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The words 'budget' and 'VRT' in the same sentence send shivers down my spine, but now I've done all the minor servicing and have started on the bodywork of my Mk3 Golf, I've got half an eye on forced induction at some point in 2012.

My intention is NOT to set fastest times at Santa Pod or go drag racing, but to be on a par with some slightly beefier cars, such as a standard-spec Mk2 Focus ST (225bhp, 235lb/ft) or Mk5 Astra VXR (237bhp, 236 lb/ft). At the last check, my (fairly standard) car was putting out about 185bhp.

I would like to maintain the car's reliability, but I'm on a very tight budget. Therefore, I am aiming for about 250-260bhp from a low-pressure setup. Other posts have suggested this is possible, that's where I've got this idea from.

Here's my shopping list:

Turbo (maybe a T30 or T35? - are these OTT? - any advice appreciated)

Manifold

Fuel management device

Spacer gasket

Intercooler

Oil cooler

Pipework, hoses, clips

ARP bolts

Chip / remap

BOV

...Anything obvious I'm missing?

I wasn't sure if standard injectors would do the job - I've accounted for uprated ones anyway, just in case. Other 'maybe' items on the list are a heatshield 'nappy' thing for the turbo, although I'll probably need copious amounts of lagging regardless. I'm sure there's more.

Other considerations are what should be replaced at the same time as this work's going on? I was thinking the timing chain and the clutch for starters, and the 312mm front brake conversion is a pre-requisite.

I don't claim to know anything, so please correct me if I'm being stupid / misguided / delusional about this.

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I know you've probably thought about this.. but for you're needs and wants, with good power, reliability etc etc it would probably be better and a hell of a lot cheaper going for a supercharger.

I did a so called budget turbo myself, and it cost a help of a lot more than any supercharger sells for..

Also less need for engine work with charger, don't need intercooler or any major pipework, don't need manifolds, downpipes, exhausts etc, a raceland 6 branch would do perfectly, less moving parts so less to go wrong, and a nice smooth power delivery.

I think charger for under 300 and turbo for over 300. Mainly because turbo will make more torque and power from the same amount of boost.

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I think they can be done for about the same sort of money but low pressure supercharger you wouldnt need to put a spacer plate in and shouldnt need an intercooler but BOOST is apparently addictive maybe you could try going in a supercharged and a turbo'd and see which sort of power delivery you prefer.

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Just to give you a idea, my stage 2 charger setup has cost me a little over £2000.

If your only using 6psi on a turbo setup you prob wouldnt need to be intercooled or lower the compression. The Kinetic stage 1 turbo kit doesnt.

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Thanks for the quick replies. All I want to do is give my standard VR6 a kick up the backside. If the supercharger is the easy-install, easy-maintenance option and it gives me in the region of 250bhp that's brilliant. But surely it can't be that simple, can it?

One other thing - how does the fuel economy compare between the two?

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Where is the best place to purchase a charger guys? IS it best going 2nd hand? Im assuming off here?

They come up now and again on here, also now and again on eBay.. can't go too wrong with a charger though, mainly because there's no cheap dodgy chinese copy superchargers. If you see a vr6 specific charger, chances are its a branded and well known make.

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