To lower the stock ride height, a Weitec cup Kit was fitted. The spring and shock Combo lowered the car approximately 2 5" front and rear.
The performance of a stock 1.8t obviously wouldn't suffice, so Kenny contacted rennen performance for giac software. A eurojet front-mount intercooler ensured cooler air from the turbo, while a euro sport intake plus techtonics downpipe and exhaust liberated thebreathing.
The appearance of the engine bay was important to the overall project, so Kenny Polished the valve cover and powdercoated the intake manifold.
He also made detailed changes to the interior, starting with a custom set of recaro speed 4 seats to match his interior. The headliner was then reupholstered in black to match the leather. He also added a 20ae auge cluster, pedals and Jetta air vents.
Kenny didn't skimp on the audio, sourcing components from Kicker, Jl audio and Alpine. A box in the trunk houses a 12" Kicker subwoofer and Jl audio amp. For even clearer sound quality, Jl components were installed in the cabin, and an alpine head unit replaces the factory one.
With this combination of modifications, it's no surprise he was as passionate about what he did as an artist. He's currently a cook, applying his artistry in the kitchen, but also plans to start another creative project car with a mk3 or an audi. "in the VW scene, there's always lots of criticism when you build a car. As a result, people build cars for other people. But i built this car for myself, and i'm happy with how it turned out," he said.
Tech Spec
2002 VW GTI 1.8T
Owner: Kenny Wehry
Location: portland, me
Occupation: sous chef
Engine: 1.8 liter four cylinder 20v turbo with giac x-chip, eurojet front-mount intercooler, Bailey motorsport diverter valve, n75 valve, euro sport cold-air intake, techtonics tuning 2.5" downpipe and exhaust, Borla muffler, ecs tuning motor mounts, polished valve cover, powdercoated intake manifold
Drivetrain: five-speed manual with sachs clutch and Vr6 flywheel, B&m short shifter
Suspension: Weitec 60/60 cup Kit
Brakes: factory
Wheels & tires: 19x.8.5" ssr sp1 professor wheels with 7mm front and 15mm rear h&r spacers, 225/35-19 front and 235/35-19 cooper Zeon 2xs tires
Exterior: Jetta front-end conversion, molded rieger front bumper with shaved rub strip, filled exhaust notch on rear bumper, bser hood, shaved bser hatch, emphase side skirts, 20ae roof spoiler, shaved side markers, black roof and B-pillars with shaved antenna and graffiti art, oe hid headlights, hella smoked tail lights, badgeless grille, oe black mirrors
Interior: recaro speed 4 suede and leather seats, schroth rallye-4 harnesses, custom black headliner, 20ae gauge cluster and pedals, Jetta air vents, a-pillar gauge pod with boost gauge
Audio/Visual: custom subwoofer box with 12" Kicker solo-Baric sub, Jl audio fourchannel amp and component speakers, color-matched alpine head unit
Thanks: german squad, tucker harding, Joosey, Jake at rennen, city financial, recaro, steve at xenon depot