GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: jp123 on 19 July 2010, 10:08
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Im going to give the car a service myself and just wondered what's the best parts to use, eg best oil, best filters etc. I also wondered what were good little mods/upgrades for a completely standard 1.6 to get me started
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Ive always used GSF for their Mann oil filters, and then picked up comma semi-synthetic 15w-40 at a local parts supplier for my GTi 8v. I go with an inexpensive oil (so long as it meets the usual quality standards) , as that way I can afford to change it more often. Expensive race oils like Silkolene etc would be nice, but are often over twice the price, and its not really a super high performance engine. More frequent changes are beneficial in any engine, but particularly an older one. I do around 4000 miles between changes, but driving style and conditions should influence when you feel it prudent for fresh fluids. Consider using an engine flush when doing an oil change, especially if the old oil is a bit filthy. Now that i change oil regularly, I dont use a flush, as its a further expense (again, the cheaper it is, the more often it can be done).
Consider checking and cleaning the rocker cover breather while your at it, I recently found mine to be filthy, so a clean may help. A simple clean of you carb would be helpful too.
New plugs are inexpensive and easy.
Fresh gearbox oil may be a good idea, as it may have never been changed.
That would give a good start to a car refreshing service.
Performance mods... A good set of new sport's tyres. I dont know what to recommend, ive got yokohama s-drives just now, and love them. Cheap enough for smaller standard rim sizes too. The best place to start.
If its a 1.6- it may not have a front anti roll bar- you could fit one from a GTi- that would improve road holding.
GTi brakes for better stpping.
When your ready for more power, I think a GTi cam can be fitted to a 1.6, and a weber twin choke carb is a nice improvment over the standard pooberg one...
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How big a jobs the roll bar? i would like to improve the handling
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You would be better off with an after market anti roll bar set up as a complete front to rear upgrade, the GTi roll bar is within the rear cross beam section and set-up and therefore a cross bream swap required.
If your serious about your handling then replace all of the bushing and also replace the engine mounts. Once you've done that, then next question will be the damper and springs, what condition and what to replace with.. Once all done then a full geometry set-up.
A good handling MK2 is worth in equivilent to an additional 10 brake on the black stuff to me.
PS. Brakes are easily upgradeable too, just buy the GTi item which are vented and thicker along with the pads, that should be straight transplant to the 1.6.
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I would say too about getting your handling sorted out, then if you want some performance mods don't spend loads on the 1.6 as you wont get far. If for insurance reasons your keeping and tuning the 1.6 id wait untill you can afford the insurance of 1.8 16v or the 2.0l abf/9a, then you'd have a lovely handling motor to handle all the extra power you'd have.
Also stripping it out would make it feel a bit faster too and improve handling, plus its free!!
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what are the future plans for the car, are you planning to keep it forever and change the engine later on when you can afford the insurance? are you going to fit a bigger 8v in later, or move straight onto 16v or vr6?
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i am planning to keep the car forever, i didnt pay much for it and i love the way it, hopefully i will even more so when it's been spreayed looks so im just hoping to give it some more go
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Id possibly just buy something new for it every month so after a while itll have lots of new items on it. As your planning on keeping it for a long time,.