Not a new member, just a new car. (1996 B4 Passat TDi maintenance/mods)
 

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So... I went and bought a 1996 Passat TDi for $400. It needs a considerable amount of work, but runs and drives... and even stops, sometimes.

So far I seem to be averaging about 36-38MPG, which is dismal for a TDi, but still acceptable for now [considering how cold it's been lately].

Some of the first things I plan on doing are cleaning and updating existing [OEM original] parts, such as vacuum/boost reference hoses, fixing the broken oil dipstick funnel tube, and eventually removing and cleaning the intake/EGR and turbocharger, all of which has never been done in 301,500 miles.

Currently, there is a MIL code for PCM rom check failure, typically attributed to the 4'' piece of vacuum line inside the ECM that runs through a bulkhead connector to the internal MAP sensor. This particular line, as well as the 34 feet of other reference lines, I plan on updating with silicone line [in OE color patterns] from McMaster Carr. The total cost of this about $52 plus shipping.

Further mods include upgrading to VR6 suspension/brakes, booster delete, belly pan, grille block, 1.5kw inline circulatory coolant heater, thermos bottle mod [Prius], CCV catch can, and lots of cleaning up and relocating parts of the engine bay, such as the coolant and washer reservoirs.

In addition to the VR6 [Plus] suspension swap, I'll be adding stronger struts and coilovers, but they're designed for an MK3 chassis, so at full pre-load they'll still lower the car about 2'', which should be more than sufficient.

Since the car didn't come with a grille, and I absolutely hate the front end of the car as it is anyway, I plan on skirting the bumper and closing off the grille/headlight area completely.

Pics to come when I get the gumption to battle the sub-arctic temperatures and get some. :P

PS - I realize I haven't been as active here lately as in the past... I've had lots and lots and lots of things going on the past couple years and haven't had time for forum activity much at all, but I'm working on budgeting a little time once a week or so to keeping things like this up to date as well, so hopefully you'll see more of my pretty face around here. :)

"Welcome back Kotter"


...no, it's "Welcome back, Christ!"

Pics added at the top, and here is the Jetta from which I'll be taking the suspension components. It's a GLX VR6 that I paid $650 for hoping it would work for a beater... well, the day I registered it [after driving it 500ish miles on random trips down back roads], it decided to eat the timing chains, which are on the back of the engine between the block and transmission - No, thanks, not for a beater car.

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Depends on what I actually end up doing as to whether this car will ever see road time again... If I end up using the VR6 Passat I'm getting as a parts car, this one may yet be restored, either using an IDI engine or by putting the 150k mile Passat VR6 engine against the Jetta's 5 speed [after some turbo and maintenance related goodies] for a 'fun' beater car. 300ish HP on boost may not be /this/ forum's forte - but man, a man's gotta have some fun.

Well, you do what think is best.
I can tell you this. There is way more Jetta support on the internet and in the aftermarket compared to the Passat.
For the $400 you spent on the Passat tdi, I bet you could have found a running used VR6 engine for that A3 jetta. Then you could have repaired the damage from the timing chain failure and sold the engine to fund more improvements.

Good buy on the tdi. I almost bought on like that instead of the vx. Somedays I wish I had gotten the tdi instead (I have kids).
One note on upgrading to the vr6 brakes. If you keep the smaller tdi parts, you can fit 14" rims and insight tires.

I normally just subscribe manually than posting Subscribed, but, I am very interested. I'd like to do this one day, but a bit differently. Look forward to following.

I didn't really want to fix the VR6. I needed something better on fuel than my van, and really prefer diesel engines in general. The VR6 did sound pretty badass, though, so I may use the GLX wagon I'm getting to fix the Jetta and take the brake parts for the Pasta from that one. Well see.

And because some part of everything I do to my car involves the style I enjoy, I'm going to be using 16" steel rims and 205/xxR16 tires in the end. I'm not /all/ about efficiency /all/ the time. Lol

You go through cars like [insert really funny metaphor here].

Watching...