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- May 23, 2004
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...but the twist this time, is that it's on a shoe-string...
Well, not exactly a shoe-string, but the simple fact is that there's no point me investing a fortune in top-of-the-range equipment... My 1.6 Sport doesn't have the poke for me to be doing anything I feel would warrant a dramatic upgrade. I see the point that no matter how little power a vehicle has, point-to-point times will improve with improvements in handling; but I'm just being realistic and saying I don't feel it's warranted, as in this case no matter how well I get her handling, there's still a huge defecit of horses before I could start enjoying trackdays. (unless I stripped her to engine, drivetrain/running-gear, fuel-tank, steering-wheel and a yellow-pages to sit on - but that's not going to happen).
I'd love to be able to have things differently, but for the time being my car can only look like she goes fast; and to be honest I don't think there's any shame in that so long as a) I don't go sticking S3 badges on her and get beaten in traffic-light grand-prix by sheds; and b) make sure I get something with some grunt as soon as I can /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
So... we have a 1998 1.6 Sport... As said, she's not fast, and is really sketchy in the handling department. I'd like to do something about it, but without spending a fortune. The problem is I'm a little confused; I've been looking at a few entry-level kits by the usual suspects, and the information I find is vague. So this is just a general enquiry for those on the boards who know their suspension. I understand that <u>nobody</u> is going to have any experience of 1.6S upgrading *sigh*, so opinions and theories I'll be more than glad of...
So here's the thing, I want to make her sit a bit lower, and I'd like the ride to be a bit more tight, stable and predictable if you see what I mean. It's all a bit wishy-washy at the moment (sometimes it feels more like you're sailing). I don't want to spend a fortune though; and I know it sounds like a big ask, and everyone's ideal; but I'm not aiming at a dramatic improvement. I'm not going to be really pushing my car on trackdays and the like, I'd just like a bit of an improvement in the qualities I mentioned over the very basic setup my car has from the factory (incidentally, I've always wondered, does the "Sport" count for anything in terms of suspension in the case of the 1.6? Or does it simply mean you get the tiny alloys and the checkered-seats that are currently in my shed?).
I guess I'm primarilly looking for advice on dampers / springs; but I'm willing to consider any other upgrades/additions (strut-brace? ARB (although I guess ARB wouldn't be worth the hassle)) you think are worth doing to my particular vehicle without breaking the Bank... Anyway, any and all suggestions greatfully received /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
There's a photo below (click for BIG version) so you can see how she sits at the moment (although I'm thinking possibly 18" wheels if I can this summer...)
Thanks in advance,
Rob.
Well, not exactly a shoe-string, but the simple fact is that there's no point me investing a fortune in top-of-the-range equipment... My 1.6 Sport doesn't have the poke for me to be doing anything I feel would warrant a dramatic upgrade. I see the point that no matter how little power a vehicle has, point-to-point times will improve with improvements in handling; but I'm just being realistic and saying I don't feel it's warranted, as in this case no matter how well I get her handling, there's still a huge defecit of horses before I could start enjoying trackdays. (unless I stripped her to engine, drivetrain/running-gear, fuel-tank, steering-wheel and a yellow-pages to sit on - but that's not going to happen).
I'd love to be able to have things differently, but for the time being my car can only look like she goes fast; and to be honest I don't think there's any shame in that so long as a) I don't go sticking S3 badges on her and get beaten in traffic-light grand-prix by sheds; and b) make sure I get something with some grunt as soon as I can /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
So... we have a 1998 1.6 Sport... As said, she's not fast, and is really sketchy in the handling department. I'd like to do something about it, but without spending a fortune. The problem is I'm a little confused; I've been looking at a few entry-level kits by the usual suspects, and the information I find is vague. So this is just a general enquiry for those on the boards who know their suspension. I understand that <u>nobody</u> is going to have any experience of 1.6S upgrading *sigh*, so opinions and theories I'll be more than glad of...
So here's the thing, I want to make her sit a bit lower, and I'd like the ride to be a bit more tight, stable and predictable if you see what I mean. It's all a bit wishy-washy at the moment (sometimes it feels more like you're sailing). I don't want to spend a fortune though; and I know it sounds like a big ask, and everyone's ideal; but I'm not aiming at a dramatic improvement. I'm not going to be really pushing my car on trackdays and the like, I'd just like a bit of an improvement in the qualities I mentioned over the very basic setup my car has from the factory (incidentally, I've always wondered, does the "Sport" count for anything in terms of suspension in the case of the 1.6? Or does it simply mean you get the tiny alloys and the checkered-seats that are currently in my shed?).
I guess I'm primarilly looking for advice on dampers / springs; but I'm willing to consider any other upgrades/additions (strut-brace? ARB (although I guess ARB wouldn't be worth the hassle)) you think are worth doing to my particular vehicle without breaking the Bank... Anyway, any and all suggestions greatfully received /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beerchug.gif
There's a photo below (click for BIG version) so you can see how she sits at the moment (although I'm thinking possibly 18" wheels if I can this summer...)
Thanks in advance,
Rob.