Beta Builders, Please Pipe Up!

[blueafro]

Could those of you signed up for the beta who would be willing to have visitors during your builds please post your geographical locations in this thread? I know it's a little early, but come this summer and fall, I think a lot of people who can't make the trek all the way to Mass. are going to want to know where they can see a G3F. And who knows, you might get some free labor or some free beer out of showing the curious around your projects and your progress.

[RedJoker]

I'm in central ohio with a 1.8t build.

[John Phillips]

I'm in Jupiter, Florida (lower east coast), building a TDI, 1999.5 Jetta donor

[dukegrad98]

I'm in Texas, about 100 miles east of Dallas. If all goes according to plan, mine will be built at Wayne Presley's shop in Alabama. No donor purchase yet, but I'm keeping my eyes open on the auctions. I'm planning a biodiesel-fueled TDI to match my daily-driver Touareg V10TDI.

Cheers, John

[Rob Burton]

There are two of us in southern Delaware that are doing TDI builds.

[Zulu]

If the CFO says yes (looking good) , it will be a TDi bio-diesel, in Greensboro NC

[kevinduffy]

Central Florida, DeLand/Lake Helen. Off Interstate 4, about halfway between Daytona Beach and Orlando.

[G3F#23]

#23 Here, I live in SE Georgia on the Florida state line. Looks like I might have a reason to make a trip to jupiter other than to go diving.

[RedJoker]

Changing the timing belt in my donor. Should be fairly straight forward but I've already run into a few snags. In theory it would be pretty easy but, "In theory, theory and reality are the same, in reality, they are not."

[Bill Shaw]

South central CT - VRT build. Visitors welcome!

[G3F#24]

As you can see from my "handle" I am number 24.....

I acquired my donor car a week ago, a 2001 Jetta TDI with 165k on the clock.

I also have an '03 JTDI with 180k, and this is my "over the road" car. My grocery getter is a '69 Beetle with a '52 MG-TD body attached.

Currently working on the donor (timing waaaay advanced, and bad MAF) and now due for a shakedown cruise. It's going to be 100+ today in Raleigh, so the cruise will be to Mt. Mitchell, where is should be about 75. We'll also find out how the donor handles the mountains and curves.

I'm a hyper-miler, so my objective is to achieve 80 MPG with the G3F. My '03 routinely gets me 60, and my last tank was 1150 miles. One day soon I will get my first 1200 mile tank.

All of my mods will be made with the above objective in mind.

[RedJoker]

I should really ask Mark what # I am on the beta list. I'm not sure it would change anything, just be interesting to know.

[G3F#24]

If any of you beta guys are interested in installing a short shifter while getting your donor ready, ECS Tuning has the Audi TT shifter on sale for $40

It will reduce fore and aft throw by 25%. Very little side to side.

Takes about an hour to install, which includes temporarily removing the air box (unless you have veeery small hands)

[G3F#24]

Got my new Plate today!

Didn't see how to upload pics, so I put it in my Avatar.

[G3F#24]

If any of you guys are interested in mild tune injectors, I found some over on idparts for $190. These are Bosios with a much improved spray pattern.

Why are $350 injectors on sale for $190? Bosio has come up with a new finish on their injectors to compensate for our switch to ULSD and it's poor lubricity.
The Sprint 520's DO NOT have this coating.

I just ordered a set as I will be running at least 5% Biodiesel and the lubricity will be there.

These injectors will improve MPG due to the better spray pattern, and you will definitely feel the improved power output when the turbo kicks in. I have them in my '03 (non donor) and have about 30k on them. This was my last mod, and the one that pushed me over the 60 mpg mark. I do an Italian tune a couple of times a week just to remember how quick they have made the car.

They will still have to be balanced and pop tested, but I paid more than $190 for a set that had 15k on them.

[JeremyG]

I am in Orlando Florida. Currently have a 2003 TDI with 190k. I'm debating on selling this one and buying a 1.8t or vr6. I like power and the TDI might not cut it for me. I think I might be #18.

[sshaw9]

Originally Posted by Bill Shaw

South central CT - VRT build. Visitors welcome!

Planning a party already

[Bill Shaw]

You betcha. Beer is in the fridge for those of you who indulge.

[Bill Shaw]

btw - where are all the other beta builders?

[Heychris]

All,

I'm beta builder #25. Located in Los Angeles.

Chris

[daveyboybadion]

I have a 2001 TDI that I drove home from CT the 2nd week in Aug. I think I'm in the high 30's for a builder number. Still a lot to do to get my garage ready for the build, but probably sometime in Spring 2012.

I did see Mark in June and it was very appearant that it is going to take some time to move from prototype to production. Y'all have to have a little patience, this may not be rocket science, but designing a fast, safe, green commuter is still a daunting task, and that's why you're not doing it and Mark is.

I have obtained a k-member lower control arms and vr-6 front calipers and knuckles from Absolute German in south Seattle...$355.00. When I get ready to cut I will put the word out and see if any Seattle guys come out of the woodwork...daveyboy

[G3F#24]

Have you noticed that the time difference on this thread is 27 days short of 1 year!

This has put ME on the fence! I see John (Duke Grad) just jumped off, but I'm still apprehensive.

From Mark's first schedule post, I thought I'd be driving the car by now. I now think it may be 1 to 1/2 years away.

Now I'm exploring just buying a MR2, and abandoning the 80 MPG idea.

Not a new fence sitter, but the fact that my donor is now selling for twice what I paid for it, has me leaning.

Frustrated in NC!

PS: My donor has been sitting in the yard for over a year!