cheap but effective upgrades

[mat3833]

alright, im a few bucks away from a chip but i dont want to get it quite yet(ok thats a lie... my mom will not let me get it done because of the warranty ting...). so, im looking at small things i can add that will give a slight performance boost or will help when i get my chip. i already have an intake. if you have any used parts i would love to make a deal with you. wondering what the diference is between the N75 valves? J, K, P, Z??? wtf? what one gives the most boost? could i add a N75 to my stock TS and get a bit more boost? sorry for all of the questions guys. you are helping me more than you guys know with every reply to me seemingly pointless threads.

Matt

[noR]

You could change your N75 for different performance characteristics. I believe the difference in them is response-time. You CAN over-do it. BEST case would be to try a few and pick your favorite. To keep costs down, maybe you could just find out what other Turbo S guys are using.

Keep your chip $ so you can use it when you have the opportunity. They're somewhat undetectable, and if you live close to the facility, they can 'unchip' you for dealership appointments, and re-program you again after the appointment.

N75 was a nice cheap modification; I found a Rear sway bar to be a nice addition too. Also the front lower tie-bar. I think front upper tie-bar's are unnecessary, but then I haven't tried one either.

[NYBugman]

Stickier tires, a rear swaybar, and better brake pads will help you squeeze a little more power out of your car. No, really.

If your car can turn better, grips better, and you can stop later, then you can maintain your speed and energy/momentum for a longer period of time.

As an added "bonus", tires and pads are a maintenance item, so if your parents are watching you and your car, then they should just see you purchasing new tires and brake pads and NOT pay attention to the fact that the tires are ultra-high performance and the pads are street performance pads

Also, a cheap way of going faster is by removing any excess weight from your car. Take that as far as you wish.

Finally, you can become a better driver. The more seat-time you have the better you will become. Hell, try to convince the parental units to let you go to an HPDE (High Performance Driving Event). The instructors will teach you the right way to drive your car fast, and you will learn a lot about how to apply those skills to the street, both in terms of fun and safety. Of course, and HPDE is NOT cheap, but I look as it as an investment.

[RMakowski]

put your chip money in a 6 or 12 month CD, and save it

Weight reduction is the easiest way to increase performance. They say that every hundred pounds that you can remove you can gain a 10th of a second. Remove the spare, carpet, extra seats, radio, head liner, etc

[fuel110]

you can also improve the cooling, by removing the weather stripping from the back of the hood. It's attached to a metal sheet at the back of the engine bay. or you could go all the way and remove the metal sheet. but you have to be careful when washing as water gets in the engine bay. On race day I remove the wipers and plastic shroud as well. you'd be amazed how much cooler it keeps the engine bay. but it's not rain friendly at all. I also take out my passenger seat for the track. you're not going to have a "seat of your pants" difference, but every little bit helps. Your best bets are like they said, weight reduction, traction, and cooling. here's a pic of where the stripping is located.

[pinky]

downpipe... you wont see a whole lot of gain stock, but it will make the chip better...

also, if you still have the stock dv, i would go ahead and look at replacing that if you're going to get chipped eventually.

[fuel110]

he needs to stay away from that for now if warranty is his concern. but after a chip those are a must.

[noR]

A wise man once said, "If you're concerned about your warranty; don't drive the car."



That said, Bugman had a great idea in there; how about taking some driver-education course w/the local autocross folks in your area? Once a year our SCCA regional AutoX group does an "Autocross school"

[fuel110]

dealears will screw you out of your warranty the first chance they get. but i believe it's his parents decision, not his to adhere to it. I've been there. it sucks.

[noR]

agreed.

[NYBugman]

you know, the chip companies have warranties on their software, so you still have a warranty, just not the VW one

[mat3833]

ok guys, who has a TS? and what N75, DV, TIP, and downpipe are you using? i have a eurosport intake, and have already removed half of the hood seal(passenger side). looking for mainly HP and Torque gains. i like to sit in 6th gear at about 2000 RPM most of the time i drive and would like to be able to pull a bit harder from that RPM. not like a shot of NOS or anything, just a little more low end grunt with less turbo lag.

Matt

[fuel110]

without a chip that's not going to happen. but i'm using an n75h, forge splitter/diverter. all piping is stock for this month

[NYBugman]

Originally Posted by mat3833

i like to sit in 6th gear at about 2000 RPM most of the time i drive and would like to be able to pull a bit harder from that RPM. not like a shot of NOS or anything, just a little more low end grunt with less turbo lag.

Downshift and your problems are over

[mat3833]

yea i kno, but like i said i like to be in 6th. the TS seems to like the higher gears. it kinda coasts and just rolls. what are some small upgrades that will come in handy later? i only plan to go with a K04 and the apropriate software, an upgraded SMIC, maby dual SMIC's, a full turbo-back exhaust(still not sure what kind or size. thinking a 3 inch but heard something about "overspooling your turbo"). what else would be good engine wise to add to that list?

also, what is a good size rear swaybar to help with the understeer?

noR, does the "dealership un-chip" cost anything?

RMakowski, what upgrades do you have on yout TS?

Matt

[RMakowski]

GHL 2.5" Turbo Back (missing muffler, have a borla)
Forge TIP
Dalhbach DV
Neuspeed P-Flow

Coming Soon: GIAC chip, TT short throw, N75, ECS pulley kit, cup kit

most software companies have a stock mode that make it look like the flash/chipping never happened, so when the computer reads it, it just thinks it is normal

[mat3833]

im going with unitronics and as far as i kno they dont have changable programs. i was looking at a set of lightweght pullys but i dont want under-drive ones. i like my AC here in florida...

whats the cup kit?

any sound clips of the borla mufler?

Matt

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by mat3833

ok guys, who has a TS? and what N75, DV, TIP, and downpipe are you using? i have a eurosport intake, and have already removed half of the hood seal(passenger side). looking for mainly HP and Torque gains. i like to sit in 6th gear at about 2000 RPM most of the time i drive and would like to be able to pull a bit harder from that RPM. not like a shot of NOS or anything, just a little more low end grunt with less turbo lag.

Matt

6th gear at 2k and you want more torque? You know it's an overdrive gear right?

[RMakowski]

Originally Posted by mat3833

im going with unitronics and as far as i kno they dont have changable programs. i was looking at a set of lightweght pullys but i dont want under-drive ones. i like my AC here in florida...

whats the cup kit?

any sound clips of the borla mufler?

Matt

Orange city is right outside of Orlando, correct?

If you are going with unitronic because they are close to you, because if that is the case all software dealers are close. APR is doing a buy one program get one free offer right now. Also, the guy at Apex Motoring where i am getting my car chipped is giving me free stock mode, even though i'm not going to use it.

Cup kit is this

I have no way to record sound clips. My GHL muffler was kicked off a year ago, so i had to have something, I am trying to convince GHL to sell me a new muffler, but they only sell complete exhaust kits.

[Billsbug]

Originally Posted by sb_beetle

6th gear at 2k and you want more torque? You know it's an overdrive gear right?

No kidding!

In 2 years of ownership of an S I used 6th gear ONCE, and that was on a trip up to Orlando with the fam.

I rarely use 5th gear on the vert, and only if I'm going over 90 mph for an extended period on the turnpike. 3rd redlines at 102mph, so unless I'm going over 80mph, I don't even use 4th.

The best no cost performance mod for your car is to do the spare tire/tool kit/owner's manual delete.