Introduction
The 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine in the Lupo GTI doesn’t offer the strongest foundation for tuning and extracting lots of horsepower. However, there are still power gains to be had through fitting some carefully chosen induction and exhaust modifications.
With the Lupo GTI, it isn’t always about the power under the bonnet with the car weighing less than a ton! This makes the power to weight ratio relatively nippy from the factory, so many owners may wish to try improve the handling further.
It’s compact size and light kerb weight makes it a fantastic contender for turning it into a proper back road or track warrior. Whether you are simply wanting to make your Lupo slightly faster off the mark or turn it into a track car, this guide has you covered.
Sports Manifold/Headers & Cats
Let’s start by taking a look at the exhaust manifold.
Within the exhaust manifold section you have the headers. The headers assist in directing the exhaust gases from the engine’s cylinders to the exhaust pipe effectively and efficiently. As with many car components, they aren’t manufactured from the factory with maximum performance in mind. Things like budget and noise control come into play when these leave the factory and as such leave some power to be gained by opting for a less restrictive set of headers.
By replacing the more restrictive factory headers with high-quality aftermarket alternatives, exhaust gases can flow more freely enabling the engine to breathe better. This results in improved horsepower, torque, and throttle response.
The headers then join onto the catalytic converter section which is responsible for reducing the emissions. In the majority of places in the world this is required by law. Catalytic converters can be restrictive and impede the smooth flow of exhaust gasses, so many people opt for sports cats.
Sports catalytic converters reduce the density of the catalytic substrate, further enhancing exhaust flow while still meeting emissions requirements. You can also expect some additional sound from the exhaust by opting for these mods.
If your Lupo is solely used for the track, then you could also use a decat instead of a sports cat. This will usually work out cheaper as it is a single pipe that bypasses the standard catalytic converter section of the exhaust. These tend to yield the most power gains however aren’t road legal and will fail an emissions test.
Aftermarket Cat-back Exhaust
The cat-back section of the exhaust is the section responsible for muffling the sound and comes after the catalytic converter section. Containing the back-box/muffler, this section can also be replaced with an aftermarket alternative that is more free flowing.
This not only can yield performance gains but will also give your Lupo a throaty and deeper sporty sound. This section tends to be the first section replaced by those looking for a deeper exhaust note.
Most “off the shelf” cat-back’s replace the resonator/centre silencer section of the exhaust. This then goes straight from the catalytic converter section into the more free-flowing backbox. If you are wanting to keep this centre silencer in then you may want to opt for a custom exhaust or have an off the shelf cat-back tweaked by an exhaust fabrication shop.
When it comes to the best options available, Janspeed is a name that is often mentioned along with Scorpion. There are various clips on YouTube which you can watch of these exhausts in action on the GTI’s so you can get an idea of how they sound.
If you aren’t happy with any off the shelf options, then you can always ring up local exhaust fabrication shops to get some quotes for a custom one. This can sometimes work out a bit pricier but obviously allows for complete customisation of the sound and the design of the exhaust.
Induction Kit
An aftermarket induction kit can improve the performance of your Lupo GTI by increasing the air flow to your engine and helping draw in cooler air. The extent of the improvement depends on various factors. It’s essential to choose a high-quality induction kit and consider additional engine modifications to maximize the performance gains.
Aside from performance, another pleasing benefit of an induction kit is the improved sound you get from your engine. A free flowing intake will produce a nice throaty growl while on the throttle which only adds to the fun factory of your Lupo.
Sprogley make kits for the Lupo GTI that are popular among owners. You also have the option of a BMC kit which fits with a little tinkering.
Engine Swap/Conversion
If you are wanting as serious power upgrade, then there is always the option of an engine transplant!
Swapping an engine offers the potential for remarkable performance enhancements. However, it requires diligent planning and in-depth consideration as it’s not a straightforward task and is a far cry from your typical “bolt on” mods.
It’s a good idea to have in mind a power figure you are after to help you get started on choosing the right engine for your project. This will help you narrow down suitable engines which you can then research into their compatibility. Due to the Lupo GTI being a lightweight and small car, you don’t need mega power from an engine to have it throw you back into your seat.
One of the most popular swaps is to throw in a 1.8T VW engine which features on the older Audi TT’s and S3/A3’s. These engines can produce 225bhp in their standard form (250bhp+) with a remap alone on a K04 turbo and are highly tuneable. With forged internals and a big turbo, 500bhp+ is easily achievable.
Of course, it isn’t just a case of dropping a 1.8T engine into the Lupo GTI chassis and off you go. There is a lot of custom work that need’s to be done so a lot of this might need to be carried out by a competent garage unless you are mechanically savvy.
You need to factor in things like custom engine mounts, custom wiring loom, custom driveshafts among other things. You will also need to find space in the engine bay for routing the piping and mounting the intercooler.
If you want to learn more about tuning the 1.8T engine, we have a guide available on it here. That guide focuses on the Audi TT MK1 but covers the 1.8T engine which is popular for these swaps.
Coilovers
If you are wanting to transform the handling of your Lupo GTI, then coilovers are a fantastic option. Allowing you to adjust ride height and spring settings, coilovers are ideal for performance driving.
One of the most important things to remember is not to cheap out on coilovers.
Opt for a set of high quality coilovers. Many owners who are just going for looks and wanting a low as drop as possible decide to cheap out.
However going too low on a poor set of coilovers can lead to significant wear on other suspension components as well as severely compromise the ride quality. Not what you want if you live in an area where the road surfaces are rough.
If you are just wanting a slight drop on a budget, consider a set of lowering springs instead.
When choosing a set of coilovers, consider how you use the car. Is it a daily driver or a weekend track toy? For daily drivers, you may want to opt for a set that offer more comfort and a softer tuning setup. For a track car, you will want a set that are highly adjustable and stiff for maximum performance.
You can purchase high quality coilovers for the Lupo GTI from AP, KW and BC Racing. Although these aren’t the cheapest options on the market, they offer superb customisation in allowing you to refine your suspension setup for a variety of road and track applications.
Finishing Thoughts
We hope you found this guide useful and that it gives you some food for thought when it comes to tuning your Lupo GTI.
It’s important to be realistic about your expectations when looking to increase the power on these cars. While you can make some nice noticeable power gains through fitting some bolt on mods, any serious power upgrade and we would recommend looking at an engine swap.
You need to remember that the Lupo GTI only weight around 1000kg, so even small power increases you get from intake and exhaust mods can be noticeable. Plus the additional sounds you get from these mods only increase the fun factor.
With some carefully chosen exhaust and intake mods and a set of high quality coilovers, you may find that is all you were craving all along from your Lupo.
Happy modding!
