Haldex upgrade

[Lance B]

I wonder if the "track" setting makes the car drive significantly differently than the "sports" setting - enough to warrant spending the $$ on the in car switch gizmo anyway.

Regarding the engine mount bush, does it have a negative impact on ride quality - excess vibration, noise, etc... or does it leave that alone and just make for smoother gear shifts?

Cheers

The track setting would be nice to see how it goes on road. If you decide to get the loom installed, then I would love to know.

As for the engine bush addition, it has made no impact on ride quality or vibration as far as I can tell but the gear shifts seem a little smoother and, in most cases, imperceptible. Definitely no worse, IMO.

[Northy]

ill be getting this item fitted to my R36 when it arrives, I'll get the loom too, nothing like having another switch.

[qsilverza]

Pity you didnt jump on the group buy, but its great to hear that the new Passats are being modded. I reckon I might have to jump into one in the not to distant future !

[Steve]

The track setting would be nice to see how it goes on road. If you decide to get the loom installed, then I would love to know.

As for the engine bush addition, it has made no impact on ride quality or vibration as far as I can tell but the gear shifts seem a little smoother and, in most cases, imperceptible. Definitely no worse, IMO.

We'll see what happens... I gotta decide if I really want to spend more coin on a car... or spend it elsewhere

The engine mount bush sounds good, though. I guess it's reversible if I don't like it...!

[3Putt]

Does the Haldex upgrade make the car quicker?

If so, does it feel $1700 quicker?

For 1700, i reckon i could get an exhaust. Then maybe chipping might up things again (tried GIAC - drove round the block and took it straight back - no change to stock).

Anyone got ideas on a 2-3K performance mod for the 3.2?

[Lance B]

Does the Haldex upgrade make the car quicker?

If so, does it feel $1700 quicker?

For 1700, i reckon i could get an exhaust. Then maybe chipping might up things again (tried GIAC - drove round the block and took it straight back - no change to stock).

Anyone got ideas on a 2-3K performance mod for the 3.2?

Haldex is only quicker in the twisty bits.

The only performance mods that I can think of would be an exhaust system and a chip, but be careful as it may make the car quite different and less enjoyable to drive. By this, I mean that the V6 3.2 has a flat torque area between 2750-3750 of 330Nm and you may move this torque higher up the rev range with a exhaust system. A higher rev point for torque means that you have to rev the engine higher to get it moving, something I jumped out of the Subaru Liberty due to. The Liberty's torque peak is at a heady 4200rpm and required it to be kept on the gas which made it a chore to drive around town. Sure, it went like a scalded cat once you got it going, but it also made it a pain when you wanted to toodle about. The Passat eats it for driveability and is *no slower* off the mark as the 0-100 times are the same.

Having the torque at a lower point also means that the Passat gets to normal city speed limit speeds quicker.

[gareth_oau]

Very True Lance, but torque is only a secondary issue. an exhaust makes it sound a whooooole lot nicer

[Lance B]

Very True Lance, but torque is only a secondary issue. an exhaust makes it sound a whooooole lot nicer

LOL. Ain't that the truth!

Another reason I like the Passat better than the Liberty is that there is at least some sort of sporty exhaust note with the Passat, but the Liberty was deathly quiet. The Liberty 3.0R B spec is *supposed* to be a sports type car with it's Bilstein shocks, bigger brakes etc, but it had *no* character. The Passat has a nice raspy exhaust note that at least *sounds* like it means business.

[3Putt]

You don't need to talk to me about torque curves - I just jumped out of a Liberty B4!

Had it chipped plus 3" stainless from turbos back - still had that god awful "valley of death" on the dyno charts (not to mention on most upshifts).

BTW, I tried the GIAC chip. It made no difference whatsoever so i had it taken straight back off for a full refund.

Might have to bolt on some hardware first to up the ante on this beast...

[sukebe]

Does the Haldex upgrade make the car quicker?

If so, does it feel $1700 quicker?

For 1700, i reckon i could get an exhaust. Then maybe chipping might up things again (tried GIAC - drove round the block and took it straight back - no change to stock).

Anyone got ideas on a 2-3K performance mod for the 3.2?

I don't think the Haldex feels $1700 quicker, but it is definitely great bang for buck at this price:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HALDE...3286.m20.l1116