collateral 0 Posted February 9, 2006 Hey all, I believe my 205 is currently running vintage stock springs and dampers (front dampers have black rubber boot thingies on em?), and having read the sticky I've become interested with lowering the front of my GTi. Question is, can the standard dampers run lowered springs (guess we're talking 25-35mm drop...open to opinion on that too) without a crashy/crappy ride? I'm on the standard 1.6 speedlines and 60 profile tyres. I don't want to shell out too much cash, so getting a nice kit is pretty much out, although I see Billy front Streetline dampers can be had for cheaper than the standard Pug ones so...? What do you guys think? Cheers, Add Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jshep205gti 3 Posted February 9, 2006 Hey all, I believe my 205 is currently running vintage stock springs and dampers (front dampers have black rubber boot thingies on em?), and having read the sticky I've become interested with lowering the front of my GTi. Question is, can the standard dampers run lowered springs (guess we're talking 25-35mm drop...open to opinion on that too) without a crashy/crappy ride? I'm on the standard 1.6 speedlines and 60 profile tyres. I don't want to shell out too much cash, so getting a nice kit is pretty much out, although I see Billy front Streetline dampers can be had for cheaper than the standard Pug ones so...? What do you guys think? Cheers, Add On a budget, I'd say get the front springs you want and drop the rear beam a spline. Standard shocks all round. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted February 9, 2006 you're current springs and shocks are probably ok as they are, IMO the best things to replace first are all the bushes and mounts etc if they havent been done recently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Pug2112 Posted February 10, 2006 (edited) On a budget, I'd say get the front springs you want and drop the rear beam a spline. Standard shocks all round. Ive recently had a 309 rear beam fitted which was lowered by one spline and lowered springs at front (25mm). The thing is I'm thinking of putting it back to the correct height. Whenever I go over speedbumps I hear that awful scraping noise (even when its around 1mph on bigger bumps). I also get it when I enter my driveway. Not sure whether its the exhaust touching the ground or the wheels on the arches. I'm hoping some adjustable shocks might help things...I'm probably going to be disappointed. Edited February 10, 2006 by Pug2112 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob_the_Sparky 9 Posted February 10, 2006 If it is a standard exhaust then it will be the centre box of the exhaust system, it is the lowest part underneath. It is also fairly resistant to damage but even so I'd take a look underneath to make sure, you can do all sorts of damage like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SamGTi 0 Posted February 15, 2006 Sorry to re-open this thread but I have a few questions along the same lines as this. Are standard dampers okay for use with lowered springs then because like 'collateral' I can't afford a full suspension setup yet but would like the car lowered slightly but still wish to maintain the handling. I was thinking of: lowered springs (30-35mm) group n top mounts strut brace lowered rear beam. Does this sound okay? Will the handling be any better/worse? And which springs should I use if I do go ahead with this setup? Thanks in advance! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonD6B 0 Posted February 15, 2006 Sorry to re-open this thread but I have a few questions along the same lines as this. Are standard dampers okay for use with lowered springs then because like 'collateral' I can't afford a full suspension setup yet but would like the car lowered slightly but still wish to maintain the handling. I was thinking of: lowered springs (30-35mm) group n top mounts strut brace lowered rear beam. Does this sound okay? Will the handling be any better/worse? And which springs should I use if I do go ahead with this setup? Thanks in advance! That sounds fine to me. The handling will certainly improve as your stiffening the car up and also lowering the COG. Any reasonable quality springs should be o.k. but don't go lower than -35mm or above 250lbs. Only go one notch on the beam and bare in mind that the group N rubbers will lift the front of the car approx. 5mm because of the firmer rubber. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SamGTi 0 Posted February 15, 2006 Okay, thanks for the advice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niklas 1 Posted February 16, 2006 Cut the front springs to lower 30 mm (or get lowering springs on ebay), get a 25 mm ARB and lower the back about the same as the front. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SamGTi 0 Posted February 16, 2006 Sorry if this sounds offensive, but I refuse to take advice from anybody that tells me to 'cut the front springs'! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
niklas 1 Posted February 16, 2006 (edited) Sorry if this sounds offensive, but I refuse to take advice from anybody that tells me to 'cut the front springs'! Well, I think the benefits from lowering springs instead of cut OE springs is a lot less than uprating the ARB. I don't know what budget he's on but as I said, if he can get real springs and ARB as well then that's better of course. But spending money on stiffening the front and leaving the rear is pointless. Edited February 16, 2006 by niklas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
collateral 0 Posted February 19, 2006 Thanks for the advice everyone. Bushes sound like a good idea as this car has done close to 130k. Anyone got a ballpark figure of how much this would cost to get done at a garage? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
