Newbie Needs Help

[GEN XER]

I have been lurking here for a couple months now and decided to come in and find some things out about my car. I bought a 2001 GTI VR6 and I need to know a few things about the car and places to go and find some mods.

I have owned four VDUB's in my life, they include a 1973 VW Beetle, a 1980 VW Rabbit, a 1987 VW Jetta GLI and the finally the boss 1988 VW Scirroco(sp).

I need to know what I can do for mods with this car. I want headers, catback, CAI, performance clutch, the works. Just give me all you got. I am the second owner of this car, the first owner too great care of this baby, it had 108K miles on it when I bought it. There are bilistein shocks and springs on it, I think those are aftermarket.

The coolant temp stays on 190 regardless of how hot it gets outside, is this normal? The fan runs even after you turn the car off. If I remember correctly this was normal of VW's. Can you use an alternate t-stat like a 176 and not throw codes?

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

[GEN XER]

Looks like we dont have many members here.

[2001jettavr6]

no headers on car just downpipe with cat on it performance is 500 or so then the cat back with mufflers which is chromed and has bigger pipes another 500 to 600, then intake by oem give about 10 ponies on top of 20 or so from exhaust, chipping up and expensive injectors will give you an exponential increase to your existing 174hp 181 trq

[03 envoy]

i had the same problem but i did later get a reply good luck with your car

[GEN XER]

Thanks guys for your replies.

[veedubmechanic]

Coolant needle should be at 190-200, Fans come on at 210/211

Fans do run after engine is off thats ok, as long as they turn off(and dont run all night)

Headers are worthless on a vr6. Sachs power clutch is all you will ever need unless running a turbo and 7psi.

Get an AEM cold air, Magnaflow catback, and GIAC chip and you will have approc 200whp. Those are the best parts for HP Gains, all others are less. I own a 01glx w/ 150k on it and it runs like a champ.

[GEN XER]

Originally Posted by veedubmechanic

Coolant needle should be at 190-200, Fans come on at 210/211

Fans do run after engine is off thats ok, as long as they turn off(and dont run all night)

Headers are worthless on a vr6. Sachs power clutch is all you will ever need unless running a turbo and 7psi.

Get an AEM cold air, Magnaflow catback, and GIAC chip and you will have approc 200whp. Those are the best parts for HP Gains, all others are less. I own a 01glx w/ 150k on it and it runs like a champ.

I think my car has a chip already. The dealer could not flash my ECU with some kind of cat conv software upgrade. My needle on my coolant never goes above 190. I think thats from some sort of chip program controling the fans. Does the magnaflow exhaust come with the stealth tips? I have no cut out in my rear valance. I put in a drop in K&N filter. I think that will do, I may change my mind later. Did you have to replace the shifter rod bushings in the manifold?

[GEN XER]

I have been busy since my last post. I have new plugs, wires, billet tensioner pulley and belt, auto-tech exhaust is really a magnaflo, nuespeed cai, upgraded change over valve bushing, GIAC chip, autotech 262 cams, HD lifters, sachs 10lb flywheel, sachs 300ft lb clutch, timing chain kit, new oil pan, fuel filter, coolant parts, gruvenparts coolant crack pipe, rear seal, and a new valve cover gasket. Im not done. I will be doing a caliper and rotor upgrade, sways, and gages later. I wanted new valve springs but we cant find the one's I want and I dont want to use the autotech springs, there seems to be a nationwide backlog on these springs. We are going to go with the OE springs, but the 262 cams have a .440 lift and I dont know if the OE springs can handle the new cams. Will I be ok. If anyone is interested in where they can get great parts, just goto www.sms-performance.com and you will find what you need.

[veedubmechanic]

www.ecstuning.com
www.mjmautohaus.com
www.blackforestindustries.com

I have 160k on my 01 vr6 and have not done the chains yet. Just driving till they break then upgrade to a 24 valve

[teg_b18c1]

I am working on a friend's 1998 VW GTI 2.0 automatic. The problem it has that it drains the battery just sitting in the driveway. It takes about 3-4 days of sitting to completely drain a brand new battery. Where is a good place to look first on these V-dubs I mainly work on japanese and domestics.