MeTsU's 9N3 TDi - Sooty from South Africa

[Evaded Motorsport]

Nice, I still need to get mine in but hoping to wait until I get the turbo kit and nozzles sorted.

[MeTsU]

nice write up mate!

my clutch isn't anywhere near gone yet (hopefully) so this will be a while off yet. Had to do solid control arm bushes the other day when the stock one's bit the dust.

Keep the updates coming, one of my favourtie Polo's

Thanks GoLfMan. When I inspected my original DMF, clutch & pressure plate, I was pleasantly surprised, it really didn't look anywhere as bad as I would've though. There were about 4 high spots but generally, not enough damage to suggest bad slipping, yet it wouldn't hold a roll into boost from 2200RPM. I suspect the fact that I babied it for 2 months probably ensured it didn't look as bad. The DMF on the other hand, is shot. I can move it without much force - and the feeling that I described previously, where it feels like the rear dog bone is a little loose - a slight rocking feeling when coming on/off the throttle, has now gone, which indicated it was indeed the DMF as I previously suspected.

LCA's are well worth replacing. I noted a positive amount of feedback when I did my polybush LCA's. Thanks mate.

[MeTsU]

Nice, I still need to get mine in but hoping to wait until I get the turbo kit and nozzles sorted.

I saw your photo's from the track - nice one. I felt it was time I do the clutch & flywheel - but my next stop after all the little odds and ends, the massive cambelt service and bodywork (get the Cup Edition bumper on and other paintwork), then I will speak to Ryan in the UK again about a big turbo. I see you're speaking to him - he's a top bloke. I'm keen on the same Firad nozzles - being Italian and all.

[GoLfMan]

Thanks GoLfMan. When I inspected my original DMF, clutch & pressure plate, I was pleasantly surprised, it really didn't look anywhere as bad as I would've though. There were about 4 high spots but generally, not enough damage to suggest bad slipping, yet it wouldn't hold a roll into boost from 2200RPM. I suspect the fact that I babied it for 2 months probably ensured it didn't look as bad. The DMF on the other hand, is shot. I can move it without much force - and the feeling that I described previously, where it feels like the rear dog bone is a little loose - a slight rocking feeling when coming on/off the throttle, has now gone, which indicated it was indeed the DMF as I previously suspected.

LCA's are well worth replacing. I noted a positive amount of feedback when I did my polybush LCA's. Thanks mate.

i have the feeling the next couple of years of sooty ownership will be quite expensive for me

[Evaded Motorsport]

i have the feeling the next couple of years of sooty ownership will be quite expensive for me

Mine have already started

[kaanage]

Good call. If you want to make power and hold it reliably, you need to ditch the DMF. SPEC Clutches & Flywheels: Auto Parts, Domestic, Import, Truck, Racing, Drifting :: Home

That looks AWESOME. If I ever get the go ahead for major engine mods, this certainly looks the way to go for a flywheel/clutch upgrade. If only a 6 speed crash box was available...

[MeTsU]

i have the feeling the next couple of years of sooty ownership will be quite expensive for me

That's what I'm experiencing right now - the Cup Edition bumper, as sad as I am not to be able to do all the wanted spray work, thankfully, I can say I've got the bumper and is secure. But I will have to come back to it at the end of the year.

A couple months ago, I had to do the alternator clutch, I've just done my flywheel & clutch now, as well as gearbox. I will have the major 90k km service done very soon, including water pump. Then its time for new rotors and pads. After that I will hopefully look at paintwork etc.

It's all part of the journey.

[MeTsU]

That looks AWESOME. If I ever get the go ahead for major engine mods, this certainly looks the way to go for a flywheel/clutch upgrade. If only a 6 speed crash box was available...

The chap who did my gearbox for me works for VW Motorsport, and I tell you what, it was really hard to tell him just do syncros and general clean up. As much as I wanted to do ratios, it's a mission on the 6sp MQ350 box. And I couldn't afford a LS diff now either. Then came his special parts and I drooled everywhere and promptly left.

[GoLfMan]

That's what I'm experiencing right now - the Cup Edition bumper, as sad as I am not to be able to do all the wanted spray work, thankfully, I can say I've got the bumper and is secure. But I will have to come back to it at the end of the year.

A couple months ago, I had to do the alternator clutch, I've just done my flywheel & clutch now, as well as gearbox. I will have the major 90k km service done very soon, including water pump. Then its time for new rotors and pads. After that I will hopefully look at paintwork etc.

It's all part of the journey.

well Im at 105k at the minute.... Rotor's and pads coming up, alternator bearing sounds noisy, the battery light keeps flashing at me (sporadically, god know whats causing it, checked the alternator and its fine) Timing belt major service is coming up, luckily my gearbox is ok at the moment. Who knows whats next! Im just crossing my fingers that the turbo holds on for the moment! Because when that goes I want to have the money to do FMIC, injectors, bigger turbo, intake, EGR delete and tune, exhaust.

[MeTsU]

well Im at 105k at the minute.... Rotor's and pads coming up, alternator bearing sounds noisy, the battery light keeps flashing at me (sporadically, god know whats causing it, checked the alternator and its fine) Timing belt major service is coming up, luckily my gearbox is ok at the moment. Who knows whats next! Im just crossing my fingers that the turbo holds on for the moment! Because when that goes I want to have the money to do FMIC, injectors, bigger turbo, intake, EGR delete and tune, exhaust.

I didn't have to do the box, and in a way I wish I had saved the bucks, but it was more for preventative measures, and seeing it was out, might as well ensure it doesn't need to come out for another 60k kms. LOL.

I hope to start my BT upgrades next year.

[PistolJay]

Polo is looking amazing bud, I'm from Cape Town dude, did you import the grommet for your de-wiper or did get it locally?? Please say
locally!!!! lol

[MeTsU]

Polo is looking amazing bud, I'm from Cape Town dude, did you import the grommet for your de-wiper or did get it locally?? Please say
locally!!!! lol

Thanks mate - pity I didn't meet up with you at the massive GTG we organised in Feb when I came through to CT for the U2 concert.

I imported the glass gromets mate, unfortunately have none left.

[Volksie]

In Jo-burg de-wipers and single front ones are in Fashion... I'l find out from a friend who done it and let u know.

[MeTsU]

In Jo-burg de-wipers and single front ones are in Fashion... I'l find out from a friend who done it and let u know.

Lol, yeah. I only imported 5 glass gromets two years ago. There was a massive discussion on the VWClub BB and I told guys who they could contact in German to get. Plastic gromets are fail.

[MeTsU]

I've been meaning to update things for a while now. Thanks for the comments guys.

After the clutch & gearbox, I did a massive detail of the engine bay and behind the arch liners, rain tray etc. The whole front end of Sooty was taken apart and cleaned in every little area I could get to. Unfortunately, I didn't really document too well photo wise, seeing my hands were covered in Prepsol and other chemicals.

I fitted a PD160 air box pipe and removed the snow stop plastic section preventing a clear flow of air.