Suspension and Drivetrain Advice Required Please

[RagingKileak]

Hello all,

As some of you might know, I now own Hurdy's old Edition 30, which I am currently returning to its former glory in terms of a comprehensive mods list. With that in mind, I've been reading for several days now about the various MK5 Suspension and Drivetrain Options available to me.

The car is back to Stage 2+ with a few other bits and pieces on top, including R32 brakes at the front and some of the safety/durability bits and pieces which I have forgotten, that were reccomended to me by John or elsewhere.

So, suspension/drivetrain wise...

The car still has Hurdy's LSD which would have been my first mod, as well as some Toyo R1R's which have loads of tread left having been garaged over winter. That's the first bit out of the way.

Next, I've considered suspension offerings in the form of Coilovers from KW and Eibach (I had a slammed M3 on Eibach Pro-Street in the past) but decided I would be unlikely to benefit from Coilovers, as I would never adjust them. Hence, I've decided that the Bilstein B12 kit MIGHT be best for me.... Again, in the BMW community, I have heard and had a lot of good experiences with PSS kits in particular (though again they are adjustable whilst I understand the B12 is not.)

I'm also looking into the WALK which I understand is essential and perhaps even an ARB upgrade.

Next question then, is which ARB and which brand? I was thinking a rear ARB uprade on it's own would suit me. I find the car understeers quite dramatically, especially compared to BMW's lol. I'd like to address that a little by bringing some neutrality, so can anyone confirm if a rear ARB will achieve that? If so, which brands would you reccomend as a good cost/quality balance?

So, would I find it beneficial to fit the WALK, ARB and B12 kit all at once? I expect labour would be less, but is it too much in one go?

Also, is there anything else I should/would benefit from doing at the same time.... Engine mounts etc?

Considering it is a Stage 2+ car, I don't want to leave anything undone that would offer a massive benefit. I love the sledgehammer of power that the car delivers, but the understeer is proving painful for me, whilst the generally crashy yet rolly nature of the suspension means I am never quite at ease.

I'd also like to hope that the WALK and everything else combined will help me to be more progressive (read, rapid) as I accelerate through corners.

Thanks for reading and any help in advance.

Regards
Matt

[MAT ED30]

what parts did John leave on the car other than LSD? it might still have good arbs and walk kit fitted to it

[RagingKileak]

what parts did John leave on the car other than LSD? it might still have good arbs and walk kit fitted to it

Nah, doesn't look like it mate. I had a good chat with John and he reckons it all came off (except a dog bone exhaust mount which he forgot about and a Forge thing which I can't remember the name of that was buried deep in the engine.) I've also been under the car and I don't think there is anything else there... The garage which took it back to standard also do all the work I have had done and they reckon it was back to near-as-damnit stock before I modded it.

I hope not anyway, because there is a lot of room for improvement.

Regards
Matt

[Poppa Dom]

IIRC that's the Forge actuator that John has on there - a real sod to get in to change back to stock, hence why it was left on there. Am pleased with H&R arbs on mine, I know SteveP had these on his too. Have you consider TT lowers arms too?

[RagingKileak]

It is the Forge Actuator mate.

Then the other thing is something I bought off John a couple of weeks ago. It sits right at the front of the engine bay and does something a bit like a catch can I think.... Anyway, that's of no importance to suspension!!

H&R were definitely on my list - what effect have they had on feel and handling? How much did they set you back mate, if you don't mind me asking?

TT arms I've NOT considered, but I have read about. What's the benefit of those? I'll do it all at once if it's worth doing TBH.

Regards
Matt

[danishmkvgti]

Suspension, WALK and arb (rear) are 3 seperate operations so no money saved by doing one or all three at one time. But the TT mk2 lower control arms along with the WALK is labour saved as the WALK are to be fitted to the lower control arms.
Benefits of the TT mk2 lower arms is adjustable camber, lower unsprung weight and wider track as they are longer than the mk 5 ones.   

[RagingKileak]

Suspension, WALK and arb (rear) are 3 seperate operations so no money saved by doing one or all three at one time. But the TT mk2 lower control arms along with the WALK is labour saved as the WALK are to be fitted to the lower control arms.
Benefits of the TT mk2 lower arms is adjustable camber, lower unsprung weight and wider track as they are longer than the mk 5 ones.   

Thanks mate,

And don't worry - I will reply to your PM shortly. I just don't have anything useful to say just yet - wheels are off though.

Matt

[danishmkvgti]

no worries, all in due time 

[RagingKileak]

no worries, all in due time 

You must have dealt with the English before lol.

Matt

[RedRobin]

.
I'd go for the Bilstein coilovers - You might not want to keep adjusting them but it's useful to be able to tweak easily and then leave as is.

WALK and most definitely ARB's but I'm not sure about the TT arms: I don't see how you can avoid some uneven tyre wear if you add camber and wouldn't you also be well advised to change the hubs?

Easier to do the ARB's while working on the suspension.

Out of interest, would you have bought Hurdy's car if it was being offered still with its mods fitted? (assuming the price was acceptable).

[rex]

... I'm not sure about the TT arms: I don't see how you can avoid some uneven tyre wear if you add camber ...

RedRobin, VW advices camber up to -2.15' on the back. If they say this is normal, I don't think we should be concerned going to that value (even in the front). Also under cornering the camber changes and we get more positive results.

[bart]

robin do you think arbs are a must?

full setup or just the back?

wots the best arbs out there?

[RedRobin]

... I'm not sure about the TT arms: I don't see how you can avoid some uneven tyre wear if you add camber ...

RedRobin, VW advices camber up to -2.15' on the back. If they say this is normal, I don't think we should be concerned going to that value (even in the front). Also under cornering the camber changes and we get more positive results.

....Yes, but there are reasons why the Mk5 GTI has more camber on the back than the front.

I'm getting my car aligned and tracked on a Hunter rig next Wednesday so I'll report what I'm advised about cambers.

[RedRobin]

robin do you think arbs are a must?

full setup or just the back?

wots the best arbs out there?

....  < I'm laughing about your 'must' question. None of our mods are a 'must' BUT....

Once you're on that slippery slope of modding and you've got ARBs you'll then think it was a great thing to do. I would definitely go for front and back if only so you can fine tune their effect later. They contribute a lot to the suspension and help keep you more flatly planted.

Having only experienced Eibach ARBs on my car I can't say which ARBs are the best but there are quite a few to choose from that are as equally good as each other. H&R are well thought of on this forum.

[Hedge]

....Yes, but there are reasons why the Mk5 GTI has more camber on the back than the front.

Please enlighten us Obi-Wan.