RE: Report on recent mods/purchases (Suspension, Brakes, K&N)

["Patrick Sherman" <patrick@volkswagen.org>]

Khan,

	Add a New Dimensions Stainless Exhaust to that intake and then your
talking. My car even pulls stronger now with the exhaust it just feels
stronger, dunno about true HP increase, but it was enough for the wife to
notice it when she drove and rode in it.

Patrick Sherman
mailto:patrick@volkswagen.org
"97 Vento VR6"


> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-jettaglx@igtc.com [mailto:owner-jettaglx@igtc.com]On Behalf
> Of Khan M. Klatt
> Sent: Thursday, August 27, 1998 10:20 AM
> To: jettaglx@igtc.com
> Subject: Report on recent mods/purchases (Suspension, Brakes, K&N)
>
>
>
> Well, I've had a chance to drive my car around a little since I had my
> upgrades done, and someone asked me to post to the list about my
> reflections on my upgrades.
>
> My upgrades I selected to do were:
>
> 1. Bilstein HD's Shocks & Struts, and Neuspeed SofSport Springs.
> 2. Mintex Redbox Brake Pads
> 3. K&N Reusable Air Filter
>
>
> The reasons I wanted to upgrade these three items (respectfully) were:
>
> 1. Improved cornering, and reduced body roll, without a significant hit in
> comfort and everyday driving
> 2. Improved braking, and reduced brake dust
> 3. Improved air flow into the engine, and resulting performance increase.
>
>
> Why I chose these elements follow:
>
> 1. I had the option of picking up all four shocks for $200 from a
> friend on
> the list, and took advantage of it (Thanks, Jeff!). So, the choice of the
> Bilstein HD's were primarily made by the economic factor (great price). I
> figured I might be able to get a different/better set of shocks, but for
> the price I decided not to pass them up, and they are excellent shocks as
> it is.
>
> As far as the springs, being that my choice was to not
> significantly affect
> the ride of the car, but improve cornering and reduce body roll, the
> Neuspeed SofSport springs were the right choice. They don't lower the car
> very much, they stiffen the suspension at a progressive rate as
> needed, and
> don't make a big impact on every day driving comfort (at least that's what
> people on the Internet and the marketing lit. for the springs said)
>
> 2. I chose the Mintex brake pads because of positive notes from people on
> this, the Corrado, and GTI VR6 lists. My primary goal was to reduce brake
> dust, which the Mintex pads were praised for. The additional benefit was
> the improved braking performance.
>
> 3. The K&N Air Filter made sense from the technical description of what
> they do, it is an easily reversible "mod", it doesn't void any warranty on
> anything, and it's inexpensive, and I don't know of another
> similar product.
>
>
> What I got out of these elements were:
>
> 1. The shocks and springs do what I expected them to do. Significant
> reduction in body roll, and now the car takes corners without buffeting me
> about the seats as much. Much more control going in and out of
> the turn. At
> this stage, my suspension is good enough to expose the weaknesses in my
> Eagle GA's. Perhaps there might be room for disappointment in the
> suspension setup if I go to some agressive tires, such as the Toyo Proxes
> I've been considering. But with the GA's, I can't complain.
>
> Regarding the ride quality, I would say that the ride has not suffered
> much, but it certainly is different. Hitting sharp bumps is more
> controlled, but you feel it more, it feels quite a bit stiffer. Soft bumps
> are handled nicely, you don't even come close to bottoming out
> (because the
> car isn't lowered much at all) and IMO feels better than the stock
> configuration. No more "floaty" feeling over small bumps. The car feels
> more solid, if you will.
>
> As far as taking sidewalks (like to park your car in a driveway)
> I can take
> them at the same speed and carelessness. I have yet to bottom out, and I
> drive like I did before.
>
> As far as lowering the car, the car was lowered only about 1/2" in the
> front, and 1" in the back. At first the car seemed like it was riding
> "front high" but I like the way it looks, and feels lower. It looks a lot
> lower when four adults are in the car too :)
>
> All in all (other than a slightly skewed alignment that I'm about
> to go get
> fixed this afternoon) I got exactly what I was looking for out of the
> upgrade.
>
> 2. I haven't tested braking distance, but from reports I've read, it's
> probably been reduced a little with these pads. I have noticed a
> significant reduction in brake dust, now the front wheels produce as much
> dust as the rears do-- which is not much, and easy to clean. I'm
> happy here.
>
> 3. I defy anyone to *prove* that their K&N has made a tangible difference
> (say in 0-60 times, or 1/4 mile times) but I can say that
> SUBJECTIVELY, the
> car "feels" stronger at speeds at and above 30mph. I'm assuming this is
> because there is increased air flow into the engine at these speeds. The
> car definitely *FEELS* faster, whether it is or not is not quite clear.
> Perhaps it's shaved off a 1/10th of a second off my 0-60 time, but again,
> there's no proof of that.
>
> I haven't dyno'd before or after the mod, but I'm not sure that the dyno
> would really tell you anything tangible anyway. What matters to me is that
> I like the mod because it makes the car feel faster and more responsive to
> the throttle at mid-high speeds.
>
> Well, that's pretty much my review of the three aspects I
> recently improved
> in my car.
>
> To improve my suspension any further (without affecting the ride)
> I plan to
> upgrade to Toyo Proxes FZ4's or maybe Z1's (the former having better
> treadwear, the latter being more performance oriented). I am not
> considering T1 Pluses because I live in an area with a lot of
> rain/snow.) I
> may consider a tie bar, but am not convinced that they will improve my
> street driving significantly. I don't plan to Autocross or competitively
> race my car where this would make a significant difference.
>
> The other mods I'm planning into the future are:
>
> (1) Garrett Chip
>
> 	To improve engine performance, and gas mileage.
>
> (2) Stainless Steel Remus/Brospeed Exhaust Tips
>
> 	To improve the looks of the exhaust. Stainless steel will be easier
> to clean and maintain. But I want to maintain the dual-tip look of my car
> as it is.
>
> (3) Various lighting changes
>
> 	European-spec Light Switch (for rear fogs, and other improvements)
> 	Rear Fog Lights (better visibility in inclement weather)
> 	Golf MkIV Headlights with Golf Grille (for better lighting, and the
> 		ability to use high beams with fogs, and even highs and lows
> 		and fogs at the same time)
> 	Massive Overkill Wiring (in conjunction with the lighting changes)
>
> (4) Various Interior mods
> 	Canadian-spec Center Console (the cupholders are useless anyway)
> 	Muted Light & Door Chimes (La Cucaracha must go (or be muted)!)
>
>
> The more expensive mods (lighting, tires) will probably be a year or so
> out, and the other mods (interior, exterior appearance, garrett chip) will
> probably be within the next six months. :)
>
> -Khan
>
> --
> Khan Klatt
> 1997 VW Jetta GLX, Emerald Green
>  --> Biber Beige Leather
>  --> All-weather Package
>  --> Bilstein HD Shocks & Struts
>  --> Neuspeed SofSport Springs
>  --> Mintex Redbox Brake Pads
>  --> K&N Air Filter
>  --> Clarion CD Changer (Trunk-mounted)
>  --> Velcro-mounted CD Storage in Trunk
>  --> Locking Gas Door
>  --> AirCondition Mod
>