Not overlooking the drivetrain, the factory six-speed received a Fidanza flywheel, Bully clutch kit and Peloquin limit-slip differential, but Jose mentioned more upgrades were planned to give more bite and aid the Jetta's unnerving traction issues.
After the performance goodies were installed, Jose took the GLI to his friend Gaby Skern who runs a dyno on the island. Although the injectors were maxed out, the car pulled an impressive 550whp at 24psi. The next week, the Jetta made its first quarter-mile pass and ran 11.6sec at 120mph. "The car didn't have good traction so we're going to make improvements," Jose proclaimed.
As for the rest of the car, the chassis and appearance remain sleek for the street. The suspension employed KW Variant 3 coilovers, with adjustment for ride height plus compression and rebound damping. The brakes used Brembo rotors and the wheels were none other than the classic 19x8.5" BBS LMs with 225/35 Toyo tires.
For a more aggressive exterior and to allow more air to the front-mount intercooler, Jose swapped in an R-line front bumper. A Kamei badgeless grille gave a cleaner look, while a subtle M-type lip spoiler added definition to the trunk.
Still preserving the car for daily driving, the interior remains stock except for certain electronic items to monitor and adjust the engine. A MicroTech hand controller, for example, can toggle between four different programs for the turbocharged VR6, while a GReddy controller allows the boost to be changed. And auxiliary gauges for air/fuel and boost, let Jose know if there's an immediate danger.
Although the car's already quick off the line and pleasing to the eyes, Jose has more parts in his closet including Recaros, an Auto Power rollbar, Innovative boost controller and, most importantly, Raxles axles to reinforce the chassis for the drag strip.
"I'm looking forward to eventually making 10sec passes after the next stage of tuning is complete," he concluded. "There are no friends when you want to win. On the dragstrip it doesn't matter who's against you whether VW, Audi or Mitsubishi... The goal is to win!"
Tech Spec
'03 VW Jetta GLI
Owner: Jose A Soto Cora
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
Occupation: chemist, US Navy officer
Engine: 2.8 liter 24v VR6 with forged JE pistons, Pauter rods, ARP head and rod bolts, Precision GT40R turbo, Tial wastegate and blow-off valve, re-worked head, 850cc RC Engineering injectors, HPA Motorsports short-runner intake manifold, Creative Performance exhaust manifold, A'PEXi exhaust, Microtech LT12 ECU, Bosch individual coil-packs, two Walbro in-tank fuel pumps, Aeromotive fuel regulator, 70mm throttle body, Precision front-mount intercooler, battery relocated to the trunk
Drivetrain: six-speed manual with Fidanza flywheel, Bully custom clutch kit, Peloquin limited-slip differential
Brakes: front and rear Brembo rotors
Suspension: KW Variant 3 coilovers
Wheels & Tires: 19x8.5" BBS LM wheels with 225/35-19 Toyo Proxes tires
Exterior: R-Line front bumper, Kamei badgeless grille and eyelids, M-type trunk lip
Interior: AEM UEGO wideband air/fuel gauge, Auto Meter Cobalt 35psi boost gauge, R-Line mats, GReddy Profec B type S boost controller and turbo timer, Microtech handset
Thanks: Bully Clutch, Eurohouse Tuning, Roly Tuning, Gaby Skern Tuning, www.eurocrewpr.com