Sunset Red 1.4 TSI(TFSI) GT Sport - daily drive & track car

[rex]

Yes it is exactly like that! And waiting for it for two weeks makes "the reunion" much sweeter.
I had in plan to check each element to see that it is done properly but when I saw the car I lost all interest, I just wanted to drive off... When the dealer showed me the car it was slightly raining and the car was looking nice any clean. The car was parked with the front pointing in my direction so the ED30 front valance was visible and I just caught my eye. So, after a quick chat with the service manager about the brakes (he has a Passat and some Porsche 993 Turbo calipers and some S2 calipers and he was really amassed about my whole braking system - can't thank Dave enough) I just drove off :)

[Top Cat]

Looks great Rex.   Isn't all that extra paint going to add weight.  

[rex]

Thanks  . Well it is a daily drive so I can't afford to be extreme. I might try some weight saving methods (s3 hubs, racing seats, back seats removal, carbon fiber hood, etc) but I am not sure of the path I will take. This car needs a more powerful engine first of all. But at the moment I don't want to change the engine because I can have just as much fun with this one (it's just that I am slower).

[fuscobal]

You'd definately benefit of some new front seats :)

[rex]

No doubt, but I want to keep the stock look inside and I still want to use the back seats (impossible if I buy racing seats unless they are Recaro Sporter CS, but these are really expensive)
I think it all depends if I will buy a rollcage or not. If I buy one I will definitely change the seats.
I will pay Teo from Rent-racecar.de a visit and see the rollcage on his GTI rentals. And than I will make up my mind.  

[the bruce]

If you like have a visit to Raeder-Motorsport.de (in Oberbahr) as well.
Most of the time they have two GTIs there.

But I'd leave the car as it is. Now it's nice combination of performance,
drivability and understatement. If you go any further you will loose one
component.

[rex]

True. 

Thanks for the tip.
Are the GTI prepared for racing? If they are than they have a full rollcage which is too extreme for me since I don't take part in any competitions.
Rent-racecar.de has only half rollcages (rollbars) like SteveP or NeilM  which are the roll cages I am interested in.

My intention at this moment is to let the car as-is. The things I don't like about the interior is that the seats have very little lateral support and that I would like the car to be safer for the trackdays. I could really benefit from a rollcage and 4-5-6 point harness. This year I will definitely do nothing in this respect but who knows what will happen next year  ...

Thank for you all comments so far. You are really helpful!
Any chance you will be at Nring the following weekend (so I can buy you a bear)?

[the bruce]

Look for a Schroth 'Quick Fit'.
And if you need it get a used Recaro PolePosition and fit it for track days only.

Both GTIs are pure track toys. Maybe they do GLP from time to time as well.
No comfort. When I say no comfort, I do mean 'NO' comfort.  


green: the one below (red: mine)


There's a white Mk.V GTI as well.  

[fuscobal]

Rex, I can give you my GTI seats next spring when I'll install the polepositions but you'll have to re-dress them to match your car's interior ! They have 26Kgs each, probably about the same weight as yours but better lateral support !

[rex]

the bruce, thanks for the tip. I will pay them a visit.

fuscobal your seats are great if I want to keep the interior. They have better lateral support and are heated  , BUT re-dressing them will be very difficult and expensive (I am better of buying a complete mk5 GTI interior).

Cheers!

[rex]

Well guys, the preparations are done so The Green Hell awaits me  . I am go do go. All I have to do is to put my wheels, jack, discs, pads, bolts, DV, oil, anti freeze, etc in the car.
Unfortunately all my friends backed up at the last minute so I will be going there all alone  . Hope the weather is good!

Today I made the final adjustments including the geometry adjustment.
During this step I realized that my car is quite low because I could not get the car on the geometry stand without using some wood. The front splitter was in the way  . Can't imagine big al  going there with his car.
And the next thing is I realized was that the bruce was right about the toe setup. I had the chance to drive my care with identical camber and caster setups but with 16 min toe in or 20 min toe in (total). I can tell you the difference is huge. With the 20 min setup you can fell the car is more stable, more responsive in a word better. Thanks again for this info, I really appreciate it.
I might try even more toe in in the future. 

Here is the final setup...



I told my mechanic that I want the camber to be close to 2.30' so he made them exactly that. This is one of my most "beautiful" setups yet  .
All the best!

[Top Cat]

Good luck!, be safe. 

[the bruce]

Yes, a very beautiful alignment.  

From me as well best wishes, be careful. 
Keep in mind you have much to loose and nothing to win (just the ''goldene Ananas'' we use
to say here).
Remember Laurent had a huge crash with his A3 this year and I had a (smaller) one as well.

 

[rex]

Thanks guys!  I will try not to take any chances. I'll see how that goes. My primary goal is to came back just like I left (in one piece and the car also).

The weather is not looking to good at the moment but fingers crossed.

[fuscobal]

Have a pleasant trip and lots of good fun rex. Take care and call me from time to time to tell me how it goes :) !