the 1.8T also has issues with the lower timing gear as well, shearing the keyway. but now there is a gear available that comes with a dowel pin, so you bolt it up, and tap the crank witht he supplied drill bit and then press the dowel in… no more stress ont he the keyway.
my build will include that, and probably a CAT Cams adjustable cam gear. or atleast a cam gear with a clean bill of health. ferrera valves, springs and ti retainers are not cheap, nor is the casting, the cams or the bottom end im going to have.