VF Stage II Supercharger Kit - Another pictoral review brought to you by Neb.

[Nebby]

VF Stage II

So yeah, I did it. I'm officially part of the FI family. I went with the VF
Engineering Stage II Supercharger Kit.

VF Stage II is awesome and amazing. I drove QBNR32's car back
when it was Stage II'd and loved the boost of power that the car had
over stock. I commented then that it was definitely "$6000 faster"
and I absolutely stand by that statement. The car just pulls and
pulls. I find myself feeling I should let off the accelerator at around
5,000 RPM because I'm not used to the power yet and it doesn't
seem like there could be more, but you can just keep going all the
way to redline and it's quite the thrill.

As with our cars in stock-form, there is power everywhere... just a lot
more of it. I love to slowly accelerate in 3rd gear to about 3000 RPM
then just gently depress the gas pedal more and more till WOT... it
just keeps going like (insert overly used cliche) a freight train. Even in
6th gear, you can just accelerate so easily. I can best describe it by
saying that I need a 7th gear... you know, the one that is meant for
cruising but not really passing? 6th gear is now very responsive and
suitable for passing, soooo much more so than before.

And another thing that I loved today was how it drove on the 405
freeway on my commute to work. I was in stop and go traffic for an
hour today, rarely reaching over 20 MPH and the car felt completely
stock. The power of Stage II is there when you want it, but it doesn't
alter the smooth driving of everyday life when you can't use it, which is
awesome.

I wanted to try supercharging my R32 for a few reasons. One of the
main goals being that I wanted to preserve the driving characteristics
of the R32 in stock-form. When I first got my R32, I missed the
turbo "kick" of my VW 20th AE GTI. However, after a year or so, I grew
to love the linear power of the 3.2L V6 and when I went back to drive
my old 20th AE (sold it to my bro-in-law), I realized the virtues of a
strong V6 and linear power. Seeing the VF Stage II dyno plots showed
me that their kit doesn't really change the car's characteristics, it just
raises it up a notch, or four!

I'm very happy with the kit, the install was superb (thanks Eli and
Nik). VF's kits come with molded plastic tubing for the intake,
intercooler, etc... but I specifically requested the older aluminum
tubing because I like the looks of that better. The plastic tubing (I
think) is pancaked just before it goes into the intercooler, requiring
less bumper cutting. So, my grills are on the car, but not perfect...
yet. I think a tad bit of trimming and tinkering will make it near
perfect. The "whirring" sound is new for me (never owned a car with a
supercharger) and I'm still getting used to it. It's not too loud, but
you know it's there. You're not going to fool anyone that knows about
cars that you're still naturally aspirated.

Oh yeah, the intercooler really works! Simple test of putting my hand
on the entry side piping after a hard drive showed the air going in was
warm/hot, the pipe after the intercooler was cool to the touch! Neat!

I was also really impressed to find out from Nik that they are still
continuing to develop and perfect this kit. I think it's really cool that
even though they sold well over 200 kits, they continue to work on
their product. Especially since it's the kit for the R32, a limited
production car.

They just got in some new "hard metal piping" to replace the once
hard rubber hoses for the oil lines. You can see the new pieces here.
They're really quite impressive to look at, even for a novice like me.

Updated 100 octane race program
Also, VF just finished updating their software for the 100 octane
program for Stage II. Not sure of the exact numbers but I think that
they found another 14 horsepower and just under 20 ft. lbs. of torque.
See the image below that compares 91 octane and 100 octane on the
VF Stage II. Anyone have some 100 octane fuel for me to test with? I
think Josh and I are the only ones running this version of the file right
now.

EuroCullen HID Kit no longer fits
PS. My EuroCullen HID Projector kit no longer fits with the Stage II
installed... SUCKS! I'm back to crappy OEM, I hope the Hella CELIS
lights fit, but I'm not holding my breath.

Thanks Team VF, I absolutely love it!!!

OK, enough of the chitter-chatter... here's my trademark "too many"
pics.

Here are pics of the new metal piping and fittings, neat eh?

Here is the 4Wheel Dyno Chart showing the power at the wheels for
the 91 octane program versus the 100 octane race program. I love
the fact that GIAC develops the softare for VF, solid partnership! This
is wheel HP on a 4 wheel dyno, not crank.

Here are the pics of the installed it, enjoy!!! There's a new hidden
mod in there, can you see it?

Modified by nebuchadnezzar at 10:14 PM 3-24-2005


Modified by nebuchadnezzar at 7:52 AM 3-25-2005

[r3nt4c0p]

Oh my.

[Eric@SETuning.com]

Quote, originally posted by r3nt4c0p »

Oh my.

umm i second that

E

[foofighter28]

so the pass grille doesnt fit squarely on yours either

wow that's nice though Neb fack...

[Chunk85]

Sweet Neb! U know i need to drive your car NOW!!!
- Daria

[Nebby]

Quote, originally posted by foofighter28 »

so the pass grille doesnt fit squarely on yours either wow that's nice though Neb fack...

I think if you're really concerned about it Foo, get the black plastic tubing that is pancaked or ovalized... that should work just fine.

[foofighter28]

did u get any pics of that as well? w/ the black tubing is the core black too

[BadAssLilR32]

Id like to know the gain diff or in this case losses from the "pancaked" black piping. Awesome writeup tho neb, I'll def keep it in mind. Did you help with the install? Curious how long it took. I had my Vortech V1 off my mk3 VR in 6hrs by myself with no experience removing one before. Install took about 6-8hrs too....

Im sure with the friends I have, and VW tech I could do this in a wkd, not sure bout 6k tho.

[Nebby]

Quote, originally posted by BadasslilGTI »

Id like to know the gain diff or in this case losses from the "pancaked" black piping.

Pancaked may be too strong of a word, think ovalized. I didn't
see the black plastic option that day.

Quote, originally posted by BadasslilGTI »

Awesome writeup tho neb, I'll def keep it in mind. Did you help with the install? Curious how long it took. I had my Vortech V1 off my mk3 VR in 6hrs by myself with no experience removing one before. Install took about 6-8hrs too....

You obviously don't know me well... I own a screwdriver, some
duct tape and a flashlight. QBNR32 does all my work for me, and that
is one reason I went VF Stage II, since QBN has a similar kit and can
service my car for me with any VF issues that may arise.

VF did a full Stage II install in just over 4 hours at the GTG with a team
of two (Nik and Eli) and a lot of pre-prep work. It's a very well thought
out kit from what I've seen/heard for the DIYer.

[RonR32]

Dyno numbers looks awsome Neb!

Are you interested in coming out this Saturday to California Speedway for street legal drags?

More info. here:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1872219

[BadAssLilR32]

Damn 4hrs....I could probably arrange that with one of my custom removing the front end for work to come like i did for my evoms fmic install i did in 45min

[vdubbin0.]

LUCKY !!!
damn !

[MightyQ]

Was the hidden mod the HPA motor mounts I think I spied in one of the pics? btw VERY nice work.

[peace]

Incredible writeup & photos!

Questions: Where is the air filter now located? Also, it looks like the tow hook "eye" is now useless - looks like the IC piping is in the way.

One other thing - That car is beautiful! Feel free to post many pictures.

[stripethree]

Heh, I saw your other post frst, about the 'hidden' mod, and was like holy crap, when did he get supercharged!

Nice!

[peace]

Quote, originally posted by MightyQ »

Was the hidden mod the HPA motor mounts I think I spied in one of the pics? btw VERY nice work.

I think it was the Jay Caps!!!

[ARRR Matey 32]

NEB is the SOCAL Gangster of the Year!

[TTigg]

Yaaaaaay! Looks super Neb and I can't wait to take a passenger spin at the Track on the 11th. Oh and the 10th is just going to be NUTs. For sure another world breaking record number of cars in one spot!!

[j-dub]

Looks great, thanks for the pics and review.

[Jman5000]

Excellent review.

Writeup helps to prove there is life over/under/around m4X aych3 Pee fanboys.

[bizzeau]

I just did the "oh" face while reading/viewing this thread/pictorial...

[Doug Brekke]

Congrats to my man, Neb. He's done a thorough job in building one of the best all-around tuned R32s I know of. The upcoming HPA track day will prove it.

[Nebby]

Quote, originally posted by foofighter28 »

did u get any pics of that as well? w/ the black tubing is the core black too

Nope, but QBNR32 painted his black, so you can just paint yours.

Quote, originally posted by MightyQ »

Was the hidden mod the HPA motor mounts I think I spied in one of the pics? btw VERY nice work.

HPA Motor Mounts? I have all three VF Motor Mounts and have
had them for a few months now. The new super secret mod was the
billet aluminum power steering fluid cap. See this post HERE .

Quote, originally posted by Doug Brekke »

Congrats to my man, Neb. He's done a thorough job in building one of the best all-around tuned R32s I know of. The upcoming HPA track day will prove it.

Thanks Doug. I won't be proven with me driving We'll see how
things go. I do think that it will do very well. The car is just so well
balanced, has power available anywhere when you need it and still
very close to stock feel, just faster. I do think that the best judge for
the comparo would be someone familiar with the R32, but nonetheless
I can't wait to see it ripping around the Streets of Willow on April 11th.

Quote, originally posted by bizzeau »

I just did the "oh" face while reading/viewing this thread/pictorial...

Haha, Thanks Bizzeau!

[carma]

Neb, thanks for all the good info on the stage2 vf charger. I'll be cruising down to SoCal for the HPA track day thing as well and hope to see your R. I'm really curious if you have a stock run on the dyno. I'd like to see the comparison from stock. I assume from common knowledge that you should get about 180-200 ft lb of torque from an AWD dyno from a stock R. That said, why is it your car is only making 25-35 ft lb of torque over stock at best? Just an observation, no bashing here. It probably feels better than it looks I'm sure. What's your thoughts on the dyno plot compared to stock and how the car feels in relation to the dyno plot? Thanks.

Modified by carma at 8:23 AM 3-25-2005

[Nebby]

Quote, originally posted by carma »

I'm really curious if you have a stock run on the dyno. I'd like to see the comparison from stock. I assume from common knowledge that you should get about 180-200 ft lb of torque from an AWD dyno from a stock R.

So to be clear, that is not MY car's dyno, that dyno plot is from JoshFromTheIE's Stage II'd R32. I did dyno my car before, but it was on a MAHA dyno so it's really not relevant to compare it to this Mustang AWD dyno.

That said, here's VF's stock vs Stage I on the same dyno (although different car)... so if you compare with the chart I posted, you can get a sense of stock vs. Stage I (91) vs. Stage II (91) vs. Stage II (100).

So it seems we're getting 33 ft. lbs. of torque over stock, but these are all numbers at the wheels. I think if you're "comparing" to any other kit out there, and those numbers are crank, you can multiply by 1.25 to get a rough approximation of "at the crank" numbers.

Modified by nebuchadnezzar at 8:28 AM 3-25-2005

[mec_vw]

Quote, originally posted by nebuchadnezzar »

EuroCullen HID Kit no longer fits PS. My EuroCullen HID Projector kit no longer fits with the Stage II installed...

Any idea how the depth of the EuroCullen HID kit compares to OEM Euro HIDs?

I'd rather not give up my OEM HIDs to go FI. I recall one or two other people posting that they have successfully used both OEM HIDs and the VF kit and had a liiiiitle room to spare between. I just hope the revised VF kit doesn't eliminate that little bit of clearance.

Beyond that--excellent review!

Mike

[BeowulfR32]

Very nice Neb, thanks for your post. My R is jealous.

What a joy it must be to drive your R.

[modvp]

What boost pressure is the system running at? Is the boost the same on both maps (91 and 100 octane maps)?

[Nebby]

Quote, originally posted by modvp »

What boost pressure is the system running at? Is the boost the same on both maps (91 and 100 octane maps)?

Yep, Stage II is a mild 6.5 psi. Isn't boost on a SC'd car a function of the pulleys and not controllable via any "outside" controller like a ECU or boost controller? I dunno.


Modified by nebuchadnezzar at 9:39 AM 3-25-2005

[Henman]

Quote, originally posted by nebuchadnezzar »

EuroCullen HID Kit no longer fits My EuroCullen HID Projector kit no longer fits with the Stage II installed... SUCKS! I'm back to crappy OEM, I hope the Hella CELIS lights fit, but I'm not holding my breath.

Are you thinking of selling them? Dibs if you are.

[turboxer]

The first dyno on 91 octane showed 252 and your car is putting 272? Is this because of software update? I thought VF advertised stage 2 as 350HP at the crank.

Neb,

Nice

Quick question .... the HID kit doesn't fit anymore because you have to mount the ballast right behind the headlight correct? Remember THIS THREAD I opened a while ago? Click on it and you will see that I bought the McCulloch HID kit.

[wrh3]

Looks good Neb, too bad you're on the other coast because I need a ride
FI......Turbo or supercharger.......decisions, decisions........

[Nebby]

Quote, originally posted by vR32 »

The first dyno on 91 octane showed 252 and your car is putting 272? Is this because of software update? I thought VF advertised stage 2 as 350HP at the crank.

First dyno is Stage I, not Stage II. My car was not dyno'd, these are from two different cars.

[turboxer]

Quote, originally posted by nebuchadnezzar »

First dyno is Stage I, not Stage II. My car was not dyno'd, these are from two different cars.

Thanks for clarifying. Look at the link I posted. The McCulloch HID kit might work for you. The projector headlights wouldn't fit back or they didn't fit because the HID kit was mounted right behind them?

[Nebby]

Quote, originally posted by vR32 »

Thanks for clarifying. Look at the link I posted. The McCulloch HID kit might work for you. The projector headlights wouldn't fit back or they didn't fit because the HID kit was mounted right behind them?

Nope, even without the HID ballasts or bulbs, the headlights themselves don't fit.