Easy Installable Performance Mods

[Dre]

Hello out there!

I have a 2003 NB Turbo S, tight on budget right now so I cant do all of the performance Mods in one full swoop..

I wanted to check to see if there are any easy 1st step frugal mods I can get for my TS...? I was thinking maybe in the area on air flow intake maybe. Thanks!

[vdubbugman53]

how much you willing to spend...i say in this order chip exhaust and intake

[jdesigns]

I highly recommend the O-bar rear sway bar. In my opinion, for just a bit more than $100, it's the best bang-for-the-buck mod for the handling. It's quite a pain to install however. Be sure to buy a couple of the Cobalt drill bits!

Here is my thread talking about my O-Bar install.


BTW, I have an '03 TS as well! Great choice!

[SilverSportNOLA]

Man You guys always forget what to get first on a budget.

Replace the two big bushings in the dogbone mount with urathane bushings. $30 + 1 hour max if you have enough jacks. No more wheel hop and many less missed 1st-2nd shifts.

[Dre]

Originally Posted by SilverSportNOLA

Man You guys always forget what to get first on a budget.

Replace the two big bushings in the dogbone mount with urathane bushings. $30 + 1 hour max if you have enough jacks. No more wheel hop and many less missed 1st-2nd shifts.

Thanks SS Nola, I am on a budget, i.e. I dont have $500 or so to plurge on upgrades..I was thinking an entry point of about 100-250 bucks..

[SilverSportNOLA]

Originally Posted by Dre

Thanks SS Nola, I am on a budget, i.e. I dont have $500 or so to plurge on upgrades..I was thinking an entry point of about 100-250 bucks..

After that ... if not already done ... snowbox removal - FREE. Of all my mods the Dogbone made the car much more drivable for the price than most others. After that the Samco Turbo Inlet Pipe is a great mod, I felt at least 8-10HP on the seat dyno for that one ... and it gets rid of that aweful sucking noise your car makes when it is gasping for more air ... about $180 for that ... doing the work yourself of course ... Intermediate level mod there. I wrote a how to on the old site and it is still on a few other sites, let me know if you want a link.

[TechnoTrix'd]

Agree with NOLA that removing the snowbox is a great start and is FREE. Next would be to keep an eye out for and new/used Turbo Inlet Pipe (TIP) and a new/used lower inlet pipe (the pancake).

I have gotten lucky both times with fold de-moding their POD and picked up used ABD products for a fraction of their new price (like 35 for the lower pipe and 50 for the TIP).

So, moding on a shoe-string can be done, you just can't be on a time constraint.

All air-flow mods have solid hp gains, and build on each other.

The dogbone is a great, cheap mod and provides a better feel through the steering wheel and pedals.

The O-Bar is awesome (have one myself) and really works well with our single axle rear suspensions. Saves money too as the rear anti-sway bar's go for $80 more and are not as effective with our suspension types.

Have fun with it, the "S" is the nicest stock trim package that they made, enjoy.

[Dre]

Originally Posted by TechnoTrix'd

All air-flow mods have solid hp gains, and build on each other.

The O-Bar is awesome (have one myself) and really works well with our single axle rear suspensions. Saves money too as the rear anti-sway bar's go for $80 more and are not as effective with our suspension types.

Have fun with it, the "S" is the nicest stock trim package that they made, enjoy.

Thanks for the info. A few questions, they may seem novice, but thats where I'm at right now..

What does removing the snow box actually do? Maybe increase air flow..?

Where can I get an O-Bar? Who sells it, and what does it do for me?

On the S package, it almost feels like this is a limited edition car since VW has not made the trim level and build out of the turbo models the same..I love it!

[Mr.Yellow]

Yeah take out the snow box imedatly. all it does is restrict are in to the engin.

[TechnoTrix'd]

Originally Posted by Dre

Thanks for the info. A few questions, they may seem novice, but thats where I'm at right now..

What does removing the snow box actually do? Maybe increase air flow..?

Yes, the snowbox crimps down the air inlet passage to less than 1” in diameter (if I remember correctly). It sits inside the driver side fender well. Just remove the driver side fender liner, and you will see plastic tubing all bent up with the opening up by the strut.

Just remove it. It connects to the feed pipe up to your air filter box under the headlight assembly.

Originally Posted by Dre

Where can I get an O-Bar? Who sells it, and what does it do for me?

Go to the following site: http://o-bars.com/products.html#sway

What it does is it help’s keep the rear axle from twisting. This is important for cornering, where you want the axel to remain stable, so that the rear springs/shocks can react to the road surfaces. If the axle is twisting, then the rear wheels are just all over the place.

Originally Posted by Dre

On the S package, it almost feels like this is a limited edition car since VW has not made the trim level and build out of the turbo models the same..I love it!

In a way, it is very much a limited edition car. Only produced for 3 years (??), came with the base Audi TT Chip program, first six-speed manual offered by VW, different front and rear bumper treatments, plus unique interior treatments (i.e. the black panels throughout, badging, plus the two tone color seating surfaces).

Considering that the New Beetle is now going into its 10th production year, with very minor updates (fenders and bumper shaping). It is essentially the same exact MkIV mechanical platform, minus an engine swap 2.5 for the 1.8T and 2.0.

I would put the Turbo S model into a limited edition car category. Actual production numbers might exceed a “real” limited edition from a collector’s perspective, but hey, not my problem..

[SilverSportNOLA]

I think the ColorConcepts and the 01-02 Sports were more limited .... espcially the Red and Yellow Sports.

[jdesigns]

Originally Posted by TechnoTrix'd

In a way, it is very much a limited edition car. Only produced for 3 years (??), came with the base Audi TT Chip program, first six-speed manual offered by VW, different front and rear bumper treatments, plus unique interior treatments (i.e. the black panels throughout, badging, plus the two tone color seating surfaces).

Don't forget the K03S turbo!