A remapped 1.8T will see off all the others bar the V8. They are surprisingly quick actually (especially in the cold), and it obviously weighs less too which also helps including in the twisties.
I've owned three K-series engines over the last 15 years, never had any real issues at all. I really cannot understand how some people apparently have so many problems with them.
I also have a T-series, which is OK, but it's a heavy lump and constantly leaks oil out of somewhere.