gigzter's 2000 GLX 1.8T

[gigzter]

Good afternoon,

Here's a couple picts of the ongoing project. Interior is like new condition and exterior is good but the much needed maintenance (TB/WP) is still a work in progress. Unfortunately, I'm still probably a couple weeks away from finally making this my daily driver.

Got the VW Stage 1 Clutch Kit and Rear Crankshaft Seal W/Flange from ECS installed before Christmas and the ECS Tuning Ultimate Plus 1.8T Timing Belt Kit should be delivered on Monday.

Read more about the first days here:

Driving 101 needed

The new clutch made a huge difference and I'm sure this little beast will be a hoot to drive especially when the weather breaks in the Midwest.

Investigating Boost/Volt/Temp gauges but I'm focusing on getting this hooya on the road first

[dnyed]

Looks good! Kudos to you for resurrecting this New Beetle!

[DrTrae]

Beetle looks great! Have anything else planned for it? Have you named it yet?

Also, I'm right up on the stateline in Roscoe. Opelmania is out in Woodstock, and Huck731 is in Jefferson, WI. You should come out to the N.I.V.A. meet at Alpine Park in Rockford this Summer! I've never been, Opel told me about it, and I'll definitely be going. Anyway, Keep the pictures and mods coming!

[bug_dude]

Nice Bug! Looks like it's in really good condition.

[gigzter]

@DrTrae, no I haven't named it yet as I haven't driven it hardly at all (waiting for TB/WP service just in case) to see what sort of character this car really has. Perhaps after we spend a week together it will get naming rights. Yes, I was looking at IL/close meet ups and can imagine hitting some when the weather breaks. Rockford isn't that far and I do think it would be fun as it would be something different. Will keep looking at the board for notices

I have been thinking about chipping the car but have questions before doing so. Knowing what separates all the various chip flashers and if chipping could effect reliability or engine longevity would be the big ones.

Yes, the interior looks and smells brand new. The previous retired owner was very meticulous in keeping it clean but unfortunately did the bare minimum (oil changes mainly) when it came to recommend maintenance. Thus, the clutch was about gone and still has the original TB/WP nearing 98K miles. It was driven in town mostly and when I took it to work on the highway a couple times, the serious problems became evident in a very short period. Luckily the Timing Belt didn't snap on the highway - yikes!

Got the nice Monsoon Radio with Changer in the trunk but no iPod input, ahhh what a difference 10 years old makes huh?

[SixChuter]

Looks like you are well on the way. Good job. Thanks for keeping us posted and love the pics. Keep them coming.

[DrTrae]

My car was previously owned by one of the guys that owns a VW shop around here. They have an in house guy that does custom chip flashing. Not too sure how good he is or anything... But anyway, my car has whatever flash he did, VR6 clutch, 2.5" EuroSpec turboback exhaust, and some other things I can't think of currently. When it's running right, it's pretty fun...

I DO want to get it reflashed through APR though.
GoAPR

I've seen videos of and been inside of APR chipped cars. Fun stuff.

$500 for 4 programs and all options (such as security lockout, fault code erasing, and anti-theft system) is a pretty good deal imo. And you select which program you want to run with your cruise control stalk and your CEL flashing. Check'em out!

[gigzter]

Oh yeah, I've also been looking at different wheels and haven't decided on anything yet. I like the look of the turbo twist installs but feel that it's most likely overplayed by now...

[gigzter]

@DrTrae, Yes APR is one that I was looking at along with GIAC and some others. My biggest concern is to not lose reliability or somehow prematurely age the engine by doing a chip mod but I can see where more HP would be a hoot in such a small car...

[yelojkt]

If you go with any of the big chip tuners you will not "lose reliability or somehow prematurely age the engine". I have been running a chipped car for over 4 years and 100,000 miles (yelojkt just turned over 202,000) with no issues. I would suggest going with either APR or GIAC. If you have the APH motor with the 032C ECU than you will most likely have to remove the ECU to get it chipped. Last time I looked noboby was flashing the APH beetles. You got a good looking car there it should last you a long, long time.

[gigzter]

First oil change today using the 5W40 Castrol Syntec and Bosch Distance Plus High-Performance Filter. Thought I read somewhere that Sythetic may take a bit to desludge any fragments left behind from traditional oil so I'm gonna change again around 6K and then eventually work up to around 8 to 10K intervals. I'll try to keep you all posted on how that is going.

Got up to a whopping 41 degrees thus far so I went thru the quickie car wash and dried by hand. Not a full detail, but loads better than it was. If it stays nice this weekend, I'm gonna try to tackle the wheels properly.

Attached are the latest photos. No visible mods yet as I've spent all monies thus far just getting this hooya to go and boy does it go now! hehe

Still no name yet, buy hey, I was lucky enough to figure out what to name my son in time let alone a car...gigz

[bugshop]

Originally Posted by gigzter

Still no name yet, buy hey, I was lucky enough to figure out what to name my son in time let alone a car...gigz

LOL I know the feeling, I haven't named mine yet either
I think the silver ones are harder to name

[Fowvay]

Took me 19 months to name mine. You've got loads of time. I would however suggest you stick to 5000 mile intervals. Our little motors run extra hot due to the tight engine bay and questionable airflow. More than one 1.8T has been sludged to death with extended oil change intervals. It's NOT uncommon.

Now onto the chipping. I've been chipped for 8 years with the APR set up. Zero zilch nada zip problems because of the chip. Only improved drivability, power and mileage. Scouts honor.

[gigzter]

[QUOTE=Fowvay;715573]Took me 19 months to name mine. You've got loads of time. I would however suggest you stick to 5000 mile intervals. Our little motors run extra hot due to the tight engine bay and questionable airflow. More than one 1.8T has been sludged to death with extended oil change intervals. It's NOT uncommon.

I'm gonna look at the owner's manual again (I'm lucky enough to have the whole binder that came with the car) and I do think it says 5K miles intervals amongst lots of other stuffs. I've seen everything from 5K to 10K on various sites and still haven't made any final decisions but your theory does sound logical...thx!

[Opelmania]

Good to see you got your Turbo going the way it should.

I can't wait until spring pops either. 41 and sunny today. Car wash!

Are you still planning on ToD? I am planning on meeting up with the Texas carabugavan in Murfreesboro, TN Thursday night. You are welcome to join us.