Worthwhile and discrete mods

Hi all!

It's early days restoring my 1980 1.6 gti. I'm going as original as possible, but wondered if there's any discrete modifications that are commonly done to make the driving experience even better.

I'm aiming for these mods to be as discrete as possible, in-keeping with the original spec of the car.

Cheers for your advice! 

Relay the Headlamps Takes the High curennt load off the Headlamp Switch.
Relay the Starter Solenoid to take the HIGH current loads of the ignition switch.
Get rid of the BEEP BEEP road runner horns and replace them with 2 tone 300dba Horns.
IF you haven't chased all your Grounds down, do so and Clean and Polish, and replace.  

Not sure if the GTI had electonic ignition or was still on points? If points upgrade using factory parts.

As Briano1234 said, relay headlights is well worth it and stops the headlight switch from worse case melting or catching fire…

Braided brake hoses to help with the feel of the brake pedal.

Thanks all! Super helpful. Is there a foolproof guide to doing the headlight relay wiring? I like to learn so keen to do it myself rather than buying a kit

Briano1234 I tried following the link in your guides section but the link didn't work for me  

Cheers again!

Scrap what I said Briano1234 - just the link broken if you click, but works if you copy and past the text  

rickets867 said

Scrap what I said Briano1234 - just the link broken if you click, but works if you copy and past the text  

https://www.volkswagenownersclub.com/threads/relaying-your-head-lights.32215/

https://cabby-info.com/Files/InstallingHot-startRelay.pdf

I agree on the SS jacketed brake hoses as well as Ceramic pads for the front.

I also have started to add one of these to all my rides.


My wife asked me why I had to have a new horn as we were driving down the interstate.  At that moment some one tried to merge into my car, a quick blast and they threw their coffee out of their hand and maintained their lane.  The Wife sad, oh I see. with all the distracted driving going on, it is a good thing.

Briano1234 said

rickets867 said

Scrap what I said Briano1234 - just the link broken if you click, but works if you copy and past the text  

https://www.volkswagenownersclub.com/threads/relaying-your-head-lights.32215/

https://cabby-info.com/Files/InstallingHot-startRelay.pdf

I agree on the SS jacketed brake hoses as well as Ceramic pads for the front.

I also have started to add one of these to all my rides.


My wife asked me why I had to have a new horn as we were driving down the interstate.  At that moment some one tried to merge into my car, a quick blast and they threw their coffee out of their hand and maintained their lane.  The Wife sad, oh I see. with all the distracted driving going on, it is a good thing.

Haha! That made me laugh. Good advice though, cheers for the links too. Will give me something to do inside this weekend, away from the all the rain!