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track suspension set up!

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  • #1

    track suspension set up!

    hi guys, new on here. told by 9n3 turbo on UK polo to join the forum as a lot of you guys may have the info im looking!

    basically im looking to build quite a track focused gti. i was initially going to buy KW V2's and use these on track and on road they seem to be a good job also according to a few friends. on the other side of the argument ive been told that a spring and shock setup is equally if not better than coilovers. therefore looking for opinions/facts about what you guys would do. also any examples of each would be great.

    thanks in advance

    Sam
    Tags: None
  • #2
    If you have the time and patience to tinker, then the V3's are the way to go IMO. They offer more adjustment.

    If you want to do some laps and have fun, then KW V1's or the many other options are good. IMO you're going to get a lot more reductions in lap time from some expensive tyres that wont last long.

    I'm not a track expert by a long shot, many opinions to come...

    Asside from the suspension you might want to consider the adjustable top mounts for caster and camber adjustment, body stiffness and bracing, wheels, tyres and of course your own ability to carry speed through the course.

    IMO the Polo is unbalanced, I think any weight you can shed from the front is good, a battery relocation to the boot would even things up a little.

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    • #3
      Can of worms topic, nice

      I've tracked my car since purchasing it stock standard, so feel I can respond on fact/hard numbers. From absolutely factory everything (continental factory tyres) to installing bilstein struts with H&R springs I dropped 2 seconds per lap at my local track, Queensland Raceway in sprint format. Here's an example of the different formats - TimeAttack - 2WD Lap Records.

      I than changed tyres to Kumho KU31's, and lost ~1sec. The lap times are from the race track computer timing system, not a stop wartch or GPS.

      Since than I've add rear lower brace, rear sway bar set to hard, front strut brace and heavy duty sway bar links for the front. The bracing has made little to no difference in lap times at another local circuit (lakeside), though has improved rigidity, it doesn't feel as prone to pivot around centre as it used to, so a little less fun or yahoo moments perhaps, but more stable and predictable.

      I don't have experience on the coilover options, V3's have always been well reported on and used in many track focused cars. I'm very happy with my set-up, fine for driving on the street and does the job on the track.
      Track Car: 06 Polo GTI Red Devil mkII
      Daily: 2010 VW Jetta Highline
      Gone but not forgotten: 08 Polo GTI
      ** All information I provide is probably incorrect until validated by someone else **

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      • #4
        track suspension set up!

        Thanks for the response guys!

        Currently has white line RARB, fully poly bushed, updated FARB, top strut brace, all engine mounts have been upgraded and also waiting on a set of adjustable top mounts hopefully arriving in the next week or so. I will be using parada spec 2 tyres as I had these on my mk2 golf when round track.

        Not many guys track polos where I live so finding out info locally wasn't easy. Was looking to purchase these in the next month or so, may be a bit longer if you think V3's are the way to go.

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        • #5
          I've got V3's on mine. I love the adjustability. They are reasonably easy to adjust.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by sam_vw View Post
            may be a bit longer if you think V3's are the way to go.
            Unless you know someone who has lots of track experience with 2 way adjustable damping, I wouldn't get V3's. With too much adjustability, you can easily tune yourself to a standstill.

            You may get them sorted without experience if you are going to dedicate some track days purely for setting up with GOOD a timer set up but I think would be very difficult to work out the best setup without a LOT of track time. And KW themselves do not recommend the V3's for track use - they have the clubsport coilovers for this purpose.

            Personally, I'd get either a cup kit with Koni rebound adjustable dampers or FK Konigsport coilovers (since they have Koni rebound adjustable dampers). The KW V2's would be their equivalent to Konigsports so they'd be OK, too

            I use a Bilstein B12 cup kit (H&R springs with B8 dampers) but I don't have much credibility since my 9N3 isn't a GTi
            Resident grumpy old fart
            VW - Metallic Paint, Radial Tyres, Laminated Windscreen, Electric Windows, VW Alloy Wheels, Variable Geometry Exhaust Driven Supercharger, Direct Unit Fuel Injection, Adiabatic Ignition, MacPherson Struts front, Torsion Beam rear, Coil Springs, Hydraulic Dampers, Front Anti-Roll Bar, Disc Brakes, Bosch ECU, ABS

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            • #7
              track suspension set up!

              Originally posted by kaanage View Post
              Unless you know someone who has lots of track experience with 2 way adjustable damping, I wouldn't get V3's. With too much adjustability, you can easily tune yourself to a standstill.

              You may get them sorted without experience if you are going to dedicate some track days purely for setting up with GOOD a timer set up but I think would be very difficult to work out the best setup without a LOT of track time. And KW themselves do not recommend the V3's for track use - they have the clubsport coilovers for this purpose.

              Personally, I'd get either a cup kit with Koni rebound adjustable dampers or FK Konigsport coilovers (since they have Koni rebound adjustable dampers). The KW V2's would be their equivalent to Konigsports so they'd be OK, too

              I use a Bilstein B12 cup kit (H&R springs with B8 dampers) but I don't have much credibility since my 9N3 isn't a GTi
              Yep maybe too many variables. Would try use the car on track as much as possible, but that would maybe amount to 3 track days a month at very most due to the lack of tracks about. I was looking at bilsteins too, al be it the b16 version. Friends Ek civic has the spring and shock combo and it's great to be fair.

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              • #8
                The B16 is between the KW V2 and V3 in that it has both rebound and compression adjustment but they adjust together. If you can cover the cost, they'd be great.

                Remember that you have 2 antiroll bar adjustments at the front and 3 at the rear to play with, too (plus camber/caster once your KMACs turn up).
                Last edited by kaanage; 15-03-2013, 09:18 AM.
                Resident grumpy old fart
                VW - Metallic Paint, Radial Tyres, Laminated Windscreen, Electric Windows, VW Alloy Wheels, Variable Geometry Exhaust Driven Supercharger, Direct Unit Fuel Injection, Adiabatic Ignition, MacPherson Struts front, Torsion Beam rear, Coil Springs, Hydraulic Dampers, Front Anti-Roll Bar, Disc Brakes, Bosch ECU, ABS

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                • #9
                  Three adjustments upfront too mate, you just use opposite holes on either end to get the hardest setting

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                  • #10
                    track suspension set up!

                    Cheers fellas

                    Yep hopefully the KMAC mounts are the job! There will be some amount of track time testing with all these variables going on here lol!

                    Tick list this weekend is miltek, plugs, rear brakes conversion and new seats to fit. Might get a thread up.

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by VWindahouse View Post
                      Three adjustments upfront too mate, you just use opposite holes on either end to get the hardest setting
                      Wouldn't that give an intermediate stiffness since the leverage on one side is more than the other?
                      Resident grumpy old fart
                      VW - Metallic Paint, Radial Tyres, Laminated Windscreen, Electric Windows, VW Alloy Wheels, Variable Geometry Exhaust Driven Supercharger, Direct Unit Fuel Injection, Adiabatic Ignition, MacPherson Struts front, Torsion Beam rear, Coil Springs, Hydraulic Dampers, Front Anti-Roll Bar, Disc Brakes, Bosch ECU, ABS

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