First performance upgrades

[Jim85]

Hey, im new to VW and GTI's, and i was wondering what you real GTI enthusiasts thought was the best performance upgrade to buy first. I have a 2000 GTI VR6 - manual, 6 speed obviously. This is my second car and im planning on modding it a bit. Im not going to be doing any hardcore racing with my GTI, but i definitely want to up its power a good amount.

What do you guys think i should do first? Exhaust system, brakes, trans, ECU? Open to any suggestions...and also, what stages do some of you guys have your car at and what do you have inside it. Thanks.

[01 GTi 1.8T]

Hey Jim, I would say go with a performance clutch-kit first so you don't blow your OEM clutch with too much HP. Then start adding horsepower. To start adding HP go with a CAI, air filters, and exhaust. Then get a performance chip. In that order. That should give you in the range of 20-40hp, depending on parts. If you want to increase you handling, start with upgrading your shocks and springs. Then sway bars, and so on. Remember when you upgrade your horsepower, you dont necessarily need to upgrade your brakes. But, if you have the money, upgrading your brakes to vented monster brakes is a good idea. As the horsepower increases, so should your stopping power.

Hope this helps you out!

Dave

Edit: I almost forgot! Get some gauges, starting with a boost gauge if you have a turbo. Fuel/Air mixture is a good one. Oil temp. and so on...
basically you decide which ones you want.

[Jim85]

Originally Posted by 01 GTi 1.8T

Edit: I almost forgot! Get some gauges, starting with a boost gauge if you have a turbo. Fuel/Air mixture is a good one. Oil temp. and so on...
basically you decide which ones you want.

Yeah, im already planning on getting some Apexi gauges. Thanks, your reply helped!

[Jim85]

What mid-high end clutch kit would you guys suggest?

[01 GTi 1.8T]

This is a good one, http://www.performance-cafe.com/prod...roducts_id=620

I went with a Clutchnet set up myself, a little more $$ though, and i went with an aluminium flywheel.

Sachs will have a nice solid flywheel that's not too light. If your car is at stock weight or your not going to lighten it up at all, don't go with an aluminium flywheel, you'll get more power with steel one in that case.

www.performance-cafe.com has some good parts. But shop around, and do some research first.

Dave

[Slick13]

Air filters and exhaust is not going to do much for your bhp tbh, you can help the engine to breath by getting a straight through exhaust stainless steel of course, and take the mufflers out.

Air filters will add 3-4hp MAX makesure you fit it properly and get a good brand induction kit, try to stuff the filter down towards the floor, of into a wheel argh to get a nice fresh supply of cold air.