Best Handling Mods

10th June 2009, 21:10

Ok then well my car isnt the most powerful at the moment with only the following -
Standard 98bhp mk2 engine
Pipercross viper induction
Sportex Race tube with 3" outward rolled
Upgraded mintex m1144 pads with matched discs.

but really i want it to handle a little better, what are the best mods to get it cornering on rails?

All opinions appreciated.

10th June 2009, 21:20

Good spring/damper setup (Have a search to see what are people's opinion on different combinations etc).

10th June 2009, 21:21

dump it 40mm should sharpen it up a little

10th June 2009, 21:21

well basically you want:
good suspension setup (dampers and springs) eg bilstein grp n and faulkner springs etc
polybush it
anti roll bar
lower and/or upper strutbrace (from what i've heard go for lower gives better improvements)
basically thats the basics and you can go on forever but these above mods won't be cheap at all you can do it on a budget eg. apex kit, arb from 106 gti, look in the forsale section on here etc but by using cheaper stuff you may sacrifice some benefits of better handling you get from the top of the range stuff.
You get what you pay for !
hope this helps

Dan

10th June 2009, 21:25

as above really i would recomend lowering it 40mm in 15 0r 16" alloys with a good set of tyres

10th June 2009, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by LVC_VTR

as above really i would recomend lowering it 40mm in 15 0r 16" alloys with a good set of tyres

yeh forgot about tyres lol and 40mm is probably the best height for handling

10th June 2009, 21:32

Key handling mods to look at would be items like:

New shocks and springs - alot of choice, can spend a little or alot. Buy the best suspension you can afford. I didnt regret fitting my Bilstein kit.

Upper and lower strut braces - One compliments the other, although alot of people think the top one doesnt do much you have to understand that the chassis of the car under takes alot of pressure, and more so with uprated suspension. If you have braces holding the top and botton of the front struts together then it will be tightened up somewhat. I noticed a clear difference when i fitted mine.

Uprated brakes - Go for a 266mm or 283 conversion. You will be surprised at how much you benefit from uprating the brakes. With better brakes on a track compared to standard you can brake later therefore improving lap times etc. The whole feel of the car is improved and i found when i fitted mine they give you alot more confidence when driving enthusiastically........for example.

Toyo Proxes - Good sticky tyres.

Hope that helps a bit.

10th June 2009, 21:33

Thanks guys yer i have 15" on at the moment and have strut braces on order. I currently have some pretty pants hancook tyres on which will get changed to toyo t1rs or eagle f1s very soon.

Is 40 a little far i thought 30 is a good overall height? would the spax adjustable 40mm kit from kam any good?

Polybush it?

10th June 2009, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by kendrick

Thanks guys yer i have 15" on at the moment and have strut braces on order. I currently have some pretty pants hancook tyres on which will get changed to toyo t1rs or eagle f1s very soon.

Is 40 a little far i thought 30 is a good overall height would the spax adjustable 40mm kit from kam any good?

Polybush it?

ive got that kit handles really good rides not bad either

10th June 2009, 21:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by kendrick

Thanks guys yer i have 15" on at the moment and have strut braces on order. I currently have some poo hancook tyres on which will get changes to toyo t1rs or eagle f1s very soon.

Is 40 a little far i thought 30 is a good overall height would the spax adjustable 40mm kit from kam any good?

Polybush it?

good overall tyres those are and well 30-40mm and i've heard that kits good yeh

and powerflex bushes lol it limits play within areas you put them = less body roll etc (i think lol, look on kamracing)

10th June 2009, 21:39

I ran the spax adjustable kit and found it very good however once I set it at what I liked I never changed it. So id go for the non adjustable kit. gaurantee you wont change it...much.

However now running bilstein dampers with gmc springs - definitely a step up however very pricey. Also the spax may be easier to live with day to day. Love me billies

10th June 2009, 21:47

Good value setup would be Bilstein B8 or Group N dampers with some good quality lowering springs. Something like GMC 40mm are fine. Don't go to low. If you are a good driver get larger ARB and torsion bars. They are not cheap but transform the handling. Only down side is it will make the car want to spin. Then some good quality tyres if you have not already got them. Do not start sticking bigger wheels on. Race cars only do this as they run such soft rubber that the extra circumference helps life. They also let them run large brakes. A trick that many sprint drivers use it to use 13 wheels with low profile tyres. This is a poor mans option to improve brakes and gear down a car.

10th June 2009, 21:50

Thanks Axracing im not thinking of going that far but just out of interest how does going to 13" alloys and low profile tyres increase braking?

Anyone tried both the apex and spax kits which is better?

Is it worth getting billies with a matched spring for road use?

10th June 2009, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by kendrick

Is it worth getting billies with a matched spring for road use?

Put simply yes. Had i tried a billie setup before my spax it wouldve been billies every time. I ended up buying suspension twice because of this.

10th June 2009, 21:54

i have full spax kit and think its good for the money never had apex,
if you can afford billies def get them

get powerflex bushes aswel not long done mine and handles so well

my setup is

toyo proxies on 15" alloys
full spax adjustable suspension down 40mm
full powerflex bush kit
and upper omp strut brace just waiting for my lower one to arrive

10th June 2009, 21:54

Ill be buying the apex kit this week myself mate, if you use the search button for apex suspension there are alot of people saying really good things about that kit for the price (only £200) so thats the one ill be buying

10th June 2009, 21:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by kendrick

Thanks Axracing im not thinking of going that far but just out of interest how does going to 13" alloys and low profile tyres increase braking?

Anyone tried both the apex and spax kits which is better?

Is it worth getting billies with a matched spring for road use?

if you want a car that handles really well yes

but the downside is living with the stiffness day to day, alot of people on here do it though

DO IT !

10th June 2009, 22:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by D4N91

if you want a car that handles really well yes

but the downside is living with the stiffness day to day, alot of people on here do it though

DO IT !

haha yer i may do but due to this being a daily driver and girlfriend already saying its uncomfortable and noisy its something to put some thought into.

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTRacer

i have full spax kit and think its good for the money never had apex,
if you can afford billies def get them

get powerflex bushes aswel not long done mine and handles so well

my setup is

toyo proxies on 15" alloys
full spax adjustable suspension down 40mm
full powerflex bush kit
and upper omp strut brace just waiting for my lower one to arrive

How do you rate the proxies?
Did the upper omp make much difference? i have a sparco one on the way.
Do you adjust it at all would the non adjustables be stiff enough?

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxo_ron

Put simply yes. Had i tried a billie setup before my spax it wouldve been billies every time. I ended up buying suspension twice because of this.

Yer i totally understand your point but im not intending to track the car so i have to comprimise a little. So billies may be a bit harsh

10th June 2009, 22:04

The 24mm rear ARB from the 106 GTI is a good investment for the standard suspension set-up, improves corner balance, makes the rear a bit more playfull and the car more driftable overall,.

Great if you are a competent driver.

10th June 2009, 22:06

Also ..

Adjustables will give you the best of both worlds and you can tweek them to alter the handling to your preferance.

10th June 2009, 22:07

As said the spax was very easy to live with day to day and still provided a good improvement in handling over standard setup. Not crashy or anything

10th June 2009, 22:08

This looks good

10th June 2009, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by saxo_ron

As said the spax was very easy to live with day to day and still provided a good improvement in handling over standard setup. Not crashy or anything

Sounds like a good set up to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari

Also ..

Adjustables will give you the best of both worlds and you can tweek them to alter the handling to your preferance.

To be honest like someone has said would you really change them that much over non adjustables? I have to drop off a few kerbs all the time would 40mm be too low?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari

The 24mm rear ARB from the 106 GTI is a good investment for the standard suspension set-up, improves corner balance, makes the rear a bit more playfull and the car more driftable overall,.

Great if you are a competent driver.

Is this an easy job to do by someone who isnt mechanically trained? have done brakes and bodywork but nothing like that.

10th June 2009, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by kendrick

Sounds like a good set up to me.

To be honest like someone has said would you really change them that much over non adjustables? I have to drop off a few kerbs all the time would 40mm be too low?

Is this an easy job to do by someone who isnt mechanically trained? have done brakes and bodywork but nothing like that.

I have Avo adjustables, I have the back set on click 1 as zero is a bit soft and click 2 too hard (unless on a very smooth dry track.. but the front are 100% variable which I tweak depending on grip levels, ie wet, damp or dry simply by turning the allen studs on the top of my front struts. Changes turn in and cornering balance, great for track days when trying to find these extra tenths.

I stripped down my back axle at the weekend there, the ARB was the easiest to remove of all but I do know that some people have problems getting them loosened.

10th June 2009, 22:28

For the country roads with lots of camberchanges and yumps, the standard ride height works best for me. I think a -40mm lowered car would struggle to stay with me on these roads in my backyard.

Your local roads may be better suited to it tho.. and you could just go off your kerbs diagonally?

10th June 2009, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari

For the country roads with lots of camberchanges and yumps, the standard ride height works best for me. I think a -40mm lowered car would struggle to stay with me on these roads in my backyard.

Your local roads may be better suited to it tho.. and you could just go off your kerbs diagonally?

Right so maybe 30mm drop for overall performance good drop? Yes i can go off diagnally but was just checking it would be ok.

Cheers for responding fella

10th June 2009, 22:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ari

For the country roads with lots of camberchanges and yumps, the standard ride height works best for me. I think a -40mm lowered car would struggle to stay with me on these roads in my backyard.

Your local roads may be better suited to it tho.. and you could just go off your kerbs diagonally?

see im form a similar neck of the wods (lanark) and was thinkin of droppin mine 40, but iam a bit unsure!!!

10th June 2009, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by fergy7197

see im form a similar neck of the wods (lanark) and was thinkin of droppin mine 40, but iam a bit unsure!!!

Although my profile says East Kilbride, I actually spend most time down at my Girlfriends, she lives right out in the sticks beyond Girvan, the roads are mostly B-roads, very tight, yumpy, rough and lots of camber changes. Lanark has far better roads, mostly A-roads iirc so you should be OK, I'd probably still just go -30mm tho if I was you.

11th June 2009, 08:55

40mm is fine for bumpy roas, I had it for quite some time and had no issues. It is commonly accepted that 25-30mm low seems to be optimum for handling

11th June 2009, 18:22

With regards to wheels.. stay standard size if you can. If you are on 14's and really have to go up to 15's to accomodate bigger brakes then be sure to choose the correct tyre profile that will ensure a similar rolling radius. This ensures that the Speedo is kept correct and keeps the tyre contact patch similar and keeps the aerodyamic and tyre drag figures the same.

ie, 185/55 R14 is very close in R/R to 195/45 R15

Lower profiles will make the ride a lot harsher but if you can live with that then the compromise is worth it if its for fitting some big 4 pots to go behind 15's.

Going slightly wider to 195's will obviously provide more grip but it isnt as much fun and you cant throw it around like before.. the grip generated is a little too much for a standard chassis and you end up with excessive body roll... uprated dampers will help resolve this somewhat tho.

13th June 2009, 09:31

I have pro race 15"
Apex suspension but not fitted fronts yet
Omp lower brace
Powerflex lower engine mount which is a very good buy which you should def buy.

Getting a omp upper one soon and some polyrace front bushes
Need a new rear beam soon too but the car does handle really well and is so much fun to drive.

13th June 2009, 15:36

At the moment I've got:

- full adjustable spax kit, 40mm, set on the hardest setting
- powerflex engine mount
- omp lower brace

Pretty much the same as the post above but I'm waiting to have the rear lowered lol handling is plenty of fun as it is, much better than standard.

Next on my list of suspension/ handling mods will be:

- Upper strut
- Toyo Proxies tyres
- Powerflex arb bushes
- Possibly Powerflex wishbone bushes and rear beam mounts.

13th June 2009, 20:32

stiffen + good suspension kit.

lowering is purely for looks and anything lower that 35mm is likely to affect camber and pressure on other suspension parts causing them to wear quicker and not work properly causing bump steer ect..

unless you do some surious modding lowering will make the handling worse.

13th June 2009, 20:35

bilstein all the way, well worth the extra money.
If just for road get the b8's.

Costs alot more than spax, apex etc but you see where the money goes.

13th June 2009, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by dynebaruk

At the moment I've got:

- full adjustable spax kit, 40mm, set on the hardest setting
- powerflex engine mount
- omp lower brace

Pretty much the same as the post above but I'm waiting to have the rear lowered lol handling is plenty of fun as it is, much better than standard.

Next on my list of suspension/ handling mods will be:

- Upper strut
- Toyo Proxies tyres
- Powerflex arb bushes
- Possibly Powerflex wishbone bushes and rear beam mounts.

I found the best set up for the spax was 3/4 hard at the frotn and fully hard at the rear, give it a try, seemed to be best after lots of varying

13th June 2009, 22:04

I'll give it a go, thanks for the advice