Upgrades, what are some of the best?

[Josho]

Yup. All trying to get low mileage second hand parts.

OK, I'll get a big battery then. I'm going to fabriacte a holder with my dad, as there isn't one on mine, and I'm thinking of getting a plastic one off another car and making that fit.

I was thinking of fitting new hoses, as I don't think they've been changed and so will be 17 years old this year. Decent tyres are a must, I'm not going cheap on those. If I have to save up I will. I've seen a nice set of BBS wheels resprayed and the inners are the same colour as my car. Not everyones taste, but for £50 (bidding but seemingly no interest) I might go for them.

Do you think the brake upgrade is worth it? In my mind yes, but you're more experienced LOL!

[admc6]

If your talking tyres, i have goodyear eagle f1's on mine (front anyway) and they are really good, in wet and dry

[Guy]

If your talking tyres, i have goodyear eagle f1's on mine (front anyway) and they are really good, in wet and dry

+1 all round

don't skimp on rubber

[Josho]

Nope. IMO you can have all the braking you want but if you've got crap tyres, then it's useless. Well on non-ABS anyway.

[boneybradley]

upgraded brakes can be very worthwhile but it all depends on what the old set up is like...and what you want/need!! the best set up for you I recon is mk3 1.8 front calipers and carriers, 256mm ate power discs (solid) with ate o.e spec pads, new hoses front and rear, dot 4 fluid and new rear cylinders (if needed) with std spec shoes

I have all new brakes on mine but went for quality lockheed discs and pads, new hoses and dot 4 fluid and there near perfect (I drive fast but don't race so drilled discs and green pads etc are not really worthwhile for me!!)
oh and even on abs cars tryes really matter!! mine used to lock up and skid on the rubbish it had when i bought it!!

[Josho]

upgraded brakes can be very worthwhile but it all depends on what the old set up is like...and what you want/need!! the best set up for you I recon is mk3 1.8 front calipers and carriers, 256mm ate power discs (solid) with ate o.e spec pads, new hoses front and rear, dot 4 fluid and new rear cylinders (if needed) with std spec shoes

I have all new brakes on mine but went for quality lockheed discs and pads, new hoses and dot 4 fluid and there near perfect (I drive fast but don't race so drilled discs and green pads etc are not really worthwhile for me!!)
oh and even on abs cars tryes really matter!! mine used to lock up and skid on the rubbish it had when i bought it!!

OK. I have been looking, our 1.8 brakes are bigger, and so are the drums. You don't think uprated pads will be better?

I'll change the fluid anyway.

[adamrob69]

to be honest i personaly wouldnt bother with breaks. i get along nicely with my standard  setup, and lets  face it the 1.4 lump isnt going to be going fast enough to require bigger setups! a nice to have maybe if you have the time and money.

i also wouldnt personaly bother with engine mods, as you are not going to gain anything from the 1.4. money better spent elsewhere i'd say. I would however recommend coilovers, just had mine fitted, and its like a completly different car! greatly improved the handling!

new interior? gti seats, electric windows etc. Also, why do you want extra power (electrical wise) i have a good 800w sub 4x50ws speakers running perfectly fine, unless your going for something a lot larger i dont see why you would ever need a bigger battery?

[boneybradley]

Quality pads like lockheed,ate etc should be fine!!
I was guessing the 1.4 had smaller discs (I've never actually seen the 239m discs!!) with the rears just give them an overhaul (new cylinders and shoes if needed plus a good grease and clean up as the rears do so little work!)

I agree with with adamrob69 with spending money for so little gain! It all depends on what you want! I upgraded my driver with many extra mods and most were pointless but I learnt lot's about the mk3 from doing so..

[Josho]

Yup, this is a learning curve.

Wanted to upgrade the brakes for peace of mind, not looking at engine performance, as like said, it's a 1.4 pretty pointless. Would like a decent stainless steel system, lifelong sort of thing, air filter, well I just don't like the box, I might stick a 94 1.4 air box in there or something.

Wanted to upgrade electrical as I am installing a PC in there, and would be nice to run it while the engine is off, I'd like the alternator, as I'm looking at some spotlights (seen a cleaver idea on this, actuators so spot lights pop out underneath so hidden normally) because I'll be using country lanes frequently.

I also think the alternator is on it's way out, it makes noises alot and putting full beam on causes even the stock radio to die a bit. Thought it would be chance to upgrade.

1000'th post!!!

[Adam]

Get a build thread on that PC build Josho..

(Well done on 1k posts Josho)