[.ca] Volkswagen Sport Tuning: For Street and Competition (ISBN 0837601614)

Excellent Handbook VW Fans:
I bought this book with the intention of gathering as much information as possible about tuning my Volkswagen. Since my purchase, this book has become my bible for tuning my vehicle. This was the perfect bridge to lead me into more detailed and complex procedures behind tuning my Volkswagen. The book focuses more on the A2 and A1 vehicles, which was a bit of a downer because I drive an A3, but there was still plenty of information presented for the inquiring reader. The book emphasizes racing, and it is also an excellent source for information concerning the various racing organizations and clubs and their respective rules. I recommend this book for anyone new to automotive tuning, or for someone who is new to the specific category of tuning Volkswagens.

VOLKSWAGEN SPORT TUNING FOR STREET AND COMPETITION:
I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THIS BOOK, ITS ONLY A BUYER GUIDE, IT'S ONLY HAVE FIVE BOLT-ON PERFORMANCE TIPS, AND THAT TIPS CAN DO ANYBODY. I EXPECTED MORE, BUT IF YOU SEE THE REFERENCE ABOUT THE AUTOR NOW YOU KNOW WHY (NO OFFENSE).

Pretty good starter book:
This is not a book for illegal street racers where anything goes, it is specific to cars running in legitimate closed-course competition. I dinged this book a couple of stars, because it did not include anything about performance rallying, or GTI Cup preparation, areas I am most interested in. Racing technology moves so fast that a book like this is partially out of date before it is printed. The "hot tire" last week is only good for a course marker this week. That said, Volkswagen Sport Tuning for Street and Competition does take you through the right stuff, and does a good job for autocrossers, solo, and time-trialists. A current rule-book and Bentley Repair manual is enough information to get you on the track - it's worth the money as a single source of information and a philosophy for preparation. I was involved with motor sports in the mid-seventies and ran out of money before I learned an important lesson - all the basic stuff has to be right before you start looking for performance modifications. I wish I had a book like this back then. No amount of chromed/polished/anodized bolt-on performance modifications will offset a worn-out motor, soft-motor-mounts, and a bad clutch. That kind of thing is basic to high performance driving. Of course when you're a kid, who can make you believe money spent on a new clutch is better than a 290degree unobtanium camshaft Overall I felt Volkswagen Sport Tuning for Street and Competition was money well spent and I would buy the book again if I lost it.

Help you avoid costly mistakes:
It's an excellent book for the novice A1/A2 autocrosser or street performance driver like myself. Explains how some modifications for the track would not be the best for the street. Great info about exhausts, suspension, and engine tuning, with lots of autocrossing stuff mixed in. One of the best books around.

Excellent info on A1and A2 VW modifications:
I have two Jettas and one Golf and I found this book very well done, excellent information on what to do and not to do to your VW for street or track. Well written and excellent photos make this a good resource book for the VW enthusiast! This and your Robert Bentley manual will give valuable information on maintaining your VW.