| If you're like me you want your car to go faster. There | | | | 3) Catback exhaust: These exhaust systems start |
| are a few easy ways to get more "fast" out of your | | | | where the headers end. They connect to the Catalytic |
| volkswagen. Depending on what type of VW you | | | | converter and replace the entire exhaust system to |
| have the selection of parts available to you will vary | | | | the back of the car. Depending on how free flowing |
| wildly. There are a lot of people out there tuning their | | | | the stock exhaust is on your car this may be one of |
| Golf/GTI but obviously there are a lot fewer Toureg | | | | the last upgrades you choose to do. These exhaust |
| parts out there. | | | | systems aren't cheap and may require welding and/or |
| There is a large community of VW tuners out there | | | | professional installation. They usually give your car a |
| and visiting the forums where these people hang out is | | | | higher performance sound over the stock setup. It is |
| a very good idea. They can give you an idea of what | | | | also possible to just replace the mufflers if all you care |
| to expect out of various aftermarket parts. If the part | | | | about is the sound. |
| exists the chances are good that someone on these | | | | 4) Tires. Probably the most overlooked performance |
| forums has tried it out and written about it. This may | | | | enhancement you can do for your car is to replace |
| sound silly but a couple of the best things you can do | | | | the tires. Adding lots of engine power won't do you |
| to make sure your car is running its best is to get your | | | | any good if you can't get that power to the pavement. |
| car a tune up and an oil change. Adding performance | | | | Replacing your tires with a wider tire or tires with a |
| parts to a car that isn't already running its best isn't | | | | stickier compound will help you get more traction. |
| going to be nearly as effective. Another important but | | | | Choosing tires is usually a compromise between |
| overlooked thing is making sure your tires are properly | | | | Performance, Ride Comfort, and Tread Life. High |
| inflated. This can improve the handling of your VW as | | | | performance tires don't last as long as regular ones. |
| well as ensure you're getting optimum gas mileage. | | | | High performance tires can cost quite a bit of money |
| Once these basic steps have been completed there's | | | | too. |
| a few other things you can do to upgrade your ride. | | | | 5) Underdrive Pulleys. You can reclaim some lost |
| Engine / Power Upgrades | | | | power from your engine by installing a lightweight |
| 1) Upgrade your intake. This can be as simple as | | | | crank pulley. These are made of aluminum and tend to |
| making sure your current air filter is clean. The more air | | | | weigh several times less than the stock ones they |
| your engne can get the better it will run. The next | | | | replace. Underdrive pulleys are slightly smaller than the |
| easiest option is to install a high performance air filter | | | | stock ones, which means they turn the accessories |
| that replaces the stock one. These provide better air | | | | they operate at a slightly lower speed. This isn't a |
| flow which should increase engine power slightly. The | | | | problem for most people unless they have a huge |
| next step after that would be to install a complete | | | | stereo system. These pulleys are usually less than a |
| aftermarket intake system. Cold Air Intakes draw cool | | | | couple hundred dollars, and can be installed yourself. |
| air from outside the engine compartment rather than | | | | You will need a breaker bar to get the old one off, and |
| regular systems which suck in hot air from around | | | | a serious torque wrench to attach the new one. The |
| your engine. Most of these systems are fairly easy to | | | | last thing you want is the pulley coming off while you're |
| install and can be done yourself in a few hours or less. | | | | driving down the freeway! |
| An aftermarket intake can cost anywhere from $50 | | | | 6) Turbochargers. If you have lots of money and are |
| all the way up to $300. | | | | serious about upgrading your car a turbo kit might be |
| 2) Upgrade your headers: The headers and downpipe | | | | what you need. Turbos use the exhaust from your |
| is where the exhaust first leaves your engine on its | | | | engine to spin a turbine, which forces air into your |
| way toward the atmosphere. Higher performance | | | | engine. This pressurizes the air and improves |
| headers allow more exhaust fumes to escape, which | | | | horsepower dramatically. These are not very likely to |
| can give a dramatic increase to horsepower. | | | | be something you would install yourself. They also may |
| Aftermarket header prices can range from a couple | | | | require other modifications to your car, so the cost is |
| hundred dollars to well over $1000 depending on what | | | | out of reach for most people. |
| type of vehicle you have and what brand you choose. | | | | I hope you've learned some of the basics of how you |
| One thing to look out for is that cheaper headers tend | | | | can upgrade your VW to get better performance out |
| to have fitment issues (you can't get them to line up | | | | of it. Just remember to do your research before |
| correctly for a simple bolt-on installation), and they may | | | | making a purchase, as there are a lot of products out |
| have resonance issues. Resonance is caused by the | | | | there attempting to scam people like us. |
| exhaust vibrating the metal and will create a noise that | | | | Bill writes articles for automotive sites all around the |
| bothers most people. Headers can be installed yourself | | | | Internet. VW Auto Parts is one of his specialties. Make |
| if you're experienced enough. | | | | sure you get the best upgrades for your Volkswagen! |