Modified Vrs Owners

[aliduz]

I don't plan on modifying my new vRS Octavia just yet,but I love doing my research.

One thing I've noticed with my vRS is it already can struggle keeping traction with its current power in first gear and I have the 19" rims.

How do you find traction when pushing closer to 200kw Does the traction control manage? or are you pretty much resigned to 2nd gear? do you run wider tread?

interested to hear what you have to say

[Reichter]

One of my previous track cars was a 12 second civic. The best upgrade i found with helping putting the power down was a proper mechanical LSD and semi slick road legal tyres. I used the Toyo R888's. Sooo much grip....but they dont last very long. If it rained you had to take it easy as well.

[aliduz]

Do you feel like you don't have enough traction on your RS? I've previously owned quick AWD cars so I have nothing to compare it to.

Maybe I need to improve my driving or at least change my driving style to compensate?

[Reichter]

Do you feel like you don't have enough traction on your RS? I've previously owned quick AWD cars so I have nothing to compare it to.

Maybe I need to improve my driving or at least change my driving style to compensate?

I cannot comment on the traction on my RS just yet. Ive only done 30km in total. That was from the dealer to home. Hehe. So still running her in.

[Dzl_Dubba]

I don't plan on modifying my new vRS Octavia just yet,but I love doing my research.

One thing I've noticed with my vRS is it already can struggle keeping traction with its current power in first gear and I have the 19" rims.

How do you find traction when pushing closer to 200kw Does the traction control manage? or are you pretty much resigned to 2nd gear? do you run wider tread?

interested to hear what you have to say

I have a Stg2 RS and traction can be an issue, though not so bad. If i plan on driving the car a bit harder, traction control goes into sport mode, otherwise the TC is constantly kicking in. I have a torque arm insert which helps a little bit, but plan on getting different control arms, possibly engine mounts and stickier tyres.

I don't get too much axle tramp on a smooth road, however any dip or rut quickly changes it. A lot of it comes to modulating throttle. Maybe further down the line i will consider a diff but at this stage i'm not going to bother. It may be me but i feel the power delivery is better tuned despite having alot more torque and kws.

[brad]

Maybe I need to improve my driving or at least change my driving style to compensate?

^^^^^ This^^^^

You just have to work with what you've got. Try turning off the traction control.

Stickier tyres and light weight rims (the OEMs are porkers) will help and there's a few other mechanical changes you can make.

Also, fiddle with the tyre pressures - you might find you have to go lower (recomended is something stupidly low like 30psi). Low tyre pressures won't be nice for the tyre sidewalls with our crap roads though.

[Martin]

I have a stage 2 VRS with the after market control arms and castor adjusters

It's really simple, 200kw on a FWD is a lot and is inherently grip limited/challenged
As Brad said, you need to work with what you've got.

A Quaife torque biasing diff would be a lovely upgrade that would definitely improve matters
Otherwise buy a Audi S3 with AWD

But...what tyres are on the car???

[dArK5HaD0w]

stg 2+ here as well.
its all about throttle control.
quickly get it into 2nd then stomp on it. if i stomp on it in 1st, i get no traction. i've also noticed my dsg, since the dsg tune, gets into 2nd gear as soon as possible.

i've got no aftermarket control arms, castor adjustments, or dogbone inserts - but with the "right timed pressure" with my right foot, i can get it to that 100 in a whisker under 6 secs.

[jrathgen]

I have been wondering this myself, although I have the Fabia RS (same problem, embarrassing squeal at lights).
Does anyone with suspension setup knowledge know if firmer springs would help.
To my way of thinking this would lessen the front end "lift" when taking off quickly, therefore give more traction as the car is more planted on the road.

Interested in comments
Cheers,John

[Tuan]

Comes down to your objective really ... is it to improve times for the track, traffic light 0-100 grand prix, or just so you can say your car has 200kw ATW?

Gotta feather that throttle in FWD because once boost kicks in when you're in first, as good as the ESP/TC is, your 0-100 times won't be much good. There is certainly some skill involved with the right foot that's for sure. A nice quick shift into second will get you moving - DSG helps - use all that mid range torque to get moving. This can only be improved with a tune.

I too have been considering getting tunes for both the VRS and my Focus ST but personally I can't justify it since I have not yet tracked either car. Also all I have read is wheel spin in 1st, 2nd and sometimes 3rd so that's not a result I am after. It's not like our cars come under-powered

Good tips form the guys above.

Ps: Note non-AWD advantage is when the car is rolling .. if drag racing is your objective, stick with 4wd ... or get LSD .. but kinda defeats the purpose of the Octavia ... being a big, comfortable cruiser the fact it is quite quick is a bonus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmIdx9HXxb8

[dportaz]

Stage 2 here also..

What I found to work really well is better springs...

But the best change was when I put on new goodyear eagle f1 as2s... Amazing grip...

[donweather]

But the best change was when I put on new goodyear eagle f1 as2s... Amazing grip...

Ditto. But I put mine on in combo with lighter rims. Like night and day from the contis with stock rims.

And yes I think springs would also make a bigger difference keeping the vehicle weight centred over the front axle.

[dArK5HaD0w]

Ditto. But I put mine on in combo with lighter rims. Like night and day from the contis with stock rims.

And yes I think springs would also make a bigger difference keeping the vehicle weight centred over the front axle.

Lighter rims is my next move.
Just waiting for my conti sc5 to wear out. Been only 20,000kms so far on these rubbbers.

[brad]

I have been wondering this myself, although I have the Fabia RS (same problem, embarrassing squeal at lights).
Does anyone with suspension setup knowledge know if firmer springs would help.
To my way of thinking this would lessen the front end "lift" when taking off quickly, therefore give more traction as the car is more planted on the road.

Interested in comments
Cheers,John

Drag cars run soft springs and often disconnect the anti-roll bar. If you want to hook-up you need spring compliance and suspension travel. Unfortunately it also limits "comfortable cornering". nb: Citroen 2CV have amazing levels of corner grip on very skinny tyres but you think you are going to roll over.

The gripiest FWD car I ever owned was a Lancia. The front end lifted a crazy amount and it torque steered like a mofo - traction was fantastic.

What tyres are you running?

[brad]

I too have been considering getting tunes for both the VRS and my Focus ST but personally I can't justify it since I have not yet tracked either car. Also all I have read is wheel spin in 1st, 2nd and sometimes 3rd so that's not a result I am after. It's not like our cars come under-powered

I've never tracked the Octavia (but have done with the Liberty, Mk1 Capri, VB Commodore & Superbug I had).

My tune was never for tracking - it was about improving driveability, getting rid of the artificial torque plateau & improving fuel economy.

My engine & gearbox have probably had an easier life with the tune than if I'd left it stock - who'd have thought?