Originally Posted by neonSRT

A chipped 1.8T with downpipe, full exhaust on the stock turbo will make upwards of 200whp. A stock 12v VR6 will make about 150whp, and the 24v VR6's make about 175whp.

So yes, chipped 1.8T will beat the VR's(excluding the 3.2L from an R32 or Audi TT).

As for running 89 over 87, that won't increase mileage at all... It will actually drop it slightly. Driven normally, the VR should get 450km's to a tank mixed city/highway.. If he's getting much less than that its either running poorly, and he has a very heavy right foot.