MK2 8V possible mods

New_golfer · Oct 25, 2005

What are possible mods for the 1.8 8V engine?
I know that swapping the engine is the best option but that's not an option for me so what else is out there that would make some difference to make my little old golf even more fun to drive in the city. I use it for city driving only because I love driving stick and therefore I need to make it as fun as possible.
Start from the cheapest to the most expensive and with as many links as possible.

Is there a chip that could be put into one of these 8V golfs??
Thanks guys, all help is appreciated.

Wasatch VR6 · Oct 25, 2005

Re: MK2 8V possible mods (New_golfer)

I added four valves on mine.

vw n00b · Oct 25, 2005

Re: MK2 8V possible mods (92vr6Jetta)

New_golfer · Oct 25, 2005

Re: MK2 8V possible mods (92vr6Jetta)

Maybe you haven't heard the saying "If you don't have anything smart to say don't say anything at all".
Can anybody actually answer my questions or a nonsense reply is all I can get on a such a wide-range topic??

JRaptor2000 · Oct 25, 2005

dual outlet manifold and downpipe, techtonics cat-back exhaust, k&n replacement air filter, CSW chip, Euro GTI G-Grind Camshaft and adjustable cam timing gear.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST! 4K Rabbit GTI tranmission (the best mod out of everything i've listed) it has 3.94 R&P, super quick acceleration!

Modified by JRaptor2000 at 1:37 AM 10-25-2005

New_golfer · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (JRaptor2000)

Would the K&N air filter really help that much?? I have tried it on my other car (98 corolla) and honestly there wasn't much difference. Is this car more sensitive to this kind of changes or..??
What kind of gain are talking about from the CSW chip and how much does it cost??

MaddGh3tta · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (New_golfer)

Quote, originally posted by New_golfer »

98 corolla = no difference.

Reason = 98 corolla

New_golfer · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (MaddGh3tta)

Well it's still a 4 cylinder, 1.8L, and much newer and advanced. I know they are two waaay different cars and that a lot of japanese cars are just retarded, literally, but there should have beeen at least a little bit of difference noticed if these k&n filters were so good. If you are really saying that the k&n filter makes such a difference I will try it and see what will happen but I do have my doubts. I have seen a lot of people believe their car becomes faster because they are blinded by the commercials and what it says on the box but if this car would feel the difference I might as well give it a shot.
What else??

MaddGh3tta · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (New_golfer)

A k&n filter will give you a gain of 1 or 2 hp. nothing you will feel. Is just a good mod that will save you money and is more reliable than a paper filter.
Also, i have a corolla too, and you won't get any speed of those engines even turbo....

SEARCHED for free mods. This came out. Cheapo modo
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1584170
Enjoy.

Modified by MaddGh3tta at 12:03 AM 10-25-2005

L33t A2 · Oct 25, 2005

you like driving stick and in the city a lot, so how is your shift feel, i would start off with a good regular maintenence tune up and then do a shifter rebuild kit and weighted shift rod, that would cost you under 100 for the shifter stuff
and tune up
i would say see when the last time the oil and filter was done, air filter, spark plugs, plug wires, dist. cap and rotor, check vacuum lines, if the car is CIS with the braided fuel lines on top of the air box then make sure the air flap under the fuel distributor is clean and adjusted center, do the fuel filter.

MaddGh3tta · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (L33t A2 Jetta)

Quote, originally posted by L33t A2 Jetta »

you like driving stick and in the city a lot, so how is your shift feel, i would start off with a good regular maintenence tune up and then do a shifter rebuild kit and weighted shift rod, that would cost you under 100 for the shifter stuff
and tune up
i would say see when the last time the oil and filter was done, air filter, spark plugs, plug wires, dist. cap and rotor, check vacuum lines, if the car is CIS with the braided fuel lines on top of the air box then make sure the air flap under the fuel distributor is clean and adjusted center, do the fuel filter.

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

CaptEditor · Oct 25, 2005

weight reduction.

-Kevin

Front9 · Oct 25, 2005

eastcobbler · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (CaptEditor)

first $$ i'd spend would be the short shift kit as mentioned. It's the most noticeable thing you can do. night and day difference. try
http://www.missinglinkz.com. plenty to read there. that guy makes good stuff.
second thing, if i knew I needed a clutch would be a lightened flywheel. kind of laborious to take the trans out if you don't need a new clutch though...

the4ork · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (JRaptor2000)

Quote, originally posted by JRaptor2000 »

dual outlet manifold and downpipe, techtonics cat-back exhaust, k&n replacement air filter, CSW chip, Euro GTI G-Grind Camshaft and adjustable cam timing gear.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST! 4K Rabbit GTI tranmission (the best mod out of everything i've listed) it has 3.94 R&P, super quick acceleration!

Modified by JRaptor2000 at 1:37 AM 10-25-2005

first off g-grind cam is for a solid lifter head, so no you cant use that. i like the 270 or 276 cam (276 you'll need HD springs, i'd reccomend them for anyone thats driving their car hard anyways stock cam or not)
you cant chip it but you CAN get a fuel enrichment modual or make one yourself
dual outlet manifold if you dont have one already and dual downpipe with a techtonics or eurosport exhaust. or the TT race downpipe, or a header... dpends on what you want to spend...
the biggest thing i can say that will add more power are the following in order...
headwork (port and polish)
high comp. pistons
big cam (especially if Ported and polished)
header/dual outlet mani and downpipe + exhaust
cat delete
fuel enrichment module
k&n filter

the4ork · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (New_golfer)

Quote, originally posted by New_golfer »

Well it's still a 4 cylinder, 1.8L, and much newer and advanced. I know they are two waaay different cars and that a lot of japanese cars are just retarded, literally, but there should have beeen at least a little bit of difference noticed if these k&n filters were so good. If you are really saying that the k&n filter makes such a difference I will try it and see what will happen but I do have my doubts. I have seen a lot of people believe their car becomes faster because they are blinded by the commercials and what it says on the box but if this car would feel the difference I might as well give it a shot.
What else??

it will just make it sound deeper... and you'll think its faster

the4ork · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (the4ork)

few more things....
ABA block swap.... the aba is a 2L block, giving you the extra .2L will help add torque. also the aba is good for turbocharging as the 0bd1 version has the forged crank and oil squirters. beware of the weak ringlands if keeping the stock pistons in it though.
if getting a short shift kit the ONLY one to get now is the one from USRT. search for them in the search, or go to http://www.usrallyteam.com/shiftlink.html they have the BEST in shift linkage, its a brand new product, so not many people if any have it yet. but i fixes all the normal shift problems of the mkII (the rubber bushings)
also for tuneups...
use only the OEM mahn oil filter, and oem fuel filter! ONLY
you dont need big expensive spark plug wires, they dont do anything. go with OEM bosh wires.
also... when getting new sparkplugs... dont think your going to get more power out of going with platinum +2's or +4's... they absolutely suck. get the oem ones....
oil... never use 10w40 or 10w30, it will kill your lifters. i only use 20w50! valvoline synpower. but that is a synthetic, on an old engine i reccomend sticking with regular oil

pearlg60 · Oct 25, 2005

Re: MK2 8V possible mods (Front9)

Quote, originally posted by Front9 »

good post!

topduko19 · Oct 25, 2005

Re: MK2 8V possible mods (pearlg60)

is your car a digifant or a CIS...

asynchron · Oct 25, 2005

Re: MK2 8V possible mods (New_golfer)

I like how alot of people are conveniently ignoring

Quote, originally posted by New_golfer »

I know that swapping the engine is the best option but that's not an option for me. . . .

JRaptor2000 · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (the4ork)

Quote, originally posted by the4ork »

first off g-grind cam is for a solid lifter head, so no you cant use that.

WRONG! they make one for solid lifters and hydro lifters.

Gin · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (JRaptor2000)

Courtesy of http://www.techtonicstuning.com you will see that the g grind came stock in all mk2gti's and all digifant 2 motors. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
If you have some basic automotive skills you might want to consider getting a cam from one of those cars that i mentioned above and using it in your motor. Then asap get rid of the stock exhaust.
VW enthusiasts get there hands dirty

GolfGLSGirl · Oct 25, 2005

Re: (Gin)

dual downpipe off a GTI, Eurosport catback exhaust, K&N drop-in filter, and vwpilot's Digifast ECU chip will get ya a bit more oomph to your 8v.

Front9 · Oct 25, 2005

Delete you air conditioning & associated components. Less weight=speed

Wasatch VR6 · Oct 25, 2005

Re: MK2 8V possible mods (New_golfer)

Quote, originally posted by New_golfer »

Maybe you haven't heard the saying "If you don't have anything smart to say don't say anything at all".
Can anybody actually answer my questions or a nonsense reply is all I can get on a such a wide-range topic??

Nonsense reply? Just trying to make a point that the option is out there. After the usual intake, exhaust, chip, cam, and other mods on my car, I opted for the VR. If you are looking just to mod your 8V, more power to you.

New_golfer · Oct 25, 2005

Re: MK2 8V possible mods (92vr6Jetta)

Wow, a lot of replies in one night... I thank you guys for all the good replies.
Just to answer a few of the questions:
I did the general tune up of the car less than two weeks ago. It has new oil, air, fuel filters, oil (20-50), cleaned the exhaust manifold, intake manifold, throttle body, fuel system clean, new breaks, fuel system clean, and some general parts replacements like gaskets (exhaust manifold, intake manifold, valve cover), breather groomet, and some other minor parts.
The spark plugs will be replaced this week. The cables look fine, no cracks, and are pretty thick.

A lot of the mods you guys listed are good and even better than reasonable. I do like the idea of the short shift kit and will look into it a little more. I might also try the K&N filter to at least get the sound a little better

. The head mods will be put off for a while since that will cost some amount of money. I don't know what else I can do at this point.
The clutch is fine I believe the light wheel can't be put on since that will be the only purpose of taking the tranny out and I don't really have the space to do that.
Would changing the cams really improve the performance significantly?? I see Neuspeed sells some cams but I don't know if it will really be noticeable difference..?

MK2 8V possible mods

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