The first thing I wanted to do was the ride height. Since the factory shocks/struts were kinda shot I knew I needed those all around. I did some homework as to what set-up I wanted and I came to H&R. They make Wagon specific sport springs. OK, done. The choice was easy in the spring department. Shocks/struts were sorta a no brainer to me. You can't go wrong with Billstein!
So as I'm about to buy them I get a PM from a guy on VWvortex selling EXACTLY the set-up I want down in Queens for $200!!!! DONE!
After installing the new suspenders the wagon took on a whole new attitude on the road but it still had that fat wagon ass swaying around back there.
Found another guy on Vortex selling a 28mm Neuspeed rear sway bar for $60! Granted I had to find some of the hardware on my own but it was under $15 for everything.
The sway bar went on in less than an hour and made a HUGE difference! Let me tell you! From now on EVERY CAR I OWN WILL HAVE ONE! The rear stays flat as hell and reduces understeer greatly!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
First Test-n-Tune!
I'd like to start by thanking all the people at Mo-Hud SCCA for putting on a great event! I had EJ and Russ drive along with me for 2 laps each and I feel like I learned SO much from them.
The tires are actually ok. Maybe a little better than all season tires really.
I hope pics surface soon! I have some cell phone shots from a friend though!
Staging:
The tires are actually ok. Maybe a little better than all season tires really.
I hope pics surface soon! I have some cell phone shots from a friend though!
Staging:
Friday, April 23, 2010
Is Free Really FREE?
Over the winter I had gotten some money from my Mom for Xmas to get some tires for Autocross. I looked and looked and NOBODY had anything I could afford. I was planing on running these tires daily and on the track. One day I found a guy on Craigslist who was selling a set of 4 Bridgestone RE070's for $20 each! Great! I meet the guy and they have maybe 2/32" of tread left. I said I wasn't interested so he says "Fuck it! Take 'em for free!" Sweet! I have tires. But they were a bit too worn down to comfortably use for street.
Well, then I stumbled upon a deal on ROFLwagens.com I couldn't pass up. These wheels were EXACTLY what my Mom had given me! So WALAH! I have an autocross setup!
Get them mounted and balanced
and put them on just a few days ago. First I noticed they spun while launching from a red light rather easily. So I take a few turns that I am familiar with and they SUCK!
Eh well. I'm gonna try the Simple Green and shrink wrap trick I read about on VWvortex and we'll see. Who knows.
The wheels look EVIL on the wagon though!
Well, then I stumbled upon a deal on ROFLwagens.com I couldn't pass up. These wheels were EXACTLY what my Mom had given me! So WALAH! I have an autocross setup!
Get them mounted and balanced
and put them on just a few days ago. First I noticed they spun while launching from a red light rather easily. So I take a few turns that I am familiar with and they SUCK!Eh well. I'm gonna try the Simple Green and shrink wrap trick I read about on VWvortex and we'll see. Who knows.
The wheels look EVIL on the wagon though!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Exhausted Exhaust
You see, I've had this exhaust leak somewhere between the cat and the muffler for about a year now. It's starting to sound like shit so I'm thinking of going on the cheap (you'll notice the reoccurring theme in that department) and making a tube from the cat to the muffler, deleting the resonator in the process. That shouldn't bump me up a class, I don't think. I'll be in ST class according to the folks on the MoHud SCCA Forum.
Summit has a 5 foot long section of Stainless for ~$65. If I can pull this off it may be the cheapest exhaust repair EVAR!
At this point it's just a brain storm. I have no idea what the stock diameter piping is so I don't really know what to get. I'll measure it up and see if this'll even work.
I'll keep you posted.
Allan
Summit has a 5 foot long section of Stainless for ~$65. If I can pull this off it may be the cheapest exhaust repair EVAR!
At this point it's just a brain storm. I have no idea what the stock diameter piping is so I don't really know what to get. I'll measure it up and see if this'll even work.
I'll keep you posted.
Allan
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Intro
Yes, a Jetta Wagon may not be the picture perfect car for autocross but it is however the perfect car for my lifestyle.
I'm a very happily married father of a 1 year old boy and my wife and I also ride BMX so the wagon fits like a glove. I'm also a bit of a shade tree mechanic so I try to do all of the work to my car myself. (I'll list what I've done to the car in future postings)
It's a 2001 12 valve VR6 which may help or hinder as an autocross car, I don't know. You see I haven't raced the car yet. I haven't EVER raced autocross! The VR6 is said to be too front heavy making the car unbalanced. I'm hoping that the heavier ass end of the wagon will help shift that center back a tad. Either way I wouldn't know any different so whatever.
The first autocross event is coming up shortly (April 24th & 25th 2010) so we'll see. Of course I'll keep you posted.
Allan
I'm a very happily married father of a 1 year old boy and my wife and I also ride BMX so the wagon fits like a glove. I'm also a bit of a shade tree mechanic so I try to do all of the work to my car myself. (I'll list what I've done to the car in future postings)
It's a 2001 12 valve VR6 which may help or hinder as an autocross car, I don't know. You see I haven't raced the car yet. I haven't EVER raced autocross! The VR6 is said to be too front heavy making the car unbalanced. I'm hoping that the heavier ass end of the wagon will help shift that center back a tad. Either way I wouldn't know any different so whatever.
The first autocross event is coming up shortly (April 24th & 25th 2010) so we'll see. Of course I'll keep you posted.
Allan
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