Cti Gti Differences?

[gingerfox01 0]

Hi, apologies if covered elsewhere I have a 88/89 1.6 cti that's had a 1.9 gti engine put in it,

 

I'm wondering what the differences are between cti and gti especially regarding suspension, brakes etc? I'm wanting to upgrade parts as they wear out.

 

Thanks Jamie

[steve@cornwall 100]

CTI has base model suspension as standard. Supposedly to reduce scuttle shake. Mine runs standard GTi suspension with no noticeable problems. Not sure if any stiffer would make the shell flex before the suspension started doing its job. It was lowered when I bought it and the ride was terrible.

[gingerfox01 0]

Thanks for the answer what's involved in upgrading the suspension to gti spec? I'm gonna start trawling through the forum and have a look, I've not had to do anything to the suspension/brakes etc except for a wheel bearing change so it all new to me

[jackherer 543]

You need a GTI subframe, GTI wishbones, a GTI anti roll bar with drop links and GTI dampers. Realistically you need GTI springs too, CTI ones are way too high.

 

The brackets in the wheel arches where the brake lines meet the brake hoses might need to be cut off and relocated if the drop links are touching them, I had to do this on a CTI I converted once but not everyone seems to have the same issue.

 

It's all simple bolt on stuff unless you need to move the brackets.

[welshpug 1,657]

skinny rear roll bar too dont they?

 

the hubs brakes up front are 1.6 iirc, but never worked on the rears or noticed if there was a load compensator on the chassis leg.

[jackherer 543]

I think so, I just put a GTI beam on too so it all matched height wise. They certainly handle hilariously as standard, the first time I drove one I'd just got out of a GTI and the CTI shot off in a straight line like a nice revvy 1.6 GTI but then I got to the first bend and nearly fell out the side because it rolled so much!

 

They do have a 1.6 style compensator.

[gingerfox01 0]

Sweet cheers for the answers, I'll add them to the to do list just need to find some money! Would it drive ok/safely if I did the front end first and left the rear standard until I got round to doing it or would it be a complete pig?

[steve@cornwall 100]

My first CTI was just fine with just the front end changed to GTi suspension.. Present one has GTi beam also. The GTi antiroll bar and drop links are optional. I run my GTi without and haven't noticed much difference except slightly lighter steering but don't i push it hard into corners anyway.

[jackherer 543]

Some MOT testers wont like a missing anti roll bar. I think the reason for refusal includes the wording where originally fitted so it's a debatable one for CTIs but the mounts for the brackets will be there on the GTI subframe so it might be hard to argue.

[steve@cornwall 100]

Removed it originally because the droplinks failed. Was told by tester that as long as links and web were removed it would be fine. Not even been noticed or commented by subsequent testers.

[flyfisher 6 2 Cars]

My 90/91 cti is running a 309 gti rear axle and 309 gti front subframe wishbones ect with a 1905 mi16 engine/gearbox rides we'll ride is firm with little body roll

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

You will most likely be refurbishing the rear beam in the near future. this will let you lower it, new dampers and put a GTI antiroll bar in, so start looking for an ARB now. They make quite a difference , 14mm to 19mm