boldy205 75 Posted March 23, 2006 hi, i am wondering exactly what is needed for a front and rear 309 gti setup on a 1.9 205? presume: rear beam, struts, wishbones, drive shafts, and thats it? just want to check before i go ahead as id like to do the job in one go. i presume i can keep the front 205 ARB by reading other posts, seems like a good idea? also i have a set of 205 spax adjustables to use, i presume they will fit the 309 parts? thanks for your time. matt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butler 0 Posted March 23, 2006 Wishbones and Driveshafts. Beam. The rest you mention is optional. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjw205 8 3 Cars Posted March 23, 2006 IMO, the 309 beam route is highly overrated, the front end of 309 wishbones, and d/s's is a good action, to give a slight bit of cheap camber up front, but a rebuilt 1.9gti 205 rear beam is a better bet. But if you can get the rear beam built up with the 25mm arb, it will stiffen the back end up nicely. I have this on my car, and works well. it also has tarmac rally spec billy dampers on the rear. If you have this stiffer arb at the back, put the 309 arb on the front with the correct mounting brackets (from the 309 as well), this will give a very good handling car. The 309 rear beam does increase the track of the car at the rear by 25mm or so each side, but a well set up 205 beam will reap better rewards. The 309 beam can also slightly reduce some of the 'oversteer' characteristics of the car.. which makes it fun in the first place !! Best of luck with it Rich Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butler 0 Posted March 23, 2006 The 309 beam is an upgrade from a 205 beam, not a 205 beam with a different ARB, thats the point, its a cheap upgrade and works very well and certainly does not reduce the lift off oversteer. However if you have a good 205 beam to fit a larger arb and or torsion bars and can afford then thats the way, but is more expensive. Most who fit a 309 beam are going there because the 205 beam is knackered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjw205 8 3 Cars Posted March 23, 2006 Most who fit a 309 beam are going there because the 205 beam is knackered. In the same breath, the 309 beam could also be knackered... both cost the same to rebuild, and i believe the 205 one keeps the car handling better. At the end of the day its up to the individual, as it is their car. But for myself, i prefer the handling of a 205gti with a 205 gti rear beam on. Rich Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boldy205 75 Posted March 23, 2006 thanks for the views, my 205 beam was re conned bout a year ago by Anthony (and a very good job he done to, thanks ) the 309 beam was also re conned by my friend (jer309) when he had it on his 309 less than a year ago, so both are fine. i think i will go ahead with the rear beam, it was just a matter of any bits and pieces i needed before i commence battle! i managed to get through to spax just now and they have confermed that the suspension is all interchangeable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butler 0 Posted March 23, 2006 In the same breath, the 309 beam could also be knackered... Only a fool would fit another knackered beam. Sorry my point is a 309 beam is better than a 205 beam, unless your 205 beam is uprated, but its personal your right its personal preference. but a rebuilt 309 beam is cheaper then rebuilding a 205 beam, then uprating it. If you 205 beam is good then I'd always consider uprating it, but the 309 beam is slightly uprated and if you 205 beam is good, then you'll have no trouble selling. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tagy 1 Posted March 23, 2006 I agree it is down to personal preference. I am going to fit 309 front bits for the neg camber, but I am not so sure a 309 rear beam is what I want, but I would have to try one to test it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butler 0 Posted March 23, 2006 Its more stable because of the width, but oversteers when provoked as before because its stiffer than 205 beam. Although the stablity improvement could be down to the fact my old beam mounts were knackered, which I replaced with the beam. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
