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