Set your browser to VW’s Web site, and you’ll come across such sayings as “cooked to perfection” and “any fancier, and you’ll be washing it in mineral water.” Somehow, in the grand scheme of things, VW wants you to make a connection between its Passat wagon model and sophisticated edibles.
No matter how you slice it or dice it, the Passat wagon is a smattering of four-door practicality with a dash of VW fun. Toss that around in a salad bowl, and what you’ve got is a winning combination sure to please even the most discriminating palette. But, in the aftermarket world, there’s always room for improvement, and this wagon was no exception. VW “gourmands” at Momentum Motorsport were more than excited to share their latest creation—a 2001 Passat GLS-edition wagon equipped with the 1.8L turbocharged engine—with us. For two weeks straight, these Iron Chefs of VW tuning spent countless days and nights laboring over the engine, suspension, interior, and exterior modifications. The motivation? The car was being built to be showcased in the Foliatec booth at the 2000 SEMA Show. Whoever said that too many chefs in the kitchen is always a bad thing?
In Momentum’s case, the more hands to help, the merrier (And easier.—MAX) it was. First on the cutting board was the 1.8T engine. To up the performance ante, an HKS turbocharger was installed, along with an HKS blow-off valve, standard wastegate, core and tanks, boost controller, and Air/Fuel Regulator. The piping was built in-house with 2-inch tubing leading into the cooler and 2½-inch tubing leading out. A full, but separate, muffler/downpipe for the wastegate was also added to aid in the forced induction.
Other modsinclude: Piper cams, Momentum Blue intake manifold, HKS fuel injectors, HKS air filter, NGK spark plugs, and Nitrous Express 50-shot of nitrous. Also on the ingredients list were a custom Momentum fuel pump, custom 3-inch stainless steel exhaust paired with Vibrant muffler, and custom header. The catalytic converter was taken out, and to dress up the engine a bit, Momentum Blue paint and powdercoat were added under the hood, as well as a Foliatec oil filler cap. Estimated horsepower is 300–plus without nitrous and 350-plus with. Note, however, the 1.8T is running a stock ECU (Momentum built this baby without even cracking the seal of the factory computer.—MAX).
Moving on to the wagon’s driveline, a Neuspeed short shift kit, Foliatec shift lever, and Clutch Masters Stage III clutch somehow found its way into the mixing bowl. The Iron Chefs also switched to Swepco heavy-duty 80–90 gear to ensure less friction and more performance.
Suspension modifications were next. Like world-class caviar, brand names are everything and using the best is the only way to go. Neuspeed Sport springs were paired with Bilstein shocks front and rear. Together, the new suspension system lowered the front 2 inches and the rear 1¾ inches. For additional stability, Neuspeed front and rear antiroll bars were installed. MOMO M-1 19x8 wheels on Pirelli 245/35-19 rubber keep the Passat wagon firmly planted on the streets of Port Coquitlam. Momentum 13-inch front brakes, “secret” pads (With wings.—MAX), and Momentum brake lines complete the under- carriage changes.
What seperates superior meals from excellent ones involves two details: taste and presentation. The same goes for a true MRyde, but in this case it’s performance and presentation. All the performance ingredients were there; now the Momentum crew just had to concentrate on the styling.
As New Autobody, also of Port Coquitlam, gutted the car completely before installing the JMS Avus race-look body kit, JMS rear wing, and in.pro.lighting. Custom bodywork includes JMS front and rear spoilers, shaved roof rack, and smoothed sides.
Inside, Momentum took out the factory front seats and replaced them with MOMO Streetracer ones upholstered in black and yellow suede cloth. The rear seats were also taken out and replaced with race buckets. Grand Prix Import supplied the Techno-mat carpeting, while Foliatec furnished the door panels, custom dash, and custom console.
Other enhancements include HKS 46mm EGT and boost gauges, MOMO steering wheel, Foliatec shift knob, pedals, and blue window tint. What are great looks without some great sound? Nothing. So Momentum had Brion Palko custom design and build a sound factory consisting of a Pioneer DEX-P1 head unit, Pioneer amp, Pioneer speakers, and Pioneer subwoofers, lots and lots of Scosche EFX wiring, and an Optima battery. After adding the finishing sticker touches and wiping their hands on their aprons, Momentum Motorsport can only smile widely as they offer us a taste of their creation. A lot of Canadian pesos may have gone into the build-up, but what you have before you is a Passat wagon masterpiece befitting of a platinum platter. VW was right, but Momentum definitely “cooked [this MRyde] to perfection.”
And what do we have to say? It’s sublime.