Sirsalliyan Small Air Compressor

Compressor Craftsman

Two Cheap Volkswagen Upgrades (part 2)

Two More Inexpensive VW UpgradesIn the first part of this series, we talked about two inexpensive upgrades that improve performance.  First, an upper stress bar to improve handling, and second, a cold air intake to improve horsepower and add some growl.  In this part we’ll to cover some more ground in the world of suspension enhancements.  After all, you want to get your VW GTI or Jetta out into some curves don't you?  If so, you’ll need some quality products to keep you on the road.

One of the two greatest concerns, when it comes to ripping the road, is suspension stiffness. Usually when suspension stiffness is modified, you also tend to modify your center of gravity, otherwise deemed 'Ride Height'. For about $225.00, a fellow dubber can obtain a set of fine quality H&R Springs. Options include the H&R Sport Springs, which tend to be stiffer than stock, but not absurdly so. The H&R Race Springs, very stiff, and not very comfortable for everyday ride. If you have a Golf or Jetta, then H&R's Sport Springs are going to make night and day difference alone. If you have a GTI, you already know that the ride can be a bit rough, and going to a set of Race Springs is going to make it a bit worse. A rude awakening for most. For a GTI owner, a set of Sport Springs should do the trick.

Let's quickly review what's entailed in a spring replacement. First, you'll need a set of Craftsman Strut Spring Compressor Tool with Built-In Safety Pins from Sears. They run about $50.00. Now if you're trying to be scrappy, you can always take these back when done. Just clean them up with a little WD-40 when you're finished. The back is going to be harder than the front in a way, as you're probably going to have to tear apart some interior. No worries though, it all snaps together/apart. Loosen your lug nuts on the first set of wheels while the car is on the ground. Pop the hood and loosen the strut tower nuts. Place a block or two behind the tires that will remain on the ground. (just in case) Jack one end of the car up one side at a time and place your jack stands under the front cross-member. (this has always worked for me) Pull off the first wheel, and remove bolts according to the Bentley Manual for your Golf or Jetta. Shimmy that strut out of there as a whole unit.

Once the strut is on the ground, go ahead and use the Strut Spring Compressor Tool to get the spring compressed. Be sure to keep the sides as even as possible! Once you feel you've gotten the spring compressed, unscrew the nut at the top of the strut tower. Everything should come apart relatively easily. Slide your existing spring off, and slide the new lower and stiffer springs on. You may not even need to compress the new springs when putting everything back together. When done, slide the entire strut back into place, and follow the above steps in reverse order. Voila! One down, three more to go!

The second largest concern in tearing through turns is, making sure the car doesn't sway in corners. Flailing, swaying, body-roll, etc. can all lead to disaster when cornering hard. The objective is to keep the car from shifting as much as possible when turning. There's a great deal of expensive hardware in existence to help this out, but let's stay focused on the cheap, but effective items. The cheap solution? An Eibach Sway Bar & Anti-Roll Kit! Price? Ballpark cost is around $350.00, shipped. The heavier gauge steel used in these sway bars is significant improvement over the stock sway bars. Yes, you have existing sway bars, but they're weak. Thus, the recommended upgrade.

Let's quickly review the install process for your Eibach Sway Bar & Anti-Roll Kit. Pick the front or back of the car to start. Place a block or two behind the tires that will remain on the ground. (just in case) Jack one end of the car up one side at a time and place your jack stands under the front cross-member. (this has always worked for me) Get some light under the car and look for the stock sway bar. Locate the nuts/bolts that hold it in place, and begin to loosen them. You may need an allen wrench and a box wrench in order to remove the existing sway bar. You'll understand this when you see it. Once bolts are removed, go ahead and finagle the bar out from underneath the car. Repeat these steps in reverse in order to get the new sway bar in place. Drop some grease on those bushings. Rinse, lather, repeat for other end of car. Thanks Eibach!

For the average Joe, the two of these upgrades combined provide substantial improvement over the stock equipment.  Combine them with the two items in Part I of this series, and you should find your car riding on rails like you were at Six Flags Magic Mountain.

About the Author

Bill is a freelance writer for automotive sites all around the Internet. VW Jetta Parts is one of his specialty topics. Make sure you get the best upgrades for your Volkswagen!

D.W. Fearn Vt-7 Stereo Compressor $4800 The D.W. Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor has an all Class-A vacuum tube audio path, like all Fearn audio products. The gain reduction elements utilize circuitry that duplicates the sound and characteristics of the finest classic vacuum tube compressors, without depending on tubes that are no longer manufactured. The control circuitry is modern solid-state analog. The two channels may be used independently or linked together for stereo. A built in sidechain high-pass filter may be selected to reduce the compression on bass-heavy material. Controls (each channel): Threshold Gain Attack Release Harder/Softer Separate/Link/Link HPF The VU meters may be switched between indicating gain reduction or output level. The VT-7 Compressor has a highly transparent sound, although it can be used more aggressively when needed. Artifacts of the compression process are substantially lower than in most other compressors. The two channels may be used independently, or linked for stereo. In addition, a third position on the Link switch inserts a high-pass filter (HPF) in the sidechain to reduce the gain-reduction sensitivity of the VT-7 to low frequencies. This is a gentle roll-off, nominally at 100Hz. This allows a bass-heavy mix to have a better frequency balance, and prevents heavy low-frequency audio from modulating the audio level. The VT-7 is equally adept in tracking as well as a bus compressor. Even jazz and classical tracks can be sent through the VT-7 for some mild gain control without obvious effect other than a significant improvement in the overall sound of the mix. Design Philosophy Like all D.W. Fearn products, the VT-7 stereo compressor is a no-compromise design. From the quarter-inch thick front panel painted with the finest polyurethane finishes to the choice of all components and controls, the VT-7 is built to look as great as it sounds. Fearn build products that last, so they use parts with superior durability and longevity. Fearn products are hand-built by craftsman, one at a time, in the USA. Important Note: Having many tubes, the VT-7 generates a considerable amount of heat. We highly recommend using D.W. Fearn Vented Rack Panels (#180296) above and below the unit for proper cooling. History of the VT-7 Compression Amplifier Compression (or limiting) is sometimes seen as a necessary evil in the recording process. Often it is used to compensate for less than optimum performance or recording technique. However, when used appropriately, there is no question that good-sounding compression can add loudness, power, and improved impact to a recording. Over many years of recording, I have had the opportunity to use and sometimes own some of the best compressors in the world. For the D.W. Fearn line of products, a compressor was obviously important. I began the search for the ultimate compressor design in 1995 and it wasn't until 2004 that I developed the sound I was looking for. There are several ways to achieve compression, and all ha

D.W. Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor $4800 The D.W. Fearn VT-7 Stereo Compressor has an all Class-A vacuum tube audio path, like all Fearn audio products. The gain reduction elements utilize circuitry that duplicates the sound and characteristics of the finest classic vacuum tube compressors, without depending on tubes that are no longer manufactured. The control circuitry is modern solid-state analog. The two channels may be used independently or linked together for stereo. A built in sidechain high-pass filter may be selected to reduce the compression on bass-heavy material. Controls (each channel): Threshold Gain Attack Release Harder/Softer Separate/Link/Link HPF The VU meters may be switched between indicating gain reduction or output level. The VT-7 Compressor has a highly transparent sound, although it can be used more aggressively when needed. Artifacts of the compression process are substantially lower than in most other compressors. The two channels may be used independently, or linked for stereo. In addition, a third position on the Link switch inserts a high-pass filter (HPF) in the sidechain to reduce the gain-reduction sensitivity of the VT-7 to low frequencies. This is a gentle roll-off, nominally at 100Hz. This allows a bass-heavy mix to have a better frequency balance, and prevents heavy low-frequency audio from modulating the audio level. The VT-7 is equally adept in tracking as well as a bus compressor. Even jazz and classical tracks can be sent through the VT-7 for some mild gain control without obvious effect other than a significant improvement in the overall sound of the mix. Design Philosophy Like all D.W. Fearn products, the VT-7 stereo compressor is a no-compromise design. From the quarter-inch thick front panel painted with the finest polyurethane finishes to the choice of all components and controls, the VT-7 is built to look as great as it sounds. Fearn build products that last, so they use parts with superior durability and longevity. Fearn products are hand-built by craftsman, one at a time, in the USA. Important Note: Having many tubes, the VT-7 generates a considerable amount of heat. We highly recommend using D.W. Fearn Vented Rack Panels (#180296) above and below the unit for proper cooling. History of the VT-7 Compression Amplifier Compression (or limiting) is sometimes seen as a necessary evil in the recording process. Often it is used to compensate for less than optimum performance or recording technique. However, when used appropriately, there is no question that good-sounding compression can add loudness, power, and improved impact to a recording. Over many years of recording, I have had the opportunity to use and sometimes own some of the best compressors in the world. For the D.W. Fearn lin

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