The Votex Installation Thread

[icemoc]

Ok so we have an appreciation thread, I think we need an installation thread as well...

DIY Installation
http://www.evvo.co.uk/forums/showthr...x+front+bumper

DIY Shaving:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2474230

Possible issues when shaving a bumper - Shrinkage!
VWvortex Forums: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2541471

Will you guys be DIY or paying?
Also is there any way we can get share a donor bumper, This we we can weld the piece in.

[vibelife]

links do not seem to work :-(

[SMG]

You can't plastic weld our bumpers. You need to use a product like Fusor, which isn't cheap.

[turbos03]

links work for me...

[icemoc]

Has anyone obtained a quote for shaving the turn signals?

[NBGLS!]

Anyone installed this yet? I'm using the instructions and the above link but having problems with the lower outside grills. Holes not lining up.

[NBGLS!]

Well this sucks. For the honeycomb mesh with surround (8 and 10) they are left and right parts. Not sure what they consider left or right in the manual but I have two passenger sides and not a driver and passenger side. I'm glad I tried to put those in before taking my current bumper off. I could get the holes redrilled on the incorrect surround but don't want to do that really. Called ecs but the dept I contacted was closed. I guess I could attatch it another way, but I don't want to half ass it.

[icemoc]

I feel your pain....
I have an issue with the large mesh grill (middle one).
Mine doesn't just drop in, I literally have to force it in with both hands for it to fit. If I let go, it pops right out. All 3 plastic u tabs holding the grill in have snapped.

So I contacted ECS, explained the situation and they said there's nothing they could do.... I even offered to buy another bumper (for $50) and suggested they keep the bumper and send me the package containing the grills, lights and wires.... their response "We can't split the package" ?!?!?. Even sent Jon an email. (It's obvious they're making their $$ with the shipping).

Hopefully you'll have better luck.

[NBGLS!]

****. If they wouldnt do anything about that large a piece I know have liitle hope of trying to get a replacement for my situation. And that's not considering that the tabs that are used with screws to hold in the middle grill I'm missing. Any suggestions on what I can use to hold the outer grill piece in that won't eat the plastic or bumper?

[NBGLS!]

Wanted to thank Jon and Ben for helping my get my grill issue sorted. Hope to install soon.

[Silverthang]

Hi guys if you are having difficulty accessing my how to see below:

Raise the front, secure on stands and remove the front lights , detach the temperature sensor (underside of the front end).



Disconnect all wiring to the existing front and remove the plastic clips as per the picture below



Take out all the screws from the wheel arch liners



Remove most of the bolts from under the arches, leave just a couple in loose either side to support the front temporary then remove the bolts from under the hood.



Now with a second person remove the bolts that you left in loose and peel away the wings and pull the front off as a complete assembly.



Keep it safe



Swap the wings over to the new votex front. This is pretty straight forward and then put it back on the car using a second person to follow the reverse process as before.

With mine being a cabriolet there is a slight modification needed to allow the extra lights to fit, see below



Marking up and cutting away the plastic panel is necessary



cut away around the marks with a small hack saw



reconnect all the wiring. I recall there being an extension cable for the newly positioned lights being in the kit.

The task will take best part of a day to complete

[Downtown Turbo]

OK I have a question. Has anyone in North America installed the Votex kit with the rear valence that has the exhaust cutout?

I'm getting an APR turbo-back system http://www.goapr.com/products/apr_exhaust_mkiv_25.html
1999 - 2005 Beetle 1.8T CB100004 $749.20

The reason I am asking is that I want to know if a standard Beetle Turbo S rear muffler (I don't like the shiny APR muffler) will fit without the tips sitting too high and melting the valence.

If its gonna rub I will just keep my valence with no cutout and get a downturned exhaust as I don't want to butcher anything.

Thanks,

-DT

[snortingrooster]

where did you get the center caps for the A8 wheels. I'm planning on ordering these wheels and im looking for the caps and all I can find are the Audi center caps.

[Silverthang]

Originally Posted by snortingrooster

where did you get the center caps for the A8 wheels. I'm planning on ordering these wheels and im looking for the caps and all I can find are the Audi center caps.

The caps came with the wheels there was the choice of Audi or VW

[Downtown Turbo]

Hey SMG,

What exhaust do you have on your Bug now?

[Downtown Turbo]

I'm going to talk to my local dealer about a quote on the install + paint as who better to trust. I wonder if they would actually have someone with the skills to shave the front indicators The price should be interesting

[Downtown Turbo]

Ok here is the TS rear valence + exhaust to compare to the Votex. It looks like the cutout is lower on the Votex valence vs the TS, but the valence actually extends higher up on the Votex so the actual top of the cutout looks like it sits at the same height! How does the rear valence actually attach to the bumper? Mine is still sealed up in the box.

[snortingrooster]

Originally Posted by Silverthang

The caps came with the wheels there was the choice of Audi or VW

do you remember where you ordered your wheels from, cause all the places I am finding are only selling the caps with the audi symbols.

[Cabriolaus82]

Hi all. I have a convertible version. Does the rear votex bumper fit??

Million thanks in advance

[O 16581 72452 5]

My car is not a cabrio and i had to cut to make the lights fit also.