Will This Make A Noticable Difference?

[coombsfh 2]

On sunday I am: -

>replacing the rear beam with a fully refurbished one and group N mounts

>replacing top mount bearings and rubbers being uprated to group N

>Front bilstein struts

>new steering rack and new wishbones.

 

This is costing me a bit so I am just curious to see if anyone thinks it will make much of a difference

 

Any advice enjoyed.

 

Fred

[Daxed 7]

If yours are worn then yes, big difference, all money well spent.

[Jonmurgie 2]

Hell yeah, you'll find the whole car much 'tighter'... as Daxed says it's money well spent and often overlooked!

[taylorspug 7]

Well thats a complete brand new suspension and steering system, pretty much, so yes the difference will be night and day. The top mounts alone made a hell of a difference to my car, and that already had a new beam and wishbones on it.

 

So expect good things!

[coombsfh 2]

Cheers folks, I was aware that it would help a bit but if you really think it will be night and day then i am excited now and less worried over parting with my money.

 

also adding Goodyear F1's all round, heard good things about them so am excited alot.

 

cheers for the advice.

 

fred

[jackherer 543]

i am excited now and less worried over parting with my money.

 

you now need to start worrying about the money you're going to spend next when you realise how much difference new parts make

 

F1s all round is going to finish it off a treat, be sure to post again to confirm just how much difference this stuff has made...

[coombsfh 2]

I will post again for sure but thinking about it as i have only driven one other 205 gti for a short time i do not know what to expect really.

 

This said the chap who is teaching me how to fix it explained that the rear beam and wishbone bushes were the worst he had ever seen. From this i can assume that changes will be fairly major.

 

Thanks again.

 

fred

 

PS next on the list will be newer engine(still 1580cc as I am only 17. Insured with Quinn for £1400

 

Forgot to mention, beam is a 1.9 disc braked one and i am putting on new callipers and discs and pads on the front.

Fred

Edited September 29, 2006 by coombsfh

[coombsfh 2]

UPDATE

The transformation will now include: -

>New rack and steering column

>New track-rod ends

>Group N top mount rubbers with new top mount bearings

>60mm lowered rear beam with discs and callipers (new and refurbished)

>Bilsteins on the front

>Goodyear F1's all round

>new callipers, pads (worried as they are greenstuff ) and discs

 

Looking forward to it alot.

 

Please tell me what the advantages of a lowered rear beam and front struts are and what difference it will make to the ride etc.

 

Regards

 

Fred

[taylorspug 7]

Well without going into too much technical stuff, 60mm is a bit too much for road use. Lowering this much will make the ride harsh, as the rear beam will spend most of its time sitting on the bumpstops. Plus if the front is lowered to match then the bumpsteer will be terrible, this added to the fact the car will probably end up shaking itself to bits will not add up to a pleasant drive! A more sensible option is to go for between 30-40mm, will make the ride and the handling alot better, and will still look decent if thats a factor.

 

You are putting some really nice new bits on your car, dont ruin it by slamming the thing on the floor and undoing half of the good work!

Edited September 30, 2006 by taylorspug

[coombsfh 2]

How much of a pain will it be to un-lower the beam 30mm?

All other bits will be sweet.

Advise as to how i should proceed.

fred

[taylorspug 7]

Pm'ed you back regarding this.

[Rom 0]

Im currently doing similar to mine.

 

Today i fitted

 

Driveshafts

Bottom Arms

Front Wheel Bearings

Lower Brace

Gpn Lower Mount

 

Ran out of time for the rest, remaining is Droplinks (wrong ones sent) ARB Bushes,Rest of gpn mounts,Coilovers,then rebuild my beam hopefully.

 

The lower mount was noticble instantly, noise and vibration ahoy! Apparently they quieten down a little though. I havent had a good drive yet, off out soon, but understeer seemed a lot more noticable than usual, but looks like some people have said same about lower brace.

We shall see

 

Overall, there was a marked improvement in feel, everything just feels right now, instead of my driveshaft clattering away, my wheelbearing groaning. Rest werent too bad, i just wanted a whole new setup really, so i know its all good. Your definately going to love the difference.

[coombsfh 2]

Today I only managed a bit of fixing due to parts availability in the week so all that has been done today has been the front callipers (bled too) and then the immobiliser broke so by-passing that was a pain.

 

We fitted different wheels with decent tyres on but now (due to a bad wheel I think) the car is shaking like a bastard due to a broken rack and "the worst track rod end (drivers side) I have ever seen"

 

It rattles alot round right hand bends...any advice apreciated.

 

Also the brakes are intermittant, sometimes it takes one pump to get them working and from cold (greenstuff they dont bite too well and under hard braking there is brake judder.

 

Essentially the car is worse than when D started.

 

Oh well next weekend will help alot.

 

Fred

Edited October 1, 2006 by coombsfh