New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

[cdnalpina]

Hey Guys,

A coworker of mine told me about eurodrivers and I was stoked to hear that there is a forum where there are actually a bunch of guys/gals on it who are in the same city as me.

I just last night bought a 2003 Jetta TDI 5 speed with the GLS package. I have driven it a total of 1 hour but absolutely love the car. I moved out of town so I needed a solid car that was very fuel efficient. I am a german car guy so the logical choice was a diesel VW. I have to say I am impressed with the strength of the community for the VW in general, and especially here in Calgary - very cool.

Planning on doing some mods and upgrades to the car. EGR delete, the Euro headlight switch (and changing out the headlights to projectors) and considering doing a CCV modification - has anyone done this here?

I also want to change out the headunit for a double din nav or something along those lines. What are people here running for aftermarket head units?

Look forward to getting to know you guys and gals.

Cheers,

Rob

[Stonewall]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

Welcome to the club. Lots of diesel heads around here, myself included. Most of those mods sound like a good start. I would also turn down the EGR with a vag-com (which most of us can help you with). Also if you haven't found it yet the TDIclub.com is one of the best places for TDI info.

[cdnalpina]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

Thanks Brent - I have been reading up as much as I can on these cars and the VAG-COM is a common thing that comes up. I assume it is some sort of scanning/tuning tool? It would be awesome if someone could give me a hand with that - woudl greatly appreciate it!

Indeed I found TDI club and VW vortex - got some good reading out of those sites.

Cheers,

[longsock]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

yes, welcome to the club, lots of great people to meet here, most are very knowledgeble and are tons of fun

[stefan]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

how many of your "children" still live at home? or are they all previous cars?

[cdnalpina]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

Awesome to hear - will have to try and connect with some of you in the near future. Would love to see some other people's rides as well as get some guidance and ideas.

I'm having a wrenchfest this weekend at my place on the saturday for my BMW and Alpina guys. Just a bunch of car nuts getting together to work on cars, share some food, laughs and jsut generally have a good time. If anyone is interested in swinging by, send me a pm. I live just outside of Cochrane.

[cdnalpina]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

how many of your "children" still live at home? or are they all previous cars?

These are all my current children, plus one parts car not in the list - an E34 535i. Kind of like Captain Kirk, my illigetimate children are all over Calgary a bit. My Benz are all not at home (at a friends place and at his shop) and all of the BMWs, Alpinas and the Jetta are at home (except the parts car). My Dad is taking my 525ix touring with him back to Vancouver for him and my Mom to use.

So yes, I have a bit of a German car problem. Healthier than a crack habit but likely a bit more expensive.

[Red90]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

A few of quick mods I've really liked.

CAT 2 micron filter. Better filtration and locally available filters much cheaper than stock.

PP357 nozzles. Nice power and torque increase along with moticable fuel mileage increase.

Ventectomy. An extra 8 liters goes a long way. Over 1200 km on the highway is easy....and makes car trips a whole new experience.

Better shocks. the stock one are fricken horrid....

[cdnalpina]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

Cool - thanks for the suggestions! Who makes the nozzles (I assume those are fuel injectors)? Excuse my ignorance, what is a vantectonomy?

Here is what the previous owner did:

- H&R sport cup kit
- new rack and pinion
- new timing belt and waterpump
- new EGR valve
- chipped to gain 30% more hp and torque
- complete new exhaust with cat delete

I am loving these suggestions - thanks guys!

[stefan]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

you can just replace nozzles as opposed to the entire injector. Its cheaper. The bosio nozzles are good. I got mine from evolution imports.

Boost gauge would be a good thing if you do much more. You will get boost spikes with chip and new nozzles. Boost valve can fix this.

There is a vent on the inside of the fuel filler tube. You can see it. If you hold it down when you fill up, you will hear it hiss, and you will get a lot more fuel in you tank. I usually just hold it down with the spring on the fuel pump nozzle, but you can just remove it completely too. Hence Ventectomy.

http://www.evolutionimport.com/

http://boostvalve.com/

[Red90]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

Do you know the chip you have? If you do nozzles, you should really have a special program. The chip is probably fine by itself.

Also, if the clutch has not been upgraded, you better save your pennies. the stock clutches can go with just a chip.

As stated, watch the boost spikes. A boost valve is a good idea for a long and happy turbo life.

[onepointeightdub]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

DJ also has a diesel.. He's pushing a lot of torque.. Unfortunately he's out east. Him and his brother also do work on diesel engines.. I believe more his brother than him though from my understanding.. Welcome to the club!! Rep the platinum gray!

[cdnalpina]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

Do you know the chip you have? If you do nozzles, you should really have a special program. The chip is probably fine by itself.

Also, if the clutch has not been upgraded, you better save your pennies. the stock clutches can go with just a chip.

As stated, watch the boost spikes. A boost valve is a good idea for a long and happy turbo life.

I have a Diesel Power AGR Z4 chip. Are you saying that if I upgrade the nozzles that the chip should be sufficient or that the chip is sufficient without needing to upgrade the nozzles?

Good to know on the clutch - I assume there is a heavier duty cluth/flywheel that one can go with?

I will look into the boost valve for sure!

I think I see the vent hose you mean - spring loaded and pushes into the car. i will try that when i fill, which will be the next few days.

Great tips guys - thank you!

[stefan]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

vr6 clutch works well. Thats what I got. i got 200,000 km on the stock one. about 120,000km of that was chipped, and probably 100,000 with chip and nozzles.

[Benjamin]

Re: New owner - first time for a VW and a diesel

DJ has the diesel, I am the one who is always fixing it or working on it.
In terms of power you honestly have to set goals into what you want to achieve so you can spend your money wisely. I have seen all to often people get medium nozzles to only replace them a year or two later with bigger ones because their mod list got bigger. Another thing to consider is what this car represents to you. Mine is not a daily driver any more, so I can flirt with the line between power and dependability. I have the wife's passat TDi that she barely use's right now and a big work truck to drive if something goes on my car. There are safe mods, and then there is crazy mods that just push the engine to its limits.
Here is a small list of safe mods some from experience, others from disasters I have read.

Nozzles PP767's/PP502's Safe, Race520 Stage 2 not so safe (Ask my brother, he now has a new head and probably turbo because of these)
Turbo VNT17VB / 17/22 Hybrid turbo safe, Vnt 20+ safe, but a lot of custom work and things can go wrong still.
Clutch VR6 at the minimum, don't even consider going back to stock with an 03
Propane or any other gases, don't even bother with unless you are planning on racing the car.
EGR Delete great, just don't go with the one that concept1 sells because it's double the price last I checked. There is the problem that if you have a run away engine the anti shudder valve will shut down your engine, but with the 5 speed you can stall the engine as well.
TDIheater, great investment if you park outside as your car will NOT warm up in -40` idling.
Intercooler, don't bother with until you have a massive turbo/injectors combination.
Intake, leave stock until you everything the intercooler would need. Although an OMI (Old Man Intake(Named after the guy who first designed it)) is something you will need now most times for a turbo upgrade, so keep that in mind. Another thing is stay away from K&N or other oiled filters in the car as you will wreck your Mass Air Flow or MAF sensors quick.
11 mm Fuel pump, don't bother unless your pump is dying and you found it for cheap. Or you have the big turbo/injectors/intercooler setup going in as well.

Um there is more stuff, but if you get that far just let us know and we can keep posting. Before you worry about a nozzle change or more power I would seriously consider getting the clutch atleast. Size your clutch as to what your goal is with the car in terms of power so you only have to do this once.

Good luck, if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask.
PS, you might want to just figure out if everything was done that was needed at the timing belt change. Some places/people don't do everything and then its normally not long before you get stuck at the side of the highway with out an engine.
http://www.tdiparts.com/catalog/prod...roducts_id=449
Everything but the Acc belt and both seals are to be replaced when doing the belt. Many people have tried to shortcut and have not had happy endings.

Ben