Handling tips for a newbie

Will gti suspension (struts etc.) fit a 1983 1.1c? If not, whats recommended? I see the Gmax stuff is cheap - is it any good?
 
Has anyone got instructions on changing springs/dampers on a mk1? or is this in the haynes manual?

Does the 1.1 even have an antiroll bar? will the GTi one fit & is it easy to install? just trying to tighten things up a bit.

cheers!

No personal experince, but I know you can't go to far wrong using standard GTI shocks and lowering springs fom someone like Boge - probably cheapest option. TSR-Performance Ltd do a quite highly rated set of Koni Springs and Shocks for about ?300 to fit all MK1s. The Haynes should tell what you what you need to know about replacemnet.

No anti-roll bar on Golf C should be able to fit one as lower wishbones are the same. Might need to weld some brackets on.

Cheers

Great, thanks for the info, i'll look into boge gti bits.

No antiroll bar! wow, i always though they were a pretty important part of a suspension setup.

Do you know if the polo coupe 1.0 had a similar suspension setup?
I once borrowed a standard '80s polo coupe 1.0 for a week, and it handled so well i didnt want to give it back. Pin sharp handling and instant turn in with no understeer. It was great fun and so easy to drive on limit, roundabouts were such a laugh. If my mk1 handles as well as that (or better!), i'll be very happy!

Greg - Polo suspension is completely different.

Good news is though that Gti struts are the same fitment so will go straight on if that is what you wish to do. Remember though, if you put Gti shocks and springs on, it will sit too high at the front as your engine is not as heavy…

Also good news - The anti roll bar is dead easy to fit too. You need the rear wishbone mount brackets from a gti, as they incorporate the anti roll bar mounting points. You also need to either get the wishbones for a Gti or (This is the cheaper way :wink: ) you will need to drill your current wishbones to fit the antiroll bar brackets as they are a bolt on job.
I did it on mine - no problems at all.

Not sure if you have driven your Golf C yet, but they aren't bad at all for basic spec 30 year old design. My Golf C is standard and can easily keep up with many modern shopping basket hatchbacks in terms of handling. Streering is very direct (as with GTI) and car changes direction quickly. In terms of handling found that my tyres (145s   ) want to give up long before the chassis or suspension does.

VW didin't radically redesign the suspension or set for the GTI. As far as I am aware was mainly a case of stiffer lower springs, wider wheels/tyres and an anti-roll bar. My mum only recently got rid of her eighties 1.0 Polo and from what I remember wasn't even up to base spec MK1 handling.

Cheers

AL_Mk1 said

Greg - Polo suspension is completely different.

if you put Gti shocks and springs on, it will sit too high at the front as your engine is not as heavy…

gotcha. so if i went that route, i'd need lower springs at the front i guess.

AL_Mk1 said

Also good news - The anti roll bar is dead easy to fit too. You need the rear wishbone mount brackets from a gti, as they incorporate the anti roll bar mounting points. You also need to either get the wishbones for a Gti or (This is the cheaper way :wink: ) you will need to drill your current wishbones to fit the antiroll bar brackets as they are a bolt on job.
I did it on mine - no problems at all.

I like the sound of that cheaper option! Is it obvious how to do it? don't suppose you took any pics of the job Al, did you?

markwon said

Not sure if you have driven your Golf C yet, but they aren't bad at all for basic spec 30 year old design. My Golf C is standard and can easily keep up with many modern shopping basket hatchbacks in terms of handling. Streering is very direct (as with GTI) and car changes direction quickly. In terms of handling found that my tyres (145s   ) want to give up long before the chassis or suspension does.

Thats great news. No i havent driven it yet, but a lean on the arches showed a fair bit of movement, i just assumed that for the mileage the springs and dampers would be a bit tired.

markwon said

VW didin't radically redesign the suspension or set for the GTI. As far as I am aware was mainly a case of stiffer lower springs, wider wheels/tyres and an anti-roll bar. My mum only recently got rid of her eighties 1.0 Polo and from what I remember wasn't even up to base spec MK1 handling.

Cheers

If thats the case, i think i'll have got a hell of a bargain !
I know its a little premature to be looking into suspension possibilities, i'm just a bit excited about getting this little old car, and am trying to get prepared for any handling improvements that might be necessary.  
Thanks again.

Greg said

I like the sound of that cheaper option! Is it obvious how to do it? don't suppose you took any pics of the job Al, did you?

I didn't no sorry, but once you get the bar, the brackets (2 that bolt to the body and 1 on each wishbone) and the rubber mounts, offer it all up to the car and it is simple to see what you need to do.
Just have a look at a Mk1 with a roll bar first, to make sure you have everything the right way round!

Will do, thanks for the help. Might even be able to get the bits from a scrappy if i'm lucky.

No i havent driven it yet, but a lean on the arches showed a fair bit of movement, i just assumed that for the mileage the springs and dampers would be a bit tired

Could well be shocks are worn. As you'd expect my Golf C also bounces a lot more when you push on the front wing than say my GTI. I've been told a rule of thumb when looking at suspension is to look at the amount of bounces. If you push down on the front wing you should get roughly 1.5 bounces - i.e you push down on the wing then take your weight off it and car should bounce all the way back up (1 length of travel) then back to resting position (0.5 length of travel). Anymore movement than this usually suggest worn shocks.

Nice test Mark, is that the case for any car?
i'll give it a try tomorrow. cheers