euro style

minis84 · Post by **minis84** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 6:25 pm

Hi

I've had my GT for a couple of weeks now, and I think I've finally solved all its little problems, fan switch, bits of trim, etc etc.

Now I'm looking at upgrading it in places. I'm thinking of lowering it by about 40mm, and fitting some upgraded brakes, braided hoses, uprated pads. If adjustable suspension is available, I might be tempted to go for that, to improve handling.

I'm also after some wider wheels, with some nice sticky Yokohama A539 tyres fitted. I'd love to keep them in 13", one to keep in with the looks of the car, but also so as to not affect the accleration, or adversely affect handling. Are wheels available in 13'? I'd like some black centred wheels, with a chrome rim, I think that would look great!

Does anyone know of any manufacturers or suppliers of such a wheel?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

Karl_CLCoupe · Post by **Karl_CLCoupe** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 11:59 am

If you have a look at the AAT website link via (Polo_GT.co.uk), they offer the RSL cults, and can get hold of ATS wheels for the wide euro look. There are also Minilites available in 13" with up to 9" width iirc. There's also Dubweiser who can get hold of wheels from the continent for you.

If you are good with your German, theres German ebay where you can get Powertech, Mattigs, allsorts!

Another option is Weller steels. They offer some wide wheels, though I'm not sure if they are 13" or not...

Hope thats of some use?

Karl.

minis84 · Post by **minis84** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 1:56 pm

thats brilliant Karl, thank you!

what do people think of this wheel?

http://www.advancedautosport.com/CLASSICgr.jpg

I think it looks great, its just what I'm after, and is available in 7x13". That means I can wrap a set of Yoko A539's around them, for superb grip. Just a quick one (before I get too excited!), whats the widest wheels you can fit to a Polo? In terms of steering geometry, arch rub etc?

Thanks!

Tom

DANBLACK87 · Post by **DANBLACK87** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:02 pm

them wheels look wicked, i love the black and silver. you should definitly get them, s**t, theyre so nice, i want them myself. How much are they for all 4 in the 13"?

minis84 · Post by **minis84** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 5:50 pm

with tyres they'd work out at about Â£490 all up, including fitting.

Which I think is rather good!!

I'm just not sure whether they're gonna be too wide for the Polo or not. I'm not sure what width is fitted as standard to a GT!

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Tom

DANBLACK87 · Post by **DANBLACK87** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:23 pm

DAMN, Â£490, yeah thats good but jesus, i only paid Â£500 for my squareback. ive got so much planned for my car, im gonna be a third world peasant by the time ive finished everything on my car.

i need wheels, ice, an alarm, etc etc, this auto styling is becoming an addiction. i cant leave the squareback alone.

pettsy · Post by **pettsy** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 7:23 pm

minis84 wrote:
I'm just not sure whether they're gonna be too wide for the Polo or not. I'm not sure what width is fitted as standard to a GT!

5.5" x 13" steel wheel with 165/65/13

Karl_CLCoupe · Post by **Karl_CLCoupe** » Sun Jun 19, 2005 12:28 am

minis84 wrote:with tyres they'd work out at about Â£490 all up, including fitting.

Which I think is rather good!!

I'm just not sure whether they're gonna be too wide for the Polo or not. I'm not sure what width is fitted as standard to a GT!

Does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

Tom

I know of G40s, and Mark1 Polos running the 8" width, so 7" shouldn't be a problem. I've got 13" x 6" wide BBS RAs, and haven't had any negative effects, and you are only going 1.5 inches wider than the standard steels, similar to myself (as CL steels are only 4.5" wide) You might want an offset such as ET20 for them. Furthermore, if you have/plan running G40 brakes, you will be better off losing the G40 carrier in favour of your standard GT item.

They will look boss on a GT. Make sure when you've done the deed, you get us some phots!

Karl.

minis84 · Post by **minis84** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:43 am

Furthermore, if you have/plan running G40 brakes, you will be better off losing the G40 carrier in favour of your standard GT item.

Is this because of clearance of the caliper inside the rim? I'd like to run some G40 brakes, with braided hoses, its just a case of finding them, and making sure they're in good nick. I also have a slight squeak from I think my rear drums, they probably need removing and cleaning, and new shoes fitted - is this a difficult job? Its a piece of cake on a Mini

I'll definitely get some piccies.

I also want to lower the car slightly, and fit some stiffened or upgraded suspension if at all possible. Sorry to be a pain here, but what would you recommend? I'm just getting into modifying modern cars, so sorry to be a bit slow

Thanks!

Tom

Karl_CLCoupe · Post by **Karl_CLCoupe** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:14 pm

The clearance on the calipers isn't so much of an issue, its the clearanbce on the carriers, as the carriers have a peculiar metal bar that wraps round the front on the caliper, unlike GT/CL items that stop in-line with the top of the caliper (if you know what i mean?)

As for stiffer suspension, best route is a good set of springs and shocks. Venom (http://www.venommotorsport.com) offer a 40mm spring and damper kit for the Mark3 for Â£150 which works out as very good value, for what is essentially rebranded G-max stuff. You could also look at a Weitec 60/40 kit available from (I think) Big Boys Toys (they stock plenty of Weitec stuff anyway), or even give http://www.candrenterprises.co.uk a go.

As for the rear drums. pretty easy to remove. Once the wheels off, remove the metal 'dome', remove a split pin, slide out the outer wheel bearing, and with a bit of persuasion the drum should come off. Thats more of a condensed version, as I can't remember the full proceedure from Haynes.

Karl.[/url]

minis84 · Post by **minis84** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:44 pm

thats great (again!) Karl, thank you!

I've found some 175/60x13 Yokohama A539 tyres for Â£33 each, so I think i'm definitely going to go for those, with those ATS wheels.

I think though, I'll lower it first, might spend a bit more on the springs, or may go for the Venom ones - as to be fair I'm not trackday-ing it or anything, so they should be ok.

As regards the G40 calipers, what do you have to do to fit them to the normal cars?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

Karl_CLCoupe · Post by **Karl_CLCoupe** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 10:36 am

There's not much you have to do really. nice bolt off, bolt on mod.

You will just need the 239mm x 20mm vented G40 discs, calipers, carriers (though as mentioned you can just use the standard GT items), G40 pads, though if you're feeling pikey, could use the GT ones if they've worn down a fair bit, some decent DOT4 brake fluid, and you could go as far as braided hoses, though beware the bleed nipples shearing off the rear brake cylinders. You will definitely need some Plus Gas or similar for shifting the caliper bolts though, they set like stone after years!

Karl.

minis84 · Post by **minis84** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:14 am

ahhh, that sounds pretty straightforward. I think I would take the opportunity to upgrade to braided hoses too. I did the rear flexi hoses on my CL not long ago, pretty easy job really, and the bleed nipples came undone nice and easy. This GT has only done 60K, and is in great nick underneath, so I'll make sure they move before I attempt the job

So I guess now its just a case of finding the calipers, I guess discs can be bought new, and pads too. Moving the caliper bolts won't be a problem, have various persuasion devices (heat, chemicals etc!) available at home. Are the calipers rare and expensive? I can imagine they would be, I guess its just a case of looking till you find them? Are they available new from VAG?

As regards fitting the lowering springs, are there any special tools needed? If its a case of bolt off - bolt on with care, type of job, I can't see it being a problem.

Thanks again Karl. you've been a great help, and sorry to be annoying, its just useful to have advice before you start a job!

Tom

Karl_CLCoupe · Post by **Karl_CLCoupe** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:29 am

If you look around here, http://www.porka.net and http://www.pitstopdevelopments.com/forum, you should find a set of calipers and carriers. Expect to pay around the Â£50 mark.

I was very lucky with mine in that I got carriers, calipers, new pads, new caliper bolts (you may need to add those to your list, as the heads on those can get beyond recognition after a few years, or can shear), and part-worn discs for that money.

Discs are in the region of Â£12.50 per side for your standard jobbies from GSF, if you feel like pushing the boat out, Brembo ones aren't too much more.

The lowering, there is a special tool you need for the front suspension, I can email you a guide actaully that I scanned in from Golf+ a couple of months back, and you would be handy to have some spring compressors. Please note though that some of the steps in the guide are irrelevant (where it tells you to remove your brakes from the front struts for example (this is an unnecessary job)).

Hope that gives you enough info. And I don't mind helping at all. Hope someone can make use of some of the things I've picked up over my time as a Polo owner

Karl.

minis84 · Post by **minis84** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:15 pm

if you could email me that guide Karl that would be fantastic. Have to admit, the calipers are cheaper than I thought! I noticed that new pistons and seals are quite cheap, I'd replace those before fitting them I reckon. Are the calipers 4-pot?

I appreciate your help, and patience too!