97' Auto VR6

**dark** · 01-06-2011, 01:09 PM

I'd focus on suspension and wheels first, I can tell you first hand that coils make a huge difference to the handling. Your car looks pretty clean so just doing suspension and wheels will make it look amazing. You can change out the suspension yourself or get someone to do it for you. You could spend the whole 2k on coils if you wanted!! They range from about 400 up!
Maybe drive it for awhile and then move on to engine upgrades - I guarantee a bunch of expensive stuff will break on her in the near future. It's the mk3 way. Ask lots of questions - everyone on here has been in your shoes and will have lots of suggestions.
Also - I think Seb (bugracer) on here built up a vr6 Auto for a girl in Sydney and got pretty solid performance out of it, although there was a fair bit of debate as to whether it was worth it with an auto! But the customer wanted it as a daily I think.

**Hoop** · 01-06-2011, 06:12 PM

I've been looking at the Autotech Clubsport Stage 2 Suspension Kit.. would this be a decent kit? Also, what wheels can i get? as in, what will fit?

link to suspension kit: Autotech Clubsport Stage 2 Suspension Kit, Suspension Kits, Suspension, Autotech Products & Other Performance Aftermarket Auto Parts - North American Motorsports

**Jarred** · 01-06-2011, 08:20 PM

it's probably not a bad product, however it's for a 2.0L and it's only 1.75" drop, which realistically, isn't much at all.

Keep doing research, I reckon there are better products out there for similar money.

**Ben J** · 02-06-2011, 07:58 AM

do coilovers

RACELAND LOWERING SUSPENSION KIT VW GOLF MK3 VR6 / GTI | eBay

or you could pay the guys on here 800 for the same thing in australia which is nice for piece of mind/convienient should something be wrong.

**Bug_racer** · 02-06-2011, 09:48 AM

Why is it someone comes on here and posts about wanting to get more power and it turns into another lowering thread ?

For $2k you can do cams . chip and cat back exhaust
For about $3500 you could have a stage 1 turbo kit . Id say this would be about the limit for a stock auto , you will probably need to run an oil cooler as well to be safe .

Suspension isnt the be all and end all . Courtneys VR6 runs stock suspension and it seems fine , lowering with incorrect springs / shock or cheap coilovers just ruins the ride and stresses the chassis on the car .

**dark** · 02-06-2011, 10:17 AM

Out of interest, what are the power gains for cam, cat back, Chip (i had heard chipping a vr6 was a waste of time - but would like to hear the real deal from an expert.)
Also whats the power gain from a stage 1 turbo kit over stock?
Lets steer this back to power mods as I guess thats what he was most interested in doing!

**Defaultuser0520** · 02-06-2011, 10:19 AM

"For $2k you can do cams . chip and cat back exhaust "

I understand the gains from cams and exhaust, but thought the chip was of not much benefit in these cars??

**Bug_racer** · 02-06-2011, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by dark

Out of interest, what are the power gains for cam, cat back, Chip (i had heard chipping a vr6 was a waste of time - but would like to hear the real deal from an expert.)
Also whats the power gain from a stage 1 turbo kit over stock?
Lets steer this back to power mods as I guess thats what he was most interested in doing!

About 10-15kw . There is more to be gained with larger cams but you start loosing driveability
Id say 50-80kw gain , will find out soon enough and post results
VR6 stock power atws seems to vary greatly so its hard to really put into perspective the real gain from a base . Turbo cars dont seem to suffer the same inconsistancies ???

**Bug_racer** · 02-06-2011, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by Weeds

"For $2k you can do cams . chip and cat back exhaust "

I understand the gains from cams and exhaust, but thought the chip was of not much benefit in these cars??

Older ecus should be re-tuned to get the most benefit from the hardware fitted . The chip itself has only minor gains with no hardware mods .