Meet my Polo!

[Gti Dave]

Yeah seems to be really getting off topic since its King Plauto's thread.

[mikepologti]

i agree that this thread has gone a lil off the rails (apologies plautos) but for the interest for this discussion A/ can we move this discussion plz mods and b/ id be more then happy to drop my car down to brisvegas for tests (apr tune , forge intercooler) im genuinly quite interested , and since i no longer have a girl friend i really have nothing better to do with my time lol

[Plautos]

Intercoolers... intercoolers and intercoolers...

But changing the subject...

I am thinking to be radical with the Polo this year.

I want some tips from you people… followers and racers…

I thinking to do a roll cage, make the game more professional… I´m not thinking in safety, I want performance, less body roll… the car is really fast, but it could be faster… I have a good engine and transmission setup, the suspension is good, the chassis is inside the expected… how I told you before, the car changed a lot with the semi slicks, but with speed it still have a little of understeer, the front tires are been eaten by the tarmac.

I don´t have the intention to do a full race car… I want a car street legal or almost, capable to arrive on the track by itself, driven by me obviously, not by tow.

Searching I found some good examples of rollcages and track day setups, but if someone have any good idea or cool picture, please share.

VWVortex.com - The mk4 Roll Cage thread.

[RoSonic]

I think you can get inspiration from Adac Polo Cup in UK or from S1600, S2000 rally Polos.
On a rapid google search didn't found much photos of any of them... but there should be some outthere

Found an advert with a s1600 - and it has some interior shots - Rallycars for sale, sell or buy rally cars & equipment :: Volkswagen Polo Super 1600 :: Jalhay ( Close to Spa F1 circuit ) :: KITCARS

[AusScare]

Are you running 17s now with semi slicks?

I'm not 100% on this, but a half cage might be what you're after? Just takes up the back section.

Do you still use your rear seats and boot much? Can always get a cargo net for the boot.

[MeTsU]

Plautos,

Congratulations on a fantastic build! I read your thread from start to finish and you really are doing something very special with your car.

When it comes to the cage, it's very difficult to get the strength and firm chassis that you're wanting, but also keeping it a very safe street car. There are trade off's between the two. A half cage will protect you in a roll, but it will help as much as you would like when it comes to stiffening the chassis. You would need to look at doing a full cage of some sorts - which is dangerous to use, especially as an everyday car.

Take for example, this is the Polo Tarmac Rally car my team mate and I are building at the moment - I chose this photo so you can see the crosses across the front doors:

[Plautos]

I think you can get inspiration from Adac Polo Cup in UK or from S1600, S2000 rally Polos.
On a rapid google search didn't found much photos of any of them... but there should be some outthere

Found an advert with a s1600 - and it has some interior shots - Rallycars for sale, sell or buy rally cars & equipment :: Volkswagen Polo Super 1600 :: Jalhay ( Close to Spa F1 circuit ) :: KITCARS

I found this site with lots of info... VWMotorsport.info - the definitive information source for VWs in competition, worldwide

I need to disassemble the entire car to fit a cage like that ... take the engine off, adjust the fire wall ... I'm thinking something more simple ...

[Plautos]

no... I´m still with the 18"s... I can´t use smaller wheels, the rotors won´t fit inside.

I quite sure the half cage, 6 point, is what I´m looking for...

In the two years that I have the car, less than 10 people had sat in the back seat, this year only 2 people had sat back there.

The rear seats are there just for show.

[Plautos]

I´m glad you´re liking the thread, the car is giving me some work, but it is like a hobby, just to keep the head working.

I found these rollcage models, I´m trying to get away from the complicated models, like the one in the picture you sent.







I´m convinced to cut the dashboard, but if it is possible to avoid it, I will be very happy.

[ssman]

I'm doing the same but a custom cage. I think it will help with the over/all structure

[Plautos]

that´s the idea...

[ssman]

WOW, my only concern would be the front pillar, the b pillar and the curtain air bags. Have you designed the cage to clear them or are you going to disable them.

[kangfu]

I'd be so interested on how the handling feels after installing something like that into a Polo.

[Spec83]

If you are serious about going a full cage, make sure at the front you tie the towers to the dash hoop / cowl...

[Plautos]

Air bags are dead weight... they stay out… stock seats also.
I´m impressed with the rear seat weight, it is very heavy… the car lifted 2 or 3 cm without the stock interior.

WOW, my only concern would be the front pillar, the b pillar and the curtain air bags. Have you designed the cage to clear them or are you going to disable them.