Good, inexpensive mods

"PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power" (petarvn)
07/16/2015 at 07:46 • Filed to: None

following my wheel post yesterday, i’d like some advice on what I can do to make my car handle/perform/sound better for a small amount of cash. Let’s say $2000. what would you guys do if you had $2000 to spend on your car?

Car in question is a 2012 VW Jetta GLI. 257hp. 290ft-lbs. (crank)

mods are: APR stage 1 tune, resonator delete, Michelin Pilot AS3 tires.

EDIT: there would be a nice picture but i'm getting kinja'd

DISCUSSION (30)

atrombs > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 07:48

It would seem Kinja ate your picture of Christine.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > atrombs
07/16/2015 at 07:48

yep. got kinja’d

can’t seem to post it.

I edited the post

atrombs > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 07:51

lol, it’s too early for that shit! I don’t have a great, researched answer for you, but I bet some new wheels could look great, reduce some weight and could be had for <$2k.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 07:52

$2k and I already have tires? Hmm... Suspension. I don’t know enough about the setup in that, but I’d think that some Koni adjustable shocks, different springs, ARB changes, crash bolts, and poly bushings should be able to be had for that.

thebigbossyboss > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 07:53

Get a new car. I paid about 2800 for my car 4 years ago.

Mattbob > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 07:56

$2000 should be able to buy you shocks and springs if you need them. Maybe a beefy anti-roll bar?

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 07:56

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Party-vi > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 07:58

Downpipe and coilovers.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 08:03

Coilovers and accompanying mods (tie rods bushes etc if necessary) plus a proper set up.

This may cost more than $2’000...

If I had that to spend on my car I’d probably swap engines. There are a few bigger engines that are simple as swaps go due to being designed for the car. Still a huge job mind you.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/16/2015 at 08:08

+1 for shocks, springs and bushes

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
07/16/2015 at 08:10

that's a pretty good idea for the GLI, I want it to be a sleeper in the handling dept. :D

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Party-vi
07/16/2015 at 08:10

completely forgot about the APR downpipes! looks like i'll be ordering one of those ASAP

Jayhawk Jake > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 08:10

Tires, swaybar, downpipe

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
07/16/2015 at 08:11

In the $2k range, you’re usually better off sticking with the stock geometry and upgrading the components than switching over to coils.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/16/2015 at 08:11

no space for another car. plus why buy an old car, when I can have a much improved new one?

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > Mattbob
07/16/2015 at 08:12

everyone's saying suspension, looks like i'll be getting that pretty soon! :D

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 08:14

Yeah, I hear you on the space. I’d have bought that if I had room.

boxrocket > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 08:16

Haha, I think you know my answer from our convo on your previous post.

Chassis braces top and bottom, poly bushings, better suspension, freer-flowing intake and exhaust, and of course tires. If there’s room in the budget after, upgraded brakes and stainless steel brake lines. And window tint if it didn’t have it.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/16/2015 at 08:18

True, I just like the idea of adjustability.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
07/16/2015 at 08:20

The only extra adjustability you’d get with that over replacing the stock dampers with Konis or something is with ride height to go all #hellaflush.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 08:30

I wouldn’t go coils in that price range, though. Just upgrade the components.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 08:48

Do they come with a strut tower brace? If not, install.

Boyso > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 08:53

On my 5-banger, an short runner intake manifold.

On yours, go Stg 2 :P

nermal > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 09:20

Manual or DSG? If manual, go to dieselgeek.com and order a short shifter. Costs less than $500 and makes a huuuuuuuge difference.

GUYMANDUDE > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 09:35

Get some KW coilovers or some sort of koni’s. Jus make sure they are hydraulic dampers (way better). Worth looking into what spring rates suite that car for street, I wouldent worry about fancy adjustable valving if you get the right spring rate and dampers that complement them.

kanadanmajava1 > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 10:07

A suspension upgrade is probably one change that will make a car act very differently. It’s totally different thing if it makes the car better or faster.

I was once attending a local auto slalom race and one had arrived to the scene with a totally original ‘91 VW Polo sedan. It was his grandma’s former car or something. It had still all original suspensions parts and it leaned really heavily in the corners. But the guy was really fast with the Polo.

Currently I need a ZF GS6-53BZ manual gearbox from a BMW 550i (or from its sister models with an N62 V8 engine). Those are annoyingly rare and expensive but $2000 should still be enough.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > boxrocket
07/16/2015 at 11:28

Hahaha, yep just wanted to hear other.inputs as well!

KyleA > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 11:29

Save your money and get a DP off ebay. Pipes are pipes and you can get a well made DP for less than $300 so you can then take the remaining money and get a set of Coilovers. BTW: Fuck APR! Do some research on the shitstorm they’re in over their exhaust sytems.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
07/16/2015 at 12:43

coilovers and straight pipe. also probably strut tow braces.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
07/16/2015 at 13:13

You can adjust camber with some kits and rebound of the shocks etc. But within a $2000 limit youre probably right.