| There are a lot of aftermarket parts you can | | | | more compressed under normal use. This will |
| install on your VW in your own garage that | | | | cause them to wear out faster. Depending on |
| will improve handling performance. You should | | | | how many miles are on your current shocks it |
| do plenty of research before deciding which | | | | is probably a good idea to replace them at |
| parts to put on your car. There are many | | | | the same time as the springs. This is |
| forums online full of VW tuners that can give | | | | especially true if you're paying someone else |
| you a great idea of what parts you should or | | | | to install them. It will probably cost almost |
| shouldn't install on your car. Chances are if | | | | the same amount to install shocks and springs |
| a part exists someone has installed it and | | | | as it will to install just the springs. You |
| written about it on one of these forums. | | | | don't want to pay someone that labor fee |
| | | | again in a few months when your shocks need |
| Here are a few handling upgrades you can do | | | | replacing. Once you've 'sprung' for new |
| that will make your car more fun to drive. | | | | shocks and springs, you may want to consider |
| | | | looking into coilovers since the cost will be |
| 1) Sway Bars. If you take a corner at high | | | | very close to the same. |
| speed and it feels like your car is falling | | | | |
| over sideways you might look into upgrading | | | | 4) Coilovers. Coilovers are a shock and |
| your sway bars. An anti-roll kit helps keep | | | | spring combination that has the added |
| your car flat during cornering. Aftermarket | | | | flexibility of being adjustable. You can |
| bars are usually thicker and/or stiffer than | | | | adjust the ride height of your vehicle. This |
| the stock bars, which is how they can perform | | | | is great if you take your VW to the track. |
| better than the stock sways. Be warned | | | | You can lower it for racing and raise it back |
| however that this puts more stress on your | | | | up for daily driving. The more expensive |
| tires grip on the road, so if you install | | | | coilovers also feature the ability to adjust |
| sway bars on a VW with bald tires you could | | | | the ride stiffness. This also comes in handy |
| be asking for trouble. These can be installed | | | | if you race your car. You most likely won't |
| yourself without a huge amount of trouble if | | | | want it set to maximum stiffness for daily |
| you have the right tools and a place to do | | | | driving. A set of coilovers can run between |
| it. It will probably take several hours. | | | | $500-1500. |
| Installing these bars will not impact the | | | | |
| ride quality of your vehicle, which is great | | | | 5) Strut Tower Bar. You've probably seen |
| for those who like to take corners a bit | | | | these bars for sale. They're usually made of |
| crazy once in a while but not have the car | | | | colored aluminum and go across the front |
| feel stiff and bumpy all the time. A good set | | | | struts near the rear of the engine. It is |
| of sway bars (front and rear) will run you a | | | | generally accepted that these don't do much |
| few hundred dollars or so. | | | | for you in terms of performance, but they do |
| | | | make the engine compartment look nicer. If |
| 2) Lowering Springs. Aftermarket springs | | | | you decide to pick one up make sure you get |
| lower your car anywhere from .5 to 2 inches. | | | | the billet aluminum oil cap that matches. |
| This has the effect of lowering your car's | | | | |
| center of gravity, which improves handling. | | | | 6) Tires. Probably the most overlooked |
| These new springs also have different spring | | | | performance enhancement you can do for your |
| rates and will usually give you a much | | | | car is to replace the tires. Adding lots of |
| stiffer ride than the stock springs. While | | | | engine power won't do you any good if you |
| springs are generally really cheap | | | | can't get that power to the pavement. |
| ($100-300), installing them is not easy. You | | | | Replacing your tires with a wider tire or |
| must have a spring compressor tool and know | | | | tires with a stickier compound will help you |
| how to use it. These springs are under | | | | get more traction. Choosing tires is usually |
| tremendous pressure with an entire car | | | | a compromise between Performance, Ride |
| sitting on them, and if one should come loose | | | | Comfort, and Tread Life. High performance |
| while using the spring compressor it could | | | | tires don't last as long as regular ones. |
| easily kill you. Even with the knowledge of | | | | High performance tires can cost quite a bit |
| how this installation is done it can still | | | | of money too. |
| take a long time. Unfortunately this also | | | | |
| means that having them installed at a shop is | | | | I hope this helped give you some ideas about |
| usually going to cost you more than the | | | | the upgrades you can do on your Volkswagen. |
| springs cost. I've seen quotes of $150 all | | | | Just remember that making your suspension |
| the way up to $600 to install a set of | | | | perform better will sacrifice passenger |
| springs. Be aware that lowering your car too | | | | comfort. You may have more fun driving, but |
| much can have other implications and you | | | | nobody will want to ride with you if your |
| should do research on "camber" prior to | | | | suspension is too stiff! |
| choosing a set of springs. | | | | |
| | | | Bill writes articles for automotive sites all |
| 3) Shocks. Replacing the stock springs but | | | | around the Internet. VW Auto Parts is one of |
| leaving the old shocks on there is going to | | | | his specialties. Make sure you get the best |
| cost you in the long run. Lowering springs | | | | upgrades for your Volkswagen! |
| put more stress on the shocks since they are | | | | |