MK2 Golf GTi suspension

I need to sort the suspension on my Golf out. Currently the options look like this:

cheap Bilstein kit (Streetline IIRC, Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs,

35/40mm drop) cheap Boge kit (40mm drop again) VW spec springs (do springs age other than sagging?) and Bilstein dampers

More expensive options would be the next Bilsteins up the range, Gaz and Koni kits, but that's £300 instead of £180.

Tyres and wheels look like being G60 winter wheels (15inch x 6, ET35, and

195/50 tyres to keep the radius the same).

Polybushes could also be on the agenda. I'm not bothered about a drop unless it's going to give better handling on B roads, rather than tracks. I want to get over speedhumps. The 8V is already dropped 10mm from a standard Golf, and I suspect the springs will have sagged a bit over 114k, so I doubt the drop is going to be much more than 20mm on a 40mm drop kit.

What do you reckon?

Reply to
Doki
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PS: Geometry will be setup after, obviously.

Reply to
Doki

On that subject, ISTR the Bilsteins allow more camber adjustment than others. Anyone seen them and know?

Reply to
Doki

You forgot budget KYB or Sachs struts, with decent springs, with minimal lowering for looks without getting stupid.

Find a local spring maker where the local rally boys get theirs sorted. "Coil springs" is based in Sheffield.

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Yukspeed are in north Yorshire.http://www.yukspeed.com/Both I'm sure would know what the best spring specs are for a lower M2, even though Yuks are Escort specialists. And if either of them make you some new springs it is going to be cheaper than "fandango deluxe" branded springs. Also, check demon tweaks for it's standard spring lenghts, diameters and weights. Might be something that will just slap on.

Reply to
NeedforSwede2

On one of my 205s I just changed the dampers to Bilstein original (non adjustable gas jobbies) as I was on a budget and didnt want it lowered (rallying and all that) and they work a treat. I got them from ECP pretty cheap, so they might stock Golf ones too.

For the Volvo I'm gonna give KYB a chance as that's the only ones I can find. Possible a pair of springs too!

Reply to
Carl Gibbs

I'm not sure what the point would be. Custom springs could get the car corner weights balanced out a bit I suppose, but it seems a bit much for a road car. TBH if I were going for custom springs, it'd probably end up the same ride height as standard. Is there some sort of superior springyness?

Reply to
Doki

Well, not all springs are the same. Some have different rates at the ends, so they take small ripples, but stiffen over big hits because the middle section of the spring is hard.

Some are just a "heavier" spring rate so they are just stiffer. Some are shorter or longer and stiffer or looser.

A good spring maker will take all that into account, and still probably be cheaper than a branded pack. If it is a popular track/race or rally car, tell them what you want and it might even be off the shelf if it isn't something stupid.

Reply to
NeedforSwede2

I have some triple rate springs for my Savage :)

Reply to
DanTXD

In news:dmq5up$7r6$ snipped-for-privacy@news.freedomsurf.net, Doki decided to enlighten our sheltered souls with a rant as follows

As requested, Golf suspension wisdom...

Bilsteins on the back, cheaper, decent gas shocks on the front.

Lower it by 30mm all round, get wheel alignment done - not just tracking, you want camber, castor, everything. Camber is adjustable on the front of the Mk2, and you *will* knock it out when you change the front shockers.

You don't need adjustable shocks on the back, the Bilsteins will do the job nicely as they've got decent ride quality until you start giving it some major beans. On the front, almost any decent shocker will do. If you go mad with Konis all round for example, you start losing ride quality - and if they're adjusted incorrectly, traction.

Make sure the top mounts are in tip-top condition before you get it all alignedl. If you've got any dodgy tyres, change them at the same time, replace any worn ball joints or bushes while you're at it.

If you want the steering to be slightly sharper, but at the expense of a touch more front tyre wear and a very slight loss of straight line traction, ask whoever does the alignment to put a touch of extra negative camber on the front.

Reply to
Pete M

my old valver had the bilsteins/eibach combo from german and swedish. i wouldn't. you only fit cheap suspension once. on 17s it was knock-your-fillings-out hard... ric

Reply to
Ric

17" wheels *destroy* the ride and handling of a Mk2 Golf all by themselves.
Reply to
Pete M

B6s or just the Bilstein OE spec gas ones? TBH I'm considering getting 16V spec springs and dampers to drop it a tad but not much without forking out a load. The GSF / ECP kits use crap springs and OE Bilsteins which I doubt will be up to the job for long. OTOH there's a Nurburgring trip planned and I'd rather do it once and right than twice...

Reply to
Doki

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