The 1998-2005 MK4 (“mark-4”) or 4th Generation VW chassis was offered in the Beetle, Golf/GTI, Jetta and Audi TT variants. Arguably one of VWs best handling chassis when not in street form. If you already own a MK4 or are looking for one, there are pluses and minuses to each of the body variants. The MK4 chassis was originally designed in 1997 for the “Concept-1” (New Beetle) and was adapted for the production lines that followed. The MK4 chassis is best paired with a “bubble top” configuration (Beetle/TT) followed by the Jetta with more evenly distributed weight, and lastly the Golf/GTI. This build pertains mainly to the 1.8-turbo based MK4s as they have the largest availability in parts and mods. We do offer recommendations for VR6 cars as well.
We’ve broken down what you’d need to do to your MK4 to get it track ready
| **NOTE: The stages outlined below tend to be cumulative. For example, if you’re considering a Stage-3 build, you will be have to use some if not most of the upgrades from Stage-1 and Stage-2. For overlapping mods like suspension, you can skip to the higher stage, but pay attention to how the “set” comes together. |
Stage 1 – Better than Stock (Autocross-able)
| Description Part No. | Category | Purchase Thru | MSRP | ||
| GTM – Stage 2 Dogbone Mount | ||
| GTM-VW-DOGBONE | Engine/Suspension | GTM $75.00 |
| NGK BRK7E Spark Plugs (0.28 gap) – Set of 4 | ||
| BKR7EKT1 | 1.8T ONLY | ECS Tuning $7.24 |
| Cast Aluminum Cooling System Upgrade Kit – EXCEPT BEETLE | ||
| ES#3086229 | 1.8t – Engine | ECS Tuning $139.95 |
| Cast Aluminum Cooling Flange (Cyl Head) – BEETLE | ||
| ES#3086226 | 1.8t BEETLE | ECS Tuning $49.95 |
| Cast Aluminum Thermostat Housing – BEETLE | ||
| ES#3086227 | 1.8t BEETLE | ECS Tuning $49.95 |
| Ultimate Timing Belt Kit, includes Gates Racing Belt | ||
| ES#2661299 | 1.8t – Engine | ECS Tuning $347.12 |
| VW/Audi Jack Pad Adapter Kit | ||
| ES#251835 | Exterior | ECS Tuning $79.95 |
| Standard FEBI Ball Joint – Right | ||
| ES#2539179 | Suspension | ECS Tuning $14.95 |
| Standard FEBI Ball Joint – Left | ||
| ES#2575715 | Suspension | ECS Tuning $14.95 |
| 24mm 20AE GLI/GTI Front Sway Bar (VW) | ||
| Suspension | eBay or CHAZ’s N/A | |
| Deluxe MK4 Shifter Bushing Kit | ||
| Transmission | Diesel Geek $79.00 | |
| Rear Bump Stops | ||
| ES#2091021 | Suspension | ECS Tuning $9.95 |
| Powerflex (Purple) Performance Polyurethane Strut Mount Bushing Set | ||
| ES#2650246 | Suspension | ECS Tuning $63.99 |
| TyrolSport Brake Caliper Stiffening Kit for VW/Audi | ||
| TSRCSVW | Brakes | TyrolSport $94.99 |
| NEUSPEED Sport Spring Kit (RED) | ||
| 55.10.88 | Suspension | Neuspeed $229.95 |
| URO “OE/20AE” Sport Suspension Front Bump Stops (x2) | ||
| 1J0412303 | Suspension | ECS Tuning $3.44 |
| Negative Battery Terminal Quick Release | ||
| AC103/A14052 | Electronics | Advanced Auto $9.00 |
Stage 2 – Hybrid Autocross/Street/Track
| Description Part No. | Category | Purchase Thru | MSRP | ||
| ECS Coil Pack Ignition Solution – Stage III | ||
| ES#7538 | 1.8t – Engine | ECS Tuning $326.79 |
| Mishimoto Racing Thermostat 82-C | ||
| ES#3184176 | 1.8t – Engine | ECS Tuning $48.00 |
| Lightweight Aluminum Pulley Set | ||
| ES#420 | 1.8t – Engine | ECS Tuning $199.95 |
| Spectre 3″ Air Filter (Delete Air Box) | ||
| All Engines | AutoZone $20.00 | |
| Race N75 Frequency Valve (Boost Controller) | ||
| 1.8t- Engine | ECS Tuning $249.95 | |
| APR R1 Diverter Valve (Wastegate) | ||
| ES#8818 | 1.8t- Engine | ECS Tuning $159.99 |
| Forge Turbo Inlet Pipe (for K03/03S/04) | ||
| ES#1832574 | 1.8t- Engine | ECS Tuning $152.37 |
| Upgraded SMIC (Side Mount Intercooler) from TDI | ||
| SMIC | 1.8t- Engine | KermaTDI $369.00 |
| 2.5 BAR MAP Sensor from ALH-TDI | ||
| 038906051 | 1.8t- Engine | KermaTDI $87.00 |
| EuroSport Front Lower Stress Bar | ||
| ES#2917744 | Suspension | ECS Tuning $89.95 |
| Meyle HD “Heavy Duty” Ball Joint – Left | ||
| 1J0407365J | Suspension | ECS Tuning $13.00 |
| Meyle HD “Heavy Duty” Ball Joint – Right | ||
| 1J0407366J | Suspension | ECS Tuning $13.00 |
| ECS Polyurethane Rear Axle Bushing Kit (aka RTAB) | ||
| ES#261061 | Suspension | ECS Tuning $79.95 |
| TyrolSport Solid Shifter Bracket Bushings | ||
| SSBB | Transmission | TyrolSport $49.99 |
| TyrolSport Solid Steering Rack Bracket MK4 VW | ||
| TSMK4RB | Suspension | TyrolSport $129.99 |
| H&R Rear Sway Bar 22mm (MK4/GTI) | ||
| 7172522 | Suspension | GMP Performance $211.65 |
| H&R Rear Sway Bar 21mm (MK4/AUDI TT FWD ONLY) | ||
| 12471312 | Suspension | GMP Performance $285.00 |
| Powerflex (Black Series) Race Polyurethane Strut Mount Bushing Set | ||
| ES#2651136 | Suspension | ECS Tuning $70.99 |
| NEUSPEED Race Spring Kit (YELLOW) | ||
| 55.10.89 | Suspension | Neuspeed $229.95 |
| TechTonics Special Order “TURBO BACK” 2.5″ stainless exhaust with Mini-Cat and optional muffler delete – CALL TO ORDER. Cat is required for K03/03S/04 Turbos | ||
| 1.8t – Engine | TECHTONICS $900 | |
Stage 3 – Dedicated Track Rat
| Description Part No. | Category | Purchase Thru | MSRP | ||
| (SLIM) VR6 Auxiliary 290mm Radiator Fan | ||
| 1J0959455R | All Engines | ECS Tuning $80.00 |
| (SLIM) VR6 Primary 345mm Radiator Fan | ||
| 1J0959455S | All Engines | ECS Tuning $149.00 |
| Dual Fan Cowl for SLIM VR6 Upgrade | ||
| 1J0121207ABB4 | All Engines | ECS Tuning $180.00 |
| 10″ x 2.5″ Air Filter (optional instead of Spectre, ALL EXCEPT BEETLE) | ||
| All Engines | Amazon $50.00 | |
| Canadian No-AC Serpentine Belt (for A/C delete) | ||
| 06A260849C | 1.8t – Engine | ECS Tuning $28.00 |
| N75 from Bi-Turbo Audi S4 | ||
| 078906283BKT | 1.8t – Engine | ECS Tuning $116.80 |
| High performance Intake Manifold Gasket | ||
| ES#1393 | 1.8t – Engine | ECS Tuning $64.95 |
| ECS/Mishimoto Cooling System Upgrade Kit | ||
| ES#2581315 | All Engines | ECS Tuning $255.00 |
| Stage-3 Clutch Kit – Aluminum Flywheel (14 lbs) | ||
| 1.8t – Transmission | ECS Tuning $700.00 | |
| Sigma 6 Speed (02M); Short Shift Kit for MK4 Only | ||
| SS-SIGMA6 | Transmission | DieselGeek $195.95 |
| Sigma 5 speed (02A/02J); Short Shift Kit for MK4 only | ||
| SS-SIGMA5 | Transmission | DieselGeek $195.95 |
| Sport Rear Shock Mounts | ||
| SUSPRMOUNT4R | Suspension | USRT $119.00 |
| Front Adjustable (Race/Street) Sway Bar End Links | ||
| KLC150 | Suspension | USRT $119.00 |
| VW MK4 Solid Subframe Bushings | ||
| MK4SUBFBUSH | Suspension | TyrolSport $120.00 |
| Bilstein PSS9 Coil-Over kit; Mk4 Front Wheel Drive | ||
| PSS9 | Suspension | ECS Tuning $1600.00 |
| 20M 14×1.5 Race Studs (Flat Nose; 65mm) | ||
| Wheels & Tires | Track Studs $3.99/ea | |
| 20M 14×1.5 Hardened Steel Racing Lug Nuts (Conical) – used with most aftermarket wheels | ||
| Wheels & Tires | Track Studs $1.79/ea | |
| 20M 14×1.5 Hardended Steel VW/Audi Racing Nuts (Ball) – used with most OE wheels | ||
| Wheels & Tires | Track Studs $2.79/ea | |
| HAWK “Blue” Racing Pads – REAR | ||
| HB364E.587 | Brakes | FCPEuro $150/set |
| TYP 200 Racing Quality DOT 4 Brake Fluid (price per litre, minimum 2x) | ||
| ATE 706202 | Brakes | Amazon $20.00 |
| 1999 Boxster (986) 2.5 non-S Adapters | ||
| Brakes | PureMS $174.95 | |
| 1999 Boxster (986) 2.5 Caliper (Front-Drivers) | ||
| Brakes | RockAuto/Centric $267.79 | |
| 1999 Boxster (986) 2.5 Caliper (Front-Pass) | ||
| Brakes | RockAuto/Centric $267.79 | |
| Exact-Fit Stainless Brake Lines (F/R) from MK4 R32 | ||
| Brakes | ECS Tuning $99.95 | |
| GTM – VW Brake Line Hangers | ||
| GTM-BRAKES | Brakes | Contact Eric M $5.00 |
| OE Audi TT/20AE 312×25 (12.25″) Rotors (Pair) | ||
| Brakes | ECS Tuning $59.90 | |
| EBC Yellow Stuff for Porsche Boxster (for Light Track Use) | ||
| Brakes | ECS Tuning $153.34 | |
| Porterfield R4E Race Pad for Porsche 986 Caliper (for Regular Track Use) | ||
| Brakes | Porterfield $209 | |
Stage 4 – Competition Car & Time Attack
| Description Part No. | Category | Purchase Thru | MSRP | ||
| vRAPTOR Hood Louvers | ||
| gen-ii-gtm-rear-body-louvers | Body | vRAPTOR Speed Works Depends |
| HAWK DTC-60 Racing Brake Pads for Boxster Conversion | ||
| HB289G.610 | Brakes | FCPeuro $232.00 |
| Castrol SRF DOT.4 Racing Brake Fluid (price per litre, minimum 2x) | ||
| Brakes | Amazon $78.00 | |
| SP 24V VR6 OIL FILTER HOUSING (allows Oil Cooler) | ||
| VR6 – Engine | vr6parts.com $268.00 | |
| SIAC/EVAP delete w/ Catch Can | ||
| 1.8t – Engine | UroTuning $479.00 | |
| SIAC/EVAP delete Resistor OVAL (extra required on TT/BEETLE) | ||
| 1.8t – Engine | UroTuning $14.99 | |
| IE 1.8T/2.0T FSI Catch Can Return Adapter | ||
| IEBAVA3 | 1.8t – Engine | Integrated Engineering $29.99 |
| VF Engineering Urethane Motor Mounts (Complete Kit) | ||
| ES#5149 | All 4 cylinders | ECS Tuning $600.00 |
| Stage-3 Clutch Kit – Aluminum Flywheel (9 lbs) | ||
| ES#1389 | 1.8t – Transmission | ECS Tuning $974.97 |
| FM Tubular/Adjustable Control Arms (Pair) | ||
| 28-4110 | Suspension | UROtuning $579.00 |
| Front Adjustable 034 Race Sway Bar End Links | ||
| ENDLINK4034 | Suspension | USRT $99.00 |
| Ground Control Camber/Caster Plate MK4 VW (60mm) – call GC to confirm to application | ||
| CCPA4 | Suspension | Ground Control $409.00 |
| E36 M3 Front Splitter w/ Undertray ABS/Turnbuckles | ||
| E36ABSSPLIT/TURN | AUDI TT ONLY | Harrison Motorsports $255.00 |
Learn more about VR & W engines!
- Check out MORE VIDEOS on Youtube!
- People you can speak to in this club about this vehicle: Eric M, Brad N, Tania M, Mike C, Dan S, Matt S
- Looking to buy a MK4 VW product? – Check out our buyers guide.
- Follow our cars on instagram #gtmmk4vws or @grantouringmotorsports
