The 2008 Volkswagen GTI is Don Santora's second vehicle. His first, which was also a GTI, purchased just one-year earlier, was completely totaled after flipping in an accident. Both Santora and his passenger came out of the accident completely unharmed. Having not endured even a scratch, coupled with the airbags not having deployed, Santora bought another GTI, knowing the first very well may have saved their lives. This time around, Santora made some modifications, which include a Loba LO4XX turbo, GReddy Profec electronic boost controller, and Forge Motorsport 330mm big brake kit. Moving forward, Santora hopes to also build and install a Race Spec motor.
Owner: Don Santora
Location: Oceanside, New York, United States
Vehicle: 2008 Volkswagen GTI
Horsepower: 400+ hp
Club: Tuning Works
Social: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Photography by Ernesto Guappo
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE:
Custom vinyl engine/battery/fuse box covers
Gold painted hood latch
Forge aluminum coolant tank
IE intake manifold
Direct port water/methanol injection
Forge twintake
Forge twintercooler
Loba LO4XX turbo
Forge wastegate actuator
Washer neck delete
Forge catch can
Red coil packs
Forge oil/water caps
SAI hose delete
Forge dump valve
AWE turbo outlet pipe
BSH throttle body pipe
Upgraded GM injectors
TT RS low pressure fuel pump
EXHAUST:
SPM custom R32 style turbo-back exhaust
PERFORMANCE ELECTRONICS:
GIAC custom ECU Software
TT RS low pressure fuel pump control module
GReddy Profec Electronic Boost Controller
DRIVELINE:
Forge Shift Kit
Verdict motorsport shift bushings
42DD shift cable bushings
Polished and gold painted VF mounts (full set)
South Bend Stage 3 Endurance clutch
WHEELS & TIRES:
3-piece Gold with Black spike bolts - 18x8.5 (f), 18x10 3SDM 0.05 (r)
Custom Dark Knight center caps
Falken 452 tires
CHASSIS & SUSPENSION:
Air Lift Performance air suspension (f)
BagYard Classic suspension (r)
SwitchSpeed Air Management Package
H&R 28mm solid rear sway bar
Powerflex Race Spec Suspension Bushing Kit
Tie rod upgrades
BRAKES:
Forge Motorsport 330mm Big Brake Kit (f)
Hose Technik SS Brake Lines
StopTech rotors (r)
Yellowstuff pads (f/r)
EXTERIOR:
ECS Carbon Fiber Fender Flare Kit
Flat Black Vinyl wrap
Molded front bumper and lip
R32 rear bumper
Tuning Works stress and harness bar (r)
Euro mirror caps
Euro door handles
Filled hood notch
Badgeless grille
Rear washer delete
Gold painted rear emblem
R32 Euro darkened tails
Projector HID fog lights
INTERIOR:
Porsche-style door pull handles
Custom Vinyl; dash, door, wheel trim
Rear seat delete with built false floor and view windows
Wrapped black leather with gold diamond pillow stitching
Forge Gold Big Knob
Cut shifter
Gold stitched shift boot
Podi boost gauge
Hardwired V1 with Podi gauge display
Cobra Misano Anniversary seats with Cobra 4-point harnesses
Dash cubby with custom mounted SwitchSpeed controller
MK6 steering wheel restitch and swap
Custom-built trunk floor holding air management and tank
Battery relocation to trunk
AUDIO & MULTIMEDIA:
Kenwood head unit
Kenwood 1000W amp
Rockford Fosgate shallow-mount sub
COMPETITION EVENTS / CLASSES
SoWo - Top 50
Summer Slam - First Place 2-door VW
Cult Classic - First Place Wild Class
VAG Fair: Best Interior
Waterfest - First Place Super Mod
AfterFest - Best Air Ride
Clean Culture: Booth Car
WOLFSGART (Alpha Class): Top 3 Alpha
Tuner Evolution - Second Place VW
Wekest - First Place VW
Dubs on the Boards - First Place Super Mod / Best of Show
H2O - First Place Wild Class
Das Laufwerk - Best Performance
Fall Show & Go - First Place Wild Class
FAVORITE MODIFICATION:
Wheels and tires
SPONSORS:
Tuning Works
Forge Motorsport
ECS Tuning
GIAC
3SDM
Royal Stance
Airlift Performance
South Bend Clutch
Loba Motorsport
Fluidampr
Cobra Seats
Silicon Hoses
SPM
SHOPS:
Tuning Works
