Alex's Polo GTI log thread.

[Alex993cc]

Hey all, thought i'd start logging what I do on here,

May be some interesting tid bits, maybe not.

I see a lot of the build/etc threads here are quite old, so lets see what happens with a 12 year old car.

Purchased a 2007 GTI with 91,000km indicated, Full service history and from what I can tell I'm the 3rd owner.

Faded paint on the roof, spent a lot of time in the sun, Faded RHS tail light, Head lights need a reco.

Interior is almost perfect. Car is completely factory down to the floor mats.

Gearbox/Engine in VGC, although has a lot of the usual problems. SAI Dead, Dogbone/pendulum dead, front control arm rear bushes cactus, intermittent door locks. Speedo reads out by about 6km/h at 60km/h, more as speed increases. speedo doesn't return to zero (don't know if this is more sun damage, but doesn't help with it being "out".)

Suspension appears to be completely stock, but appears quite firm.

Exhaust is stock, but has a nice note to it. muffler still has the VW stamp so don't know if someone has modified or what.

I'm not new to the mechanical or modification scene. my other rides have been mostly Japanese for the small car sector, or BMW for larger cars (X5 and 540i.)

I dont plan to modify beyond daily drivability. I have a Daihatsu Charade Detomaso with 160whp, and its just too far modified to be driven daily anymore. (Plan to sell)

Sorry for the wall of text, but I need somewhere to let out some steam on this

More to come,

Alex.

[Alex993cc]

Dogbone mount replaced with Superpro Version. So far only very little more vibration at idle, and not noticeable at other speeds, but the extra vibration could actually be placebo from reading too much. Clunk on shifting gone.

[Alex993cc]

Dead FCA Bushes. Noticed a lot of banging and creaking on bumps and while braking. Chucked up on the hoist and found this (not to my surprise however). Have Superpro "standard" replacements to go in (no anti dive, etc.)

[Alex993cc]

Replaced FCA bushes, wasnt too bad, turned up a custom press bush on the lathe and used some parts of a bearing puller that a friend had bought along. front suspension feels spot on now, at least no knocks or bumps.
HOWEVER
have noticed a lot of knocking from around the dogbone area when the car is first started when cold, a sharp knock not a dull one like before. vibration has increased somewhat too. dunno if its misfiring or not, sounds fine out the back end. clutch knock?

Alex

[lenny]

Hi Alex,

I am subscribing to your thread, i have just purchased a MY09, 72k klm pretty good nick one myself.......keen to see your journey and would love to know if you are doing all your own work..? i might hit you up for part #'s as you seem to be going down the path(s) i have been looking at....

[h100vw]

Should have gone for the castor correcting bushes. By improvement in the front end.
Have a read of my cheapy gti thread. Lots of what you will find wrong in there.
I'm just about to try a first prototype downpipe on my car. So if you're looking for stage 2 parts in the future hit me up.
Love my polo.
Welcome to the forum. Gavin

[simon k]

Since you're handy on a lathe you could knock some caster adjusting sleeves out of 25mm hex bar. Happy to send you a dimensioned drawing but it's pretty straightforward

Tramlining & Excessive Torque Steer.

I've done a lot of mods (not nearly as many as Sam though) on close to zero budget and it's still fine as a daily

[Alex993cc]

Thanks for the replies fellas! always looking for advice and to give advice myself!
@lenny, if you need any part numbers just ask, I have it all here.
@Gavin, I'm always up for gofast bits, possibly a tune. being in WA makes it harder though :/

In other news, resolved the dogbone clunk again by refitting the bolt that goes between the gearbox and the dogbone mount itself, it was worn down from years of dead mounting and wasnt quite a snug fit anymore.

Car is driving great now, no more bangs or clunks is always good.

Next I have to tackle the intermittent door lock problem. Passenger side is really RS as light doesnt even come on when you open the door.

SO IT BEGINS. HAHA.

Alex

[Alex993cc]

@simon k Interesting! I do have a fair bit of bar stock lying about, dunno about the metallurgy between brass and alu though, might get a bit messy

[simon k]

just PM me an email address

I also had aluminium plates cut to go between the (rear) stub axles and the torsion beam. They widen the track, but you can also machine them to adjust rear camber/toe adjustment (Sam uses Eibach shims made for the job)

[Alex993cc]

Car definately has a misfire now. Have hit the go pedal pretty hard a few times since I got it. plugs & coils may be suffering.
Going to replace plugs and get upgraded coilpacks at the same time just to rule out ignition.
Fuel filter, Air filter, oil and filter also on the todo list. may wait until its time for the timing belt and do the whole lot at once to save multiple disassemblies.

@lenny
Dogbone Mount SPF2907-70K (superpro)
Std Replacement Front lower control arm bush, Rear, SPF3271K (Superpro)

Alex

[lenny]

Car definately has a misfire now. Have hit the go pedal pretty hard a few times since I got it. plugs & coils may be suffering.
Going to replace plugs and get upgraded coilpacks at the same time just to rule out ignition.
Fuel filter, Air filter, oil and filter also on the todo list. may wait until its time for the timing belt and do the whole lot at once to save multiple disassemblies.

@lenny
Dogbone Mount SPF2907-70K (superpro)
Std Replacement Front lower control arm bush, Rear, SPF3271K (Superpro)

Alex

Thanks

[Alex993cc]

Just another quick update. Tackled the door locks today, passenger one fixed by cleaning the microswitch for the door open/closed.
drivers door not so easy fix, the motor inside the door lock itself is so weak it can barely turn when powered out of the lock using a lab supply. so it looks like im gonna be looking for a new drivers door lock mech.. yay.

(tried to upload happy snaps but the forum says no.... )

Alex

[h100vw]

Can loan you a tuned ecu if you're interested? Stage 1.

[Alex993cc]

@h100vw to be honest have already been thinking of grabbing a s/h ECU and sending it to you for a stage 1.

would need SAI delete too. is secondary O2 delete possible to forego engine check light if I do a catless dump? (I havent actually looked if theres a secondary O2 sensor. duh.)

Being in WA makes it hard to send an ECU for tuning, looking at a week turnaround even by express post. :/

Alex.