SA Naffles' first post! More power in my MK3?

[Naffler]

I own a 1997, MK3 CL. I know what I want to do to make it look awesome; however I'm unsure as to what I can do to squeeze more power out of it. It is, unfortunatly an Auto.

Looks wise, I want to:

- Paint it matte black with one white stripe down the left.
- Lower, and matte white 17" wheels
- Chuck a flame thrower kit to the exhaust
- Match the interior to the paint job by upholstering the seats black with white striped trim
- A subtle body kit
- MK4 headlights, VR6 tail lights
- Replace the rear parcel shelf with a more permanent fixture and mould a sub woofer/amp housing to the boot

So, that's the looks taken care of. What can I do to make it more 'oomphy'? Chuck a VR6 motor in it (Possible?)? Extractors? Unfortunatly, on the new P Plate laws, I can't have turbo or superchargers

So, what can I do? Any help appreciated!

[schoona]

Sell it and buy a VR6.

Then you'll ask the same questions and pretty much get standard answers (CAI, exhaust, chi, cams, schrick intake mani)

I jsut got off my p's had a VR6 with an exhaust. More than enough fun on your P's just gotta stick out out till you can have boost.

If oyu have a 2 door mk3, VR6 swap would be cool, there are a few running around. If you are risky could do the 1.8 20VT swap.

But id jsut rock a nice and tidy looking slow mk3 and upgrade to a new car later.

That being said, Ray's CL boogies pretty nicely

[Naffler]

It'a a 4 door. Does that mean VR6 conversion is not an option? I've just put a nice exhaust on it, and a killer sound system (as all teen men need!!) I'm not much of a car know how, so all of these terms I'm unsure of.. (CAI, chi, cams etc.) I have my mate who owns Complete Exhaust and he does/will do all the engine stuff for me, engine wise.

What other things could I do? I just saw a VR6 thread with an R32 motor in it, is that possible for me? Things like that, or little things. I want to keep this car, and not sell up.

[schoona]

VR6 conversion is still an option.
The "good part" about the 2 door is less weight. Dynamically better and boogie harder (power to weight ratios )
Consider the costing though, the motor alone I have been told is about $1500. Then add the gearbox. You'll want the brakes too. Because as you say "don't know much about cars" doing a VR6 swap is reasonably complex. Unless your buddy will do the conversion for a case of beer, I'd forget about it.

Just sell up, hold out for a decent buyer and pick up a VR6. (I hate sounding like saying the other mk3's are ****house....but if you want to go somewhere, that's the best option.)

CAI = cold air intake. Run an enclosed filter down low (don't get hydrolocked!) with larger intake pipe and you can pick up gains.
Cams: alter the timing and severity of how long/far your valves are open. Lifted higher for longer = more air. More air = moar powahhh. In simple terms. Hopefully Ray chimes in with his experience....
Chip, usually GIAC with a soldered in chip to your ECU to adjust timing/fuelling etc for your mods.

On N/A cars, the gains are usually quite small.

Still suggest either selling up and getting a VR6 now, or stick out out for 2 years (it really isnt that long a wait) and then get a Mk4 GTI buy then. Well at least research them anyway...

[schoona]

Re: R32 motor swap.....yeah I'd probably forget about that one for the moment too.
Stu has been around for a while, has a go himself and has some pretty readily available resources. And as far as I know got lucky sourcing the motor.

Can search Vortex classifieds for a motor (recall seeing a block there not too long ago) or Storm Developments in the UK. I'm sure you can see why you have to be dedicated to do such a swap

[Lorenz]

As said before, dont bother with trying to get any more power out of the 1.8, an exhaust and intake would be as much as I'd do.
Lower it, get some nice fitting wheels (17s are too big IMO) and keep it well maintained.
There arent any decent body kits around for the MK3, they are great as they are.
Have a look through this thread http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f47/...ead-13167.html , 99% of the cars do not have any body kits. These are well styled German designed and built cars, not cheap jap rubbish that need other body parts fitted to look good
Unless its a 2 door, dont bother with a VR swap, it will cost a bomb and it wont pass Regency without all the engeneering tests and papers ($5000+ just for those)

[Ben J]

body kit and flame thrower kit will automatically add atleast 200kw bro

idk if the auto is gonna be able to handle all this powarrr

[Naffler]

Hmmm, Damn. Seems everyone says 'sell up' and buy something a little more powerful.

There's a VR6 I have quietly had my eye on for a while. It's just had an auto-manual conversion. Anything to stay away from regarding that? It's a '94 model, 2.8L, 4 door.

[h100vw]

I'd have a look at the VR even if it has had the auto swapped out. Depends how well it was done and by who. There's just never any point building a car that you can buy. The only slight change to that statement would be if you were doing a VR into the 2 door shell.

I have seen it done many times and it ends in bankruptcy.
Gavin

[Naffler]

Thanks, Gavin. I've driven the car, and it's quite nice. It changes nice and smooth. Might as well, hey? Hopefully I'll be able to purchase it soon!

[Naffler]

Why can't I post in the 'sell my car' section?

[Water Boy]

Dont put a body kit on it.

And 16" wheels for the win!

[Naffler]

I had 16"'s