Shocks and springs- a few questions.

Hi,
My mk1 is used as a daily. As much as I love the lowered look from cheap eBay coilovers, I don't want to find myself a few inches shorter from a compressed spine…

I am looking into some mid range lowering springs and shocks. I don't mind a firm ride, but not stupidly harsh. The eBay coilies appear to make their own bumps even on a smooth road. 

Anyway.. the car is a 1.3. I am trying to find a set of good second hand shocks and springs. However, I see a fair few gti sets for sale. Obviously, the 1.6/1.8 engines are heavier than my 1.3. How would this affect the ride height on the front? Is it substantially higher?

Also, the std gti kit is meant to be 20mm lower. So am I correct in saying a -40mm gti kit would be -60mm on my car?

Finally, I would appreciate it if somebody could tell me the standard distance from centre of the wheels to the bottom of the arch on 1.3 and gti. I have set the coilovers to a height that I like, and don't want the new kit any lower because it would probably cause rubbing.

Cheers!
Rob

yours will sit slightly nose high with a gti kit as the gti is heavier up front, slightly heavier at the back but probably not enough to notice tbh

imo -40mm kit is perfect balance of looks and handling

Cheers! Just noticed that some kits list just as mk1 golf, usually the cheaper ones, and others list as gti/1.3 etc.

I think I'll go for a set of eibach -35 to -40mm ones if I can get them at a reasonable price.

Which shocks would be good to complement that don't cost the earth?

Also, anyone running these springs that can get a measurement from centre of wheel to bottom of arch?
Cheers
Rob

boge, sachs or bilstien you cant go wrong!

on my cab i had what I assume were standard mk1 gti springs (ride height looked right and they were rusty) plus new boge oil shocks on all 4 corners and it handled like it was on rails

tip: try to get the rears with the lower spring plates included as there are a couple sizes available!

I've recently changed mine, I've fitted new standard shocks all round (I must admit these were cheap ebay ones) and also a set of -40mm Weitec lowering springs, whilst the ride height looks great the ride its self is not. I now just seem to bounce down the road until I hit a bump and then it feels like I've hit a hole the size of the Marianas Trench !!

Maybe keeping it as standard would have been better !!!

You live and learn…….

i read somewhere that the standard height from centre of wheel to bottom of arch is about 360mm and i guess 340mm on a gti (don't quote me on that), not sure if it's different for front and rear though?

i'm in a similar boat, currently a bit too low for daily use so need to raise it up, but the coilies are back breaking.
I've been looking at Bilstein shocks with the Eibach pro kit springs, seems best all round i think, but depending on budget there's the B4 gas shocks which are a lot cheaper and more like standard shocks, i imagine better on comfort, and they say can take up to -40mm springs

or the B8 which are a lot more expensive but obviously a lot better for performance, the Bilstein B12 kits combines the two but is getting on for 600 quid…

if i do end up getting a new set up i'll probably be going for the B4's with the Eibach springs, which you can probably get for around £300

hope that's of any help mate

Thanks for the replies! I'll do some searching.

forgot to mention the ride was great as well, same with my mk2 golf on boge turbo springs and sachs advantage gas shocke, though the boges eventually sagged and went a bit too hard. looked awesome mind put a set of eibachs on and much better

Haha sounds good. Looks like it really isn't worth cheaping out on suspension then. Do I need 'shortened' shocks?

I think you only need shortened shocks if you want to run anything more than a 40mm drop ie 60mm 

I always hear good things about Bilstein shocks with the Eibach pro kit springs if you want to go a bit lower.  (Mk2 Scirocco same floor pan/suspention as Mk1 Golf)
http://sciroccoregisterforum.co.uk/carforum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=15712

Apologies for jumping in on the thread…

I've got a 1.3 driver with coil overs and its a pain in the a*se! I've got eibach 40mm lowering springs and a set of rear gti dampers. When im looking for front dampers do I get any model or are the gti ones different (and better)?

Cheers

Just won these
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=121193072116

What else do I need? Obviously I have coilovers ATM, just wondering what 'standard' gear I need. They say they come with adjustable height platforms. 

Also, should I use the rear shocks that come with them or sell them?
Cheers
Rob

Im currently looking into suspension ideas myself and its very tempting to stick with a system thats going to handle really well like the uprated shocks and lowered spring route which im now considering.  Does anyone have pictures of a 40mm drop?

I'll get some in a few weeks when mine is done. Good quality shocks and springs > coilovers for the same price any day by the sound of things.

I've never used coilovers so not 100% sure what you keep from the old struts but if you have nothing from the old strut you need a lot of little washers etc, best find a second hand strut.
Pictures of whats needed, rear.


Front, the front shock comes as an insert so you will also need the body of the strut, the picture from vagcat.com does not show this but there is pictures out there.


If it was me I would get 4 of the same make of shocks and sell the ones which came with springs, as already talked about the Bilstein shocks seem to match these springs well.

Fit new top mounts and bump stops and dust covers while everything is in bits.

Thanks for that. I'll examine the top mounts, don't think they are that old though, pretty sure they were put on with the coilovers, maybe 4 years ago?

I'll see what I can find. Maybe crazy quiffs have the bits. I ideally want them by next week cos I am on half term.

If you don't have the original suspension set up knocking about then it's gonna be a pain mate.

Coilies come complete with the lower section of the strut already attached (marked 3 on the sketch above) so you'll need t get hold of a pair of these prior to starting anything. As you've also only bought springs you will also need front shocks too. You'll also need items 7, 11, 5 & 4.
4 being the dust cover, 5 being the bump stop.

BTW the 'adjustable platform' on the rear shocks means that the 'ring' onto which the rear spring sits can be moved up and down the shock to allow you some adjustment of the height drop on the rear. There is normally 3 positions. for example if you were to buy a 40mm lowering kit, the rear shocks would allow a drop of 30mm or 40mm or 50mm by moving the ring up and down the shock.

I've got some 'nearly' new rear shock in me garage in Camborne if you want them to try?

Hope that helps a bit. If you need a hand let me know.

Ian

Put up a wanted post or see if anyone breaking a car has the whole front and rear struts, will be cheaper than buying all those little bits...

OK cheers, I'll put up a wanted add. Unfortunately the car came with coilovers on and no spares.
Those shocks for sale mate? If so, what make?
Cheers
Rob