My 2019 Jetta GLI 35th Edition

PouncingPanzer said:
I plan on upgrading rear Sway Bar and getting the APR DDC suspension module. It allows me to customize the settings on the adjustable dampers the car already has. Start there. Brakes would certainly need upgraded for autocross but I figured I'll cross that bridge when I'm ready likely a ways down the road. Big brake kits aren't cheap!
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The RWB will go a long way towards dialing out the understeer and making the car feel more balanced. That was the only thing I didn't like about my GTI. When I got into the twisties or on an autocross course you could clearly feel all the weight at the front of the car and it would plow.

I don't know if you really need to go so far as a BBK if you're only going to autocross and not take it to track days. Pads with better bite and heat resistance will help and maybe some slotted rotors to help deal with heat management.

Does the DDR kit allow you to make your own changes to the suspension, i.e. compression and rebound, or does it just give you the ability to change between multiple profiles? I ran the Dinan Shockware tune on my BMW and it kept the same two suspension choices which came on the car and totally changed the suspension performance of the shocks. After the tune the car actually drove like a true BMW, and had the damper performance the factory should have gone with from the beginning. Best $250 I've ever spent on any car.

APR got rid of their "stage 2" file a few years ago apparently when they stopped making downpipes. My software file with this OEM+ turbo is essentially their replacement as the output figures of my "stage 3" are only slightly higher. You can also see the smaller IS20 with the downpipe has a torque advantage initially as the larger IS38 with the stock downpipe takes a bit longer. Amazed APR can do that? Me too....I asked over and over again "So I don't need a downpipe?" HS Tuning: "Nope". The fact is in some places it's getting harder to run "off-road use only" downpipes with nearly meaningless catalysts in them. Even the good ones won't pass a sniffer. Thankfully in Ohio it is only an OBD scan to make sure there are no faults, the readiness code is set, and they can communicate with the 02s. That's it. You could be belching smoke pulling in choking everyone, as long as it passes that test. Lol. Diesel tricks may have a different experience especially with the popularity here of deleting their emissions systems.
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Good to know. I've been out of the VW world for a while. No idea things had changed so much.
 
Desertnate said:
The RWB will go a long way towards dialing out the understeer and making the car feel more balanced. That was the only thing I didn't like about my GTI. When I got into the twisties or on an autocross course you could clearly feel all the weight at the front of the car and it would plow.

I don't know if you really need to go so far as a BBK if you're only going to autocross and not take it to track days. Pads with better bite and heat resistance will help and maybe some slotted rotors to help deal with heat management.

Does the DDR kit allow you to make your own changes to the suspension, i.e. compression and rebound, or does it just give you the ability to change between multiple profiles? I ran the Dinan Shockware tune on my BMW and it kept the same two suspension choices which came on the car and totally changed the suspension performance of the shocks. After the tune the car actually drove like a true BMW, and had the damper performance the factory should have gone with from the beginning. Best $250 I've ever spent on any car.



Good to know. I've been out of the VW world for a while. No idea things had changed so much.
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The APR suspension module, which just replaces the OEM one, essentially takes advantage of a ton if versatility in thr OEM shocks that just isn't utilized. It makes it into an active suspension that responds to acceleration, braking, turning Gs, etc. From adjustable to adjustable and active. So cool. I bet it's worth the mula..... $1099.99.... But it is the entire module, not just software like their other offerings.

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I think you guys need to come out to The Dragon next year, save some vacation time and a couple bucks every week starting...NOW

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You know I'm interested! I've got the vacation time. Just need to set a target on the calendar.

My daily wheels will be running all-seasons by then, but that shouldn't change things a bit!
 
Desertnate said:
You know I'm interested! I've got the vacation time. Just need to set a target on the calendar.

My daily wheels will be running all-seasons by then, but that shouldn't change things a bit!
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Shoot for early October 2024

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PouncingPanzer said:
I got pulled over one time while racing a yellow Ford Focus ST with the plate NOTABUS. I had two car lengths on him in my stock GTI Sport when I got to my turn. I turned. As I drove down Miner Road, mind you I had already slowed back down to like 40 or so, I noticed a pair of Charger headlights gaining rapidly. I pulled myself over. He didn't even turn his lights on until after he put it in park. Got me doing 76 in the 35. He was either really cool for not dropping the racing charge on me or clueless as to what was happening. I figured he picked me cause I was ahead lol. Anyways I show up on court and the judge says I went right by her house when I did it, at this point I'm like oh yea reckless op here I come. But she must've felt bad my lawyer was super late or she noticed I was the only person who came to court that day that wasn't still in pajamas. Whatever the case, she gave me a max speeding fine of 55 in the 35 which I happily paid. Two points are better than six!

There were two speeding tickets before that. All in stock VWs....
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Flashback to when I was in tech school with my Auto-X modded MkII Jetta. Turning left at a very healthy clip from a divided highway onto a side farm road, experience (and photos from events) tells me I probably lifted the back inside tire about 5" as I went around the corner. What I hadn't seen when turning was the 3rd car back was a squad car. Like you, I just pulled right over and shut the car off (and sat there in my Recaro w/ bright red Schroth harness) while he enthusiastically made a 3 point turn to pull up behind me.

He comes up to the window.
PO: "Going a little fast around that corner back there?"
17YO Me: "Yes sir, there was a car coming and I was nervous they might be too close."
PO: "YOU WERE ON THREE WHEELS! If that's how you drive when you're nervous you're gonna need to park this thing."
No ticket.
*End scene*

After that it was a running joke with my VW friends anytime someone would carry a back tire to exasperatedly point out "YOU WERE ON THREE WHEELS!" :laughing:

Ironically, fast forward to my E36 M3 where I developed a feel to know when I was carrying a *front* tire during certain cornering. :D

PouncingPanzer said:
I was able to pick my lauch RPM. Unfortunately it didn't give me left foot braking and I asked the tuner about it they emailed APR to verify if my file should have it or not. I wish I did....
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Cheater tip if you're a left foot braker: Ever so briefly lift your foot off the gas (while keeping on the brakes enough to at least keep the brake lights on) then get back on it. You can push the gas after pushing the brakes, even if they don't want you to push the brake after pushing the gas... :dblthumb2:

PouncingPanzer said:
I plan on upgrading rear Sway Bar and getting the APR DDC suspension module. It allows me to customize the settings on the adjustable dampers the car already has. Start there. Brakes would certainly need upgraded for autocross but I figured I'll cross that bridge when I'm ready likely a ways down the road. Big brake kits aren't cheap!
...
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In today's age of modern brakes, I'd highly advise you to stay stock size on brakes and just upgrade pads and rotors. True 2 piece rotors are becoming more available via the aftermarket to help dissipate heat, and the right pad will stand up to the heat no problem. My boss has done endurance racing on stock E46 330Ci brakes with non-slotted (though cryo treated) rotors and some Performance Friction pads.

One other thing to consider is that your ABS/ESP system is calibrated to work with the hydraulic proportions present with your stock caliper piston sizes as well as master cylinder size. We've seen customer with track cars that complain up and down about their brakes after going to an aftermarket big brake kit of some sort or another.
 
Awesome ride and mods! Was hoping for a video with some turbo noises!


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JDGolden said:
Awesome ride and mods! Was hoping for a video with some turbo noises!


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Alas, I don't have the VIP/Premium to upload videos. Unless there is another way? I'd be happy to!

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oneheadlite said:
Flashback to when I was in tech school with my Auto-X modded MkII Jetta. Turning left at a very healthy clip from a divided highway onto a side farm road, experience (and photos from events) tells me I probably lifted the back inside tire about 5" as I went around the corner. What I hadn't seen when turning was the 3rd car back was a squad car. Like you, I just pulled right over and shut the car off (and sat there in my Recaro w/ bright red Schroth harness) while he enthusiastically made a 3 point turn to pull up behind me.

He comes up to the window.
PO: "Going a little fast around that corner back there?"
17YO Me: "Yes sir, there was a car coming and I was nervous they might be too close."
PO: "YOU WERE ON THREE WHEELS! If that's how you drive when you're nervous you're gonna need to park this thing."
No ticket.
*End scene*

After that it was a running joke with my VW friends anytime someone would carry a back tire to exasperatedly point out "YOU WERE ON THREE WHEELS!" :laughing:

Ironically, fast forward to my E36 M3 where I developed a feel to know when I was carrying a *front* tire during certain cornering. :D



Cheater tip if you're a left foot braker: Ever so briefly lift your foot off the gas (while keeping on the brakes enough to at least keep the brake lights on) then get back on it. You can push the gas after pushing the brakes, even if they don't want you to push the brake after pushing the gas... :dblthumb2:



In today's age of modern brakes, I'd highly advise you to stay stock size on brakes and just upgrade pads and rotors. True 2 piece rotors are becoming more available via the aftermarket to help dissipate heat, and the right pad will stand up to the heat no problem. My boss has done endurance racing on stock E46 330Ci brakes with non-slotted (though cryo treated) rotors and some Performance Friction pads.

One other thing to consider is that your ABS/ESP system is calibrated to work with the hydraulic proportions present with your stock caliper piston sizes as well as master cylinder size. We've seen customer with track cars that complain up and down about their brakes after going to an aftermarket big brake kit of some sort or another.
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Thanks for the story! Love it! Lol.

And double thanks for the tips! I have read more into the brakes I think going APR Rotors with some EBC or Hawk pads will be the way to go. Affordable and seem to have good reviews. The pads anyways. APR is somewhat boutique for brakes can't find much on the Rotors, good or bad. I still plan on getting tires first, I need them so bad now from a dig the all-seasons are not cutting it anymore....more grip will certainly show weaknesses in the suspension no doubt I fully expect to, at a minimum, upgrade the rear Sway.

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PouncingPanzer said:
Thanks for the story! Love it! Lol.

And double thanks for the tips! I have read more into the brakes I think going APR Rotors with some EBC or Hawk pads will be the way to go. Affordable and seem to have good reviews. The pads anyways. APR is somewhat boutique for brakes can't find much on the Rotors, good or bad. I still plan on getting tires first, I need them so bad now from a dig the all-seasons are not cutting it anymore....more grip will certainly show weaknesses in the suspension no doubt I fully expect to, at a minimum, upgrade the rear Sway.

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What tires do you like?

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Klasse Act said:
What tires do you like?

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Always been a Michelin guy but obviously you pay for it. My Pilot Sport All-Season 4s were $200 per hoop....the 4S is like $260+ depending on where you look. But tires are worth it. Always. Easily the simplest and maybe most impactful upgrade one can do to their car. When I replaced my Hankooks with these, man.....it should've came with these. But VW doesn't log onto C&Ds website or check forums ever for buyer and user reviews so they must not realize they are doing their products a huge disservice by letting them leave the factory with those s**t tires....even the PZero Neros the GTIs came with wore like trash, and I had access to a brand new hunter alignment rack. Didn't matter.

I am looking at Potenzas, Pilot Super Sports or the 4S, or the new Conti DW 02 that recently came out. I say recent but in the last year or so. Right now leaving towards the Conti DW. Not DWS, just DW.

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So your not looking for all-seasons then

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PouncingPanzer said:
The APR suspension module, which just replaces the OEM one, essentially takes advantage of a ton if versatility in thr OEM shocks that just isn't utilized. It makes it into an active suspension that responds to acceleration, braking, turning Gs, etc. From adjustable to adjustable and active. So cool. I bet it's worth the mula..... $1099.99.... But it is the entire module, not just software like their other offerings.
Click to expand...

That's interesting that you can turn the dampers from adjustable to active with just a software tune. Typically there is an ECU dedicated to real-time monitoring/adjusting an active suspension you don't find on vehicles with adjustable suspensions. They need the extra computing power to sample damper position along with the other sensors you mention hundreds of times a second and make adjustments. I'm surprised VW has the ECU already in the car to do that, but only have it doing simple adjustments based on a mode setting.
 
Desertnate said:
That's interesting that you can turn the dampers from adjustable to active with just a software tune. Typically there is an ECU dedicated to real-time monitoring/adjusting an active suspension you don't find on vehicles with adjustable suspensions. They need the extra computing power to sample damper position along with the other sensors you mention hundreds of times a second and make adjustments. I'm surprised VW has the ECU already in the car to do that, but only have it doing simple adjustments based on a mode setting.
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This is a module. Hence the price lol.

$1099...ouchy
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Klasse Act said:
So your not looking for all-seasons then

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I noticed that too. Since he's in Cleveland maybe he has a set of winter wheels/tires already.

I did that for my last two cars and it was a nice solution. However, our winters continually get warmer and drier. Last winter we didn't get any snow and it wasn't all that cold. I don't need winters any more and will just go with all seasons. Should the weather patterns begin to change again, I'll probably find myself back in a winter/summer set situation again.
 
Desertnate said:
I noticed that too. Since he's in Cleveland maybe he has a set of winter wheels/tires already.

I did that for my last two cars and it was a nice solution. However, our winters continually get warmer and drier. Last winter we didn't get any snow and it wasn't all that cold. I don't need winters any more and will just go with all seasons. Should the weather patterns begin to change again, I'll probably find myself back in a winter/summer set situation again.
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She sat out last winter! And will from now on. I garage queened it at 45k. About 40k too late but oh well hahaha

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I figured high-performance summer tires on stock rims would just further up my cars sleeper game haha

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PouncingPanzer said:
I figured high-performance summer tires on stock rims would just further up my cars sleeper game haha

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My buddy has the new General high perf summers on his Stinger and loves them, owned by and looks like Michelins, check em out

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Klasse Act said:
My buddy has the new General high perf summers on his Stinger and loves them, owned by and looks like Michelins, check em out

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I will do that! Had a set of generals on my RWD V8 Dodge Dakota back in high-school. They did well enough and cost me like $100 a pop lol.

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