Voxwagen
Phase One - Complete

Five years One Month

It is the way the car drove this week. That is how I knew. I had been wondering for awhile now how I would know when I had "finished" tuning the car. This week it told me.

When Volkswagen was designing the Fox, the car had the code name "Project 99".  There are nearly that many entries on the time line that got me to this point. It has taken five years and one month to reach this level of satisfaction with the car.

The plan had been to undertake one major "improvement" a year. Upgrade with sportier components as age and wear required the replacement of original components.
The reality was a slightly accelerated plan. Some parts just did not want to wait to be replaced.

Here is the list of the modifications that got the car to this point.
Modifications

Performance
K&N Air Filter
Large Throttle Body From Digifant Fox
Eurospec Solid Lifter Head
G-Grind Camshaft
Low Temperature Thermostat
Low Temperature Fan Switch
Tech Tonics Tuning Complete Exhaust
Audi 2P 5-Speed Transmission
Poly Filled Transmission Mount
Audi 80 GTe Aluminum Oil Pan
Crank Oil Scraper

Handling /  Suspension 
195/55R14 Toyo Proxes T1R Tires
14 inch Audi Cookie Cutter Rims
185/60R14 Yokohama AVS Winter Tires
A1 14 inch GTi Rims - Snowflakes
Bilstein HD Shock Absorbers
Autotech Anti-Sway Bars
Neuspeed Soft Sport Lowering Springs

Comfort / Style 
Tinted Back and Rear Windows
Factory Tachometer Instrument Cluster
Clear Tail Lights
Clear Turn Signals
Clear Corner Markers
JVC El Kameleon KD-LX333 CD Receiver
New Speakers
Three Point Rear Seat Belts
Epic Design Stainless Steel Lock Pulls
Autobahn "Fox" Mud Flaps
Deleted Side Markers
Shaved Hatch


The big performance changes were the Eurospec Head and G-Grind Cam, the Techtonics Tunings Exhaust and the 5 Speed Transmission.
The weight to horsepower ratio compares favorably with a Mk1 GTi.

Handling improvements were the Neuspeed Springs with Bilstein Struts and 2 Sets of Wheels and Tires. Life is too short for all season tires.

The big appearance changes were 14 inch factory wheels, shaving the hatch and the side markers, and a fresh coat of paint. Cut polished. And the elimination of the rust.

The interior looks pretty much stock. There are 4 speakers in the factory locations. 4 more hidden behind the upholstry panels. The elKameleon head unit hides in plain sight. The factory sport steering wheel draws little attention. Little details that make the difference. Replacing the cracked mirror knobs, repairing the worn upholstry over driver seat bolster. The powder coating the bars that hold the seatbelts.

Many small changes have brought the car to this level. An alignment. Putting an end to the rattles in the dash. Adjusting the hood stops so the hood sits straight. All adding to the joy of ownership.

Not that the car is finished. There are parts in the basement waiting to go on. And there is a bit more HP to wring out of the old 1.8L lump. It is still kinda slow by modern standards. But if I had to stop its evolution right here I would be quite content. Not that I plan to stop here.

Many thanks are owed to the members of the Fox Forum of the VW Vortex for their help in finding rare performance parts and their knowledge of longitudinal VWs.

This joy of driving a spirited Fox would not have been possible without the folks that actually do the work on the car. The crew at Tirecraft North Vancouver keep the Fox rolling. Adept's Autobody has made the shiny side shinier. The folks at North Shore Audio Video keep the Fox rocking.

Thanks to my family that both allow me to indulge in my Fox obsession and enjoy the ride.

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