Nick Duval’s Turbo V8-Powered VW Jetta

Nick Duval learned a lot while building his Volkswagen Jetta into a drag racing machine. He swapped the factory 1.6 L turbodiesel inline-four and FWD drivetrain for a turbocharged V8 and RWD drivetrain. Up front sits a turbocharged 376 ci LS3 V8 featuring a factory LS3 crankshaft, rods, and pistons, Summit Pro LS Stage 4 turbo camshaft, VS Racing 88/102 turbocharger, custom exhaust by Nick, and 200 hp nitrous dry system. The motor produces 1200 hp on 22 psi of boost and methanol. Behind that is a 4L80 four-speed automatic with manual valvebody built by Nick with a Circle D triple-disc billet converter. Out back is a Ford 8.8-inch rear end with Moser 44-spline axles and 3.55 ratio. Nick fabricated a tubular front and rear chassis with a 4-link rear suspension and Panhard bar. Nick went 9.71 sec at 146 mph in the quarter-mile. Read more details in Dragzine article and follow the project’s progress @duval_builds.

Source: Dragzine and @duval_builds