Info required on strut braces

[RITCHAT]

I am considering fitting a strut brace to my car after fitting full gti spec running gear and brakes I feel the front still needs tightening up a bit.

Any comments good or bad about this would be welcome. I believe the seat one is the easiest to fit and it is a straight fit on the polo.

Cheers for any comments from those that have done the conversion would be helpful.

SANDY

[chewy]

I have the Seat on fitted mate and to be honest cant say I really notice any difference, but I don't drive it that hard

[K.I.T.T.]

Just out of interest, what engine are you running? A transplant? You've certainly put some effort in swapping the rear axle etc from a GTI

Ash

[RITCHAT]

Just out of interest, what engine are you running? A transplant? You've certainly put some effort in swapping the rear axle etc from a GTI

Ash

Hi

I have a 1.4 3dr tdi twist so it had toys in it to start off with ie the air con central locking and electric windows, alloys. I started 2 years ago in october07 with the alloys being changed to 16" conturs with 205.45*16 contis fitted. next was the front fogs. I then got a phonecall from a friend in Liverpool who's business is breaking down write off cars. He had a 2008 plate gti just 2 weeks out of the box with 852 miles on he clock, that had been written off after it was hit from the rear. I took the full interior from it as it was minted and took the full front and rear suspension from it including the full braking system which again was mint condition. the rear end was a doddle to fit took just over an 1hr to do and the difference in the handling was very apparent just with the rear done. the front was a different kettle of fish altogether had the split the suspension down to almost individual parts to fit but everything from the ground up has been replaced and is brand new. I then managed to get a hold of gti mk7 alloys at a great price with one alloy having a scuff on it, the scuff took about two hrs to remove and have the wheel look like new again. the rear valance has just been changed which allowed the gti exhaust to be fitted. I have also fitted a rear votex roof spoiler but have it sitting about 1 inch further back to reduce spray on the back window. the car now handles really well but the front just seems a bit flexible not as tort as the rear hence I have been thinking about the strut brace. You probally think I am mad doing what I have done but I dont drink that often and dont smoke and I am no doubt having a mid life crisis as due to turn forty in 10 weeks time or so. the next plans for the car are opening rear quarter windows fiited with privacy glass and the rear tailgate glass changed to privacy glass. and finally the plastic a b and c pillar plastics to be changed to the grey ones and that will be it. Whilst the exhaust was being fitted a guy was asking why I was changing the exhaust on such a new car, He didn't beleive it was nearly 5yrs old with 65k on the clock. I will try and get some pictures on the forum soon. cheers for reading this post any questions just ask. Sandy

[K.I.T.T.]

Fair play sir, was just wondering. The plans sound good...I never realised swapping over the rear axles would make such a dramatic difference. Am I correct in thinking your car had rear drums prior to this? I'm trying to figure out whether the rear axel on the GTI is significantly different to that on the sport TDis which have rear discs as standard. Just one question though - You say you swapped the front suspension over from the GTI...I could be wrong, as the GTI engine may be quite heavier than the petrol options in the 9n (largest being a 1.4). Sport/GT trim 9n/9n3s and 9n3 GTIs are 15mm lower than standard...same shocks but lower springs. The official (Eibach) VW (-35...or -25 if you're already lowered 1.5mm) lowering kit, have different part numbers for the petrol and diesel engines - the latter having stiffer front springs to accomodate for the heavier diesel engine. I'm just slightly concerned in case the ones from the GTI aren't as stiff as the ones on Sport TDIs...maybe this is why you may be having the said flex problems at the front. I'm not criticising your efforts, mind...just want to know for myself too (hope the last bit doesn't cause offence).

I've got a 2003 1.4 TDI just like you, bar in the sport trim...can't say it flexes that much at the front, although it does understeer when pushed. However I hope to add some Eibach springs as mentioned earlier (and possib...err...probably a Seat sport strut brace), Which have been said to completely transform the handling.

Ever thought about getting the rest of the Votex kit? The rear quarter glass idea is a good one, I've been wanting to do this, but haven't a clue how to go about it or where to get the parts from. If you do this, please keep us updated

And I wouldn't call it a mid life crisis I turn 21 next month...don't smoke and don't drink much (but when I do, do a proper job of it ) and the only thing that stops me is luck of fundage due to being a student. My mum's not happy the full Votex kit has been sitting in a corner of the lounge for nearly a year, haven't had time to fit it yet

Ash

[RITCHAT]

I know what you mean by having parts sitting about doing nothing I have two sets of alloys full interior twist in mint condition door cards suspension std and gti spec. Centre consul gti.

You are correct in stating my car did have the drums originally fitted and it was qucker disconnecting the brake pipes hand brake and a few bolts and replace the whole beam with the dics already fitted. Hand brake cables had to be changed and that was about it other than replacing all bolts and nuts for safety reasons only. Just my way. Costs abit extra but I know they won't fail.

Regards fitting the full votex kit, I wanted something a bit different for the 9n so fitted 9n3 gti side skirts. along with mud flaps to stop the tar spots.

you had mentioned about the suspension and the weights, this was something that I looked into before settling on the route I have gone down the gti is slightly heavier than mine at the front and in all it is about 20- 30 kilos heavier. Once I am in the difference in weight is nothing as I am 6ft 3 and 18 stone and need the front seat to go back about three more inches so I can fit in properley not over weight but built like a brick s**** house. I get some strange looks when I step out of the car if somebody is giving the finger, its funny how quick they p*** off.

The halve shafts are different on the gti but the wheel bearings are the same size so changed my over.

I think the reason the front seems not as tight as it should be is probally me as I have been used to higher spec cars till I got married and it is only recently I can start spending some pennies on the car. I would like a v10 toureg but I will need to hit the jackpot first.

Once I do the rear windows I will pm you the part numbers. This will be getting done this summer all going well and seems to be very easy to do. I changed the rear quarters in a fiesta mk3 years ago and it was easy.

[K.I.T.T.]

Ah okay...if you're used to sportier cars it'd definitely feel a bit loose at the front. If you do decide to go down the strut brace route, it'd be great if you could provide your opinion

Any other plans handling wise? What about under the bonnet?

Ash

[RITCHAT]

the insurance believe it or not went down big style after doing all the mods something to do with my age no longer 22.

under the bonnet nothing major as such possible remap but not 100% sure if worthwhile seeing as you can get a plug include up grade for about 20 quid which increases things a bit. I will as and when required replace and up grade items. Timing belt is due at 80k but will do this in the summer when it hits 70k.

To be honest I don't think you can do that much to the 1.4tdi, people out there can correct me on this with whats available tht would be 1. cost effective and 2. worth while as in noticable in terms of power and torque.

Cheers Ash for your interest, I have only been on this forum for a short time but find it really good for info and ideas, also the for sale area has been good to me for some items especially the latest alloys well chuved with them, really finish the car off and leaves my not so old set for the winter.

[K.I.T.T.]

Hmmm, if I were you I'd try and get that timing belt sorted out sooner than later. A few years ago, VW changed the interval from 80k to 60k (or 4 years, whichever is earliest) as there seemed to be quite a few belts failing before the 80k interval. I'd researched into this before I bought mine in late '07 and insisted it be done,but the VW dea...err stealer said it only had to be done once it had passed 60k ('53 reg with only 23k when I bought it). Even though literature I found in the showroom said 4 years / 60k they wouldn't do it.

Funnily enough, the day after I took delivery, the drivers seatbelt seized up and it had to be towed to my local VW dealer (lookers) to get it fixed (under warranty). I told them to give the car a once over and look for any other problems and asked about the cambelt. They got back to me saying the rear discs were corroded and warped and should have been sorted out before they sold me the car and that I was right and the cambelt should have been changed. A quick ring to Mill VW in Sunderland and a nice chat/rant with the sales manager soon sorted things out. Pathetic service

Regarding the performance side of things, You're looking at about 108 BHP and 180 ft/lbs of torque with a stage 1 remap. No one's (in the UK anyway) really done much more than that. With a stage 2 map and a straight through exhaust and maybe intake mods, the most I've seen in 119 BHP on a Lupo. However, if I ever have the time and money, I'm considering going another route which hasn't been explored yet, ie. Swapping over the exhaust manifold and turbo from a 9n3 80PS 1.4 TDI, which is VNT opposed to wastegate on ours, and also flows a lot more. On the 9n3s, the diesel particulate filter hinders how much you can tune them. I did a bit of asking around, but this sums my thoughts up nicely:

Post #28
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthr ... 142&page=2

And over here, we have a lot more info although the stock clutch appear to be a possible limiting factor:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=195434

Kicks off after the middle of page 2.

All I need is to find a cheap turbo of a newer polo, maybe one which has been written off and get someone to code for the N75 valve and in theory it should work. Although, it might be too much hassle for not much gain...we'll see.

Ash