Can the rods handle the extra hp?

 

Stock ones I don't think so, in a diesel the rods don't really see a crazy amount of stretch loads from high rpm like a gas engine but compressive loading is insanely high.

This little engine generates more torque than say, a ford 4.6 V8 and when tuned is damn close to a Lexus 3UZ in that department.

That load is spread to only 4 rods and far less firing events so crankshaft velocity is subject to way more violent swings on top of everything else. You can see the results/drawbacks to this easily in the timing belt and accessory drive tensioner lifespans as well as the tension levels exerted. The violence wears them out fast, same with engine mounts and while I'm using a brand new set of 3 I wonder how long until the car begins shaking through and through again lol!

Mounts are cheap though, full set is $100 and takes near no time to swap.

 

Been averaging 62 mpg on the Jetta, it will fully pay for itself in 26000 miles at this rate vs driving the Jeep (13.3 mpg). Way more fun too since it's a manual!

I need to do something about the audio system though, it's not bad being the "up level" one but bass is lacking disproportionally to everything else.

Comfort is fine, I replaced all the suspension so it's relatively smooth but honestly it's such a short wheelbase it gets bouncy. Seats are fine and the heaters work nicely, rear seats are useless for the most part but DO fold down and have locks so the trunk is nicely secure and when the seats are folded space is good enough for work.

My complaints are that the shifter is sloppy, I really dislike it vs the S4 and it's bad enough I will be doing something to sharpen in. The other issue is that for whatever reason the handing is horrid, you do an in lane bounce at 55 from center to shoulder and the rear end feels TOTALLY disconnected with a sliding sensation. I'm not sure if this is purely my LINGLONG tires but it's bad enough that I'm really questioning the actual chassis, I know the body roll is not tires......I don't want to really mess with the suspension etc but this is too sloppy for my tastes. Very comfortable but in a towncar type way



I have a few more things to replace cosmetically before I post more pictures of the car. I have too many cars though, I need to get rid of some of them as I don't drive them consistently unless I set a rotation. If I don't I find myself driving the D4 W12 anytime the weather is good and sometimes not, or the S4. Jetta is fun though, stick makes everything better

 

Wow! 62 mpg!? I think @mmarshall has you beat on that stretch of I-66 though lol. JK Mike.


Hahaha!!! I forgot about those Linglong tires. I remember when you posted pics of them. I think the bad handling has a lot to do with those tires. The short wheelbase of those Jettas made the ride choppy and bouncy too.


So true. My old G37S sedan was stick and I do miss it sometimes. I really wish the IS 500 came in a manual.

 

Nothing says trust and comfort like Linglong tires. haha

 

The handling problem definitely isn't the chassis. I have lots of pics of my friend's old MkIV Jetta 1.8T at autocrosses, with one rear wheel almost a foot off the ground.

 

Hmmmmm, I may need to get tires then. I have heard a lot of positive about how these are supposed to handle but I am wondering if my expectations are skewed, it's nothing even close to the S4 or other Audis

Nice thing I guess is this size is so cheap it's the full set cost of like 1 tire for the other cars lol! Same with sway bars, very inexpensive

 

Is he running stock suspension or custom?
I imagine on an older car it will need to be gone thru with new everything. 🫸🫷

 

Close, but not quite. The best I did with my turbo-three on I-66 was around 58 MPG....and that was on a relatively short stretch under very ideal conditions. But I could do an easy 48-52 while cruising on most of I-66 as a whole.

EPA rated my vehicle around 30-31 Highway....that was clearly not accurate, at least not the way I drive. But they also rated it in the 20s in town and Combined.....much more accurate, and close to what I actually get in town.

 

This was when it was newer, but 100% stock at time except for smaller wheels and sticky tires (while at the autocross), and a stage 1 tune. His had the somewhat rare "Sports Luxury" package, which included the factory sport suspension. But my point was the chassis was so stiff that it'll lift a wheel in hard corners, because it can't flex enough to keep the inside rear on the ground.

 

Seems to be around 17500-19000 NM/* from what I can find. Not bad but not what I would consider stiff, I don't think what I'm feeling though is a chassis flex issue. It feels like the rear end has low grip

 

Congratulations, but, even though you are capable of doing your own repairs, still, why something with that many (300K+) miles on it? At that age, anything (or everything) on it could be ready for replacement.

 

Oh I replaced everything that is a wear item, that was part of the plan going in.

Reason I picked this in particular is I wanted this specific engine and its years of production were 99-03. I also figured any car I pick would need work so I just got a cheap one that I assumed would need literally every thing lol!

These don't rust so even here in Ohio it was not a problem.



Even at the rear under the bumper salt fails to kill MK4s

 

How are you liking a diesel stick shift so far?
Your honest opinion, junker or keeper? 🫸🫷

 

Absolutely love it!

Its shifting very nicely post 3x flush with synchromesh and cable adjustment, just isn't ultra crisp if that makes sense....clutch/engine is literally idiot proof to drive. It will move forward or back with no throttle in a parking lot type situation, I'm not sure what it would take to stall it tbh.

The fact it has all of 90ish wheel hp stock is actually very fun since I can do WOT runs in 1-2-3 and still fail to be speeding but get all of the noise haha! I am still not used to how little fuel it uses, there is constant doubt with the fuel gauge since it takes to long to move at all.

That is probably the best part, the turbo is very vocal and is a nice auditory reward. Engine itself is gruff and chattery but very melodic while also not being too noticeable at cruise. If I didn't enjoy the tone I would probably say this is insanely bad NVH wise

Power delivery is hilarious, it feels like you are driving a V8 that when you put your foot down it doesn't go any faster. 1300 rpm and you have that nice feeling of power that no gas 4 cyl will give you but that's ALL you will get, the rest of the rev range is exactly the same.

I'm very excited to get the rest of the cosmetics passable and to start swapping on some performance parts.

EDIT: this is all in context of the Jetta being my work car, I would not pick one as a "real" car but for a specific job with low requirements from me in terms of care/repairs needed it is a very very good car. I much prefer it to my Jeep