Not Broken but I want to fix anyway.....

[Sambeaux]

Greeting I am the proud new owner of a 2000 glx 18t beetle I purchased on ebay.

The car was $7600 in lovely shape and runs beautifully. The problem I have 800 dollars leftover from my tax refund. From the forums I learning that "chipping", and "diverter valves" are performance enhancers that offer a nice bang for the buck.

Is chipping something that an novice can do? I am a Computer Geek not really a mechanic.

Are the forge DV 007s easy to install?

Thanks!!!

[noR]

Sounds like a smart move; might I suggest looking into a rear sway bar as well. (if not a full spring/shock update)

I've got a 2k glx also; with 136K miles or so.

Haha, and an AppDev, so I really hear where you're coming from haha.

So yeah, you can manage the DV swap it's cake. (while you're in there, check if the vacuum lines are cloth covered; if so that's orignal, and probably worn out) [another diy project.]

The chip... is a bit weird.

If you're not near a regional office or something, it usually involves the postal service.

You remove 3 plastic panels from the dash, unplug a computer component, remove it from the mounting brackets and mail it off. (overnight is something like 15$ maybe?) They mail it back, you plug it in, put the panels back and you're good to go.

There's other methods too that have come up over the years. Some companies update the software through the OBD2 port.

Some little side notes;
- read up on Vag-Com [software/cable combo to connect your computer to the ECU]. Check the lists to see if any locals near you have one and can show you what it's like (in pburg, I'll bet there is).
- you have an APH engine. It's a blessing and a curse, you'll find your turbo can't support the same boost some other 1.8t's can. But it's still alot, and still plenty.

hmm, yeah lots to share, dunno where to start.

But hey, enjoy!

[pdoel]

Welcome to the newbeetle.org! I too am a 2000 GLX owner from Pittsburgh.

We have a rather nice crowd of locals (well, not New Beetle necessarily, but VW in general).

Check out Crooked Euros and also, the local thread on the Vortex

Where in Pittsburgh are you located? There is a tuning shop in Greensburg that can help out with the chipping. It was under a different name back when I had it done. They also show up at a couple of the local shows, so you can often get chipped right there at the show. Unfortunately, the big show here is in October, so I doubt you'd want to wait until then.

[Sambeaux]

Thank you both for the quick replies! The links helped a lot.

I was able to find the Greensburg Pa tuner! I am located in the Sewickley area of Pittsburgh!

[pdoel]

Cool. What color is your New Beetle?

[Sambeaux]

Red. Bought it on ebay from a girl in North Carolina. The vw appears to be well cared for.. Very clean and well maintained. The Carfax showed the car was registered and stayed registered in Asheville, North Carolina.

I got a one-way buddy pass to Asheville and drove her up after a quick visit to Biltmore Castle.

A real pleasure to drive.

[pdoel]

Cool! Well there are a few get togethers coming up in the next couple months. One in Berea, OH, one in State College and one in Mentor, OH.

[Sambeaux]

Thanks for Greensburg tip! Bit of a drive but well worth it. The guys at Next Level Tuning seem pretty devoted to VW/Audi engineering. Since she has 97600 gentle North Carolina miles on her, Josh at http://nltuning.com/ is going to replace the timing belt,tensioner, etc replace the clutch with an Act clutch kithttp://www.advancedclutch.com/products/index.asp, do the APR chipping and replace the diverter valve. Perhaps change the exhaust...depending on my Tax Refund..

Can't wait..

[yelojkt]

Welcome to the APH life. If you think you like your car now wait till you chip, clutch and exhaust it. It'll be a scream.

[BoostedOne]

Originally Posted by noR

Sounds like a smart move; might I suggest looking into a rear sway bar as well. (if not a full spring/shock update)

I've got a 2k glx also; with 136K miles or so.

Haha, and an AppDev, so I really hear where you're coming from haha.

So yeah, you can manage the DV swap it's cake. (while you're in there, check if the vacuum lines are cloth covered; if so that's orignal, and probably worn out) [another diy project.]

The chip... is a bit weird.

If you're not near a regional office or something, it usually involves the postal service.

You remove 3 plastic panels from the dash, unplug a computer component, remove it from the mounting brackets and mail it off. (overnight is something like 15$ maybe?) They mail it back, you plug it in, put the panels back and you're good to go.

There's other methods too that have come up over the years. Some companies update the software through the OBD2 port.

Some little side notes;
- read up on Vag-Com [software/cable combo to connect your computer to the ECU]. Check the lists to see if any locals near you have one and can show you what it's like (in pburg, I'll bet there is).
- you have an APH engine. It's a blessing and a curse, you'll find your turbo can't support the same boost some other 1.8t's can. But it's still alot, and still plenty.

hmm, yeah lots to share, dunno where to start.

But hey, enjoy!

Yep, Diverter is easy as cake to install.
As for the chip, the OBDII port tuning is something for the later models though The APH processor isnt flashable from what I seen. Its either gotta have a chip resoldered in, or converted over to a socket assembly and then you can just pop chips in and out.

Some companies dont like the socketing technique, but I personally think its great for a non flashable ECU.