My friends and family think I'm doing drugs....

Wrxified

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
TDI
2001 Golf GL Indigo Blue
They can't figure out why I have this cheesy grin plastered on my face everywhere I go.:D

I on the other hand know it's to be blamed on the PP520's I installed this past week. Something about the feeling of driving a new and improved vehicle that just makes me look like some sort of goof with the grin that won't go away.

It's really a lot of fun. The car doesn't even have the same personality. Such a smooth and powerful rush under 50%+ acceleration. No smoke whatsoever that I can notice. I did have them balanced by Greg at Lubricationspecialist.com. I am very pleased with Charlie at (Kermatdi) and Greg. Both top notch folks with a good product and service offering.

Anyone considering this just do it. You'll have no regrets at all. Unless of course you get a ticket. Much more likely than without the upgrade.
 

Golf_GTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2004
Location
Logan Ohio, USA
TDI
2001 Golf GLS
You are on drugs... its called torque!

I think prior to moving up the the big PP764s I'm gonna try to lay hands on some spare injector bodies and have Greg set them for me. If I'm going to go that hard core I may as well make sure the spray pattern is PERFECT.

Now have you done any chipping yet? If not your gonna be drooling all over yourself soon. My 520s went in prior to my RC3 and I can tell you that the chip was every bit as magic as the injectors. Its like peanut butter and jelly, can't have one and not want the other. =-)
 
Last edited:

PDJetta

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 6, 2003
Location
Northern Virginia
TDI
'04 Jetta GLS TDI Pumpe Duce Platinum Grey w/ Leather
Another clue to back up the friends' and family's thoughts that its drugs is "Where has all of your money gone?"

Mods ain't cheap!

--Nate
 

Wrxified

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
TDI
2001 Golf GL Indigo Blue
My plan is the RC2 or RC3. I don't know. Which one is better for the PP520's? My guess is that RocketChip will use the best map for the nozzle's and already has one mapped.

My clutch is fine now. Super cold in MI and no slipping. I planned to do the chip right away but Charlie at KermaTDI guaranteed I'll be slipping right off the bat. Don't want that.

So I called a local tdiclubber in Michigan that does work on the side. He said he can install a clutch for $300-$400. Just need to pick the clutch at this point. There don't seem to be a lot of good options.:confused:

At that point I guess I'll move to the chip.
 

Ed's TDI

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 30, 2001
Location
Victoria, BC, Canada
TDI
2001 Bora and 2016 Touareg
Just need to pick the clutch at this point. There don't seem to be a lot of good options.
There are a few options available for clutch upgrades. Many people have been satisfied with a VR6 clutch/G60 flywheel combo, but some have mentioned a bit of chatter and vibration from the single-mass flywheel setup. Others (such as myself) have gone with SPEC clutches, which retain the stock dual-mass flywheel, and have also been satisfied with the upgrades. It should be noted that a few people, again including myself, have noticed that there is a lower point of engagement with the SPEC clutch than the OEM clutch which may necessitate the removal of the clutch pedal bump stop to allow the pedal to be fully depressed. Other than that, I can honestly say that the clutch is very capable of holding the power that most of us here are putting down.
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
I had RC3 for several months with no slip, but when the PP520s went in I got slip on the first drive. Put in the G60/VR6 clutch (used the kit from Dieselgeek) and now it's great.

My car is pretty quick now. A fellow member drove it Saturday and kept getting wheelspin in second at part throttle (roads were wet, admittedly). I find I'm reluctant to use anything near full throttle until I'm in 3rd. No clutch slip, just lots of power. And so far no evidence of any drop in fuel economy--still on the first tank.

I guarantee you'll get slip with RC3, and you may with RC2. Even though my clutch had 100K on it, it wasn't anywhere near the end of its life. It was just overwhelmed.

What I wasn't prepared for was how much smoother the car is with the PPs. Wow!
 

Wrxified

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
TDI
2001 Golf GL Indigo Blue
Okay. Sounds like you have some good information to offer. Do you have this clutch "chatter". I don't have a clue what it sounds like. Does it make your car sound like a clunker? I'd really like to know what kind of sound people are talking about before I go this way.

Also and more importantly. You chose the RC3. What made you go this way as opposed to the RC2?

IndigoBlueWagon said:
I had RC3 for several months with no slip, but when the PP520s went in I got slip on the first drive. Put in the G60/VR6 clutch (used the kit from Dieselgeek) and now it's great.
 

AWD

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Location
Manitoba, Canada
TDI
Golf, 2000, Blue
I believe RC2 is made with the Sprint nozzles in mind, and RC3 is for the Powerplus'. I have both and love both. RC2 is smooth and has great power everywhere. The biggest difference is RC3 has more down low.
Both will slip your clutch winter or not.
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
If I didn't tell you about the 'rattle' and you didn't stand outside the car and listen for it you would never know. It's that subtle. I understand it's a bit louder with the lightened flywheel, and that individual cars vary. But it's really not an issue. It's overblown here, IMO.

I went with RC3 because I wanted more boost. More boost means more power, but also better fuel burning--less smoke. RC3 typically tops out at 18 PSI, RC2 closer to 17. I have driven my cars with both, and it's kind of like having a bit more pedal travel with more power when you put your foot down.
 

AlbanyTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2005
Location
North Greenbush, NY
TDI
2010
Don't forget - every stock clutch is different. If you've owned the car since new, you know how it's been driven. I got my car used - with a hole worn in the floormat right under the clutch pedal. It was fine for about a month with PP520's, then started to let go under certain conditions. That was last March, and I still have that clutch. Still got lots of life in it, but can't deal with the torque under load.

Some people have luck with the stock clutch and mods, and some don't. Gonna do mine any week now so I can play with RC!
 

IXLR8

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2003
Location
Cushing, ME
TDI
12 Passat Platinum Gray, 02 Golf Black, 01 Jetta Black
I installed my PP520's in the morning.. Jeff put in RC2 in the afternoon. :) I asked him what level he recommended with the PP520's, stock clutch, '02 Golf, he said to go with the RC2. There is more smoke than I would like at WOT with the IQ maxed out, at 4.8. He did say that there would not be enough boost with the RC2 to go with the PP520's and I would get smoke. He said the Sprint 520's are a better match for RC2. My clutch lasted about a month before it started slipping. I have a new clutch ready to go in after the first of the year.. then we shall see about RC3 and hopefully get rid of the smoke. :D
 

MTB_TDI

Veteran Member
Joined
May 28, 2003
Location
Utah
TDI
02 Golf MT indigo blue pearl 4 dr & '15 Touareg TDI
I just installed a g60 clutch on Saturday. It hold better than the old one that could only handle half throttle. I still haven't tried it out under WOT yet, but it should be fun :D!

The chatter is not noticable unless you are outside the car or are next to a building or something (like in a drivethrough) while in the car. I can't hear the chatter at a stop light if my fan is on 2 or the radio is on. You will notice it however, but it is worth it whenever you step on the throttle:)!

I will probably switch to RC3 when I get my gauges installed and and check the boost levels. I haven't pushed it with either the RC or the nozzles because the clutch slipped when I only had the chip.
 

TooMuchBoost

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2004
Location
Blairsville, GA
TDI
Jetta
I'm glad you are more than happy ;) but you are really drug-free since you are only on Tylenol unless you run RC3 (only to START with) and Kerma Race Injectors.;)

I'm about to show you what a crack addict deals with on a daily basis....:eek: :D :p :eek:

Only a couple more weeks.....................

Only after that is when I'll explain what 'diesel' drugs mean too..................

If we aren't careful Charlie and Jeff will be regulated by the DEA!
 
Last edited:

david_594

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 28, 2004
Location
Cheshire, CT
TDI
2000 Jetta GLS Silver
Rc3+ pp520's = lots of slipping. I am running it now and have been for a couple months. At about 16 psi the clutch starts to chatter and anything over that and its the RPMS are on their own. Great combination... absolutely great. I get a little bit of smoke occasionally but over all its really not that bad.
 

IXLR8

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2003
Location
Cushing, ME
TDI
12 Passat Platinum Gray, 02 Golf Black, 01 Jetta Black
david_594 said:
Rc3+ pp520's = lots of slipping. I am running it now and have been for a couple months.
David, what clutch setup are you running? RC3 + PP520's is where I am heading :) and I don't want any clutch issues.
 

david_594

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 28, 2004
Location
Cheshire, CT
TDI
2000 Jetta GLS Silver
Oh, Im still on the stock clutch and it still slips alot. Ive just learned to deal with it. The secret is if you keep the RPM's up its not a big deal. So if I am briskly accelerating all the way from firsr gear I dont really have any issues until I hit 4th.
 

fireboy

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2005
Location
Wyoming, MN
TDI
04 Jetta GL
Hypithecially speaking, If I was going to put an RC2 or 3 and PP520's into my Jetta and do the work myself/have friends do it. What are we talking for an average price tag? If i put an RC3 in and PP520's it sounds like i'll probably have to upgrade the clutch too??
 

MTB_TDI

Veteran Member
Joined
May 28, 2003
Location
Utah
TDI
02 Golf MT indigo blue pearl 4 dr & '15 Touareg TDI
You are looking at:
$315 for the RC 3
$285 for the PP520s
$185 for the G60 flywheel (if you choose that route, I got mine from MJMautohaus.com)
$150 for the pressure plate and throwout bearing (I got mine from Kerma)
+ a few dollars for some stretch bolts and some tranny fluid.
Also, plan on a boost and EGT gauge and a boost valve ($50). They will save you some grief sooner or later.


Albany beat me to it! I just did mine the last month though!
The gauges can run cheap or expensive. That is up to you but you really do NEED to do it.
 

AlbanyTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2005
Location
North Greenbush, NY
TDI
2010
Fast and sloppy or slow and accurate? You choose! :D I just close my eyes and type a credit card number by feel :rolleyes:

Those are some good prices on clutch parts, was gonna pick up the kit but geez, that's alot less!

Edit: Oh, and I second the guages and boost valve. I was shocked to see what my turbo was up to with only nozzles when I put the boost guage in, and very pleased with the valve. And EGT is a must before RC3. I before E except after C.
 
Last edited:

Golf_GTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2004
Location
Logan Ohio, USA
TDI
2001 Golf GLS
I am still proud to say that my STOCK clutch lives (mostly) happily behind PP520s and an RC3. Lets see if it lives through the 11mm pump next. =-)
 

OmegaRenegade

Vendor
Joined
Dec 15, 2005
Location
Brampton
TDI
2004 Jetta
all this talk about clutch, what can one expect to see if they are running this on *sigh* an auto transmission *end sigh*? i am considering upgrading my injectors to .205 and then later on doing an upsolute chip upgrade. Is this basically something i should leave to manual cars or can the lazy auto drivers like myself partake in the fun?

OmegaRenegade
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
OmegaRenegade said:
all this talk about clutch, what can one expect to see if they are running this on *sigh* an auto transmission *end sigh*? i am considering upgrading my injectors to .205 and then later on doing an upsolute chip upgrade. Is this basically something i should leave to manual cars or can the lazy auto drivers like myself partake in the fun?

OmegaRenegade
Jump in! Others will post on this I'm sure, but I've read that PP357s and RC3 is a great combo in the automatic cars. The transmission can handle the power, and you already have an 11mm pump so the PP357s give you similar power to the 5-speed cars with PP520s. Some people have used Sprint .205s, too. Ask Jeff what he thinks is the best combo.

This is one place where auto drivers save money because no drivetrain mods are required.
 

4vdubs

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2005
Location
Western, NC
TDI
Jetta TDI, 2003, Silver
I have an automatic with RC3 and Sprint 520's. I started out with RC2 and upgraded to RC3. Jeff was able to customize RC3 for my car keeping the boost and timing settings but lowering the fueling a little bit to compensate for the 11mm pump. Next I want to try PP520's and see what happens, then RC4, then FMIC, then................................Help me!
 

IXLR8

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2003
Location
Cushing, ME
TDI
12 Passat Platinum Gray, 02 Golf Black, 01 Jetta Black
Resistance is futile

4vdubs said:
Next I want to try PP520's and see what happens, then RC4, then FMIC, then................................Help me!
You have been infected by the TDIclub bug. There is no known cure, it will continue until you have run out of funds. It is an addiction and soon you will be begging on the streets to feed your habbit.. resistance is futile.. DAMHIK :eek: :rolleyes: :D
 

Zippy_car

Trouble Maker
Joined
Sep 21, 2005
Location
Farm country, Sacramento, CA region
TDI
Previously:'02 Jetta. Now: '13 Subaru XV Crosstrek!
IXLR8 said:
You have been infected by the TDIclub bug. There is no known cure, it will continue until you have run out of funds. It is an addiction and soon you will be begging on the streets to feed your habbit.. resistance is futile.. DAMHIK :eek: :rolleyes: :D
or.... begging other guys on the forum, while playing as cute and innocent as possible to see what they'll give ya! :D

I know the grin feeling... the same thing happened to me after i installed my new injectors! Good luck with getting enough funds up to do more mods!

please feel free to make a tax-deductable donation to: Zippy's Car Fund. Cash, checks and money orders accepted. Spare performace parts also accepted in lue of monetary donations.
 

chefpat

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 11, 2004
sorry

sorry guys but i'd like to know what you're talking about, i have the .205 tips but i hear some of you talking about rc2 or rc3 , maybe i know it under an other name but i have no ideas what is it, and would this upgrade would be expansive and what it bring more?
 

OmegaRenegade

Vendor
Joined
Dec 15, 2005
Location
Brampton
TDI
2004 Jetta
RC refers to RocketChip, the ECU upgrade, "chipping" the car.

I cant advise as to a cost but i am sure some others here can give u price.

OmegaRenegade
 
Top