Life’s Good.

I thought it’s about time that we finally got some features rolling for iDub. So I figured, who better to start it off with than our very own Justin Wong from Toronto, Ontario.

The car started off as a humble and stock 2008 Candy White GTI. You could say it still is, but it’s gone through a number of hefty changes, as you can see from the picture below. Check the end of the feature for his detailed modification list!

Not exactly what Justin originally had in mind for his GTI...

Photos by: Justin Wong exclusively for iDub.ca

When people start modding their car, they typically have an idea of what they want their car to ultimately look like. Justin’s original vision for the GTI definitely did not entail what the car has now, but he doesn’t regret it in the slightest.

He came from a Nissan Sentra SE-R, where most people who drive it are more function over form. He moved into a Volkswagen with a similar concept, thinking that he would turn the car into a track-capable, but still completely daily drivable monster. His first set of mods, Bilstein PSS9s, Neuspeed Turboback Exhaust, and APR Stage 2 seemed to follow that thought-process pretty well.

Next, he moved into some basic cosmetic changes, with a set of BBS CO (18×8 +44), and set of different front grilles. The mod bug bit again soon after the GTI was involved in a rear end collision, and he picked up some OEM LED Taillights, OEM Thunderbunny Skirts, OEM Thunderbunny Rear, and a Votex Front Lip.

OEM Wolfsburg Front Grille, OEM R-Line Fog Grilles, OEM Projector Foglights, Votex Lip.

Justin's Rear End. OEM LED Tails, OEM Thunderbunny Rear, Neuspeed Turboback Exhaust

Like many, he felt as if his car was now complete. He was content with the way everything was, but as modders, we all know how that story ends. He soon picked up a K04 Turbo Kit with an S3 Front Mount Intercooler, which if Justin had decided to install, his GTI would have never looked the way it does now.

Alas, fate had decided that Justin’s GTI was simply not meant to be a track car. He sold off the K04 Kit, and shortly after the BBS CO’s. He now had the itch for a new set of wheels. He went with a set of BBS LMs (18×8 +40/18×9 +42), which fit the GTI beautifully. He also decided that he was going to throw a PODI boost gauge into the interior to spice things up. Once again, Justin was content with his car now, but as you may have figured out, Justin tends to get bored easily.

PODI Electronic Boost Gauge w/ OSIR Vent Pod.

Justin eventually wanted more oomph in his music, and ended up picking up a JL Amplifier and a JL Subwoofer and an UBERSTEALTH Sub Box.

After purchasing the LMs, the GTI was reaching the mileage where the brakes had to be replaced. He decided since it was time for some brake maintenance, he would just go ahead and upgrade them. So he picked up some Porsche 4-Piston BREMBOs from a Boxster, paired them with Front and Rear Neuspeed Brake Rotors, and to top it off, he had some Hawk HPS Brake Pads and Stainless Steel Brake Lines installed at the same time to give him some extra bite.

Porsche BREMBO 4-Piston Boxster Calipers with Neuspeed Cross-Drilled & Slotted Rotors.

He has to be done now right? What is there to do next? Well, like a true dubber, he wanted to be lower. Toronto roads aren’t the greatest as we all know. We have potholes that can swallow a car whole, and curbs, that well, will tear off a bumper with ease. He decided to go on Air-Suspension, which is the only logical step to going lower in Toronto.

The car was dropped off at Air Assisted, and the rest is history you can say. It was bagged on Airlift XL Front Bags, Airlift Slam Rears, with ACCUAIR E-LEVEL Management, and a very aesthetically pleasing trunk setup to boot.

Justin's Trunk Setup. Dual VIAIR 400C Compressors with Hardlines, JL Subwoofer, UBERSTEALTH Sub Box. OEM+!

The car then went through a few different sets of winter wheels. Starting with a set of Lime Green BBS RSs (16×8.5 31/16×9 +38), to a set of Huffs (18×7.5 +48/18×7.5 +31), and finally to his beautiful set of ADVAN RSs (17×8 +48/17×8 +28). It’s been less than 3-Months into winter, and he’s already gone through 3-Sets of wheels! We’re curious as to know what the next set is!

BBS RS - 16x8.5 +28 w/ 3MM Spacer & 16x9 +38 on 205/55/16.

OEM VW Huffs - 18x7.5 +48 w/ 3MM Spacer & 18x7.5 +31 w/ 20MM Spacer on 225/40/18.

ADVAN RS - 17x8 +48 & 17x8 +28 (20MM Rear Spacer) on 225/45/17.

Look at that rear fitment for winter! (17x8 +28 on 225/45/17)

Justin would like to thank all the people that’ve lent a helping hand and supported and still continue to support him through his build, notably Phil, Ian, Calvin, and Kevin @ Air Assisted!

Justin has mentioned that he has some plans for the GTI for the upcoming spring/summer season, so iDub is definitely going to be on the lookout for that, and expect another feature for Justin’s new setup!

Beautiful fitment!

ADVAN RSs look great!

Sittin' pretty!

Complete Modification List

Performance
• APR Stage 2
• AEM True Cold Air Intake
• Neuspeed Downpipe
• Neuspeed Cat Back
• BSH Pendulum Mount
• BSH Torque Mount Insert
• BSH Competition Catch Can
• BSH PCV Fix
• BSH Boost Tap
• Motul X-cess 5100 5W-40 Engine Oil

Wheels/Braking/Suspension
• TBD (Summer Wheels)
• Advan RS (Winter wheels)
• 225/45/17 Winterclaws
• Airlift Slam XL Front Struts
• Airlift Slam Rear Bags
• Accuair VU4 Manifold
• Accuair E-Level Digital Management
• Accuair E-Level Touchpad
• Accuair E-Level Key Fob Remote
• Custom Trunk Air Ride Set-up (With Hardlines)
• Porsche Boxster (Non-S) 4 Piston Front Calipers
• Custom Brembo Caliper Decals
• Neuspeed Front and Rear Drilled and Slotted Rotors
• ECS Front and Rear Stainless Steel Brake Lines
• Hawk HPS Brake Pads
• Motul DOT 5.1 Brake Fluid

Cosmetics/Other
• OEM Thunder Bunny Rear Bumper
• OEM Thunder Bunny Side Skirts
• OEM Wolfsburg Edition Front Center Grills
• OEM R-Line Fog Grilles
• OEM Projector Fog Lights
• OEM Aspherical Mirrors
• OEM Euro LED tails
• OEM Leather Hood Bra
• OEM Base Roof Racks
• OEM Snowboard Carrier Attachment
• OEM European Headlight Switch
• Front Votex Lip
• Custom Air-ride Hardlines
• Podi Electronic Stepper Boost Gauge
• OSIR O-Pod Mono Vent Pod
• OSIR Carbon Fiber Steering Wheel Insert
• Gloss Black Mirror Caps
• Gloss Black Vinyl Roof Wrap
• 3M Carbon Wrapped Interior Trim
• Waywell WD6050 Headunit
• JL Audio 10W1V2 10” Subwoofer
• JL Audio XD500 Amp
• Custom Side Mounted Sub Enclosure
• Neuspeed Engine Cover
• LED Interior Lights
• LED City Lights
• LED Rear License Plate Lights
• Window Tint – 35% sides, 20% back glass
• ECS Climatronic Brushed Aluminium “Beauty” Bezels
• Noise Pipe Delete

NOTE: For high resolution pictures, click on the pictures, they link directly to the high-res from FLICKR.