mk2 GTI Track Toy Project

**AusScare** · 08-11-2010, 04:17 PM

Hey all,

I've been looking for a car to throw money at, but didn't want to put it into the Peugeot because the community and tuning in Aus is pretty average. So the only answer was to get another VW! I like the 206 as a daily though and didn't want to get rid of it, so I went and bought a mk2 Golf GTI, went halves with my mate Olly (also a member on here).

Picked it up this morning, took it back to his place, drove it round the back streets, drives really well! A few areas need a bit of attention, but that's fine. Washed it, cleaned out it's new home, parked it, started stripping it!

Plan is to strip it down, fix (and upgrade) the vital bits, then get it ready to take to the track. Thing is we are on a tiny budget, so thinking just the basics to start with, strip it down, brakes, track rims/tyres. All costs will be halved though which is a bonus.

It won't be road registered for now. So we'll both be looking up what is the best to buy in terms of race related bits and pieces, so feel free to add your input/wisdom!

Pics of course:

So yeah, that's about it, going to take it apart, make a list of what needs to be done, and go from there.

Feels good to have another vdub.

Cheers

Tim

**GoLfMan** · 08-11-2010, 04:50 PM

looking good dude!

I'd be doing suspension and brakes first, then engine. (Put carbs on it and get rid of that horrible digifant!)

**Jarred** · 08-11-2010, 04:59 PM

Nice one. should be a neat little project.

If it were me, this is what I'd look at doing, a nice combo between performance and BFYB.

(keeping in mind i've based it on track use only)

-fix all the mechanical things. Body work and stuff not so important. As long as it's all 100% mechanically. (do first, the rest no particular order)
-mk 3 2.0 front brakes. These are 256mm, and you need the hub as well. Get some nice discs and good pads (ie, greenstuff, and good fluid)
-mk 3 2.0 Exhaust header. get rid of that toilet bowl exhaust that's standard, with the mk 3 option, it's cheap and easy. Then finish off the rest with a 2.25" or 2.5" system.
-semi slicks. (or just really good rubber) stay with 14" ones, as they're cheaper than 15's. 256mm brakes fit under 14" wheels too.
-harness, seat etc. mk 2 gti seats are OK, but a proper bucket seat will actually hold you in the seat, rather than have you sliding about the cabin.
-an aftermarket cam & ebay chip should pick up the performance a bit, reasonably cheap too but I'd rather spend the cash on the next option (first atleast)
-suspension. good cup kit. koni adjustables and some 60mm springs probably. Look on ECS website, they're mighty cheap there and shipping isn't too bad either!

maybe one day down the track an ABF 16V, but i think we're dreaming now!

make sure you have a look through Pete Jones' wreck to race thread (the white 4 door) he's got heaps of info in there about setting a car up to get it ready for some track work, on a budget too!

anyways, hopefully that's some food for thought!

**Peter Jones** · 08-11-2010, 05:25 PM

The biggest single performance improvement you will get is from learning to drive.

Find local clubs that do familiarisation and instruction sessions.

Don't go all out throwing money at it until you've taken it around a track at least once.

Assuming the car is mostly functional, tyres would be my first upgrade, nothing else in the car works without them.

Semi slicks are the way to go, Toyo R888 or Yokohama Advans. They don't wear as fast as you'd think I've got about 2 years out of a set.

After you've got the tyres, you'll need a seat and harness.

Reliability is key too, tie back every loose wire, fix every oil leak, replace every water hose, replace the wheel bearings, there just can't be any loose ends anywhere on the car.

In order to win a race, you must be able to finish it.

Following on from that you can prioritise the upgrades form there Brakes, gearbox and suspension obviously being the big ones.

I'd leave the motor till last, get fast with what you've got then add the horsepower. Do the minor stuff like the exhaust mod along the way but try to think ahead a few steps so you're not spending money twice.

Shout out if you've got any questions and take a wander through my wreck to race thread, there's a lot of things I've learnt in there that might save you some time.

Best of luck on the track, I'm looking forward to seeing the project develop.

Pete

**AusScare** · 08-11-2010, 07:28 PM

Thanks for the replies guys, all good info! I'm going to have a read of Pete's thread, a proper read, not just a skim read, of all 77 pages.

Brakes are definitely on the cards to replace, the previous owner said something was wrong with them, so we'll have to take them apart. The 256mm disc upgrade also sounds good, I'll have to start a wtb thread to source the supporting mods for that.

Reliability is definitely the main priority, so we'll start with a full service, see what needs attention, replace anything that's worn, I think a few things are gaffer taped together so that'll need to be sorted.

In regards to tyres, current stock rims are 14x6 iirc, and they will fit max 185's? Should we be looking to get some 14x6.5's so that a 205 tread will fit?

I'm happy to stay at 14" as well, means can get nice and low and still be all function over form.

**Peter Jones** · 08-11-2010, 07:44 PM

I'm running 185/60/14 semi slicks. They're about the cheapest size and perfect for a Golf. I'd stick with the wheels you've got. Saves a lot of clearance issues and mucking about.

Too much tyre and you won't get it up to temp, especially on short events like hill climbs and sprints.

Semi slicks are much better tyres than road tyres, there's no comparison, you'll be amazed at how fast you can get 'round a corner.

**AusScare** · 08-11-2010, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Peter Jones

I'm running 185/60/14 semi slicks. They're about the cheapest size and perfect for a Golf. I'd stick with the wheels you've got. Saves a lot of clearance issues and mucking about.

That sounds perfect. What sort of pricing is it per tyre, what psi (cold) do you run on track days, where do you buy the tyres from? Does the tyre deteriorate badly if the car is just sitting there for 6 months at a time?