vDevilu
10-31-2006, 05:21 PM
I bought my Jetta Wagon in August 2003. Before my purchase, I was driving a 2 door Tahoe Z71 sport. I was about to dump some serious money into it. lift kit, supercharger, warn winch system etc etc. But my divorce and child support payments said no. Also, I got sick of crap a$$ handling of the truck for a daily driver.
I knew I would miss the space, but I wanted something fun, and ecomonical. I thought to myself is there such a car? Then I remembered that VW had these neat turbo diesel cars that could get 41/49 MPG. So I started researching online, and found out there's a grassroots tuner following for these cars. I test drove one and I was sold.
I never thought I would mod it much as it is now. At the time, I already started to restore a 1948 wood sailboat. But Hurricane Isabel changed that, so I turned to my car.
The Car:
2003 VW Jetta Wagon Turbo Direct Injection
I would say my car is a a fast cruiser/sleeper.
Vw did something odd for annoucing specs for the TDI, they used wheel #s instead of crank #s. So stock my car is 90WHP/155ft# at the wheels.
First mod was tint, and I had the ECU remapped. I like the fact, I can have an ecomical fun daily driver. The low end torque makes a pleasure to drive, no more downshifting to get into the powerband, plus driving in traffic is much easier. crawling in 3rd. HeeHee.
I also found out about Biodiesel. refined soybean oil, as alternative to fossel fuel. I was amazed the first time I used it. MY engine ran smoother and quieter, and felt good that I was good for the envorenment. I don't run it all the time but when I can, I do.
Here's a list of mod's so far on the car.
Engine
-EGR deleted
-DieselGeek RacePipe
-Engine Block Heater
-Stage 2 ECU remap
-manual Boost Controller holding 18 PSI
Body
-Pizzy Clear Markers
-S2000 Stubby Antenna
-Class I trailer hitch
-Hella Supertone Horns (not installed yet)
-20% tint back, 35% tint front
-European Aspherical Split Side Mirror Set
-European HeadLights with integrated Fogs
-European Taillights from the VW Golf wagon
Interior
-Alu console trim
-Jetta Monster Floor Mats
-InDash cupholders
-VDO vision boost gauge (blue LED) 0-30 PSI
-Steering Column Gauge Pod.
-Audi TT Alu Pedal Set
-Purple/UV led interior lights
Suspension
-Koni Adjustable Sport Shocks/Struts
-Eibach 1.3" Lowering Springs
-EuroSport Strut Bar (not installed yet)
-Shine Rear Sway bar (not installed yet)
Brakes
-Brembo Slotted Fronts and Rears
-Pagid Brake Pads
-Goodridge SS brakes lines (not installed yet)
Hopifully during the Start of later winter/early Spring these power mods.
Garret VNT-20 Turbo
FMIC
Catless/Mufflerless 2.5 exhaust system
Race fuel Injectors
11mm fuel pump
in-tank fuel pump
oil cooler
fuel cooler
LSD
Sachs Stage II power clutch set
some set of rims
some pics
Summer 2003: stock with tint
http://www.hostdub.com/albums/vDevilu_album03/GeroTDI_001.sized.jpg
Sept. 2006.
http://www.hostdub.com/albums/vDevilu_album03/DSCN0082.sized.jpg
I knew I would miss the space, but I wanted something fun, and ecomonical. I thought to myself is there such a car? Then I remembered that VW had these neat turbo diesel cars that could get 41/49 MPG. So I started researching online, and found out there's a grassroots tuner following for these cars. I test drove one and I was sold.
I never thought I would mod it much as it is now. At the time, I already started to restore a 1948 wood sailboat. But Hurricane Isabel changed that, so I turned to my car.
The Car:
2003 VW Jetta Wagon Turbo Direct Injection
I would say my car is a a fast cruiser/sleeper.
Vw did something odd for annoucing specs for the TDI, they used wheel #s instead of crank #s. So stock my car is 90WHP/155ft# at the wheels.
First mod was tint, and I had the ECU remapped. I like the fact, I can have an ecomical fun daily driver. The low end torque makes a pleasure to drive, no more downshifting to get into the powerband, plus driving in traffic is much easier. crawling in 3rd. HeeHee.
I also found out about Biodiesel. refined soybean oil, as alternative to fossel fuel. I was amazed the first time I used it. MY engine ran smoother and quieter, and felt good that I was good for the envorenment. I don't run it all the time but when I can, I do.
Here's a list of mod's so far on the car.
Engine
-EGR deleted
-DieselGeek RacePipe
-Engine Block Heater
-Stage 2 ECU remap
-manual Boost Controller holding 18 PSI
Body
-Pizzy Clear Markers
-S2000 Stubby Antenna
-Class I trailer hitch
-Hella Supertone Horns (not installed yet)
-20% tint back, 35% tint front
-European Aspherical Split Side Mirror Set
-European HeadLights with integrated Fogs
-European Taillights from the VW Golf wagon
Interior
-Alu console trim
-Jetta Monster Floor Mats
-InDash cupholders
-VDO vision boost gauge (blue LED) 0-30 PSI
-Steering Column Gauge Pod.
-Audi TT Alu Pedal Set
-Purple/UV led interior lights
Suspension
-Koni Adjustable Sport Shocks/Struts
-Eibach 1.3" Lowering Springs
-EuroSport Strut Bar (not installed yet)
-Shine Rear Sway bar (not installed yet)
Brakes
-Brembo Slotted Fronts and Rears
-Pagid Brake Pads
-Goodridge SS brakes lines (not installed yet)
Hopifully during the Start of later winter/early Spring these power mods.
Garret VNT-20 Turbo
FMIC
Catless/Mufflerless 2.5 exhaust system
Race fuel Injectors
11mm fuel pump
in-tank fuel pump
oil cooler
fuel cooler
LSD
Sachs Stage II power clutch set
some set of rims
some pics
Summer 2003: stock with tint
http://www.hostdub.com/albums/vDevilu_album03/GeroTDI_001.sized.jpg
Sept. 2006.
http://www.hostdub.com/albums/vDevilu_album03/DSCN0082.sized.jpg