I finally go a round chewitt...

[JWC]

Hi,
Through various posts I kept saying I would post some pics, I never seem to get round to it (get it chewitt???). Well even though the weather is pants, here is a pic.



As you can see she has GTi eyes, and non OEM feet. I spent a long time looking for alloys that would suite it, as I wanted to avoid huge wheels, and she drove so nice, I didn't want to spoil it. I didn't want skiny spokes either. Did all that crap on my old polo. It looks nice as it has disks all round, but I will have to tart them up now you can see them better. I have my old alloys in the kitchen, so I am going to work out what to do with those. I don't like the studs at the end of the spokes though. The VW hex plug things fitted back in these bolt holes too, so I think that makes it look neat.

The headlight system are proper OEM GTi headlights, and the system also includes self-leveling - but not a washer system as of yet - though that should be easy.

[inder]

Looking great m8, the alloys do suit it

Were the OEM GTi headlights a straight swap?

[JWC]

Almost. The panel for the GTi is very slightly different. The screws and even the connectors are just a straight swap. All I had to do was file a tiny bit of the moulding flashing from the panel. As its made of black plastic its very easy and hasn't compramised its strength at all. Were talking 3mm and about 25 seconds of filing. Then its a case of screwing the adjustment screws to get the alignment right. Once you go down this route, you will never ever want halogen lights again. I'm not sure if I can get it through MOT without the washer system mod. The mountings are there but the holes in the bumper are not so I'm still thinking about that bit.

Basically I gave up with HID 'upgrade' kits as they just shone all over the place, where as these are the proper units and can be adjusted perfectly to produce an incredibly sharp cut-off. I'm much happier that these are spot on. Although its a money-pit modification. It started out with the bulbs - then the Gas units, then I had to get the proper DS2 bulbs. $$$$ Then I got bored one day and wrote a load of code that measures the distance between the rear floor and the road to adjust the headlights correctly, then I stole BMW's idea of increasing the lighting range when the car is going over 55MPH. If I added up all that I would probably fall off my chair.

Anyway - done now and I like it, just a little bit different but VW did such a great job with this car in the first place there isn't much else I want to do, perhaps add a digital thermostat to the AC. Oh yeah, and the cruise control mod.

[workinprogress]

Basically I gave up with HID 'upgrade' kits as they just shone all over the place, where as these are the proper units and can be adjusted perfectly to produce an incredibly sharp cut-off. I'm much happier that these are spot on. Although its a money-pit modification. It started out with the bulbs - then the Gas units, then I had to get the proper DS2 bulbs. $$$$ Then I got bored one day and wrote a load of code that measures the distance between the rear floor and the road to adjust the headlights correctly, then I stole BMW's idea of increasing the lighting range when the car is going over 55MPH. If I added up all that I would probably fall off my chair.

how did you program this what channels and what kit did you use VAG-COM or VAG 5052 ive slammed mine so far the self leveling head lights think i've got a elephant in the boot

[JWC]

I used a mitsubishi 3 diamonds microprocessor board. It doesn't use the built in pot on the axle. If you have a GTi, I am not sure how you can adjust it for lowering. Presumably the range drops when you lower it.

I didn't think that I could use the ECU. I don't know enought about it specifically.

[Si_GTi]

Great wheels and a nice bit of work to get those GTi-spec HID lights in

They are self-levelling so I would guess on a lowered car they should sort themselves out! Josh and dubpolo might know, they have got or have had slammed GTis

James you will need a washer system for the MOT - its a requirement I'm afraid. I read somewhere that the HID lights need a washer system because if they get dirty the beam can be refracted all over the shop and dazzle other road users?


Nice job though. Looks really smart! Any plans for a GTi-spec lower front lip spoiler?

[JWC]

1st Point - the selfleveling on the GTi uses a variable resistor that works on deflection from the rear suspension, not on the headlights themselves, so when you lower the car it won't work, it will assume that that the car is tilting drastically. Some more modern cars use the front suspension as well and that would be ok.

2nd point. Yes, I know. the scurge of all modern clear lights is that they go all over the place when they are covered in road salt. That said the washer jets are not that effective at removing it. There do not appear to be any aftermarket headlamp washer kits. But I think I can rig it.

[Si_GTi]

1st Point - the selfleveling on the GTi uses a variable resistor that works on deflection from the rear suspension, not on the headlights themselves, so when you lower the car it won't work, it will assume that that the car is tilting drastically. Some more modern cars use the front suspension as well and that would be ok.

I stand corrected

[carmadaaron]

very nice.... !
i like 5 spokers

[JWC]

1st Point - the selfleveling on the GTi uses a variable resistor that works on deflection from the rear suspension, not on the headlights themselves, so when you lower the car it won't work, it will assume that that the car is tilting drastically. Some more modern cars use the front suspension as well and that would be ok.

I stand corrected

Oops if that sounded like I was shouting it wasn't supposed to

[Si_GTi]

Nah it didn't sound like shouting at all! I prefer to have something put right for me than to see it go uncorrected, plus I learn something new about the car itself

[tom16v]

i always wondered why they all had washer jets in front of the lights, now i know