MeTsU's 9N3 TDi - Sooty from South Africa

**GoLfMan** · 02-01-2011, 10:33 AM

how hard was it to apply the laminx to the headlights?
Again, car is looking mint

**MeTsU** · 02-01-2011, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by ssman

Very Very Nice, It gives that sleeper look and the next thing they see is the rear Sooty

Cheers ssman

Thanks Ssman,

I know the handle is a small change, which most will not even notice - granted the later models came with the flushed handles anyway. I just wanted to get rid of the last "shiny" bit at the back, as well as the security point of view.

**MeTsU** · 02-01-2011, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by GoLfMan

how hard was it to apply the laminx to the headlights?
Again, car is looking mint

Thanks GoLfMan.

With the shape of the headlight on the 9N3, it's no where near as simple as on the 9N or on a Golf for that matter, but add a heat gun and it's not too difficult. It took a while as I drew up a template first, cut the shape and applied and then trimmed at the end.

I used the same procedure that one would use to apply vinyl's - I bathed the Lamin-x in a soapy water solution and applied to the headlight, used a heat gun to soften it and mould it. I know the instructions from Lamin-x were to spray a little water on the headlight and apply, so I didn't exactly follow their procedure.

**kangfu** · 02-01-2011, 06:16 PM

Any brake upgrades on the cards?

Those wheels would look even better with some big slotted rotors and big ass calipers

**MeTsU** · 02-01-2011, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by kangfu

Any brake upgrades on the cards?

Those wheels would look even better with some big slotted rotors and big ass calipers

Hey Kangfu,

Yeah, I am most certainly going to be upgrading the front and rears this year, more for the performance aspect than anything else. I almost purchased a set of AP Racing 4pots from the Seat Ibiza Cupra, but the seller was a PITA. I have looked at importing a setup, which I'll more than likely have to do. My concern is the clearance between the spoke of the OZ's and the caliper.

I'm actually about to go down to my car and use a template I found from ECS Tuning - MkIII/MkIV Stage 2v1 Wheel Fitment. I have a feeling there's not enough space to run a 4pot+ caliper. I might have to settle for a normal 312mm upgrade with decent rotors.

Ciao, Matteo.

**kangfu** · 02-01-2011, 06:49 PM

What ET are those wheels? Dont want to run spacers?

I have a set of uprated rotors, stock calipers and Ferodo DS2500 pads on my car and that combo works great already.

Didnt want to have to worry about the calipers hitting my wheels so went that option.

**MeTsU** · 02-01-2011, 08:42 PM

Kangfu, my OZ's are 17x8 ET35. I'm not too keen on running spacers as I already rub a little. When I pull into the office, on full lock turning right, I have a decline into the parking bay, and I have worn away a little of the paint on the fender, LOL.

I would MAYBE be able to run 5mm spacers up front, but would definitely have to remove my arch liners, which I'm not keen on doing until I've done my FMIC.

The biggest problem with the OZ's, is that the "hub mating face" is large and when I used the ECS big brake template, the angle between the centre bore and the edge of the caliper, clashed. But I was thinking now, that angle is not exactly going to be there when the caliper is in place. I need to do a little more in terms of test fitting, but I might be able to get a set of 4pots under the OZ's without spacers. The clearance between the face of the caliper and the rear of the spoke, were mighty close (~1mm) using their template. I'll try source a few templates and see what's possible.

I did plan to purchase a set of Seat Sport AP Racing 4pots from a chap in the Northern Cape, but he didn't answer questions on condition and without someone being able to go check them, it became a PITA, so I left it for a while.

If I can't come right, I will look at moving to a 312mm setup with slotted rotors.