A cool car is the dream of any car enthusiast. But what to do if you only have a Volkswagen Passat B3? No problem! Although the car can hardly be called a cool option for tuning, it is quite possible to turn it into a truly stylish car that you won’t be ashamed to show to your friends. Fortunately, everything is more than in order with the VW filling.
Let’s look at how to change a car beyond recognition, how to do it all yourself, and whether it’s really possible to make an expensive and pumped-up car out of a Passat B6 without going beyond your budget!
External tuning
Most often, side skirts are attached to the Passat B6 and the suspension is lowered. Not the best choice - the car will create sparks along the road, after which the skirts will wear off into metal shavings. Not all Russian roads are suitable for such modifications. The capital and St. Petersburg can still accept cars with such gizmos on their roads, but not the roads in the region - there is no chance there.
Volkswagen Passat B3 is purchased for family and trips outside the city. Therefore, all add-ons and modifications must be tailored to roominess, comfort, child seats, heating and cooling.
What is not recommended to bet:
- large and powerful audio systems - this is not what the car is for;
- RGB lighting. If we start from the original purpose of the Passat B6, then such decorations disappear;
- alloy wheels that spin while driving. If you want to make a car for racing, then it is better to choose B6, because its shape and filling are more suitable for aggressive bright tuning;
- neon lighting. The reason is the same - not for such cars and not for such roads. A couple of bumps or driving through the suburbs and there will be nothing left of the neon lamps.
As for airbrushing and coloring, there is no limit to your imagination. Car paint and its primer will perfectly hold designs of any thickness without additional priming or processing. It is better to stick to the style that was originally “native” for the car. Usually they simply change the color from the standard to a more comfortable and soft one - yellow, white, cream, brown.
Some craftsmen install car hood and side window deflectors. The rationality of using these elements is still debated to this day. In general, not everyone likes modifications and tuning of the Volkswagen Passat B3. The car is sold in a “finished” form and at first glance it is difficult to even imagine how to tune it and, most importantly, why to tune it.
Good and practical advice:
- The Passat can also be improved by installing more durable rims. Choosing this option will not be difficult. There are a huge number of online stores in Russia that allow you to get acquainted with various details online.
- On forums you can often find successful examples of tuning and choose the initial option, on the basis of which you will get your own car.
- Of course, the Passat B3 looks great on low-profile tires. But we must not forget about the real conditions of using the car. Often the installation of such wheels ends negatively.
Read also Cool tuning Tiguan 2019
Remember! Such tuning options for the “people's” Passat B3 can only be used in countries with ideal roads. Russia is not Europe, where you can check the construction level along the roads. Expensive tuning will literally “stay” on the road, and with it the car enthusiast’s money.
Simplicity and good initial equipment are what people love about this model. The most irrational thing an owner can do is ruin it with modifications and nullify all the efforts of the manufacturer to produce a convenient and economical family car for various purposes.
Interior tuning
The well-equipped interior gives the driver and passengers a pleasant feeling of comfort. Therefore, the interior of the Volkswagen Passat B3 should be thoughtful and tastefully decorated. To create an individual style, you can install:
- modern audio system;
- display;
- DVR;
- one subwoofer in the trunk.
Car enthusiasts want dynamism and uniqueness in the interior; this requires the installation of a sports steering wheel, appropriate seats and a complete replacement of the interior trim. To give the interior a solid feel, it is upholstered in eco-leather. It is prohibited to tint the front windows, but there is a cheaper option for those who like to drive in comfortable conditions - mesh frame curtains. The driver can install them himself without outside help.
Engine modernization
There is no single instruction, since it is easier to change the entire engine, so for advice it is better to go to the forums, study the posts of people who have already tried to remake the engine and who succeeded.
In fact, the car has good dynamic qualities and a good transmission. But the biggest impact on performance is the 2E engine, which has become a favorite of car owners. These power units are equipped with a composite engine control system “Digifant”, which was also developed on the basis of the Volkswagen concern.
This system includes two more components - ignition timing control, as well as a fuel mixture injection control system. Both components are controlled through the operation of a controller, which is a microcomputer. The subsystem responsible for injection control was created on the basis of intermittent injection, unlike many other variations of Volkswagen cars, where a direct injection system was installed.
Reference! The conclusion from all this is simple - installing a new engine is easier than remaking an old one, and it’s even easier to leave it unchanged, since it copes well with its functions, namely urban transportation and the delivery of small cargo.
Another important point is that a more powerful engine means increased fuel consumption and in order to find a balance, you need to perform calculations and compare convenience, comfort, benefits and tuning costs. Whether it's worth it is up to everyone to decide for themselves.
Suspension modifications
One of the mandatory attributes of budget tuning is the installation of an alternative suspension. This is a very effective solution for our operating conditions.
Of course, it most likely won’t be possible to do tuning of the car’s chassis yourself. But using gas-filled shock absorbers will help you achieve increased car stability. It is interesting that such elements are used on cars that are used for sports racing.
Bottom line: if a car enthusiast knows how to solder and weld, he can install the suspension, but he needs good electrodes with protection and a good welding machine, preferably an automatic one. Other combinations do not give the effect that the car owner expects.
The suspension is far from the main detail. It has little practical use, which means its installation is nothing more than a whim, a secondary task.
Read also: Wheel caps and caps for Volkswagen cars
Interior
Every car owner understands that improving the appearance of the car is only half the job. In order to get the perfect result, it is also extremely important to change the interior of the car. First of all, it is recommended to install a more “racing” steering wheel, install comfortable seats, and also reupholster the interior with expensive trim. The standard one looks cheap and wears out very quickly.
It is necessary to free up as much space as possible inside so that you can install child seats and equip the interior for a large family. Such cars are designed for transporting goods, a large number of passengers, going out into nature or moving. In order not to go beyond the original idea and not to overload the interior with unnecessary things, it is recommended to emphasize the attributes of a family car, rather than get rid of them.
There is enough space in the cabin to place a small monitor, and a folding shelf can be installed in the seat so that children's things or toys can be placed.
Modernization of interior elements
Every motorist understands that improving the appearance of a car is only one part of the job. To get the perfect result, it is also extremely important to modernize the interior of the car. First of all, we advise you to choose a sportier steering wheel, install appropriate seats, and also reupholster the interior using more expensive materials.
Tuning the interior of the Passat b3 may also involve installing better acoustics. Some car owners equip their car with a subwoofer, since the volume of the cargo compartment allows this task to be easily accomplished. You can also make changes to the standard instrument panel, which looks rather ascetic.
Lighting
The light in the cabin is good, but it can be supplemented by using USB and wireless lights. Ringlights can only be installed in the backs of the front seats; they cannot be installed on the ceiling. It is located at an angle and will reflect onto the windows and into the driver's eyes, so the possibilities and potential for interior lighting are limited.
Exterior light comes down to replacing headlights and/or lighting bulbs. The capacity is large and will allow you to install a lamp with a much larger diameter than the standard one. But do not forget about the rules and standards of illumination according to the laws of the Russian Federation. Most lamps that fit into the box simply will not comply with GOST standards, so it’s easier to refuse them.
Discs
Tuning the Passat b3 (Volkswagen) necessarily includes the installation of new rims. Fortunately, today's assortment makes it possible to select products that best suit the tastes of the car enthusiast. But you should not make the wheels low-profile - the slightest collision with a curb will certainly lead to the formation of a new “bump”. Let the diameter remain standard, which will protect you from premature tire rupture.
Results
Tuning a Volkswagen Passat B3 with your own hands makes it possible not only to give the car an original appearance and interior, but also to increase practicality and spaciousness, because the B3 model is famous for these parameters.
Often, modification of the main components and assemblies of the car leads to improved technical characteristics of the Passat B3, so you should not miss this chance.
If you want to strengthen the Passat B3 engine, it is better to use the services of professionals who perform chip tuning. This is a very practical option for improving the performance of the power unit without significant interference in its operation.
The chip expands the capabilities and allows you to install almost any electronics, lighting, automation and parts. If the car's motherboard supports this chip (and in most cases it does), then half the job is done - the car enthusiast can take a fresh look at standard methods.
With a chip you can do everything that the car’s limitations previously did not allow, but it’s still not worth going beyond the class and purpose.
Diesel engines
To ensure smooth movement of the car, you can choose 3 diesel engines with 4 cylinders each, including the following engines:
- volume 1.6 l and power 70 l. With.;
- volume 1.9 l and power 68 l. With.;
- volume 1.9 l and power 75 l. With.
All engines are equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission. The car is equipped with a hydraulic clutch drive.
The brakes are made very effective, consisting of front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Cars with powerful engines have ventilated front disc brakes and standard rear disc brakes. By the way, the B3 and B4 generations are much better in terms of reliability than the more modern Passat B6 generation.
It will also be interesting: Tuning UAZ Patriot: a necessity for driving on complete off-road conditions
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