just bought an 02 1.8 T and i was wondering, with cost being one of the big factors, what are the first steps in upgrading. it really could be both performance or body upgrades, i really just wanted to know if you guys have any suggestions on where to start.
right now she s pretty much stock, except for clear headlights and long air intake.

thanks
raphael

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Yo nice GTI!

 

I have an 02 GTI 1.8 too. Dude, Trust me, its all about looks. No matter how fast your car, wont be as fast as ferrari. dont spend too much, save for those supercars. GTI is really a car that is awsome even stock.

 

Here is what I think you should do: Get a good soundsystem With a screen replacing your stock stereo. Keep your stock sound system though cause when you sell your GTI, youll put it back to stock, and you'll put your sound system in your new car. As far as performance, Just get a muffler to make it sound better, maybe eye lids, HID kit, but dont go too far. Bo blow off valve, no catback, downpipe, no air intake. Youll be spending 2000 dollars, and only gaining like 10 HP. Sound system and muffler is all you need, and maybe lowering your car.

 

dude, I have all these on my car: Blow off valve, Catback, downpipe, 8 polk speakers, pioneer headunit, AEM cold air intake, Halo headlights, LED taillights, bazooka subwoofer. Other than the sound system, all other went to waist. Also get a radar ditector. Try to upgrade things that you can take with you to your next car.

 

i started with intake and what not, but i would say hit up suspension first, its definitely the best mod ive done.
dont put a blow off on it unless upgrading something else. the ecu will expect the extra air that is usually diverted back to the intake but wont be getting it because its blowing off causing the car to run rich. whether you get a CEL or not doesnt matter the car wont run full potential. blow off valve on stock everything isnt gonna help, unless youre looking for the noise alone which you can get with a DV and a intake.
If you have the monsoon stereo, you dont need much upgrading, ive been comtemplating it, cause all my other cars have had ridiculous systems but i'm growing up a little i guess and i dont need ridiculous anymore, the stock monsoon is pretty sweet sounding.
Exhaust is a good mod, though i havent done mine just yet, a good turbo back is what im screaming for.
I like little cheap mods, that consume time so i dont drop too much money, like painting the emblem to matchbody paint, mostly because i hate chrome, then debadging the GTI and 1.8T, puting on a new badgless grille, then i bought eyelids with the notches but i didnt like the notches so i filled them in and painted, took a while to get it just right but it was fun. cleared or smoked bumper lights are cheap, as well as the side markers. stuff like that
just my 3 cents

Goldencross: HID kit? thats really expensive isnt it? does it make much difference?

 

ALright, the first 4 things you do for upgrades are:
1)Intake...Joelzy has the $5 dollar secret
2)Exhaust..I have Magnaflow
3)Underdrive pulley kit....$169.00 Shipped from Performance-cafe.com..thanx Joelz
4)GIAC Chip...Uses 93 octane...and boosts timing/air/fuel mixture...$315 is what I payed and takes 45 min at any GIAC dealer.