Recommended mild suspension upgrades for Mk6 GTI

[bwen]

i think the F28/R24mm sways combo is more suitable for those running on semi slicks or sticky Advan AD08 / Kumho KU36 / Potenza RE-11.

Front stock and rear 24mm may not be a good idea....

I'm also doing a bit of research at the moment as well, any reasons why? Would stock up front and mild/soft 24mm rear be okay for a street car?

[Buller_Scott]

I'm also doing a bit of research at the moment as well, any reasons why? Would stock up front and mild/soft 24mm rear be okay for a street car?

for a street car with no other suspension mods, i'd err on the side of caution, and get the thinner bar and set on medium MAX.

there was a similar thread in the polo section not too long ago, where someone was (not to have a dig at him) telling us that he'd love the ''go kart'' feel, and as such was going to put 18 inch wheels with super low profile rubber, and a sway bar set on max (with stock shocks and springs) to assist with turn in and general go-kartiness.

that doesnt actually work in the real world. with stock suspension, and having put a smaller-diameter (20mm iirc) sway on the rear of my car, and having set it to max tightness, it snapped oversteered on me like a motherfcker, and i've got two bent rims to aid with the nostalgia - anyone who's running stock suspension and thinking that they'll try to get away with a fat rear sway bar on minimum setting, with the tighter settings there "just in case i want to improve the car's cornering ability once i get used to it", i would strongly urge you to rethink your approach - if not for your own sake, at least for your car's.

yes, a rear sway/ anti roll bar is going to help things like turn in and mid corner roll etc, but getting a fatter rear sway bar and popping it on max is NOT any sort of substitute for things like bushes, shock absorbers, shock/spring kits etc...

i would implore people to NOT trust a 24mm rear sway bar on any sort of setting, on an otherwise unfettled-suspension car. get the 22mm, set it on minimum, THEN go to autobarn and get yourself a digital memory tyre pressure gauge - they're like $30. play with your pressures (i.e. dont trust the pathetic, inaccurate machine at the local fuel stop when adjusting tyre pressures).

tyre pressures were something that, for the longest time, i had taken for granted, but with careful calibration, you might find:
- you can reduce the squirm in the rear by increasing pressure
- you can increase grip in the front by having pressures higher relative to the back
- you can increase turn in response by increasing pressure in the front - for those who run the servo-machine 32psi on their cars, try upping your fronts to 38/39 and your rears to 34/35 (hot), you might be pleasantly surprised.

no point having a huge rear anti roll/ sway bar if your tyre pressures are inadequate AND uneven, to boot.

my 2c.

[T Go]

for a street car with no other suspension mods, i'd err on the side of caution, and get the thinner bar and set on medium MAX.

there was a similar thread in the polo section not too long ago, where someone was (not to have a dig at him) telling us that he'd love the ''go kart'' feel, and as such was going to put 18 inch wheels with super low profile rubber, and a sway bar set on max (with stock shocks and springs) to assist with turn in and general go-kartiness.

that doesnt actually work in the real world. with stock suspension, and having put a smaller-diameter (20mm iirc) sway on the rear of my car, and having set it to max tightness, it snapped oversteered on me like a motherfcker, and i've got two bent rims to aid with the nostalgia - anyone who's running stock suspension and thinking that they'll try to get away with a fat rear sway bar on minimum setting, with the tighter settings there "just in case i want to improve the car's cornering ability once i get used to it", i would strongly urge you to rethink your approach - if not for your own sake, at least for your car's.

yes, a rear sway/ anti roll bar is going to help things like turn in and mid corner roll etc, but getting a fatter rear sway bar and popping it on max is NOT any sort of substitute for things like bushes, shock absorbers, shock/spring kits etc...

i would implore people to NOT trust a 24mm rear sway bar on any sort of setting, on an otherwise unfettled-suspension car. get the 22mm, set it on minimum, THEN go to autobarn and get yourself a digital memory tyre pressure gauge - they're like $30. play with your pressures (i.e. dont trust the pathetic, inaccurate machine at the local fuel stop when adjusting tyre pressures).

tyre pressures were something that, for the longest time, i had taken for granted, but with careful calibration, you might find:
- you can reduce the squirm in the rear by increasing pressure
- you can increase grip in the front by having pressures higher relative to the back
- you can increase turn in response by increasing pressure in the front - for those who run the servo-machine 32psi on their cars, try upping your fronts to 38/39 and your rears to 34/35 (hot), you might be pleasantly surprised.

no point having a huge rear anti roll/ sway bar if your tyre pressures are inadequate AND uneven, to boot.

my 2c.

Good advice.

I went for the VWR Sports Springs and 22mm H&R rear sway, which I will be running on the soft setting.
Should have them in about a month or so.