Which NB should I get

[DSedov]

Hello!

I am new to this forums. I currently run Nissan Titan 5.6 supercharged. I done almost anything I could to that car. So now my car is in service (replacing breaks) and I got my wife's NB 1.8T for a spin for couple of days. To say the least - I had a pleasant surprise. I am so enjoying this car and its dynamics that I decided to buy this car for myself.

Being a hardcore tuner (never did an engine swap though) I was wondering which NB should I get. I want to put a VR6 later on in it and possibly turbo. So what is the better (easier) NB I should get? Also what car should I get a 24V VR6 from, so that the swap would be easy?

Also any hint and tips would be much appreciated.

I also found that there is 2.0 (which is pretty slow) 1.8Turbo (which my wife has - pretty fast to my taste - but could be faster) and 1.8 Turbo S (20v) - never driven this one - how does it differ from regular 1.8T ?

[Toad]

any mk4 motor will bolt right up. but you might also need the accomnaying tranny, axles, etc...

and a vr6 wil definaltey require a differnt instrument cluster, unless your a wiring god.

You cna fit a 12v turbo in a bug, it's a tight squeeze, but it's do-able. a 24v turbo or supercharged is damn near impossible, but where there's a will, and the money, there's got to be a way.

[DSedov]

Well I am looking for options now. Maybe there is a simpler way to go with it. Maybe the swap is not what I need. Maybe I need like 2.0 supercharged, or a tunned version of 1.8T?

How fast is 1.8Turbo S (20V) compared to 1.8Turbo? What is 1.8 Turbo S? is it 5 cylinder?

How far can you mode 1.8Turbo S (20v) to? Maybe it is better to pump the 20v to the desired results? Again how far can you mod 20v engine as far as HP goes? I guess in a NB something like 250-300hp would be plenty for me.

[Toad]

the regular 1.8t and turbo S are basically the same motor, all 1.8t's have 20 valves. the turbo s has an upgraded ecu, a 6 speed transmission, and a sportier interior. a chipped regular 1.8t and turbo s 1.8t pull the same power numbers, but then again, if you have the s, you'll have the closer gear ratio to boot.

adding a supercharger to a 2.0 is something you can do, if all you do is the supercharger and a mild cam to go with it, your only looking at maybe a little higher power than a stock 1.8t. as to why most people just say trade the car in and get a 1.8t

[DSedov]

So if I get the turbo s and forget the whole VR6 swapping thing, how far can I mod this car? what would be a setup for something like 250-300hp? Is it too much to ask from a 1.8T ? Should I rather get a VR6 swap?

[wawalker]

APR Stage 3 plus would get you to the numbers you are looking for w/ a 1.8T or there are a myriad of other big turbo options out there to choose from. There are a few NB owners here with that kind of power, but for more 1.8T performance tips I suggest asking the GTI crowd--they are more performance oriented (just don't tell them you are modding a NB). vwvortex.com is good reading, but you have to weed out the unknowledgable boy racer crowd, there is also a 1.8T forum (not sure of its' addy). In my opinion, APR, is the premiere tuner out there--merely chipping your wife's 1.8T (if it's at least a 2001) they can give 215hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, so add turboback exhaust, free flowing intake, bigger turbo? The potential is great. BTW--my TS is for sale, $9K

[DSedov]

What about replacing engine parts? Will the stock engine handle all this power? What should I upgrade on the engine side?

Also on APR site it says that the Stage 3 is for Jetta/GTI/Golf? no NB there?

Also should I get 1.8T with auto or 1.8Ts with 6speed manual? I have an auto on Titan - so I never driven manual - but I can learn if that is what it takes to get the most out of this car.

[wawalker]

APR has done a few Stage 3 NBs, but no, they don't advertise it--like I said before most NB peeps aren't performance nuts. There are only 3 that I know of for sure NBs with Stage 3. The 5 speed manual is stronger than the 6 speed (or so I've heard) and the auto? I dunno how much it can take.

[Maggadog]

Just to confuse the subject, a 2.5 is the standard motor on the 06 and 07 NB. Somewherre on this site is a thread that compares the 2.5 with the 1.8 turbo. Might be worth taking a look at.

[Toad]

I cain't wait to see what power tuners are going to make with the 2.5. Big numbers are gonna still be awhile off, but i cant wait to see a dyno of a stage 3 turbo or supercharged 2.5. it's gonna rock.

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by Maggadog

Just to confuse the subject, a 2.5 is the standard motor on the 06 and 07 NB. Somewherre on this site is a thread that compares the 2.5 with the 1.8 turbo. Might be worth taking a look at.

Neuspeed makes a mild turbo kit for the 2.5 bumping it to about 220hp, but it's not really as mod friendly as the 1.8T, and the 1.8T is smooth, quiet and powerful while my experience with the 2.5 leads me to describe it as buzzy, lumbering and not rev friendly, but it does make good torque and is an improvement for daily driving over the underpowered 2.0L(woohoo--I'm gonna get flamed hard! ). 5 cylinders just doesn't seem natural to me--engines should be 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 or 12 cylinders!

[Toad]

Well, it would be pretty hard to put an i6 in a transverse mounted engine bay. although that would be pretty sweet.

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by Toad

Well, it would be pretty hard to put an i6 in a transverse mounted engine bay. although that would be pretty sweet.

That's basically what the VR is--take every other cylinder and offset it 15 degrees so it can be "squished together" to shorten the crankshaft and block length--that is how they developed the idea and how I read it presented when it first came out. It is not really a true "V6" since it only has one head--it is more like an I-6 than a V6.

But wouldn't you agree for the sake of the discussion in this thread that the easiest, most cost effective way for this new member to get the car and HP he wants is to find a 1.8T car? and for the "macho factor" he should get a 2001 "Sport"(AWV engine code) or a 2002-4 "Turbo S"(AWP engine code)?

[DSedov]

So as far as I understand - I should get 1.8T with manual tranny?

I kind of stopped at 2003 Turbo S (6-speed) what do you guys think?

[JuggBug]

Originally Posted by wawalker

Neuspeed makes a mild turbo kit for the 2.5 bumping it to about 220hp........

Says who and where is it?! And more importantly, why doesn't JB have one yet?!!!!!!

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by JuggBug

Says who and where is it?! And more importantly, why doesn't JB have one yet?!!!!!!

Neuspeed built a turbo kit last year for the new "Thunder Bunny" which paid homage to the original Rabbit GTI of the early '80s that created a stir back then. In the article I read last year, Aaron Neumann said it would be available by now.

[JuggBug]

Originally Posted by wawalker

Neuspeed built a turbo kit last year for the new "Thunder Bunny" which paid homage to the original Rabbit GTI of the early '80s that created a stir back then. In the article I read last year, Aaron Neumann said it would be available by now.

I emailed them and I'll call Monday, but I haven't seen it yet.

[The Cheat]

Neuspeed might be a complete turbo kit, but knowing Neuspeed...it's overpriced and underpowered.

I'd get the kinetic manifold and go full-custom

[DSedov]

So back on topic. I am getting a 2003 Turbo S with 6 speed tranny.

How far would a K04, Kinetic turbo manifold and ECU reprogram get me?

Also what about cold air intake and exhaust? Which is a better one to get. And after all that how am gonna be doing as far as HP at the wheel concerned?

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by DSedov

...I am getting a 2003 Turbo S with 6 speed ...

Woohoo. That's what I have. There are so many different combos available out there. I'll just tell you what I'd like to do if I keep the car:

APR 93 octane programming= 215 hp
Forge Turbo Inlet pipe= maybe about 5-7 more hp
Techtonics Tuning Turboback exhaust w/ high-flow cat= maybe 10-15 more hp
Cold air intake= maybe 5 more hp

So I might have 235-240hp or so. If you want to much more you should look into a K04 turbo kit--that could get you up in the 270 range.

You will also need a better divertor valve and a bigger intercooler would be smart, along with bigger brakes, better suspension, etc. Check out ECStuning.com