Help With Future Build 20th AE

[BLACK20thAE]

New Owner of a 20th AE and can't explain how pumped I am on this car!
Had a few things to put on the table and would love/really need your help/opinions.

These are the upgrades I would like to do in the near future:
1.) Coilovers...I know the 20th comes with a different suspension, so I was wondering if a Cup Kit or Lowering Springs would work?? If not, what coilovers are compatible.
2.) Chip. Leaning towards APR
3.) R1 Diverter Valve
4.) SRI...most likely Neuspeed P-FLO
5.) Exhaust...not sure of which one I would want yet...

Like I said, I would love to hear all your opinions and any/all help is greatly appreciated! VW noobie here as well, I searched for 20th threads and didn't find any. Thanks in advance all!

[vwGLI]

congratulations, you have a very nice car on your hands. but we need pictars! how many miles? ad what is your budget?

1. do not get lowering springs, theyll fuck up your suspension. cup kits can only stay one level. and i think ur car basically has one stock? but most people choose coilovers. you can go entry level, like a lot of people get raceland ultimos, fk streetlines. or spend over 1000 dollars, get fk highsports and other hig end coils.

2.APR is a very mild tune. unitronics and revo are stronger. personally im gunna get a unitronics tune.
3. Forge diverter valve is good too, apr r1 is too. i got the forge splitter, which makes a blow off valve pshhh but leaves me with no check engine light. i really like it.
4. just get a cone filter, and clamp it directly on your mass air flow. i prefer non oiled ones like aem dryflow, cuz they dont get the mass air flow dirty with grease.
5. for exhausts, look up videos of different ones on youtube. make sure its turboback exhaust. popular ones are 42draft design, apr, milltek

[Miller7204]

Sounds like you've got a great start

As vwGLI said I'd recommend coils with adjustable dampening. That way you can choose what height you want. I've heard some good reviews on Raceland Ultimo's and they're around $500. Or you could save for something like H&R coils which can run up to $1700. Or go all the way and invest in air. Totally your call. You'll learn what you like being on forums as time passes.

Can't wait to see some pics

[fukn_dubn_gti]

1. stay away from apr
youll thank me later
unitronic or united motorsports

2. coil overs no springs
3. exhaust.. 42 draft designs
4. neuspeed intake isnt bad.

[_FUBAR_]

cupkits ride better than most coilovers costing under $1000. but only lower about 2in.
unitronic, giac are the most aggressive off the shelf tunes/chips
r1 dv isnt bad. i have the forge 007 and its great.
the p-flo looks good but is pricey for a shroud and filter. there are lot of diys on sri's.
42 draft designs 3in turbo back. i have it. its the best exhaust for the 1.8t. its tight fitting and requiers alot of tweeking but is worth it. plus its hand built in the us.

[BLACK20thAE]

Hey all, its been a minute since i've been on here but i'm slowly starting to get this project going. Slapped on a cone filter and now i'm looking to chip it with a Unitronic.

Quick question, my car is currently at 67,000 miles. Would it be wise to replace the Timing Belt and all the other necessary parts that need to be changed while taking the timing belt off before I get it chipped???

[Miller7204]

67K is still kind of early for the timing belt. You could do it to be on the safe side but most do it between 80K-100K. When you replace your timing belt make sure to replace your waterpump with a new one with metal impellers as well

[_FUBAR_]

i replaced mine at 73,000 with the waterpump. anytime after 50,000 and before 75,000 miles is safe to change it.

[Travis]

Mine failed at 50,000.
yes, FAILED. That's not normal, but it sure sucks when it happens.

Just pop off the cover and see how your belt is looking. If it looks worn at all, just get it done and over with. It's not worth the headache later on.

[mitwehrli0317]

yeah, I've always read do them before ya hit 70-80k.
before I knew about that.. mine went out on me at 110k. Dont let it happen. causes a big mess.

[jessabug]

Originally Posted by Miller7204

67K is still kind of early for the timing belt. You could do it to be on the safe side but most do it between 80K-100K. When you replace your timing belt make sure to replace your waterpump with a new one with metal impellers as well

Keep in mind that while mileage is typically the interval gone by, the years on the belt is also important. Seeing as this is a 20th, its an '03 and has a good 9 years on the belt and components. I would definitely get the job done soon.

[Pssst...passed you]

There are a couple check intervals in the service Recs. Just view it and look for degradation. If you are on the stock water pump now is a good time to swap it.

[jessabug]

Belts don't always look bad before they fail. Bentley recommends 60k/5 years on belts. I tend to stick to that. I'd rather to the job a bit more often than have to shell out to fix the damage from a failed belt.

[BLACK20thAE]

Timing belt, thermostat, water pump, and metal impeller's all replaced. I always broke my driver side axle and replaced that. Now I have a new problem on my hand...

1st and 2nd Gear are no longer working. It's as if the car is in neutral when in these gears...I do have Reverse, and 3rd thru 6th.
Did a little bit of reading on it and heard it could be the shift fork that broke or a problem with the linkage. Has this happened to anyone else's 20th?! Let me know, the car's been out of commission for 3 weeks now...

[_FUBAR_]

Sounds like shifter linkage. Open the hood and under the airbox/intake you should see a golf club putter looking thing. That is the shift lever. See if you can manually put it in gear by moving it. Helps to have a buddy move it and you try and pull out. You can try putting the car in first from the inside and then move the lever on the trans more to see if it goes into gear. You might have to adjust the linkage. There is a YouTube video showing how to do it. Look up o2m shift linkage.