Before
Last month we had the pleasure of introducing our latest project car - this '08 Passat 2.0T. It may not be every enthusiast's vehicle of choice, but it's a great option for those wanting more space, comfort and daily drivability compared to a big-turbo GTI or track-prepped coupe.
We began updating the vehicle with some simple aftermarket bits to improve handling and overall appearance. We ditched the stock 17" wheels for 19x8.5" Privat Legende rollers.
The sleek rims featured matte-graphite faces, machined lips and a multi-piece look to give our Passat more presence.
Then we mounted the wheels with trusted Continental ContiSportContact3 tires - capable in wet and dry conditions.
To finish, we installed H&R coilovers to tighten the handling and lower the sedan to a more appealing stance.
Continuing the makeover this month, we're adding original VW Hi-Def parts. You may recognize this body kit from SEMA '05 when the VWoA Design Studio built three R GT show cars.
The Jetta, Touareg and Passat R GT all featured twin-turbo VR6 motors with AWD and DSG plus custom bodywork.
Of all these cars, only the Passat was spun-off into a production version. The Hi-Def body kit appeared at the New York International Auto Show and was almost identical to the SEMA concept. It was developed by Derek Jenkins who had led the R GT program. He ensured the kit increased downforce and engine cooling. It was constructed from polyurethane for strength and durability. The Hi-Def kit would become an option for new car buyers and also an accessory available through VW dealers.
FMS paints all VW accessories in-house
So when we acquired our B6 Passat, it was a no-brainer to contact VWoA for one of its greatest accessories ever offered. We were put in touch with FMS Automotive in Cerritos, CA. They had all the parts waiting for us, including the front and rear bumpers, side skirts, trunk lip spoiler and exhaust tip.
No stranger to et, we worked with FMS when they painted and installed the Thunder Bunny body kit on Project TDI (et 7/09). FMS has worked with VWoA for 20 years, offering paint, installation and inventory for dealers and building many of VWoA's show cars. In fact, if you've ever bought a painted accessory from a VW dealer, chances are it received the factory-quality work from FMS.
So once FMS had painted our parts in factory Deep black, we spent a day watching them dress Project Passat. As you can see, the car has been transformed from family carriage to autobahn cruiser with parts that are factory quality - the best of all worlds.
Trunk Spoiler
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1 Trunk spoiler is the easiest to install. Begin by cleaning the trunk with alcohol and t
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2 Peel back the tape from the adhesive and apply extra adhesive to the internal grooves
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3 Line the spoiler up with trunk, pull back the red tape to reveal the adhesive and press
Rear Bumper
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1 Begin by removing the tail lights. This requires cutting the trunk lining and removing
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2 Now remove four Torx T30 screws from the top of the bumper in the light apertures
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3 Remove eight Torx T25 screws (four per side) from the fender wells. There's also a push
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4 Underneath, remove two T30 and four T25 screws
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5 With the bumper loose, unplug the harness for the license plate and remove the bumper
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6 Transfer the license plate harness and snap it into the new bumper. The exhaust heatshi
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7 The side mounting brackets need to be transferred as well. These snap into place but en
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8 To install the heatshield, take a razor and make holes to mount it to the tabs on the n
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9 With the bumper ready, slide it onto the car and align all the mounting points. Refit a
Exhaust Tip
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1 The Hi-Def rear bumper has an exhaust opening designed to accommodate this unique VW ti
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2 Finally, the tips were pushed on and tightened into place
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3 To ensure a good seal, the cut pipe was sanded smooth
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4 Finally, the tips were pushed on and tightened into place
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5 The final look with our aggressive new bumper and exhaust tip
Side Skirts
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1 There are two front and two rear T25 screws on each side to remove. Then undo the five
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2 Pull the skirt to release it and collect the pushpin connectors. Open the doors to rele
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3 To install the new skirts, push in eight mounting clips.Align the clips with tabs on th
Front Bumper
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1 Begin by removing the Phillips screw from the side grilles. Then undo another Phillips
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2 Remove eight T25 screws from the top and two more under the factory grille
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3 Undo two T25 screws per side from the front fender liner
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4 From under the bumper, remove 27 T25 screws, then two 10mm flange nuts behind the fende
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5 Disconnect the wiring on the driver-side and the bumper will slide off
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6 Remove the grille assembly and the wiring harness
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7 The mounting brackets will be re-used on the new bumper
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8 The original grille is re-used but unclip the chrome cover
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9 Mount the stock bumper brackets to the new Votex piece
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10 Place the grille so it fits flush in the bumper and secure with two Phillips screws on
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11 The bumper is ready to be mounted on the car
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12 The kit comes with new side grilles, so the original turn signals need to be installed
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13 We also installed foglights since our car didn't have any. FMS wired and mounted them
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14 Side grilles snap into place and are secured with the original hardware
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15 Reinstall all screws and nuts
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16 The finished bumper is a big improvement
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FMS Automotive
20004 State Road
Cerritos
CA
90703
800-217-7040
http://www.foammolders.com
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VW
www.vwparts.com
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