TUNING GUIDE - Hyundai i30N
Tuning guide for upgrading the Hyundai i30N and i30 Fastback N — sound, power, suspension and looks.
Tuning guide
This guide is your one-stop shop for all
The Hyundai i30N is one of the most exciting hot hatches on the market. Developed under former BMW M engineer Albert Biermann, even in standard form it takes on the Golf R and Civic Type R without embarrassment.
But as every real enthusiast knows: every car has the potential for more. The factory had to follow emissions and noise regulations – you don’t. We know the i30N well, as we ran one as a test car, so everything below comes from first-hand experience.
Kazalo
Essential reading
First step: lower engine mount (wheel hop)
Know that front wheel hop on a hard launch? This is called wheel hop and it is not the car’s “character” — is the i30N’s biggest factory flaw.
PROBLEM
The lower engine torque mount (“dogbone”) is made of soft rubber with air pockets. Under full torque the whole engine rocks: the wheels alternately lose and regain grip, and the shocks hammer the driveshafts, gearbox and mounts.
THE FIX
An upgraded polyurethane lower mount — the cheapest insurance for the drivetrain. Bonus: sharper throttle response and clean launch control starts.
The trade-off? A little more vibration at idle — honestly, most people stop noticing after a week. We recommend Powerflex Fast Road lower engine mount (PFF26-122) an aluminium mount with polyurethane bushes, a bolt-for-bolt replacement for bolt. The cheaper route: a polyurethane the PFF26-120 insert, which goes into the factory mount — yellow 70A for the road, purple 80A for the track, black 95A for motorsport; for the complete solution, also add the small bush PFF26-121.
Dosti muzike, for little money
Sound and basic first modifications
In Europe the i30N from model year 2019 has a gasoline particulate filter (GPF), which muffles the sound and restricts exhaust flow. A GPF delete is therefore almost every owner’s first step: the engine breathes more freely, the sound gets deeper and rawer, and no remap is needed.
The other hidden restriction is the flex pipe between the downpipe and the GPF — a restrictive pipe that hides a lot of volume, especially the pops on overrun. Scorpion flex pipe of larger diameter replaces it and pairs nicely with the Scorpion GPF delete pipe.
➤ OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Remap Stage 1 on an otherwise standard car safely brings around 300 hp and a sharper throttle response. We do not recommend a Stage 1 remap on this car, as it drives excellently on the factory map and that matters more than a gain of 25 horsepower.
Cat-back and intake system
The i30N has a factory electronic valve in the exhaust — a feature you want to keep: calm in Normal mode, brutal in N mode. If you want no worries at the technical inspection, choose one of Milltek’s EC/TÜV odobrenih versions: polished GT-115 tips for the classic chrome look, or Cerakote Black GT-115 for a stealth look that matches the black intercooler and brake lines. Both are GPF-back with 76.2 mm pipes and a refined, deep tone. If you want it louder and are not worried about approval: Milltek non-resonated or Scorpion non-resonated with electronic valve you hear it before you see the car.
Intake system: a good intake gives better flow, sharper throttle response and a more aggressive turbo induction sound. We recommend Forge Motorsport induction kit a 102 mm aluminium pipe with thermal powder coating, a Pipercross foam filter with 60% more flow and silicone hoses in four colours; fits the pre-facelift and facelift.
320-340 hp
Cooling, downpipe and a Stage 2 remap
Have you noticed the car going flat after a few hard pulls in a row? This is called heat soak: the factory intercooler heat-soaks, the ECU sees excessive intake air temperature and pulls timing as a precaution. The power is still only on paper — but not on the road.
That is why a larger intercooler is mandatory at Stage 2, not optional. We recommend the TC intercooler kit for vehicles i30n. The kit includes multi-layer silicone hoses and the cooler. It is a plug & play system that keeps intake air temperatures low even under heavy loads.
The other half of the story is downpipe the catalytic converter right for the turbo creates back pressure and dulls its response. You have three options:
FOR THE ROAD, APPROVED ✅
Milltek with an HJS approved sports catalytic converter — road legal, no worries at the technical inspection.
FOR THE ROAD, THE SENSIBLE MIDDLE GROUND
TC downpipe with sports catalytic converter and heat shield — a 102 mm catalytic converter gives far more flow than the factory one, with no exhaust smell; our own version, without type approval. Also suitable for facelift (280 hp).
FOR THE TRACK 🏁
TC downpipe without catalytic converter maximum flow and the fastest turbo response for the least money; the alternative is Scorpion decat section. Solely for motorsport.
With an intercooler, downpipe and remap the i30N safely climbs to 320–340 hp. For Stage 2 remap write to us.
➤ OUR TUNERS CAPITAL LINE
We recommend: TC downpipe for i30 N
➤ OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Grip is everything
Suspension, brakes and alignment
This is where the i30N separates itself from the average. The factory setup is good, but coilovers bring what the factory cannot: a lower centre of gravity, ride height and damping set to your taste, and a sharp, confident front end.
ST X
KW technology at an affordable price — our choice for most road builds. For adjustable rebound: ST XA or XTA with top-mounti.
KW V3 / V3 Clubsport
Separately adjustable rebound and compression — you can set the suspension up to perfection. The Clubsport adds adjustable top mounts and is the choice for regular track days.
KW V1 / ap
The KW V1 is the German benchmark — fit and forget. And ap coilovers are the most affordable serious entry point.
Eibach EDC delete kit
If your car has electronic dampers: this kit makes sure there are no dashboard faults after the suspension is fitted.
If you want to keep the factory dampers, the right choice is lowering springs we recommend Eibach springs. After several months of testing they proved for the best option.
Anti-roll bars and alignment: front-wheel drive lets go first where the roll is — the body rolls, the inside wheel unloads and understeer follows. Eibach Anti-Roll-Kit is a matched pair for road use, Hardrace rear bar 22 mm pa motorsport Class for track days (the Hardrace front bar is not suitable for i30 N). On a lowered car you also want Hardrace kit for camber adjustment even tyre wear and full grip. Along with camber you also want sled rear axle: lowering pushes it into excessive preload, so with the Hardrace kit for rear axle alignment (rubber mounts, for the road) or the pillow-ball version (for the track) you bring it back to spec. Only camber and toe together give an alignment that holds.
➤ OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Brakes
The factory 345 mm brakes are solid, but on track they soon show two weaknesses: overheated pads (fade) and a spongy pedal. The solution comes in steps:
Pads
EBC Yellowstuff front and rear withstand far higher temperatures while staying friendly for every day.
Discs
When the factory discs are done, replace them with Zimmermann in the factory size drilled and coated, with no modifications: 345mm for pre-facelift (2017-2020) or 360 mm for facelift (2021-); the facelift got a 15 mm larger disc, so the two sizes are not interchangeable (the price is for piece). And for regular track days Girodisc two-piece front and rear discs cut unsprung mass and cool far better.
Hidravlika
HEL Performance braided lines does not expand under pressure the way the factory rubber does — the force from the pedal goes into the calipers, not into expanding the hose. As the system has to be bled when you change them anyway, that is the moment to add Motul RBF-600 with a dry boiling point 312 °C. Together that means a firm, predictable pedal from the first lap to the last.
➤ OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
Looks: Maxton, spacers and wheels
Maxton Design covers the i30N with more than 70 items — splitters, diffusers, skirts and spoilers made of tough ABS plastic that survives the odd kerb.
For a rounded package we put together a four-piece V.2 set for i30 N Mk3 front splitter, side skirt extensions, rear diffuser and spoiler extension — all from the same range, so the lines match. The whole Maxton range for i30N is in the shop; for the facelift, choose the versions marked Facelift.
Spacers: the factory wheels sit quite deep in the arches. Eibach Pro-Spacer 20 mm or 10mm pull the wheel out to the edge of the bodywork — a better stance, wider track and for a shade more stability in corners.
Wheels: 18-inch wheels give the car a more track-focused look (a taller tyre sidewall), 19-inch make it look more modern. We leave the choice to you the wheel range is in our shop.
General tips and upgrades
Key points for all stages
Order matters
First the engine mount and brakes, then cooling and exhaust, and finally the remap that ties it all together.
Regular maintenance
A turbo engine with a limited-slip differential deserves quality oil and regular servicing.
CONCLUSION
i30N tuning: final thoughts
The i30N is a rare platform where a relatively small investment gives you a car that goes toe to toe with the Golf R and Civic Type R — and sounds better than both while doing it. We hope this guide has helped.
Not sure where to start? Write to us model year and goal — we’ll put together a parts list with prices, with no obligation.
WHY BUY FROM US?
Long-term development!
Our goal is to grow motorsport with an outstanding shopping experience and excellent pre-sales support that helps take your driving to the next level. We are also committed to building car culture by supporting local motorsport events or organising them ourselves. In 2023 we organised a drift event called Game of Drift. By organising this event we took the first step towards developing drifting here and successfully introducing it to a wider audience!
Hats off to the guys at Tuners Capital. I can say they are always ready to help and to adapt to each case individually.
Every car has its own needs and quirks, right? And with modifications, those needs, quirks and wishes only grow. From spare parts for aftermarket products to endless wish lists and full baskets, for that we slowly work up the courage to actually pay for. I can find the vast majority of things at TunersCapital what I can’t find there usually doesn’t exist at all.