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VWVortex.com AUTObiography Want your car featured in a VWvortex AUTObiography? Tell us what it means to be a Volkswagen enthusiast, and show us how you and your car demonstrate those ideals! Send the completed form with pictures to cherise@vortexmediagroup.com.
Why did you choose this car to purchase? As mentioned, I had been wanting a VR6. This car pretty much fell in my lap. No issues when it was purchased, interior was mint, it ran great, and I got it for a killer price. What other cars did you consider? MKIII. What was your objective with this car? My objective right from the beginning was to have a fast-ish naturally aspirated VR6 that, to the untrained eye, looked stock. I also wanted to maintain all functionality of the car because it is my daily driver. What tuning style best describes this car (ex. Euro, Bling, OEMplus, street racer, auto crosser)? OEM+Euro.
Who helped you build this car? Classic Coachworks of Collegeville helped a lot during the four separate times that the car got hit. They did a great job evening out the body and spraying it. Emile put tons of time and effort into helping rebuild this thing. What makes your car special? It’s a B4 Passat that hasn’t been donated for a motor/trans swap, but instead, is still on the road. What is your favorite part/feature/function? My favorite part would have to be my tiny MOMO steering wheel. Everyone that gets in it says, “How do you drive it with that tiny wheel?!” Who or what inspired the direction of modifications on this car? My friend Rich introduced me to the VW scene, first with his red G60 Corrado. He brought me to my first VW-specific car show, and I was hooked. I would say that his second Corrado, 1992 VR6, helped inspire the motor modifications. All of the style modifications were done with the intent of making the car look more sleek without having peoples’ eyes stop abruptly on a color change or style change. What don't you like about this car? It’s big. Even with the power it has, or if I were to add more, you still can’t whip it around like a Jetta or GTI. What was your biggest obstacle in building this car? Besides money? The curse that is the 15-degree “V”! Getting the rings and pistons back into the block was the hardest part of the entire rebuild. How did you overcome the issue? Patience. Lots and lots of patience!
What would you change if you could? I definitely want different suspension. Most likely coilovers so I can have more control over the height and ride characteristics. I would like to stiffen up the entire suspension to diminish as much body roll as possible. And wheels. On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with the outcome of this project? Right now, I’m at about an 8. There are several more things I would love to do to bring it to the level that I want. What would you do to the car if money were no object? I would make it the fastest naturally aspirated B4 Passat. I would also stiffen up the suspension so it reacted more to my liking. Who has been your biggest critic of this project? As with most people, I am my biggest critic. I notice the slightest imperfections and they haunt me until they are fixed. Seeing as this is a daily driver, you can imagine I am haunted a lot. After the recent intervention my friends and family held for me, I’ve been learning to let things go. What do your family and friends say about this car? My friends all love the car. Of course, they too have their ideas about what could make it better. My family is glad that it gets me from point A to point B, and couldn’t care less about any of the modifications I’ve made. Has this car competed in any events? Results? It has competed in 2 Waterfests, 2 H2Os, 3 ShowNGos, and VAGFair, and has taken home four 1st places, two 2nd places, and two 3rd places.
What is your favorite place to drive this car? The mountains of northeast Pennsylvania during the summer. Long stretches of 55+ mph roads and lots of twistys. What is your ideal day with this car? Any day when the windows are down, the weather is nice, and I’m not stuck in traffic. Who gets to drive this car? Up until recently, only me and my mechanics. That changed when I had to hang out of the sunroof to get footage of DAGBall 2007 and my friend Greg drove. Again, the intervention has helped me let go and allow other people to drive. If your car had a motto, what would it be? No, you can’t have my motor for a VR6 swap! If you had to name your car, what would you name it? Her name is Boxer. What was your previous project? Ford Taurus SHO. What is your next project? I have no idea. What one word best describes your car? Clean.
Owner Information: Name: Brad Clark City and State: Norristown, PA VWvortex Username: dubpassatvr6 Occupation: Government Sales Vehicle Information: Year: 1997 Make: VW Model: Passat GLX Mileage: 141,XXX Original Color: Satin Silver Metallic Current Color: Satin Silver Metallic Engine: 12v VR6 Engine Modifications: Full rebuild at 134,xxx. Ported and polished head, Autotech 262 camshafts, Autotech heavy duty valve springs, ABD Big Bore short ram intake, GIAC matched software. Exhaust Modifications: Techtonics Tuning 2.5” cat-back with removed suitcase muffler, 42DD test pipe with OBDII blocker. Transmission Modifications: B&M short throw shifter. Suspension Modifications: FK HiTec cup kit, Neuspeed front upper strut bar. Brake Modifications: Zimmerman cross-drilled rotors and Mintex Redbox pads. Wheels and Tires: Falken Torque 5 with Bridgestone Potenza SO3 Pole Position. Exterior/Body Modifications: FK badgeless grille, tinted middles on taillights, stubby antenna, Hella clear corner lenses, Hella E-code headlights, MKIV crystal clear side markers, 8000K HID, Hella dual airhorn. Interior Modifications: Euro switch, Sparco mats, Sparco Curva pedals, MOMO Team steering wheel, Schroth 4-point harnesses. Audio/Video/I.C.E.: Pioneer head unit, JL Audio 12” W3, Clarius 300W amplifier, iPod adapter. Thanks/Props: Thanks to my soon-to-be wife Courtney for putting up with my obsession and for not letting me get too carried away!
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