Is it possible to raise a ( 1996 ) GTI ?

[tweed]

Why would you want to do this out of interest?

Me too.

Make it look worse, handle worse, and pay more for insurance for the priviledge. I'm sure you have your reason, just curious.

Because he lives in Sweden and winter is coming. 

Surely can't be that dumb not to realise why he wants to lift his car.

[Wayne]

As posted just use non gti parts

[2stroke]

Why would you want to do this out of interest ?

Make it look worse, handle worse.
I'm sure you have your reason, just curious.

  I live high up in the Northern part of SWEDEN where we have real winter for 7 month/year.
No point for me to have a lowered car.

Because he lives in Sweden and winter is coming.

Bulls eye ! 

[2stroke]

Replace it with stock non GTI shocks and springs.

As said get non GTI shocks and springs and job done.

As posted just use non GTI parts.

  Are you sure that the non GTI shocks and springs will fit on the PLUS chassi ?

[Wayne]

As posted just use non GTI parts

Are you sure that the non GTI shocks and springs will fit on the PLUS chassi ?

Well Gti parts will fit a Gl so I cannot see why not

[snozan]

As posted just use non GTI parts

Are you sure that the non GTI shocks and springs will fit on the PLUS chassi ?

Well Gti parts will fit a Gl so I cannot see why not

There are not just one "universal" spring for everything. There are some option regarding the front springs depending on what options your car has. (and the weight of the engine).



On my MK3 Variant -97 i have the same top mounts and springs as i have on my 16v ABF. But that is because the car i quite heavy and have AC. So sure it fits, but you won't gain any height of it.

Using springs for a CL/GL "standard" without AC you won´t gain anything either because the car will sbe to heavy for the springs.

[tweed]

So you're saying fit gl springs and you won't gain the 20mm because the car is too heavy? 

have you done this before?  I seriously doubt it!

My mate put gl suspension on his vr6 and it looked like it had a 4x4 lift kit on.

[snozan]

So you're saying fit gl springs and you won't gain the 20mm because the car is too heavy? 

have you done this before?  I seriously doubt it!

My mate put gl suspension on his vr6 and it looked like it had a 4x4 lift kit on.

Of course you'll gain the extra 20 mm - at first. When the springs are new and at full strength. But since the springs are to weak for the car over time it will drop.

Look at this, i have proof of it. My car had "GL springs" cos the old man (a 68 year old) who owned the car before me took a shortcut when he changed the springs.

This picture shows it best (after i removed all plastic):



There my friend "GL springs over time".

But really i cant care less. its his car, and i say as i said in some other forum (clubgti.com). I honestly dont think the 16v GTI is the car for him to have.

[2stroke]

There are not just one "universal" spring for everything.
There are some option regarding the front springs depending on what options your car has. (and the weight of the engine).

On my MK3 Variant -97 i have the same top mounts and springs as i have on my 16v ABF.
But that is because the car i quite heavy and have AC.
So sure it fits, but you won't gain any height of it.

Using springs for a CL/GL "standard" without AC you won´t gain anything either because the car will be to heavy for the springs.

I am looking to mount BILSTEIN shock absorbers and a well-known aftermarket brand for the springs.
Thought of putting diesel's front suspension springs and Heavy Duty/reinforced rear springs.
This is to maintain approximately the same stiffness of the springs as the original GTI springs.

What do you think about this ?

The car has ThermoTronic ! --> not ClimaTronic.

What is so special with the Top Mounts you talking about above ?

[snozan]

What is so special with the Top Mounts you talking about above ?

They are different (oh how wierd to explain in english since we both are swedish )

On the left you have a CL/GL "standard" suspension. On the right you have the "GTI/Vr6" suspension:



The "Clima" vs Thermo" is kinda the same. Found a picture to explain why i keep coming back to that.

On the left you see a heather with non AC and on the right a heather with AC. It weighs approx 100kg. So you have 100kg extra and then the engine that weigh.



I however think your springs you found are up to it. And thats not the case am trying to tell you. Its the handling. It will be so bad consider all that weight.  You wont be able to use your 16v as it was meant to be, cos you will loose friction to the ground.