UK modding service?

[molgrips]

Is there anyone in the UK that can help me get my Passat the way I want it?  I'd take it to my local garage but I think he thinks I'm weird having already spent a fair amount of money on what he thinks is a junk car...

I might want the final drive ratio changed in the gearbox but I don't think I can do it myself.

[aidan]

Does that have a cable or rod shift gearbox? I'm sure i've seen old 1.6TD Passats with cable change gearboxes, maybe they get similar to petrol ratios?
Anyway, what i'm getting at is you could change to a 02a tdi box if longer gearing is what you want

[molgrips]

It's cable driven, I think.

Can a gearbox be swapped DIY?

[aidan]

It can, but unless you have a ramp or are willing to take the entire front of the car off, its not easy, its also very heavy on your own.
Good news is if it is a cable change box you have, the 02a is a straight swap, so flywheel/clutch, driveshafts and mounts should be exactly the same.
The mk3 golf tdi box gives you around 2400rpm at 70mph (i'm guessing you want to lower motorway rpms?) and I dont't think this changed on the o2a or o2j models, my Leon 110 did the same rpm.
You will probably want to up the fuel a bit though to run this gearing though as the tdis have a lot more torque at lower revs.
Incidentally I have a gearbox for sale for £50 (also a vr6 clutch for £30 should you plan on upping the power a lot)

[molgrips]

I could be very interested in that gearbox, mate.  £50 sounds like a steal.  What conditions is it in - how many miles etc?

I am planning to do the standard fuel and boost mods as detailed on this page and others, plus an intercooler hopefully - would be enough torque, don't you think?  Also got a conical boost pin from a Rover 220d in there. The stock clutch should be able to handle it don't you think?  I'm planning to tow a light caravan with it at some point.

I'm also only running 14" wheels, which you probably don't get on a Leon or Golf GTI so might work out a bit lower gear-wise.

[Jimmy Diesel Junior]

Van aaken developements tune the IDI vw engine in the UK. Up to you but personally i wouldn't bother with gearbox unless your own one is kaput. If you want to tune it yourself, [email protected] in Germany sells complete kit including intercooler.