Kevin Bacon

They're crap, that's what's up with them. People rave on about how good they are but I honestly can't see what the fuss is about. I've known SEVERAL to fail or develop intermittent problems, including my own. I enquired today about why the mess up so often and the technician said "it probably needs a £55 service". £55!! Sounds very fishy to me. £55 is enough to replace faulty components in the main module.....hmmmm Kev

It's mainly the alernator that slows the engine down. The more current it draws, the bigger the load it puts on the engine. Slowing it down slightly won't hurt and slowing the PAS pump down is a good thing imo on the C. kev

Go here and scroll down to the white MK2 2.0 G60, full details and spec, 245bhp:- http://www.stealthracing.co.uk/sr_pg60.html I drove this car about 3 years ago as I know the owner and I can tell you it is a fantastic engine. VERY fast. Kev

The carbon canister soaks up petrol vapours and is an integral part of the emission reduction system. The VR6 needed it to get through the Euro emissions, not to mention the even stricter US emissions. I understand Bill Gates had the emission laws relaxed in the states anyway, so that he could import a McLaren F1, that's power for you! Most people disconnect the CC system as it simply entails blocking off one pipe, but not the fuel tank return one! There is a massive thread about it on this forum. It can also be moved easily enough, removing the air box will reveal all. Yeah it's just cold air-intake. It goes through the hole (after removing the air box) and a K&N filter attached at the end. Have a look here, http://www.turn2usa.com Kev

Roddy, has your Koni setup bedded in yet? Have you tweaked the firmness and found the chassis to be a lot more solid feeling? Kev

P-flows have been popular for some time now but it's an old design now. People now find it is better to route a pipe into the hole where the carbon canister lives, resulting in oodles of cold air flow, which engines like. The stock airbox has been optimised for torque and induction noise reduction, but can be restrictive higher up the rev band. I personally would only consider an induction kit (such as Turn-2's system) if I had performance cams or a supercharger. That's just me tho as I hate induction roar. Kev

Don't they just. Yeah the VR is good at high speeds and can haul it's lardy arse up to 145mph, given enough room. The gear ratios are well suited to the VR's torque. A shorter ratio box would give the engine more urgency though. Kev

Correct. In the good old days, it wasn't uncommon for people to use 2 oil weights a year. A 15 grade in the winter and a 40 or 50 grade in the summer. Kev

Couldn't agree more. Never use pattern gaskets, they're just not up to the same standard as VAG. I believe VW have improved the VR6 head gasket in recent years. How's the head job going Scott? Kev

I hate Clifford alarms. I've had 4 over the years and my C currently has a Concept 300. They're just so unreliable. Mine works one day and not the other, so I just don't bother using it. I just use the door locks and immobiliser function of the alarm. People ignore alarms anyway. Kev

Aye, I fitted my Neuspeed 25mm rear bar today and wow!! It's a different car! It's still on the stock suspension too, so when I get my Konis and H&Rs done in August, it's going to be even better!! I like the Neuspeeds. They're very different to the de facto Eibachs, hanging a lot lower, giving more leverage. They're adjustable too, ideal for track days. Just got watch the rose joints as they can seize. Kev

Increasing torque on the VR is not cheap. A pair of 256 duration cams, Schrick VGI manifold and a rechip gives UK 2.9 engines around 20bhp and about 40-50lb/ft torque. That lot will set you back over £2000 GBP though. A Supercharger or turbo (American tuners are very clued up on this) is another option, but again very expensive. Kev

Hi and welcome! Number 1 priority is the suspension. This allows you to do more with the standard power and brakes. You might want to consider stronger engine mounts too since stopping that great lump of pig iron moving around also helps the handling, like you wouldn't believe. I recommend Koni Top adjustables all round, H&R sport springs and a Neuspeed 25mm rear anti-roll bar. That my friend, would be a great start! Kev

Yeah sorry guys, the link was curiously snipped in half when I pasted it! Kev

Not at all. I know what's causing it and it's nothing important. Just put some copper grease on the ceramic ball I described above when changing the clutch. Kev

http://www.neuspeed.com/products/produc ... &p_id=1692 Kev

I second that. Used to have an Aquamist system on my 16V Turbo. Not really. Methanol is a cooler and it is this cooling effect that gives you the torque, if you advance the ignition to take advantage of the denser charge, that is. Methanol is not as flammable as petrol. You need twice as much methanol to do the same job as petrol. It's simply there to cool and act as a 'fill-in' for the petrol as you've removed some of it's flammability by introducing water. I used to run a 60/40 mix (Water/meth) in a 9 litre washer bottle from a Headlight washer model MK2 Golf. If you can't get hold of neat methanol, use screen wash. Kev

And stall like one too. Kev

I think the Glass VW use on the Corrado is make by Sekurit. And it's crap as it scratches too bloody easily. Kev

A few years ago I wrote to both Mobil and Castrol asking them for info on their oils and to prove they are 100% man-made. Castrol sent me a MASSIVE dossier on their products, including their superb Castor based RS 10/60W oil, which they sadly no longer make. Fully detailed, spec sheets, type approval certificates....the works. Mobil refused to comment. Oil is very difficult to rate since you are entirely trusting of the manufacturer that it's doing what it claims. Bore wear is a very slow process and they know most people will get shot of their car LONG before it needs a new engine. So knowing you'll never check the engine internals and that oil doesn't give you extra hp, they play on it and can basically claim what they like because it can't be proven outside of controlled testing environments. Mobil 1 15/50W is good because of it's larger viscosity range, heat absorbtion and anti-shearing qualities at very high temps (up to 300 deg sustained), but it's just so darned expensive. You're talking £60 to fill a VR6 and it'll drink half that over a couple of thou... Sod that. Ta Kev

I don't buy into Magnatec, how can an oil have 'magnetic' qualities? and what use would that be on alloy pistons anyway? Personally I'd rather have oil flowing round oil galleries and cooling piston skirts that clinging to parts like the advert would have you believe. Just use the normal Quantum silver stuff. Kev

Or just use Golf 4 Motion discs...... Kev

It's only the inlet cam that's different. Indeed, the Passat and Corrado share the same 2.0 short block where as the Golf got the tall block which doesn't rev as well. Yeah sounds about right but you don't really need the KR head as it's no different to the 2.0 one. You just need the KR manifolds and cams and a KR's K-Jetronic is able to supply enough juice, even better with K start KS-301 though. Good for 165-170bhp. Cheers Kev

There's no excuse for loose spark plugs. This is precisely why I do my own servicing. Grease monkeys on a 9 to 5 just don't give a damn and silly mistakes like that occur all too often. It won't affect the engine running until the last thread gives way and you see a spark plug fly through the bonnet!! Kev

I'm not sure about VW in the States but in the UK, they can pull up every single detail about your car from it's registration plate. Paint codes, engine type, options fitted etc etc. One thing to bear in mind with paint codes though is there are two for the same colour. A VW 'production code' and a customer indetification code. The latter is used in places for Motor spares stores that sell spray cans etc and the former is what VW use. All very strange but there you go! The reason I mentioned that is because the paint code on my sticker (where yours was) is not recognised by Volkswagen, even though they put it on the damn sticker!! Kev