| In the last two parts of this three part series, we | | | | precise braking and clutching. The price range on steel |
| covered a great deal of high quality, low cost, | | | | braided hoses runs from about $110 - $180. Two |
| suspension upgrades. We also covered a | | | | recommended purchases when changing out brake |
| performance intake by Euro Sport, which added a little | | | | and clutch lines for steel braided hose: |
| pep to our step, and some aggressive sound. In Part III | | | | Change your brake/clutch fluid to synthetic |
| of our series, we’ll cover varying weighted short | | | | Get Speed Bleeders |
| shift kits for the GTI and Jetta. We’ll also have | | | | The reason behind these recommendations? Brake |
| a look at steel braided hoses for your brakes and | | | | fluid is a consumable, and it's consumed when |
| clutch. To start, let’s take a look at short shift | | | | overheating of your brakes occur. Braking is by no |
| kits, and what they can do for you. | | | | means over rated, and the last thing you want to |
| No matter the age of your GTI or Jetta, there's room | | | | experience is a lack of it. Synthetic fluid is less |
| for improvement in that box of rocks you use for | | | | susceptible to overheating, and thus likely to last longer. |
| shifting. (or so it feels) If you're in a MKI or MKII Golf or | | | | The boiling point of regular DOT 5.1 brake fluid is about |
| Jetta, you'll want to have a look at the Euro Sport | | | | 527° F. A synthetic brake fluid such as Motul |
| Short Shift Kit, as well as the Euro Sport Sure Shifters. | | | | RBF600, has a boiling point of about 593° F. The |
| A short shift kit will reduce throw by about 40%! 40%! | | | | increase in boiling point slows consumption, and keeps |
| You won't know how you lived without this after it's | | | | the risk of brake fade at a distance. Bottles of Motul |
| installed! Couple the short shift kit up with Euro Sport's | | | | can be found all over, for roughly $12.00/bottle. |
| Sure Shifter Kit and you'll get a much more solid feel in | | | | The Speed Bleeders recommendation comes from |
| your throw. Prices range from about $85 - $125. | | | | the stand point of convenience, and price. (est. $12.95 |
| For those of you with the latest and greatest | | | | pair) If you have a '00 or older dub, these are a life |
| Volkswagen automobiles, y'all have to pay a little more. | | | | saver when completing steel braided hose swap outs. |
| To get the same results, but, hopefully we're still in your | | | | Especially if you're doing this solo. It helps considerably |
| price range. We'll try to keep it cheap. For MKIII's on up, | | | | to have a second person, but if one isn't available, you'll |
| Neuspeed has some fine quality engineering to offer. | | | | save yourself much headache with these little guys. |
| Neuspeed has a Short Shift Kit up to the latest MKV! | | | | Simply replace your existing bleeder, and manage your |
| Prices range from about $190 - $230, and each come | | | | bleeding with a quarter turn of the Speed Bleeder. It |
| pre-weighted. Installation isn't murder, but is a little time | | | | doesn't appear as though Speed Bleeders produces |
| consuming. It is recommended you consult the Bentley | | | | their product for VW's past the year 2000 and above, |
| Manual prior to this install. It will help ensure you don't | | | | yet. Installation is relatively easy, but more time |
| break anything as you're pulling apart interior. | | | | consuming than anything. Consult the Bentley Manual |
| The last performance upgrade to be covered in our | | | | for details on replacing brake lines, the clutch slave line, |
| three part series is steel braided hoeses. Steel braided | | | | and brake bleeding. Most cars have an order in which |
| hoses provide more precision in braking and clutching. | | | | you're suppose to bleed each of the four calipers! |
| (those of you with a MKII & older have a clutch cable) | | | | With these small performance improvements you will |
| When braking and clutching, hydraulics are used to | | | | enjoy your VW a lot more than back when your car |
| activate the brake calipers and the clutch slave | | | | was bone-stock. After upgrading your car with lots of |
| cylinder. Usually the stock lines are made of rubber | | | | performance upgrades keep in mind that it is vital for |
| braided hosing. Rubber is ok, and does the job well, but | | | | you to improve stopping power as well with brake |
| tends to expand a little when you depress the brake | | | | upgrades! Always remember to stay safe and keep |
| or the clutch. Replacing these hoses with steel braided | | | | your performance modifications well-balanced. |
| hoses eliminates that expansion. Thus giving more | | | | |