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Imagine the look on my face when I first took my B5 for a test drive.  I asked for the keys, pulled out of the Volkswagen dealership, and quickly turned onto a side street.  As I pushed the pedal down aggressively, I was immediately impressed with the quick acceleration on such a heavy car.  But nothing prepared me for what happened next.

I glanced down at the speedometer and it read “100”!  In a panic, I hit the brakes hard and brought the car to a rest.  Imagine my relief when I noticed that the speedometer was measuring km/h (kilometres per hour)!  As it turns out, the car was a Canadian spec model traded in by a relocated Canadian.  Phew!

After that initial test drive, that black beauty just had to be mine.  After all, my previous car was a 1990 Hyundai Excel that had never reached 100, let alone in second gear!  In actual fact, I was originally looking for a Candy White B5 with leather but the search proved elusive.  I also considered an Audi A4 but the price tag was a little too hefty.  But buying the Passat was the right decision.

I didn’t actually intend to modify this car but as I read and heard a lot about certain performance upgrades, I was more than intrigued.  I called three or four chip-tuning companies and ultimately went with APR and that turned out to be a great choice.  Then I added a Forge diverter valve that sounds pretty cool when the turbo spools.  I quickly upgraded the exhaust and added a strut bar.

While I was quickly going broke, my satisfaction with the results of my efforts kept me going.  Next up was a body kit;  KMS front end from Momentum Motorsport, BBR side skirts, Zender three piece spoiler, and a German trunk lid to fit a long license plate.  This gave it a distinctly euro look that I absolutely love. 

Once the exterior was done, I addressed the interior.  I had my seats and door panels done in three colors in a racing seatbelt design.  Then I added a host of carbon fiber items; dash, knobs, door handles, door sills, floor mats, etc.  Once again I was broke but I kept going.

Everyone loves loud music, clear vocals and perfect bass (well, except my mom).  I went with an Eclipse head unit, MTX interiors, Rockford sub and Sony amps.  I am still amazed at the crystal clear sound quality of this system.  Bass hits very well and there is more than enough power in the system.

Mobile media is what I wanted next and being broke (again) didn’t stop me. TV’s in the headrests and one in the glove was enough for me.  I added a DVD player in my rear seat and a Sony Playstation in the rear armrest – sleek and different.  My complete trunk was done with plexi-glass and neons.  I fit a full size 18’’ spare in the floor with a plexi board over with the VW logo etched on all the plexi-glass.

I would like to thank all my true boys (you all know who you are).  I would also like to thank my parents, brother, Dana, RIX, all those spots that helped me out with my project and of course, ClubB5.com. 

Mike DosSantos
Elizabeth, NJ

Modifications List:
1998 Passat 1.8T (Canadian Spec Model) 

Engine, Trans & Exhaust
APR 1.0 bar chip
Catback Supersprint Exhaust
HKS Superflow Intake
Forge Diverter Valve
LLTek Strut Bar
Painted Engine Cover and Accessories
NOS Sneaky Pete 35 Shot 

Suspension, Wheels & Tires
H&R Sport Springs
18’’ Allesion Nevada Rims (18x8)
Zimmerman Cross Drilled Rotors (Front and Rear)
Mintex Brake Pads
Nitto 225/40/18 Tires

Exterior:
In-Pro Crystal Clear Corners
In-Pro Crystal Clear Side Markers
Window Tint (35%)
Zender Three Piece Spoiler
JMS Front Bumper
BBR M3 Side Skirts
Painted Stock Valence
Kamei Front Grill
Kamei Eyebrows
German Trunk Lid
German Spec Rear Taillights
German Spec Front Lights
Carbon Fiber Door Handle Guards
Painted Charcoal Grey Racing Stripe on Hood and Trunk
Momo Carbon Fiber Door Sills

Interior:
Custom Three-Tone Leather
Embroidered Word ‘PASSAT’ on front seats
Momo Carbon Fiber Floor Mats
Momo Racing Pedals
24 Piece Carbon Fiber Dash Kit
Carbon Fiber Shift Knob
European Light Switch
Canadian Dash Cluster (Metric – km/h) 

I.C.E.
Eclipse 5504 Headunit
MTX T8000 components (2pairs)
12’’ Rockford Fosgate power series sub
Sony Mobile ES amps
Phoenix Gold Bass Cube
PPI 1 Farad Cap
Rockford Wiring
5^th Full Size 18” Spare in Trunk Floor
Plexi everthing!
Etched VW Symbol on ALL Plexi
4 pack show me strobes
Neons Under and Behind ALL Plexi
Audiovox 5.6’’ Monitors in Headrests
Farenheit 6.4’’ Monitor in Glove Box
Blaupunkt DVD player in Mid Rear Seat
Sony Playstation in Rear Armrest

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