GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: moby on 17 June 2012, 17:38
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Hi all! I'm the proud new owner of a 3 dr mk4 20vt, I been well informed and went ahead with the buy after mates have been constantly droning it into me :laugh:
I'm looking to spend a bit on it, just wanted to make clear that I aint too bothered with ride quality just want good handling and more power later on. Just wanted some ideas as to what sort of setup peeps have on here and the cost of these goodies! jap stuff tends to be cheaper so I'm told you can guess what I came from lol
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Transform handling by fitting rear arb. But even better fit some decent suspension like koni st-r kit I have it on mine very good.
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Hi and welcome! The mk4 isn't renowned for handling but pretty much anything can be made to handle well with the right modifications and money as you rightly mentioned. Like yourself I set out to improve the handling of my car as I do the occasional track day it is of great importance to me. Below is some of my modification off the top of my head, probably left some out but you get the idea:
I use bilstein b16 pss9 coilovers - £~1400
Compbrake solid top mount bearings - £~200
NEX 4 pot large piston brakes on 330mm two piece floating rotors $~1800
Audi s3 lower front strut brace
Upper frot strut brace
Upper rear strut brace
Neuspeed 25mm front antiroll bar - £~180
Neuspeed 25mm rear antiroll bar - £~180
Powerflex rear dog bone bush
Super pro dog bone bush
Super pro steering rack bush
Super pro castor front wishbone rear bush
Super pro front wishbone front bush
Powerflex rear trailer arm bush
Solid subframe bush
Rota grids wrapped all wrapped in advan ad08 - £~1300
Baffled sump
After this I stripped the car down to further improve handling, it is now down to 1100kg +/- 20kg (mine is a 5 door though) the mk4 is a heavy old girl and while stripping the car might not be appropriate for everyone it was something I could live with everyday, what it really needs from here is a good LSD.
If your only looking to use the mk4 for fast road driving then you would probably be better off leaving the interior alone.
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the mk4 chassis is rubbish for handling anyway even if you do all of the above but the 1.8t engine is immense for tuning.
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the mk4 chassis is rubbish for handling anyway even if you do all of the above but the 1.8t engine is immense for tuning.
completely agree with that
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the only engine i no of that is completely versatile. ko3-ko3s-ko3 hybrid-ko4-ko4 hybrid virtually plug and play.
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the mk4 chassis is rubbish for handling anyway even if you do all of the above but the 1.8t engine is immense for tuning.
completely agree with that
I have to disagree, I have done all of the above - The above list is in actual fact my suspension setup, I don't know what suspension modifications you have to be fit to say so definitively the handling on my mk4 is "rubbish" however having owned an ep3 I am able to make a good comparison with what many consider to be a good benchmark. So while it isn't the greatest handling fwd or particularly good value to modify the mk4 chassis, I will say that it has got potential.
I just think handling and braking is more important, I am aware a large majority are more inclined to slam and make their golf 'scene' and 'sick' over handling, which I find not least ironic that they should see themself fit to give advise on handling.
I would also throw this out there for people to consider:
2jz stock engine capable of 600bhp
K20 (type r engine) stock engine capable of 500bhp
Sr20 (Nissan primera gt) stock engine capable of over 400bhp
1.8t stock capable of 300bhp/ft-lb immense? :grin:
I like VAG but I would not say that the: "1.8t is immense for tuning" in fear that I would come across as naive, there are a number of engines that are truly deserving of being called immense. If I'm honest, the 1.8t engine is no more immense for tuning that it's chassis.
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JOM coilovers and ebay bushes are your best bet imo
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i was on about the handling tbf the mk4 is sh!t at handling no matter how many words you throw at it unless you spend an immense amount of money which most ppl wont its sh!t no other words just sh!t :grin:
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the mk4 chassis is rubbish for handling anyway even if you do all of the above but the 1.8t engine is immense for tuning.
completely agree with that
I have to disagree, I have done all of the above - The above list is in actual fact my suspension setup, I don't know what suspension modifications you have to be fit to say so definitively the handling on my mk4 is "rubbish" however having owned an ep3 I am able to make a good comparison with what many consider to be a good benchmark. So while it isn't the greatest handling fwd or particularly good value to modify the mk4 chassis, I will say that it has got potential.
I just think handling and braking is more important, I am aware a large majority are more inclined to slam and make their golf 'scene' and 'sick' over handling, which I find not least ironic that they should see themself fit to give advise on handling.
I would also throw this out there for people to consider:
2jz stock engine capable of 600bhp
K20 (type r engine) stock engine capable of 500bhp
Sr20 (Nissan primera gt) stock engine capable of over 400bhp
1.8t stock capable of 300bhp/ft-lb immense? :grin:
I like VAG but I would not say that the: "1.8t is immense for tuning" in fear that I would come across as naive, there are a number of engines that are truly deserving of being called immense. If I'm honest, the 1.8t engine is no more immense for tuning that it's chassis.
LOL its true! I got a m8 who says you aint dubbin unless your rubbin and those type r are pretty rapid! he had a go at a type r before in his mapped 1.8t and couldnt overtake it. nyway thats a mahoosive suspension spec you got dere. I aint looking for somethin as extreme as yours but i aint goin for JOM either. Think Im less like the typical lot dat just slams their golfs for the scene look so im probly goin for kw variant 1 or hicon gt also how you find your golf compare to the type r in handling rockmonkey?
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Hi and welcome! The mk4 isn't renowned for handling but pretty much anything can be made to handle well with the right modifications and money as you rightly mentioned. Like yourself I set out to improve the handling of my car as I do the occasional track day it is of great importance to me. Below is some of my modification off the top of my head, probably left some out but you get the idea:
I use bilstein b16 pss9 coilovers - £~1400
Compbrake solid top mount bearings - £~200
NEX 4 pot large piston brakes on 330mm two piece floating rotors $~1800
Audi s3 lower front strut brace
Upper frot strut brace
Upper rear strut brace
Neuspeed 25mm front antiroll bar - £~180
Neuspeed 25mm rear antiroll bar - £~180
Powerflex rear dog bone bush
Super pro dog bone bush
Super pro steering rack bush
Super pro castor front wishbone rear bush
Super pro front wishbone front bush
Powerflex rear trailer arm bush
Solid subframe bush
Rota grids wrapped all wrapped in advan ad08 - £~1300
Baffled sump
After this I stripped the car down to further improve handling, it is now down to 1100kg +/- 20kg (mine is a 5 door though) the mk4 is a heavy old girl and while stripping the car might not be appropriate for everyone it was something I could live with everyday, what it really needs from here is a good LSD.
If your only looking to use the mk4 for fast road driving then you would probably be better off leaving the interior alone.
he said better not out and out racer, good parts list tho mate, wish had money to spend just wouldn't be on my mk4.
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My ep3 had middle range Tein super street coilovers on with eagle f1 asymmetrics, the golf in comparison is a full out track car and is better than the ep3 in the bends with the amount done to it. There are some things my golf lacks despite being good handling; it's more numb than the ep3 - you feel a lot less through the steering wheel in the golf and so forth.
I recommend the kw variant 1 inox if budget permits, but otherwise the hicon gt will suffice. I think your making the right choice if you are at all concerned with handling and reliability. I myself have tried JOM, before they were made known to the forum I might add and they are only good for slamming, the shocks were not really working compared to quality kits it felt like they are just along for the ride and done little more and after a year 18 months the shocks were dead.
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the mk4 chassis is rubbish for handling anyway even if you do all of the above but the 1.8t engine is immense for tuning.
completely agree with that
I have to disagree, I have done all of the above - The above list is in actual fact my suspension setup, I don't know what suspension modifications you have to be fit to say so definitively the handling on my mk4 is "rubbish" however having owned an ep3 I am able to make a good comparison with what many consider to be a good benchmark. So while it isn't the greatest handling fwd or particularly good value to modify the mk4 chassis, I will say that it has got potential.
I just think handling and braking is more important, I am aware a large majority are more inclined to slam and make their golf 'scene' and 'sick' over handling, which I find not least ironic that they should see themself fit to give advise on handling.
I would also throw this out there for people to consider:
2jz stock engine capable of 600bhp
K20 (type r engine) stock engine capable of 500bhp
Sr20 (Nissan primera gt) stock engine capable of over 400bhp
1.8t stock capable of 300bhp/ft-lb immense? :grin:
I like VAG but I would not say that the: "1.8t is immense for tuning" in fear that I would come across as naive, there are a number of engines that are truly deserving of being called immense. If I'm honest, the 1.8t engine is no more immense for tuning that it's chassis.
yet you still own a 1.8t. weird
all ricers jap crap, you ask most people who have owned a jap car they always come back to vag
and yes the mk4 chassis is dog awful. no matter how much £££ you chuck at it
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Disagree. Missed by old civic since I sold it :cry:
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Depends what want to spend at end of day for a grand easy spax rsx coilovers with adj damping with front/rear whiteline arb's with uprated bushes.
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rockmonkey you have spent some money on that car mate is there any part you aint sorted out :cool:
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the mk4 chassis is rubbish for handling anyway even if you do all of the above but the 1.8t engine is immense for tuning.
completely agree with that
I have to disagree, I have done all of the above - The above list is in actual fact my suspension setup, I don't know what suspension modifications you have to be fit to say so definitively the handling on my mk4 is "rubbish" however having owned an ep3 I am able to make a good comparison with what many consider to be a good benchmark. So while it isn't the greatest handling fwd or particularly good value to modify the mk4 chassis, I will say that it has got potential.
I just think handling and braking is more important, I am aware a large majority are more inclined to slam and make their golf 'scene' and 'sick' over handling, which I find not least ironic that they should see themself fit to give advise on handling.
I would also throw this out there for people to consider:
2jz stock engine capable of 600bhp
K20 (type r engine) stock engine capable of 500bhp
Sr20 (Nissan primera gt) stock engine capable of over 400bhp
1.8t stock capable of 300bhp/ft-lb immense? :grin:
I like VAG but I would not say that the: "1.8t is immense for tuning" in fear that I would come across as naive, there are a number of engines that are truly deserving of being called immense. If I'm honest, the 1.8t engine is no more immense for tuning that it's chassis.
yet you still own a 1.8t. weird
all ricers jap crap, you ask most people who have owned a jap car they always come back to vag
and yes the mk4 chassis is dog awful. no matter how much £££ you chuck at it
I have to disagree, I don't think everyone returns to VAG from jap and I do not think those that do come back to VAG all do it for the same reason.
I returned to VAG - in particular a golf because of its understated looks and as you made quite apparent: very little is thought of them. That is why I have a sleeper, what's more; there are not nearly as many sleepers as there are scene dubs, safe to say not everyone came back to vag or for the same reason.
I don't particularly like those that bash jap anymore than you would like someone to bash veedubs, truth is I like both of them for different reasons and I have mates that drive German and jap cars alike.
Also you have to think, if the mk4 had zero potential what so ever, how would there still be a market for performance handling parts. I am not the first or only mk4 on a track, that much is certain.
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I had vw for since 1997 and moved to alfa for 2yrs now im back. pref my alfa had 147 gta 3.0lt v6 awesome car but stuff goes wrong to often. brilliant car tho loved it.
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Alfa rarely manages to iron out their electrical gremlins, Alfa Romeo brera, fairly modern car, well priced. Every time I opened the door the windows go down to clear the soft top, as soon as you close it, the windows don't close though. You had to unplug the battery to get it to work. Yet I had an e36 328i soft top which as old as it was managed fine every time - barring the mechanism for the folding roof jamming.
I do like italian cars, a few mates of mine have abarth, 500 and grande punto, including the ss so it does catch a bit although if it was me I would look at the coupe 20vt
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unless you have too much money to spend on a car.. buy cheap coils theres not much in it if your just doing normal driving, make sure there well greased, tt lower arm rear bushes, oil pickup pipe and new oil and filter is the first thing you wana do if youve been reading recent topics! lol haha, mk4s dont handle that well. i admit i dont have good tyres. but still my old fiesta with ditchfiner tyres went round bends better. a mate of mine has a old mini and even though i could beat him in 2nd on a straight ina bend youve no chance what so ever!
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naaa i aint loaded but i aint buying cheap either jus cos its my money sooo fanks but no fanks :grin: my golf dont handle great either :grin: but i wouldnt be surprised if his golf wid all the mods does outhandle type r is it even any surprise with deep pockets
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Think rockmonkey has done alot more to his mk4 than pretty much anyone on here, certainly setup-wise, so to discount his opinion would be slightly silly.
After spending that much, if it was still to end up with 'sh!tty handling' i'm sure he would have split, broke, re-couped and invested in something that handled better even if he chose it for it's sleeper looks.
By keeping it, using it on track and by the sounds of it, enjoying it quite alot, is testiment that they can be made to perform well, just not by sticking a set of £200 coilovers on and thinking it is going to completely transform the car, which is exactly what I did.
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my 4mo with the koni set-up an eibach springs stuck to the road like glue :smiley:
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my 4mo with the koni set-up an eibach springs stuck to the road like glue :smiley:
not suprised there slow as fook :kiss:
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my 4mo with the koni set-up an eibach springs stuck to the road like glue :smiley:
not suprised there slow as fook :kiss:
would have left you an your little k03s turbo everytime :grin: :grin:
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f**king neownnnnn :grin:
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my 4mo with the koni set-up an eibach springs stuck to the road like glue :smiley:
not suprised there slow as fook :kiss:
would have left you an your little k03s turbo everytime :grin: :grin:
Maybe in the snow :wink:
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my 4mo with the koni set-up an eibach springs stuck to the road like glue :smiley:
not suprised there slow as fook :kiss:
would have left you an your little k03s turbo everytime :grin: :grin:
Maybe in the snow :wink:
even in the dry :wink:
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I have the standard anni shocks (I know I need some new ones :rolleyes:) eibach springs (~40mm drop) with eibach front and rear ARBs, 18inch alloys with parada spec 2...I have never missed a corner, had the back end slip out or anything. I drive sensibly most of the time unless conditions allow me to have a bit of fun on a nice sweeping corner.
Drove it in the snow earlier in the year, didn't miss a beat.
I think opinions of handling is purely subjective compared with what said person has owned/driven in the past. I have only ever owned mk4s (22yrs old) and think mine handles pretty well :rolleyes: :lipsrsealed: I have had a few trips in Type Rs and they do handle well, like it was on rails actually :lipsrsealed:
For me when I put on my shocks and springs it was a huge difference compared to the OEM suspension. The rear ARB made a notable difference after driving around with my 'uprated' suspension for 8months.
For some one who doesn't want to track crazy or perhaps as far as rockmonkey then I would say £600 will get you a decent enough handling setup.