Ask It: 2009 Banks Power Sidewinder VW Jetta TDI

Bruce

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

We at Winding Road are big fans of the idea of performance-oriented green cars, and the folks at Banks Power have teamed up with the Robert Bosch Corporation to create something really cool. This "Sidewinder Jetta" takes a standard Jetta TDI sedan and boosts the level of driver involvement by adding better front and rear stabilizer bars, sport springs, a ram-air intake, and an in-car computer where the driver can control different levels of performance. Oh, and there's an oh-so-subtle graphics package, too.

We named it "Bruce." And like Mr. Springsteen, one could say that this is The Boss of Jetta TDIs.

Post whatever questions you have about the Sidewinder and we'll do our best to respond. Also, be sure to stay tuned for the full review coming in the not-so-distant future.

by Ewing on Oct. 06, 2009 - 9:31 a.m.
  • bmg123

    Can you describe in more detail how that in car computer works?

    How much more power and torque is made with the�computer upgrades and ram-air intake?� Does MPG improve or suffer, or does that depend greatly on which settings are selected in the in car computer?

    I have always liked the idea of the TDI engine in a�Golf or Jetta with the GTI/GLI suspension, wheels/tires,�brakes, manual shifter,�...and those plaid cloth seats!�

     

  • Steven J. Ewing

    GTI

    Love the plaid seats.

    When VW was going to launch the Jetta TDI last year, the automaker debated doing a Sport TDI version which was essentially a GLI with the 2.0-liter diesel. Great idea, but I'm sad it never came to our market.

    I'll keep you posted about the computer details. Truth be told, we think the holster is sort of broken, so it won't stay put on the dash where it belongs. No worries, though - we'll get it hooked up and will give a full report.

  • nirad
    How does this compare in performance to the GTI/GLI? I'm torn between the performance of the 2.0t models and the fuel economy of the 2.0TDI.�
  • hjb4971

    Just the facts is exactly the issue.� HOW DID IT PERFIORM?

    As Comedian Jeff Dunham says in�his current show, the Prius and other cars like it are LEAD SLEDS.� I'm all for ecological change, but not at the expense of a fun car to drive.�� I loved Leno's E-85 Corvette.� What else can we come up with that is a low polluter,�gets good mileage and accelerates?� �

     

  • daveogarf@yahoo.com

    Any chance that the venerable Banks Engineering will offer upgrades for the Jetta TDI SportWagon, for those of us who have more to haul around, and would like to do it quickly and efficiently?� I'd LOVE to see that, Gale Banks!� And THANK YOU for all the wonderful products that you've contributed so far!

    --Dave

  • derrelhgreen@verizon.net

    As the late Joe Friday used to say: "Just the facts, ma'am."

    That's exactly what we would like to see. Never mind all the sway bars and the rest of it.�

    Performance is what I for one would love to hear about.

    Just what exactly did Mr. Banks do to make it run a little�better?

    I know IF I�drive to Azusa, I won't get any answers. Tried that years ago when I lived right

    there in town, and I couldn't get the time of day from those people there�in the office!

    Nice pictures BTW. Some taken right there in Azusa in front of their office,

    but it doesn't tell us anything that we have the 'need to know.'�

    Please�hurry as�we are all waiting for�"Just the facts, Man."

    Thanks in advance.

  • ShifterBrains
    Humm, How does a "RamAir" intake work for a turbocharged car? It already has forced air induction from the factory. It a know fact in the HiPo VW diesel tuning world that a stock VW airfilter can outflow any tuning mod(including motors over 300hp and 400ftlbs) done to the motor and "hiflow airfilters" do not increase performance. Also how does Bank's overcome the pressure-sensing glowplugs that monitor maximum cylinder pressure. Any increase in boost and/or fueling that exceeds a preset limit on cylinder pressure is eventually reduced by the motor's ECU detuning the motor which would defeat a tuning box. Only true ECU reprogramming or "remap" can show sustain performance increases. I hope that Bank's isn't doing the old trick, common on truck motors, of rising the rail pressure. It not a good idea. The rail pressure on CBEA motors runs in excess of 32,000 psi already. How does Bank's address the diesel particulate filter, increasing fueling increases soot. Increasing soot means more regeneration cycles for the DPF increasing fuel use and decreasing MPG's. The exhaust system on a common rail VW cost in excess of $5K. I'd hate to cook a filter and pay to replace it. Does Bank's do anything for the Auto gearbox to handle the extra power? The VW installed R32 internals in the TdiCup racing cars just to handle 30 extra HP. These question aren't just for Bank's but they are issues for all tuners of CBEA motored VW's. when you guy's at nextautos.com test drive this car I hope you run an independant Dyno on it to se what "real" power Bank's has gained with their mods.�
  • Demon_Beetle

    ShifterBrains,

     

    The 2.0 TDI BlueTech engine is the only Clean Diesel available that does not need a DPF.� That is why it is so unique and has won so many awards. It produces a few more horses and a few less torque numbers than the 2004-06�� 2.0 PD TDI.� The DSG tranny can handle the extra power if the shift points are tighteed up a little. (Well with in reason) The TDI actually makes more torque than the R32.�

  • Demon_Beetle
    BTW I have been sending emails to Banks for close to eight years asking for them to take a look at the TDI.
  • tdi-tid
    While they're at it, can they do the same for the new Audi A3 running the same TDI motor?