Jette 1.8T What Can I do with it?

[rookieoftheyear]

I have a 03 Jette 1.8T and 5k, if you peoples got time tell me wut i can do to fix it up.

[tylerrules84]

well give us the specs on the car... is it completely stock at the moment?

[idriveavw]

and are we talking performance only, or styling as well??

[rookieoftheyear]

it is all the way stock, ive had it for bout 3 months. style and performance, I got 5k to spend.

[tylerrules84]

also whats your driving style? are you a cruiser, or a stoplight racer, or high speed on highways, or windy backroads, or track use, or what?

because depending on that, you will want to spend more on certain components. Basically, performance-wise (which is all i give a crap about), there are a few main things you should be upgrading in the case of the 1.8t:
Getting air into the engine, getting air out of the engine, and what the car rides on.

Getting air into the engine can be improved minimally with an intake system, or a hi-flow filter (K&N or Amsoil 2-Stage). The next step would be a chip, i recommend Autothority (not neuspeed or any cheapo's like that, they're worthless compared to a good one), with the 1.8t they make a significant power increase by changing the turbo timing and pressure (as much as 30hp in some cases). You can also have the head ported and polished which is nice to do on a turbo car. Beyond that, we'd be talking about a turbo upgrade, and you're getting pretty expensive.

Getting air out the the engine is pretty much accomplished with a new exhaust. Remember you get what you pay for in this regard. I recommend SuperSprint, but they're expensive. Magnex is cheaper and pretty darn good.

What the car rides on is comprised of the Suspension components and the wheels and tires. Don't go too big with the wheels are you'll reduce performance, also if you can afford them, and find a style you like, get forged wheels, they're lighter, and better. Tires are pretty much whatever you like, I've had good experiences with Nitto's but ya know whatever. As for the suspension, a set of good coilovers will make an amazing difference in the handling. I really like the Eibach Ground Control system, very impressive.

Prices:
Hi-Flow Filter ~$50
Intake system ~$100
Chip ~$200 - $300
Turbo upgrade ~$1000 - $$$$$
Exhaust ~$300 - $1000
Wheels ~$500 - $2000
Tires ~$200 - $500
Coilovers ~$1000

-Tyler

[rookieoftheyear]

Mostly highway stuff, you know comin out off a ramp and gasin it, some backroad stuff, but yea thanks for the advice. also stereo, im still in highschool so gota have the stereo, i just had a 3 screens put in yesterday so, i lied, its not all the way stock, one out flips out where the cd player is and 2 on the back seats. i think by the end of this month its gonna be pretty well done, im waitin for body kit comin in soon, also speakers n stuff so, im gonna replace the monsoon speakers that are in there.

[tylerrules84]

alright well if you get a body kit, coilovers are an absolute must. So you can raise or lower it till it works just right... body kit on standard height suspension just looks queer.

[Jetta1.8T]

Originally Posted by rookieoftheyear

Mostly highway stuff, you know comin out off a ramp and gasin it, some backroad stuff, but yea thanks for the advice. also stereo, im still in highschool so gota have the stereo, i just had a 3 screens put in yesterday so, i lied, its not all the way stock, one out flips out where the cd player is and 2 on the back seats. i think by the end of this month its gonna be pretty well done, im waitin for body kit comin in soon, also speakers n stuff so, im gonna replace the monsoon speakers that are in there.

okay, I'm new to this game...mostly I've been modding my 86.5 Nissan Hardbody, but I've been cruising the Jetta lately...I would like to lower it a bit more...how hard is it to put the coilovers in? Or, do I have to take it to a shop to do?