Was cruising home this afternoon and a tricked out Jetta pulled up un the next lane. It looked pretty nice (for a Jetta). Not the new body style, so it was a couple of years old. Nice chrome wheels, and blacked out tail lights looked good with the grey paint.

Anyhow... I could tell he wanted to run, but traffic was heavy. I was hoping for a light change so that we would both be even, but it didn't happen, so I pulled in behind him (he was at the stop line). I figured he would punch it off the line and see if I could hold him, and he did. The problem for me is that I did not want to rear end him by launching hard, so I let out the clutch easy and let him gain a couple of car lengths before I punched it. Man was I surprised how well that little four banger pulled. I red lined in first and second with good quick shifts, and had closed the distance only a car length.

We then had to shut down due to traffic... but I just couldn't believe how quick that car was. Of course I have no idea what he had under the hood... Turbo maybe? NOS? I expected an easy kill, and it just didn't happen.

Anyone have any performance numbers on the Jetta?

 

If it was a 1999 or below,its a MKIII Jetta. If thats the case, it was either a VR6 or a 2.0, there was no 1.8t. The VR6 puts down 174hp and about 180lb/ft while the 2.0 puts out I think 113hp and 120ish lb/ft. I have a 2.0 right now, but I also have a VR6 Passat. If it was a newer Jetta 1.8t, they put out roughly 150-180 hp depending on year and model. they can be very quick, even the older ones which I like better.

 

Thanks for the info... It was definately a 1.8 badge on the trunk lid. He must be heavily modded... as the CLS's have a significant advantage in TQ & HP. I am guessing that the Jetta is lighter that the CL which weighs in at around 3400... just not sure how much lighter.

 

if it's chipped it might give him another 50hp

 

The Jetta isnt all that much lighter, its a small car, but bulky. WIth very little mods, the 1.8t can be a killer on the road.

 

my friend has a 1.8T with exhaust, cai, headers, blowoff valve, pulley and chip... all that gives him over 210 torque or something like that. he takes me everytime

 

That chip must really work... unlike the Unichip, which was supposed to do wonders for us, but resulted in marginal is any gains. Still, to be beaten by a 4 banger is humbling... I guess that gives us some idea what it must feel like when we kill a Stang.

 

yeah. that CAI/BOV/chip combo really gets that turbo's max performance. and not to mention the headers/exhaust and pullies. that also goes for it's cousin the Audi A4 with the same engine. from what i hear, they are able to equal the acceleration of the S4 with just bolt-ons.

 

Yeah with a chip and bolt ons the 1.8 can move out. I beat a A4 1.8t chipped one night but it was a punk kid who couldnt drive

 

The chips work on the 1.8t's because it is a turbocharged engine and the chip increases the boost. Usually they go with APR which increases the boost to 17psi. Thats good enough to drop a second in quarter mile times...

 

how well do the turbos/engine hold up to that amount of boost raising though ?