1.8T quattro, tip, trip, sunroof, sportspkg

sd

dyno runs may prove a 1-3hp increase in power for a less-restrictive filter, but a change in 60ft or 1/4 mi. times? i doubt it. my personal seat-of-the-pants dyno usually requires about a 10% increase in hp on cars and about a 5% increase on bikes to 'feel' any increase in power. you must be really sensitive to changes in your car to actually detect 'more power' from a 2-5% increase in h.p.<p>i've found that often after making small tweaks to my various vehicles, positive thinking makes me believe a certain change had an effect. but i can usually dispell that feeling by having a blind test. have a friend install/remove the filter, chip, etc. and drive the car. reverse the process and drive it again. i've found that unless the performance item makes a major difference (i.e. 1.8t ECU), i am unable to differentiate between any one item being installed or removed. when all items are removed or installed, the difference is often obvious as you lose the cumulative effect of the mods, basically more air/fuel mixure passing through the engine.<p>i'm not discounting your experience, just offering my own observations.<p>JamesD<br>'99 1.8tqms Neu/RAM<br>'71 Chevy Nova (no more biennial smog certs in CA!!!)

Yeah, you're right. Could be psychological...Wetterauer, here I come!