Let's face it...they suck! I once had trouble keeping up with a Jetta 16V because I was caught at 65 (couldn't down shift to 2nd and third is too tall). I couldn't shake him till 90 or so. Anyone know of a transmission mod kit? Ideally, I'd lower the final drive and up 5th gear back to it's original overal ratio.

 

So you have a 5spd? 65mph should have put you right at 4000-4300rpm, that is right in the powerband. If you want shorter gearing buy 205/50-15 tires, it gives you a 4.0 final vs 3.64. Or buy a tranny from a 92-94SE 5spd and swap the bell housings.

 

Is it just me or does the VE rev higher than a VG? I mean I noticed at 3k in 5th in my VE seems to run a lower speed tham my VG. I remember my VG was a little different.