A few questions from a newbie

Hi folks,

I bought my first Mk1 GTI earlier this year after dreaming of owning one since I was a teenager. I managed to get hold of a pretty tidy 1983 1.8 example without any mods. I saved her from a distasteful bling up from a kid. I've been enjoying driving her around over the summer but have been too busy to tinker until now. I really like the original look, but also fancy playing around a bit. So I'm torn between keeping it as original as possible, or not worrying and doing what I like.

I'm looking to do a few fixes and tweaks, and maybe a few tasteful mods that really make a difference to driving experience.

So far I've
(i) fitted a lower front strut brace which has made such an amazing difference
(ii) removed an old soft rubber spoiler which looks heaps better
(iii) dropped in a K&N 'fast flow' air filter which feels to have made quite a noticeable difference to performance and given it a bit more roar
(iv) alpine front speakers which work but still aren't great (but I didn't want to mod too much yet)

I have some questions to help with the next stage:

1/ Can anyone recommend good value coilovers? I'm considering dropping 40mm or so and would prefer adjustable damping to adjustable height I think.
2/ Do G60 steel wheels fit straight on? Would both 14" and 15" fit? What tyres to run with these? And would this limit my choice of coilovers? If these fill the arches, I'd consider just upgrading the shocks and not the springs.
3/ Has anyone tried or even succeeded in changing the colour of any LED near the speedo? I would like to change the Full-Beam LED colour to blue
4/ Is there anywhere I can get hold of a retro looking roof basket/cage?
5/ I currently have twin headlight grille (4 light total). I've been looking at trying to make the headlights brighter, either with different bulbs, or an ebay wiring loom. I'm also looking at changing to a single headlight grille. Will my old headlight fit in the new grille? Do I need different wiring (the hella inner headlight is full beam currently)? If I do need different wiring, I'd probably upgrade grille and loom at same time as I think the looms are specific. How good are these clear headlights with Xenon bulbs?
6/ What exhaust would you recommend as a direct, easy upgrade. Nothing too loud or big but I'd like to feel some performance improvement and a bit more growl.

Thanks in advance! All helpful advice most welcome.

Tom



I have a few questions

hey mate I cant answer all your questions but ill put my input here

I changed from a newer style clipper 4 lamp grille to an older style 2 lamp grille and everything fitted fine, I upgraded to some crystal clear lamps and that helped the lack of light also on my car the outer lamps double up as full beam even though the inner ones were full beam only, so I didn't have to do any re wiring, not sure if a '83 gti will be the same though
Also what colour is your full beam LED ? mines blue (I might be selling the 2 lamp grille on my car soon wink wink lol)

+ I think you can get 4x100 g60's not sure how this effects lowering the car as I havnt got g60s or lowered mine

Oh and….. welcome to the club !!!!!

Scott

Hi Tom welcome to the site  

Sounds like your gonna be busy there's a good guide in the "how to" section on the led's in the clock looks a bit tricky to me :redfaced:

Hi Scott,

Cheers for the advice.

My full-beam LED is yellow/orange currently. It seemed strange to me that it wasn't blue, and I keep finding myself confused with the change-up LED on the MPG meter. A few cars have received full-beam when I thought I was dipping the lights. Oops.

Now you mention it, I think my 4 lamp grille works the same as your old one in that the inner lights are full-beam only but the outers are both. I'd be interested in your 2 lamp grille, but are you why changing back?

Forgive my ignorance, but what does 4x100 mean?

Thanks
Tom

no problem tommust be an age thing with the LED my car is almost 10 years newer than yours !

im planning of going to the old style 4 lamp grille like on the early cabbies just because I do a lot of driving locally where there are no street lamps so the extra full beams with be useful…. that's if I can find some inner spots to match my headlights ¬_¬

and ive copied this from another website save trying to explain myself… hope it makes sense !

The term PCD stands for (pitch circle diameter) and is the diameter of a circle drawn through the centre of your wheels bolt holes. PCD is measured in millimetres and also indicates the number of studs or bolts the wheel will have.


One of the most common fitment has 4 studs and a PCD of 100mm, hence the fitment 4x100

Hi Robbo,

Thanks for the welcome. I'm probably being thick but I can't find the How-To section you talk about?…

Cheers

HOW TO SECTION

The Mk1 Golf Owners Club

Sorry Tom it was in the FAQ section :redfaced:

Mines got a Yellow Full Beam warning light too. It does look a bit odd to start with but ive got used to mine, but then again ive not got the Shift light :/