1.8t vs v6

[jettadriver00]

i would imagne that the new turbo jetta's (03') and above are faster than the VR6's because they are lighter and only have 20 hp less. But before that they only had 150 hp. so i am positive that the Vr6 is faster, i think this because i have a 2000 vr6 and the other day i raced and beat a 2000 1.8t golf, if the car had been a 03' or above i am positive it would have been faster.

[rookieoftheyear]

I drove both, liked the 1.8t better and ended up buyin a brand new 03, v6 is for older people, 1.8t is for the younger peeps that like the sound of the turbo hissing.

[tylerrules84]

Kinda felt i should clear up some misinformation.

Question: Which one of these cars would be faster(without mods). I assume the v6,but the 1.8t has a turbo so now i dont really know.

The 1.8t has less output. The fact that it has a turbo is a moot point, power is power regardless of whether its 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder, naturally aspirated, turbo'd, or supercharged.

The 1.8 also pumps out more torque then the VR6 from what i understand.

The 1.8t puts out 173 lb/ft, while the Vr6 puts out 195 lb/ft. And if you drive both of them... its very apparent.

I would go with the 1.8t because it is much lighter than the vr6

The Vr6 is 142 lbs heavier. Which, considering VW's latest trend toward bloated cars, is not much. Both cars weigh over 3000 lbs.

I drove both, liked the 1.8t better and ended up buyin a brand new 03, v6 is for older people, 1.8t is for the younger peeps that like the sound of the turbo hissing.

Ok, i was nice on the other posts... but this is easily one of the stupidest things I've ever read. "Younger peeps" do not buy cars based on the sound of its wastegate... idiots do. THe Vr6 is not for older people, theres a reason VW markets the Jetta GLI as its top performance model. Note that he doesn't mention anything about how the GLI's tigher suspension, shorter sidewalls and wider tires make it grip the road better. Oh yeah, and did i mention the close ratio 6 speed? The 1.8t is good for some people but for the best performance, especially in stock form, the Vr6 is a far better choice. The 1.8t... is for poseurs.

[rookieoftheyear]

I didnt buy it only for that, if you think thats the reason i bought it, personally i like the 1.8 better.

[Vee Reihenmotor 6]

I dont know why there is a discussion. The VR6 is for the tuner purist as it has more potential. I own one and there is a lot things out there for it. You have 2.9, 3.0, 3.1litre stroker kits, superchargers and turbo systems. There is a variety of things, more so than a 1.8t. But, if you have a small income, stick with the 1.8t. I personally dont like turbos due to lag, and no low end. What i say may seem bias, but i owned a turbo for 2 months before getting rid of it. Going up hill....well it leaves much to be desired. Granted the 1.8t is lighter, making it less nose heavy, but thats nothing a OEM painted carbon fiber hood, cant fix on a VR6. Also take note, whenever you see a VW drag car, what do you see......a VR6.

I forgot to mention, you can battle the nose heaviness of a vr6 by moving the battery to the rear.

[1fastvw]

I agree that there is more potential with the vr6, but you are going to spend a hell of a lot more money to out power the 1.8t. I have a 1.8t with software, cb, and cai. I've raced the 200hp jetta with minor bolt-ons and just left him. Out the box a Vr6 is faster, but minor mods and a 1.8t will destroy it. It would take forced induction or boring the motor out to take a chipped 1.8t. I don't know if you have priced anything out for those motors, but everything for the vr6 is a lot more expensive than the 1.8t. You can spend $2500 on the 1.8t and get 300++whp. You can do that with a vr6, but its going to cost you a whole lot more money.

As for the car having turbo lag, I'm pushing 15-17psi(depending on the weather) by 2800rpms. I have mad bottom end. I may be biased, but it is a lot easier to make a 1.8t faster with a lot less money. Just my .02 cents.

[Vee Reihenmotor 6]

Yes friend, i have seen the prices. But to me as one who has a love of building my own engine, the 1.8t is boring for me. Yeah, you chip it and increase the size of the turbine, and such but thats all too easy and less rewarding. Like i said, The 1.8t is for the tuner on a low income. Call me old-fashioned, but theyres nothing like tearing a motor apart and making a beast. So its more expensive, but i love the sound of the VR6, maybe if i got into Fast and the Furious(not saying you did) i would like the sound of a turbine, but i dont. Believe me, once you want more power and you increase the size of your turbine, say good-bye low end. Since the OEM turbine is small it spools up faster, but has less potential. I know you probablly already know this, but you can never have a bottem end like a tuned vr6. Ask anyone, they will agree on that. In the end both are good motors, if youre on a budget and your not much of a DIY than get a turbo, if youre like me get a VR6. I mean no disrespect.

[tylerrules84]

Ain't that the truth. I love to build engines, and tear things apart and thats satisfying and all... but when it comes down to it... I'm a driver. I love to get on a windy road and blast down it, tires squealing half the time, always right on the edge of control, but never losing it. When you drive a Vr6 like that... its a beautiful thing. The 1.8t just doesn't have that feel.

[Vee Reihenmotor 6]

"Can i get an Amen, brother!"

I know what you mean. especially with the 12v vr6's having two valves per cylinder which offers endless low grunt, makes canyon runs a hoot! My friend has a vr6 with a 3.0litre stroker kit on his and its a blast, not to mention the beastly sound of it. He has plans on putting a blower on it one day. Ouch!

[1fastvw]

No disespect taken. I do love the sound of a tuned vr6. I think they are great motors. I just love the sound of the turbo, and the feeling it gives when it hits full boost. Both are great motors, and to each his own.

[BoostedSpyder]

i'm considering telling my girlfriend to sell her n/t for a vr6 or a 1.8t. i'm a turbo DSM guy myself, so i'm partial to the turbo for the potential factor. i know as far as MY engine is concerned, on stock internals, it is good to about 450hp. i'm wondering what 1.8t internals are good for? in my experience with turbo cars, you can make TONS of power with ONLY bolt-ons. bigger intercooler, BOV, boost control, and some fuel tuning go a long way in terms of power. and as far as the vr6, how much more power could you get out of it without breaking it open? intake, headers, exaust, a chip, then what? and forcing induction on a NA car always comes at a very high price. i have always been a fan of the vr6. i almost bought one 6 months ago, but the guy i got my car from dropprd the price dramaticly, so... and this is my g/f's car. i know i would go crazy with another turbo, even though she could handle it, she has never felt the kick of hitting full boost, other than sitting next to me. but there is going to be a girl driving it daily, so a vr6 might be good enough?... just some questions for you Jetta guy's...

[bigblackone]

Originally Posted by BoostedSpyder

but there is going to be a girl driving it daily, so a vr6 might be good enough?... just some questions for you Jetta guy's...

I don't have the time to go through your whole post so I'll just comment on this ... most girls I know are more into cars than you are ... and I'm sure they understand the dynamics of racing a bit better. to say that a car is "good enough for a girl" is only insulting yourself.

[BoostedSpyder]

judging by your profile, where do you get off dropping this kind of crap? you have no idea what i'm talking about do you? it's nice to know the caliber of the girls you hang with. i'm sure you can ask them how to make your s-10 into a racer. and where do you get off saying that i'm not into cars and racing? check the link in my sig. obliviousy you have no knowledge about anything dealing with tuning or what i'm really getting at, so please keep the non-topic stuff to yourself, thank you.

the girls i hang out with aren't into the whole race thing. they do like style and know what they like but they leave the details up to the guy's. my girlfriend wants [and i'm quoting her] "to go vroom vroom like your eclipse", so she may not be the smartest when it comes to tuning, but she is really cute and i love her. so i take care of what she wants, and have a little fun with it myself. so i'm trying to get some opinions and info from people that are having the same discussion so i can apply some third party experience into this project.

[Vee Reihenmotor 6]

Hi Boosted Spider. Ignore that character, hes useless.

Well friend you can go "vroom vroom" in either car, its just how much you spend in the end is rather different.
1.8t is for someone who wants to go faster cheaper. The VR6 is more expensive if you go the n/a route. Even if you boost the 6 its still expensive, but worth it . Since i assume your girlfriend is not an enthusiast the 1.8t is better deal. Like the simple mods you suggested in your post will, give the turbo a lot of power especially torque. Although i have a weakness for the 6, the turbo is probably more in your girls favor. Give the turbo a chip(GIAC, APR) and turbo back exhaust(GHL) and your pushing good numbers. But if your leaving the car stock than go to the VR6. The v6 has such a smooth motor and is excellent for daily driving. The 1.8t is also smooth, you hardly know you have a turbo under the hood sometimes(stock). As far as internals the trannys can hold at least 300-350hp, i know, my buddy has a 12v turbo thats pushing 317whp with stock internals with just a headspacer and has had it that way for 3 years now and no problems. The rods can hold 600hp in the vr6, not sure for the turbo. The VR6 is a rock solid motor other than the cheaply made MAF, Coil packs, but this is also the deal with the 1.8t. Bullshite aside, buy the VR6.

[BoostedSpyder]

Originally Posted by Vee Reihenmotor 6

Since i assume your girlfriend is not an enthusiast the 1.8t is better deal. Like the simple mods you suggested in your post will, give the turbo a lot of power especially torque. Although i have a weakness for the 6, the turbo is probably more in your girls favor. Give the turbo a chip(GIAC, APR) and turbo back exhaust(GHL) and your pushing good numbers.

Originally Posted by Vee Reihenmotor 6

Bullshite aside, buy the VR6.

thank you for the very good feedback! i can see that you really are partial to the vr6 !!! but i am sure that i'm going to agree with your first conclusion. i'm not trying to go balls deep in making this car a racer, so i think the turbo would be cheaper for the same results. i too am partial to the vr6, but ultimatly i think this would suffice much nicer for her.

since you know your Vdubs a few more Q's about the turbo:

what kind is it? do you have a link to a site that specializes in the 1.8t, or upgrades? how does the chip control boost, is it like a ecu piggy back or similar? [i know about electronic and manual boost controllers, but never a chip]? do you have a link to check out the GHL exaust?

and thanks again for the positive feedback