Suspension advice

[T72]

Hi all,

I have just bought a MK2 16V as a track day car, have a tight budget.

I'm told the best suspension setup is to lower 40mm from the standard height. Is this correct?

If so can you recommend a good spring / damper set (fixed height, no need to be adjustable). Also I assume while I'm working on the suspension it would be worth replacing all the suspension bushes, again any recommends for high performance replacements.

Also the car has 14" rims can anyone recommend some good rubber, thinking of Toyos.

Many thanks,

Jason

[Diamond Hell]

I can't recommend anything on the spring/damper combo, but I will say that when I did a freshen up on my Syncro I replaced the top mounts and various other bushes, which looked worn and it improved things a great deal - highly recommended and very sensible.

You might like to step up to 15" rims, as there will be a wider choice of rubber.  It will also mean you can go up to 280mm stoppers on the front, when you feel the need.  I'm running Firestone Firehawks at the moment, which give a relatively low break away point, but are cheap and will help you learn to manage slides better than some really sticky rubber that might let go a bit dramatically and at much higher speeds!

[Pike]

You can't go far wrong with Koni dampers and Eibach springs. It would be worth replacing the bushes. The Bugpack "prothane" kit from BBT in Thurrock is one of the better value kits in my opinion.
I haven't tried many types of tyre, suffice to say after using the Toyo R888 in the MKII Championship I haven't found a need to.
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[Horney]

Correct set up once it's all installed will make a huge diference to. Get the camber and toe set right and if you can afford it get the car corner weighted. Makes a huge difference to your track day experirnce.

Nick

[Stu.750]

You can't go far wrong with Koni dampers and Eibach springs. It would be worth replacing the bushes. The Bugpack "prothane" kit from BBT in Thurrock is one of the better value kits in my opinion.
I haven't tried many types of tyre, suffice to say after using the Toyo R888 in the MKII Championship I haven't found a need to.
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 Hi there mate , im about to start prepping a 16v for this season , was just wondering , if you dont mind divulging, what spring rates your running ?

[Pike]

Sorry mate 
Have a chat with the people who manufacturer your dampers and go from there 

[Stu.750]

Not to worry    , ill have to wait until the car is semi finished and work from there.

 

[T72]

Thanks all,

Update - I've got a set of fixed springs / dampers 40mm front 35mm rear. Also picked up some 15" alloys with some good rubber on, as Diamond Hell says the 15" gives so much more choice of tyres. Someone on another tread said as a novice it's probably best to steer away from the complexities of adjusting dampers etc. I'd probably get in a mess until I know what I'm doing.

The first weekend of working on the car coming up so will be stripping her out (hope there's no horrors under the carpet!).

The book says around 1,000kg for the MK2 Golf, any ideas how much weight can come out, I plan to be pretty ruthless, single seat only all carpets, door cards, linings, rear wiper, as much of the dash as I can get away with?

Seen a post in this section where some one has got 80kg out of the Mk3, I'd like to get my MK2 under 900kg

[Chris-White]

Sounds good mate. Im looking forward to seeing what you can make out of that car, i really am!

Get some photos up and a project thread going 

[lewis1641]

i have never weighed mine but it will make a noticeable difference. keep us posted