In case you didn't know, we've been building up a Jetta for the last six months. This buildup had to follow two basic guidelines. First, we had to work within the constraints of a self-imposed $7,500 budget. Second, we had to turn our stock Jetta GLS VR6 into an awesome show car and daily driver, because that's what many readers want to do. It seems fairly simple, but the only reason we were able to pull it off is because we put together a game plan.
Even with the game plan, however, we still managed to come in slightly over budget. Enough with preaching to the choir, you know how hard it is to build a car, balancing the time and money it takes with the bills and other things that life throws at you. So... on to what we did.
We began in our August 2000 issue with the installation of ABD Racing's Quick Flow intake and MagnaFlow's after-cat exhaust system. Horsepower was increased by 13.7 thanks to the increase in flow, while torque jumped by 11.7 lb-ft. We spent a small sum of $628.90, but gained not only power and torque, but also great looks at both the rear of the car and under the hood, and great sounds now emanate from both as well.
We modified the exterior in the second installment of our Budget Bora Buildup. To ensure you wouldn't get on our cases about calling the car a Bora, we added a European Bora badge in place of the OE Jetta one. Landspeed provided the badge along with its four piece body kit, consisting of front and rear valences and side skirts. P,J. Bonifacio Paint and Body Shop in the City of Industry, California, provided the paint for the body kit and bumper lenses. GrillCraft's four piece upper and lower grille kit was also installed along with an MHW stubby antenna, giving the car a much sleeker and more aggressive look. This installment took a $1,092 chunk out of our remaining $6,871.10 budget.
In our October issue, we totally changed the attitude of the Bora. B&G springs lowered the chassis 40mm which, along with the 19-inch Konig Verdict wheels and 225/35-19 Falken GRB FK451 tires, provided something that would get every Civic driver's attention. However, this was the single biggest expenditure at $2,949.48. Wheel Warehouse mounted and balanced the wheels and tires to get us rolling.
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ARD Racing accessories are the main under hood draw with Wet Works paint coming in a close second ; The ABD intake provides for increased airflow to the VR6 engine; Peaking out from beneath the rear bumper is the stainless steel exhaust from MagnaFlow.