MK2 Golf GTi suspension

PS: Geometry will be setup after, obviously.

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

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.

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!

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?

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.

I have some triple rate springs for my Savage :)

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.

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

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...