Best order of modifications 2011 vRS

[rakehell]

I was wondering if there was a (semi) consensus on the best or most bang-for-buck performance upgrades for the MkII. Tune, brakes, DSG tune, anti-away bars, etc.

Cosmetic stuff I'm ok with, but wouldn't mind hearing what people feel made the most difference to their car. Happy for all opinions, if you think your tires are it and a bit, let me know!

[Dzl_Dubba]

Tune and dp for max gains. Intercooler too, not so much for gains but much needed for our climate

[dArK5HaD0w]

Must do....
1. Ecu tune
2. Downpipe exhaust
3. Lowered suspension
4. Rear Swaybar

Nice to do..
5. Intercooler
6. Cold air intake
7. Dsg tune
8. Lighter wheels
9. Lighter brake setup
10. Catback exhaust

[Antiplastix]

Leave it standard and save the money towards a Mk.3 RS 'performance package' when they re released.

[brad]

Must have:
1. ECU remap & always 98ron
2. sticky, good quality tyres
3. really light wheels (aim for wheel + tyre combo of <18kg). You might even consider going back to 17" with 235/45r17 - you can easily achieve <16kg with that.
4. Either a 3" DP or remove the stage1 catcon

Nice to have:
5. GoFastBits DV+ diverter valve upgrade
6. Decent dampers - Koni Sports Adjustable or similar
7. Upgraded brake pads & rotors - eg: DBA plain face T3 with QFM A1RM pads and the proper VW spec low viscosity brake fluid.
8. Water (meth optional) injection (rather than an upgraded IC). It will keep your inlet clean as well as stopping the timing pull in hot weather.
9. SuperPro Supaloy lower control arms
10. 60 or 70 duro Dogbone insert or a new mount
11. Catch can (not performance as such but it will keep your inlet cleaner)
12. Intercooler charge/discharge pipes (the jury is out on this one)
13. Lightweight brake calipers or BBK
14. DIY redrill of the rear sway bar (shortens the moment arm 30mm)
15. decent spark plugs (NGK / Denso) and coil packs

[Tuan]

Leave it standard and save the money towards a Mk.3 RS 'performance package' when they re released.

This is too sensible

ECU tune and downpipe ... hmm maybe I can put these on my own list ........

[brad]

This is too sensible ........

cost of 2011 vRS = $16k-$25k (carsales right now)
ECU tune (Custom Code or similar) $1k
DP (SPM) $800
light weight wheels (18" Enkei RPF1) $1.6k
tyres $1.2k

Call it $5k with some minor bits & bobs. So $21k-$30k for a fairly decent car that you can have now and have fun with for a few years.

Current bare bones vRS price - $40k plus Performance Pack = $6.5k. Current wait on vRS? 6-9 months. PP wait after release = how long is a piece of string.

I think I'd rather enjoy a car now & do a few mods & pick up a used PP for $30k somewhere down the track.

[Tuan]

In fact ...... I think I may be better off modifying my OWN focus ST before I touch the missus' vRS

[kaanage]

Must have:
1. ECU remap & always 98ron
2. sticky, good quality tyres
3. really light wheels (aim for wheel + tyre combo of <18kg). You might even consider going back to 17" with 235/45r17 - you can easily achieve <16kg with that.
4. Either a 3" DP or remove the stage1 catcon

Nice to have:
5. GoFastBits DV+ diverter valve upgrade
6. Decent dampers - Koni Sports Adjustable or similar
7. Upgraded brake pads & rotors - eg: DBA plain face T3 with QFM A1RM pads and the proper VW spec low viscosity brake fluid.
8. Water (meth optional) injection (rather than an upgraded IC). It will keep your inlet clean as well as stopping the timing pull in hot weather.
9. SuperPro Supaloy lower control arms
10. 60 or 70 duro Dogbone insert or a new mount
11. Catch can (not performance as such but it will keep your inlet cleaner)
12. Intercooler charge/discharge pipes (the jury is out on this one)
13. Lightweight brake calipers or BBK
14. DIY redrill of the rear sway bar (shortens the moment arm 30mm)
15. decent spark plugs (NGK / Denso) and coil packs

^ This except I'd move the damper upgrade up to #3

[rakehell]

This is too sensible

I'm not sure buying a spanking new car is sensible either.

Then again, if I wanted to be sensible, I'd have bought a Camry.

@brad: Thanks. That's an excellent list to be getting on with. Never even heard of Enkei wheels, but they seem the business.

[Tuan]

I'm not sure buying a spanking new car is sensible either.

Then again, if I wanted to be sensible, I'd have bought a Camry.

@brad: Thanks. That's an excellent list to be getting on with. Never even heard of Enkei wheels, but they seem the business.

It is 'sensible' in the sense that you do not spend any money modifying your car at all if you buy new/demo lol.

Who knows, your list of modifications could easily grow from $5,000 into $15,000 black hole.

Nothing wrong with a Camry (unless it's gold).

BTW I am in Sydney and I've only ever seen one modified blue vRS.

[brad]

I'm not sure buying a spanking new car is sensible either.

Then again, if I wanted to be sensible, I'd have bought a Camry.

@brad: Thanks. That's an excellent list to be getting on with. Never even heard of Enkei wheels, but they seem the business.

They're good bang4buck.

18" are <8kg, 17" <7kg.

Oz Alleggerita HLT are about the same weight, better looking (IMO) but ~$100 more each.

Team Dynamics Pro race 1.2 are also very light and look good (except for the lettering) but I'm not sure how pricey they are.

koya (look on facebook) do some nice semi-forged stuff as well.

Plenty of nice light wheels out there. bargains to be had if you are willing to go 2nd hand.

[brad]

Who knows, your list of modifications could easily grow from $5,000 into $15,000 black hole.

.

Without bargain hunting I could do my list for $11k without labour. They are all DIY / home mechanic level jobs.

It's a lot to dump into a car but many of those bits could be removed andonsold and have the original parts refitted when you're ready to move to the next project. You might only get a few thousand back but it's a start.

I'm happy to wait a while for parts atthe right price but so far:

Bluefin = $666
Modified DP = free
used 312mm front brake upgrade inc braided lines = $50
used GTI rear sway bar = $10
used #1 dogbone (half) insert = free
#2 dogbone insert = $20
used 25% upgraded IC = $120
GFB DV+ = $120
Koni Adjustables = $750(ish)
IC charge / discharge pipes = $200
Eibach Springs = $200
R8 Coil packs x4 = $140
HIDs = $200
used Forge Catch can = $200

<$3k all up. That's cheap fun over 120,000km (first mod done at 30,000km; now at 150,000km)

I've also had 3 sets of wheels / tyres at $400/set. 1 set was light, the rest have been big fat porkers. It's like having a new car every time the tyres wear out.

[DUBGTI]

Wow that's some cheap priced items, where did you manage to get all those bits from at those prices? I can never find second hand gear going cheap

[brad]

Wow that's some cheap priced items, where did you manage to get all those bits from at those prices? I can never find second hand gear going cheap

I'm patient and in no hurry to do certain upgrades (eg: I'd absolutely vowed I wouldn't upgrade my brakes). All the above is over a 5 year period which would probably drive those that want instant gratification quite insane.


I keep an eye on the For Sales in several forums. As a result I know what prices things sell at & what items hang around forever.

I'm willing to buy stuff that looks dodgy or needs more work (brakes took 3 hours of cleaning & prep before I even fitted them) or can be modified to work.

I'll purchase batrgains way before I need them. I've stored wheels/tyres for 6 months waiting for the current set to go bald.

If somebody does an upgrade & I think the part they took off might be useful, I send them a PM about buying it. People will sell at a fair price if it's a hassle-free transaction.

I help people with stuff & they give me free things.

I have a cash reserve so if something is the right price I'm not the guy saying "if only you'd advertised last week before I bought item X - I'm broke now".

I think a lot of people pay far too much for 2nd hand gear... and a lot of the vendors are dreaming. The last set of immaculate wheels I sold I let go for $180 with (just) roadworthy tyres and it was a struggle to get a buyer at that price. I've seen other people asking $600 for the same wheels - WTF?

My latest purchase is some 18" wheels with decent tyres (current tyres will be illegal when rego happens in July), some sports seats & alloy lower control arms. Bundled the whole lot for $700 based on photos of 1 wheel & the seats.
The seats look like crap but hopefully they'll clean up OK with a few hours of TLC.
The wheels are black with brakes dust & road grime - I'll probably spend 2 hours on each wheel getting them immaculate. Hopefully the vendor is being accutate when they say the tyres are "near new" and the rims are unmarked. Some peoiple classify unmarked as including a 50mm kerb scrape
The LCAs - don't know if they'll fit my existing ball joints so that's a punt (might have to purchase new ball joints) & I'm not sure if the console bushes are included (another purchase) but I enjoy rolling the dice on these things.