More horsepower for a 2.0 VW Jetta
1994jettagls3
Member Posts: 1
in Volkswagen
want to know if any one knows unexpensive ways to add a little more horse power on my jetta 3 gls 4dr. i got the 2.0 and am currently adding a cold air intake ,a and a cpu chip. does any 1 no any little tricks to get the a little more power out of my engine,such as modifications.........
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Remember, we're talking about a Volkswagon here and that ain't gonna get it.
Schrick makes wicked cams for your car, as does Gruude.
Also, you can check with Techtonics VW Tuning - they are a really kick butt VW tuner shop in Sheridan, OR (I lived near there for 3 years) and bought some cool stuff for my Scirocco.
Just like trying to make a 500 hp Mustang GT, you can make a 250 hp Jetta. Get out your checkbook and tell the guy how fast you want to go.
I had no trouble passing V6s and V8s in city traffic in my old 89 Tercel, my old 106HP 93 Civic, and my current 01 130 HP Protege, all automatic.
Dinu
I'm sorry.
I just don't know how to respond to that.
There is also a difference between passing V-8s and V-6s in traffic and overtaking them.
89 Tercel and 93 Civic, now those are performance masters. Yep.
In that light, performance improvements need to increase low and mid-range torque and upper end horsepower - factors that greatly improve driving enjoyment.
I of all people love corners, but if you don't have some power to go with it, the fun just isn't complete.
The Protege has beat a Civic, Corolla, Cirrus and an older Maxima (92-94?) and it has a great suspension too!
Zeus: I agree power with handling is great, but rarely available in that combo unless you shell $$$ or go for a MazdaSpeed3, SpecV SE-R...
Let's just say that I never felt I needed more power to get around. It just takes longer to get to a certain speed, but once there, most other drivers stop..I kept accelerating and still beat them to the next light.
I just think people are way too obsessed with HP #s...
Dinu
Dinu
At that note, the title of the topic is "More horsepower" so that's where I went. I'm a firm believer in building the "whole car", not just concentrating on a few items, but a "teamwork" approach to performance.
I only think about cars not larger than a midsize (6/Accord, Camry is too big nowadays).
Dinu
Nov 26, 2002 (11:33 pm)
No disrespect man......but I HAD a 2000 GLS VR6 Jetta with 16 in wheels and a stock baseline suspension and believe me....it DID NOT have those bases covered. The brakes were adequate at best and the suspension was truly a joke. I can honestly say if you were to add another 100 hp to this car via an aftermarket turbo or supercharger you would be off in a ditch faster than you could say auf Wiedersehen. If massive understeer and body roll are your idea of "sporty handling" then I don't know what to say. I can tell you I almost lost control of that Jetta on the beltway here in DC at 75 mph through sweeping corners after the car began tramlining because of a nasty road imperfection. The car began wallowing and almost sent me into a spin. This NEVER would have happened had I had a stiffer factory suspension.
I now have a 2001 Jetta GLS VR6 with the 17in wheel package and the "sport" suspension. I must say it's much better but still not up to my tastes in handling performance. So I will upgrade brakes and suspension soon.
To address 1994...I would have to agree with most of these posts here in that without spending a lot of money you really aren't going to have a "Honda eater" anytime soon. However, if you are willing to spend a couple of grand, go to neuspeed.com and look at their supercharger developed for the 2.0 engine.
http://www.neuspeed.com/pages/suprchrg/jbindex.html
The average guy, who doesn't understand what "Lift-throttle oversteer" is, can't discern a decent-handling stock vehicle from one that has been modified.
VR6 GLS 6-speed will probably be my next car. Plus Neuspeed coil-overs, HKS ball-bearing turbo (16-18 lbs of boost) and a huge intercooler.
I don't think VW is offering a GLS with a 6 speed and VR6 any longer. I think you will have to get a GLX or a GLI. And if you get one of these vehicles you will be getting the 24 valve 200 hp unit. With the 6-speed of course. But unless VW has changed their manual tranny supplier I think you will be getting the same crappy south American made manual as I have in my Jetta. Only it will have an extra gear. The only thing I really hate about my Jetta is the 5 speed. It was just barely grinding the 2nd gear synchro the DAY I PICKED IT UP from VW. Plus I was stopped on a slight hill on the way home at a red light and it wouldn't go into first! It was like there was an invisible wall there. So I did the same thing I used to have to do with my 76 Scirocco. I put it into 2nd and back up into 1st. It then went right in. It seems as if some things never change with VW. And that tranny in my Scirocco had 120K on it when I had to start doing that. Sad. I took it back to VW and they told me that it was "normal" for their 5 speed and the synchros were brass and prone to "notchiness". They even invited me to test drive any other 5 speed manual on their lot with the VR6. I politely declined and left the dealership. I am no stranger to this idiosyncracy of a VW manual so I'm sure they were right. All I can say is thank goodness I have a 10/100 warrany. If it gets really bad I will have them replace the transmission. But at least I documented it with them early with low mileage on the car. Just make sure the car you test drive is less "notchy" than the others. I'm sure this condition is a little less evident in some cars on the lot. My problem was that I special ordered my car so I felt inclined to take it as it had everything I wanted. 17in wheels, sport suspension, Monsoon,leather etc.
Sorry to hear about your transmission trouble. From my experience, the best thing you can do is to document everything and if it comes to more trouble, don't take "no" for an answer on a replacement.
You can purchase a kit and install it yourself if you are somewhat mechanical. The instructions withe the kit are quite clear.
I attend the drag races regularly and the "import wars" weekend has become a VERY VERY popular event. There are always several VWs that can achieve a 15 second ET using NO2. THese are Street cars that they take to the Drag Races. The intent is to give the street-racers a sanctioned event where they can compete. EVERYONE is welcome to bring their car and head down the track. It is also a VERY GOOD place to talk to people and see what is making power on your type of vehicle. There are also vendors there selling their wares. (to make more power)
My buddies Dodge Shadow with over 320HP at the front wheels (USING NO NO2) does a 12-second ET.
Just remember that making a lot of power takes a lot of $$$. Before you know it, the added power will start to break things such as crankshafts and driveshafts.... which will need to be upgraded to hi-performance parts.... Are you prepared to spend a lot of $$?
A Shadow with 320 hp doing 12 second 1/4s??
Interesting. My big block 67 Camaro could only get 11.8, 11.2 on the bottle, I am curious how a 320hp Shadow pulls 12s.
N2O is not the answer. Short bursts, break alot of things, cost money, yes. But if you want to go fast consistently, then you need to go with the engine that will fit and can handle it or get a different runner.
One thing to remember about creating power in an engine. It costs. The more power an engine has, the more likely it is to break.
I've built performance engines for years now and these engines have no warranty. Once they start, run and are setup, that is it. I am done with them. When they break, ain't my problem. These engines are setup for power, which means they are going to be pushed to their limit and beyond, which means they are going to break.
Something to ponder, before you sink money into going faster.
Besides, where you gonna run it? On the street?
So you can be like the loser who just hit a kid on the road in front of my house last week?
Racing belongs on a track and ONLY on a track.
That is my opinion, like it or not.
My buddy Bill purchased the Shaadow VNT (Variable Nozzle Turbocharger) new in 1991. (less than 20 built with those specs!) It was his daily driver for over 10 years. (while running 1/4s when he could.)
It is amazing to me that the STOCK bottom end and driveshafts can handle 320 HP.
Here are some pics of Bills "regulator";
http://groups.msn.com/BAKERSREGULATOR/
Here is the dyno run for Bills car;
http://www.thedodgegarage.com/ne_sdac_dyno_day.html
There is even a 12-second MINIVAN here;
http://www.turbovan.net/van.html
The 2.0 Jetta. is a GREAT car.... but not a good starting point for a speedster. The 1.8T or TDI would be a better choice for some serious power.
Both of these engines are DESIGNED for boosting and a simple chip change can give you up to 90 more HP. (chipping them can increase boost from the turbo while still maintaining reliability)
http://www.performance-cafe.com/
http://www.goapr.com/
http://www.jannettyracing.com/
Of course we all order our parts from here
I think Zues would agree. With some proper mods to the fuel system this car could easily reach 200 hp on demand. And as far as the engine not being "designed" for it, I can say that I had a 91 Golf that I put over 250K on in four years. They don't call it the "million mile motor" for nothing. That engine is a time tested workhorse and it's "designed" for abuse and longevity. I'm not saying a bottle fed 2.0 will not break but if done right it could handle it. At least for a 100K or more if it was used sparingly.....ie not raced every other day.
If i were him, i'd a bought a VR6 in the first place. Glad I did.
NOW BACK TO THE DISCUSSION! lol
But NO2 is perhaps the least-expensive way to produce LOTS of additional power.
I have seen some SERIOUS power being produced by 80's and 90's VWs at the track. These are stripped down with no seats and "swiss-cheesed" to further reduce weight. Almost not street legal.
There are many classes in many sanctioning groups that are set up structly for nitrous engines.