Turn it up to 11
With the age of the internet drastically accelerating change in the automotive scene, no pair has seen more adjustments than mid-westerner Mike Olson and his 3.3t Volkswagen GTI.
Which came first? Shaved bays, custom bodywork, big turbos, big motors with big turbos, multi-piece wheels, deep dishes, flat paint, vinyl wraps, suede interiors, powder-coated parts or carbon fiber? The online forums, while being both a blessing and a curse, have in essence documented the most recent history of our culture. Unfortunately, there are few cars or owners that stick around long enough to be remembered both for their pasts, and their future.
Mike Olson is one such owner, and this is his 2003 VW GTI. His vortex thread dates back 4 years ago to 2007 with the intention to 'add another smoothed out mk4 to the midwest scene'. At this point, the car was already a show-quality machine featuring a quick 1.8t, carbon fiber, drop and a roll cage. Fast forwarding through the years, the car was featured in the likes of Eurotuner and PVW in its Mk4 Madness issue.
Let's slow down this Delorean and see what Mr. Olson has built over half a decade. First and foremost the car features a 3.3t bored-over Mk4 R32 motor playing host to a C2Motorsports Stage 3 R32 turbo kit, JE and Integrated Engineering internals and VF Engineering motor mounts driving the dyno all the way up to 507hp and 400lb/ft of torque on 93 octane "plain ol' pump" gas. A C2Motorsports "QuickFlow" short runner feeds the Precision PTB300.6267E turbo with custom billet impeller wheel while a fully heat wrapped and silicon coated custom 3" exhaust turns its exhales into a beautiful symphony of turbocharged might.
All this power would go nowhere if it weren't for the built O2M 6-speed gearbox. To prevent the engine from overpowering the drivetrain, Mike had all gears and internals cryo-treated and installed a Clutchmasters 725 dual disc clutch. A Quaiffe limited slip was added to the mix to appropriately apply the power to the pavement.
One of the coolest features of the GTI has got to be the perfect all around stance. The wheels are fitted, without requiring the car to be slammed at a ridiculous height or unrealistic alignment. The Bilstein PSS9 coilovers and Falken RT615k tires allow the car to be driven hard while looking fantastic doing it. A massive Tar*Ox 10pot BBK hides behind the wheels with 13.6" vented rotors up front and 11" rotors in the rear. Mike also took the extra step in replacing every suspension bushing while repainting and sealing the underbody in a combination of matte black, rock guard sealant and orange powder-coating.
The obvious stand-out feature of this car of course is the body work. Nothing has been spared over this long build beginning with a perfect no-stone-left-unturned shaving, custom GMC Denali gas door, R32 bumpers, carbon fiber hood and smoked headlight arrangement. The whole concoction was then topped with a semi-gloss version of OEM Reflex Silver and drizzled with the winter digi-camo vinyl wrap in homage to his local 'Minnesnowta' scene. Literally every corner of the exterior has been beautifully modified, prepped and finished with such quality that could make a show car all on its own without a beast motor behind it.
Even then, we haven't visited the interior which highlights its R32 likeness in a blend of suede material and a raw brushed metal 6 point roll cage. An OMP Race steering wheel and OEM Volkswagen sport accessories make up the driver's interface up top while black suede wrapped R32 seats handle booty-duty. The custom cross-stitching on the interior looks as stunning as it does comfortable.
All in all, Mike Olson has remained at the forefront of not only the Volkswagen/Vortex scene but the car modification game as well. You like shaved bodies? He's got it. What about a 500hp turbo'd 6 cylinder? Stance perfect for parking AND driving? Yep, those too, it's all here. Pick your poison, fans of all makes and models could take any page out of his car's diary and apply it to their own projects for similarly impressive results. Hopefully these photos have begun churning the ideas in your own heads, it certainly has in mine.
