Need Fresh Ideas

[MKIV2.NOOB]

Here's the deal. I have an MKIV 2.0 (4dr.), which I suppose I explain in my username. Briefly exchanged e-mails with StaggeredMK4, and completely missed out on a smashing deal. But I did get a lead to this site. Not to mention, I was born and raised in Billings, across the street from the Friendship House. It's awesome to see a bunch of Montana kids together like this.

Now, to the nitty-gritty. I've heard "swap to a 12v and turbo"; I've heard "buy a new car". What I want to hear is ideas that are fairly priced (considering we all have budgets) that I can do to MY car. Please, I need advice on reasonable prices for reasonable gains.

By the way, this is my first VW and I'm in love. But I'm also an infant so speak slowly, and clearly. Imagine you were talking to an international telemarketer from India and how you would feel.............. That's where I am.

Thanks guys. For real. I miss the 406.

[MT-Getto]

Not many mods to get power out of that 2.0 you'll be maybe looking for aesthetic / handling stuff.

[Ramrod]

Not many mods to get power out of that 2.0 you'll be maybe looking for aesthetic / handling stuff.

Agreed. What you have for hp is what you get. Depending on your budget and what you have invested in the car in upgrades already, you'd have to decide how much more ponies are worth to you. If you're never going to be happy with the car with the 2.0, then I wouldn't invest further money in modifications. I'd look at selling it and picking up a 1.8T or a VR6. Perhaps, even tracking down a well sorted car with upgrades already. You can find some serious value if you're willing to put in some time finding what you want from another enthusiast who's moving on to something else.

If you can live with the 2.0, then springs, wheels, sway bars are the big items depending on your goal for the car. If you're just looking for place to start and not be "just stock," then I'd look at the little details. For instance there are quite a few OEM parts that can be changed out, or modified with reletively low cost to give your car that custom feel. It's also a good way to start out and get to know your car by digging into it a little bit. The VWVortex is a great place to start for ideas on what other people have done. Not all were good ideas, but it's all personal and taste and you'll get a feel for what you like and what direction you'd like to go.

[sneakyboy1]

Glad to see you made it over here!
Like these guys said, don't expect a ton out of the 2.0 as far as upgrades go.
With that thought though, the 2.0 is not really a slow car unless your racing it or trying to take someone on at the stop light. My 4 door 2.0 was not slow, it just wasn't something that has quick take off and fast acceleration. My car easily did 110 smooth as butter though.
Sorry you just missed the deal on my coilovers.
Here is "my car" thread that has some pictures of my 2.0 Golf so you can see some of the possibilities with wheels and suspension.
viewtopic.php?f=62&t=938

One of the members here has some H&R springs for sale if you want to contact him
viewtopic.php?f=59&t=2855

Also, if you are interested in a Neuspeed exhaust check this out. It's the exhaust I had on my 2.0
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2690

Here are some links to more pictures of my 2.0 as well just for the hell of it. Miss that car actually.
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=2682&p=34538#p34538

Hope that gives you some ideas.

Welcome to the forums!
Jason

[Mikewire]

Before getting too far, you should set a budget and think about what your goals for the vehicle are. There are guys running 300+ WHP 8v 2.0L but they have dumped thousands into the build - that was their goal. What is yours?

^ With that said, I agree with everything these guys say. The 2.0 is a great motor - easy to work on and solid as a rock. If you want to tune it, you could look at installing a more aggressive cam, drop in a K&N or other high flow air filter, and a higher flowing exhaust.

There's not too much out there for an ECU flash, and gains are limited, so it's not really worth the $/HP to go that route.

Motor swaps are ridiculously tough and not for the faint of heart or low budget.

Neuspeed makes a supercharger kit, but it's spendy, and it really only puts you into the 170ish WHP area, which is the base line for most 1.8T and VR6.

There's turbo kits, but again, spendy with only moderate gains, and any FI boosted setup would really require building up internals.

So, if you have a large bank account, you can do many things. Otherwise, your options are to sell and get a different motor setup, or go with minor mods and aesthetics.

[MKIV2.NOOB]

Well thanks everyone. I appreciate it. Maybe you could give me you're opinion on this:

http://spokane.craigslist.org/ctd/2525023221.html

Not sure if it's still there, I'm going to look today. Maybe it is the route I should go. Is that a good buy, and what do you think I could get for a trade in with mine?

[Roadhog]

Well thanks everyone. I appreciate it. Maybe you could give me you're opinion on this:

http://spokane.craigslist.org/ctd/2525023221.html

Not sure if it's still there, I'm going to look today. Maybe it is the route I should go. Is that a good buy, and what do you think I could get for a trade in with mine?

That has more than likely been in a wreck, the badge is painted red... Though it does have ricer wheels on it so maybe they painted it.

[MKIV2.NOOB]

GTi was sold. It's okay, because the more I think about it, and the more I look at my car I just want to make mine better. And I want to keep it running FOORRRRR-EEVVVV-EEERRRRR! So I think I'm going to keep my 2.0, do what I can throughout the years with smaller stuff, and slowly work into something larger. Hell, maybe I'll start with small stuff, eventually work into rebuilding the internals, and then by the time that is all done I can put a supercharger on it and not be working about destroying my motor.

Also, would anyone happen to have a front passenger corner panel for an MKIV? I was headed to Billings in June and a deer ran into the side of my car. I suppose that's what I get for doing 80, at 3 am, 10 miles west of Columbus. I hope that deer suffered. Possibly a new hood as well? I'll take pictures tonight and figure out how to post them so you guys can give me ideas on how to go about the repair.

Thanks all.

[MKIV2.NOOB]

Pictures... hopefully this works.






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