Re: Mods, upgrades..

[Khan Klatt <khan@mediaaccess.com>]

At 3:07 PM -0700 8/28/2000, Cooke, MichaelX wrote:
>I'm in the mood to do some tweaking to my Black '00 GLX VR6.
>
>I've never done any type of upgrades or modifications before, so this is
>really new territory for me.  I am primarily interested in performance
>upgrades, but I've also had my eyes on a pair of sport-style mirrors and a
>subdued rear spoiler (no 2ft. high stuff..).
>
>If anyone has any recommendations on what upgrades I should look into, I
>would greatly appreciate your insight.
>
>BTW, I'm located in Washington state.  If anyone know a good VW tuner in the
>area, please let me know.

1st, as far as performance mods are concerned, if you're looking for 
low cost, high returns, and little effect on resale (unmodified 
engine) the best steps are:

	* K&N drop in air filter to improve performance
	* modified air box to improve performance
	* Shocks & springs to improve ride and cornering
	* Sway/tie bars to stiffen things up
	* ECU to improve performance
	* Tires to improve performance, ride, and cornering

If you want to go beyond that, then you're talking exhaust and engine 
mods, lightened flywheels, etc. Obviously the cost goes up 
dramatically from there on out for performance.

Specifics of anything but the air filter are open to opinion and 
arguing. My choices, largely limited by my budget, were no air box, 
Neuspeed SofSport springs & Bilstein HD shocks, no sway bars (no 
drilling holes for me -- everything was bolt on), no ECU (although I 
was days away until I found out about the trade in option), and 
Dunlop SP 6000's although if I had it to do over again, I'd get SP 
8000's, and dedicated winter tires for the snow we get every so often.


2nd, as far as appearance mods, the spoiler and side skirts/body 
kits/mirrors/clear or darkened turn lens covers and modified 
lights/foglamps are options. Some people get the Audi S8 triangle 
installed in their trunk, as well as cargo netting, etc. Others will 
probably have additional ones I missed.


3rd, as far as places to have mods done, you might look at Evolution 
Motorsports in Everett. There's a place in Bellevue on BelRed road, a 
place off Leary Way in Redmond, and someplace off 99th in way north 
Seattle.

There are probably several others, but those are the ones I know about.

-Khan
-- 

Khan Klatt                                         khan@mediaaccess.com

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