From Miss Daisy to Mighty GTI: The Epic Transformation of a Volkswagen Up

In this episode of Mighty Car Mods, the legendary lads celebrate the triumph of their Miss Daisy project with a limited edition poster, a true testament to their automotive wizardry. But that's not all, folks! Brace yourselves for the main event: the audacious endeavor of shoehorning a GTI engine into a humble Volkswagen Up, thus birthing the first and only Up GTI in all of Australia.

The journey begins with the team tackling the arduous task of stripping the entire interior, including the dash, to gain access to the fuel pumps, engine, wiring, and seats. But as with any epic undertaking, unexpected challenges rear their head. The fuel pump proves to be inadequate for the monstrous turbocharger of the GTI engine, necessitating a replacement. Luckily, the resourceful lads find a solution from a wrecker in the UK, acquiring not just the fuel pump, but the entire hanger assembly, ensuring a seamless upgrade.

But wait, there's more! The wiring becomes a battleground of complexity, with the team having to meticulously solder, splice, and connect wires from the GTI loom to the existing setup. And let's not forget the curious case of the key barrel, which stubbornly refuses to fit. Undeterred, the lads soldier on, undressing the gearbox to inspect the clutch and flywheel, ready to make any necessary replacements for future turbo boosts.

As the sun sets on a long day of toil, the team focuses on the engine mounts, finding themselves in need of longer, sturdier bolts to properly secure the GTI engine. But fear not, for these relentless petrolheads will stop at nothing to conquer every obstacle in their path. Stay tuned for the next thrilling installment of Mighty Car Mods, where the Up GTI transformation reaches its climax, and the beast within awakens.

Watch Turbo VW UP GTI Conversion - EP3 on Youtube

Viewer Reactions for Turbo VW UP GTI Conversion - EP3

Commenter suggests that getting shorter gear ratios for the 6-speed will improve the car
A tip is given about opening cable tie packets in the middle to prevent them from falling out
Commenter expresses how watching Mighty Car Mods helps them feel motivated
Differences between the Up GTI and other GTI models are discussed
Positive feedback about the quality of MCM posters
Commenter calls the Up GTI conversion one of the best conversions of all time
Compliments about MCM being a wholesome and enjoyable car channel
Appreciation for Sam as a guest on the show
Commenter mentions that the Up is being discontinued by VW, making the build more meaningful
Encouragement and support for MCM despite any frustrations or setbacks
Positive feedback about the quality of MCM posters and appreciation for the content
Excitement to see the Up GTI come together despite the challenges
Appreciation for MCM's dedication to building cars out of passion
Commenter expresses love for their own Up and believes it is better than people think
Commenter mentions OCD triggered by the lack of cleaning in the engine bay
Hope that VW engineers learn from the wiring loom design in the video
Mention of the founder of VW having a failed plan
Consideration of selling a different car to get a GTI Up
Suggestion to replace a specific hose with a submersible-rated one
Appreciation for the thoroughness of the wreckers used for parts
Comparison between the 6-speed and another gearbox
Positive feedback about the project and its planning
Confusion about comparing a Volkswagen Up and a 180 SX
Appreciation for the use of soldering instead of American sodder
Discussion about the differences between the Up GTI and other cars
Disapproval of fake engine sound in cars
Mention of having the first three MCM posters
Desire to do a similar swap in a Mazda 3
Advice against soldering on German vehicles and recommendation for weatherproof butt connectors