge Motorsport
• Cobra Seats
• Pipercross filters
• ECS Tuning
• Powerflex Bushings

SHOPS/MECHANICS

• Tuning Works
• Swoops Built