Temporary performance improvements for 2.0 FSI Jetta

[MrVW]

I currently own a MY08 Jetta. For reasons we won't go into, it's got an old style (non-DSG) gear box and is devoid of a turbo. It only produces around 110kw (I am pretty sure).

I am planning to buy a much better car in a maximum of 5 or 6 months. I would like for it to be sooner, but my wife insists that we settle on our new apartment before buying a new car - fair enough! Between now and buying a new car, I would like a little more performance out of the Jetta.

Without wanting to mess with my new car warranty (which expires in few months), the only tweak I have so far made is simply removing the air filter housing cover. Strangely, this has single handily delivered better acceleration and a blissfully deeper engine roar (can you really call a 4 cylinder engine a roar?!). Are there any other cheap and cheerful tips that can keep me satisfied with the Jetta for another 6 months?

Any help is welcome!

[STV4SYT]

You do realize what the air filter does for a car?

Definitely not a good idea to run without it. If you must, spend $100 on eBay for a cheap hi flow one otherwise budget for an engine seizure in the not too distant future.

[MrVW]

You do realize what the air filter does for a car?

Definitely not a good idea to run without it. If you must, spend $100 on eBay for a cheap hi flow one otherwise budget for an engine seizure in the not too distant future.

Perhaps my initial comment wasn't clear enough. I haven't removed the actual air filter, only the lid for it's housing. As a result, the air filter is sucking air in more air than it was before. Do you think a K&N pod filter will make much difference, considering the stock filter is pretty high flow to start with?

[STV4SYT]

Taking the housing off allows for the air to bypass the filter, hence increased flow. and as you have said it has improved performance, so yes a higher flow filter should improve the performance a bit.

If you are selling in 3-4 months though then maybe just live with it, no point spending up on a car you are going to get rid of.

[MrVW]

Taking the housing off allows for the air to bypass the filter, hence increased flow. and as you have said it has improved performance, so yes a higher flow filter should improve the performance a bit.

If you are selling in 3-4 months though then maybe just live with it, no point spending up on a car you are going to get rid of.

Yeah - you raise a good point. Still, it's worth posting a Thread to determine if there is anything I haven't thought of / considered.

[jessv3]

Perhaps my initial comment wasn't clear enough. I haven't removed the actual air filter, only the lid for it's housing. As a result, the air filter is sucking air in more air than it was before. Do you think a K&R pod filter will make much difference, considering the stock filter is pretty high flow to start with?

I think you mean K&N pod filter. I had one on my previous car (99 Audi A6 2.8 v6) and although it didnt make a huge difference with performance it made the engine note some a lot deeper and better, under full throttle it almost sounded like a V8.

I have heard the newer vw/audi FSI engines (Which your car is) dont respond well to aftermarket air filters, infact you can actually lose peformance through it. Though thats only from what ive read on the forums with people putting it on the 3.2fsi..

[MrVW]

I think you mean K&N pod filter. I had one on my previous car (99 Audi A6 2.8 v6) and although it didnt make a huge difference with performance it made the engine note some a lot deeper and better, under full throttle it almost sounded like a V8.

I have heard the newer vw/audi FSI engines (Which your car is) dont respond well to aftermarket air filters, infact you can actually lose peformance through it. Though thats only from what ive read on the forums with people putting it on the 3.2fsi..

K&N - sorry... typo fixed. Decision made - I will avoid modifications and ensure my next buy delivers enough power. Thanks for the advice guys!

[whiteVR6]

porting out the exhaust manifold will give some small gains

[Tim]

they best way to improve performance in a car like this is to lose weight. From the car, yourself, your mrs.. Where ever you can.. Weight is weight and detrimental to performance

[MrVW]

they best way to improve performance in a car like this is to lose weight. From the car, yourself, your mrs.. Where ever you can.. Weight is weight and detrimental to performance

lol... I'll let you tell my wife. I did consider stripping most of the interior, Top Gear style. I then considered that this might hurt resale value..

[Tim]

You just need to think creatively. Its easy

1. strip the interior and store it in your living room. You can refit it later.

2. tell mrs that its only going to be there until you are able to buy a new car

3. One of the following is sure to follow:
a) Mrs will take you car shopping the following week.
b) Mrs will divorce you in disgust leaving you free to do what you want, when you want.. It will also save weight because you wont need to carry her in the car.

[bwen]

Remove the rear seats and put them back in when you sell the car, they weigh ~40kg or so which is quite a bit of weight loss.

[MrVW]

You just need to think creatively. Its easy

1. strip the interior and store it in your living room. You can refit it later.

2. tell mrs that its only going to be there until you are able to buy a new car

3. One of the following is sure to follow:
a) Mrs will take you car shopping the following week.
b) Mrs will divorce you in disgust leaving you free to do what you want, when you want.. It will also save weight because you wont need to carry her in the car.

Now that's advice... I don't know if it's good advice, but it's advice.

Remove the rear seats and put them back in when you sell the car, they weigh ~40kg or so which is quite a bit of weight loss.

My 9-month-old baby, in his car seat, might have something to say about that.

Maybe I just need to bring the new car venture forward a few months! I'll take my wife out for dinner and subtly bring it up after a bottle of wine. That's how I got my current car!

Thanks again for the advice!

[gerhard]

Maybe I just need to bring the new car venture forward a few months! I'll take my wife out for dinner and subtly bring it up after a bottle of wine. That's how I got my current car!

You need to buy a better wine - tha last bottle only got you a 4-banger with no turbo.

Try a Moet - that should get you an R36 wagon......

[MrVW]

You need to buy a better wine - tha last bottle only got you a 4-banger with no turbo.

Try a Moet - that should get you an R36 wagon......

Good advice, R36 wagon FTW!