Injen1us
Drag Race Newbie
Let me be the first to say, props for tracking your daily. I agree completely that the VW community needs more driving and less parking/stancing. Tracking your daily driven car forces you to carefully analyze the cost, comfort, and reliability implications for each modification. :thumbsup:
Regarding the LSD, I completely agree that it's a big decision for those of us that daily our car. Both costs and logistics make it a challenge.
I'm like you in that I do nearly all of my own work, including clutch and rear main seal install, intake manifold removal for carbon cleaning, suspension, etc etc. I say nearly all my own work because there's always things like alignments, tire mounting/balancing, and then things like internal transaxle work.
When I finally decided to install an LSD, I went back and forth about installing it in the transmission myself. I was already planning on removal/re-installation of the trans to save on costs, and thought I could save some time by just doing it myself. At the end of the day, I didn't want to invest in specialty tools like bearing race pullers, etc. I ended up bringing the transmission to a reputable shop to do the LSD installation. Start to finish, it was a 3.5 day job. 1 day to remove the trans, 1.5 days for the shop to install the LSD, and 1 day to reinstall trans. (I have the exact work steps if you want them) Doing it this way allowed me to complete the install for $1500 (Peloquin LSD, fluid, bolts, install labor)
I will say this, that was some of the best money I've ever spent.
This is awesome input! Thank you.
I install most of my own stuff with a few exceptions being the turbo (i wanted the tune at the same time) and the clutch... as well as the meth.
For me the big deciding factor on doing the install myself vs someone else is time. I am an Army guy and dont have much leeway on not having a ride to a location. If a job is going to put my car out of service for more than two days i usually get it done somewhere else.
The LSD will be next. Possibly with a new clutch (or at least TOB). I have also been playing around with idea of installing a new 6th gear for driving efficiency.
I should mention the last part is because in a year i plan to go coast to coast in under 33 hours (SD to Jacksonville)
^^ lmao at comfortability and reliability. I daily and track my DD. My dd also doesn't have a back seat or anything behind the driver's seat really. It's lifted in the winter and hasn't *knocks on wood* left me stranded or broken down. You good.
I think this is one of the best parts about the GTI... it covers alot of bases other cars dont even come close. How many people track the same car they drive in the snow all while averaging >30mpg