Nostalgia you win again!

[Jon]

Thanks to Jo and Richie the Dump is now sitting on fully adjustable AVO coilovers. Avo don't list the 1303 in their lists, but I took a chance and ordered Golf mk1 struts. And they fit perfectly the only thing that needs attention is how the brake line attach to the leg.
The struts are adjustable for the weakest AVO can produce to something that would be considered race hard for a Golf. Since there is no front engine in my car they are plenty hard enough as it is. The Golf uses 250lbs springs, and that is way to hard for a 03, after som research 130  LBS is mor corect for road use on the bug. 170 lbs is considered "casual race" on the bug, so I got 180 lbs, and I couldn't be more happy with it. At the back I have re-valved AVO 222 shocks (starts at click 10).
The fender rubbing has stopped, and the lack of roll in the bug has showed me that I need better seats. In short it handles surprisingly good. I have it at 6 rounds from the softest setting up front and at 6 clicks at the back. It still sucks up the bumps like new shocks do.

Due to limited clearance up front I'm running 6" original fuchs with 135 Michelin, and some old Michelin 195/65 at the back. It now does 0.85 g on the skidpad test, not to shabby with bicycle wheels up front. 

[Rick Meredith]

When's the last time you posted up some pics???

[Jon]

June 12. last year   Looking at the most resent pictures I can see that I have made some visual changes. Maybe I can post a couple of pics before the snow comes in. 

[Berger]

As usual; Pictures or it didn`t happen 

[Jon]

As usual; Pictures or it didn`t happen 

Bloody skeptics... why can't you just believe 

[richie]

So you finally got them fitted, I cant believe it took that long   Excellent that they worked out right for you but I think you are nearly into being on the wrong forum

cheers Richie

[Jon]

Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.

The thread may have remained unchanged, but I have had a lot of fun with the car. I Participated in circuit racing with it in May and also did a auto slalom at SCC. I was starting to feel that the 135 tires was holding me back, so I looked through my wheel room and found a set of 7 & 8s. And they sort of fitted... on they went with 165/50-15 up front an 195/60-15 at the back. Then I drove 370 kilometers up into the mountains and participated in the annual Bergrennen race, and with facts in hand I now have more grip than engine power.
Time to stuff something nicer into the back of this thing. My average speed was 101 km/h up this 8 & 12° grade hill... never lifted through the serpentines.

[Trond Dahl]

Love the stance Jon!

[JS]

Killer look! Keep up the good work Jon!! 

[Jon]

Thanks guys!

[Jesse Wens]

how are those wheels covered or coated? I realy like the colour.... I got some 4 lug fuchs myself.

[Zach Gomulka]

so I looked through my wheel room and found a set of 7 & 8s. And they sort of fitted... on they went with 165/50-15 up front an 195/60-15 at the back.

Going for that poked and stretched look, Jon?

I do love the finish on them though. Looks right on that car.

[Jon]

how are those wheels covered or coated? I realy like the colour.... I got some 4 lug fuchs myself.

The wheels are bead blasted and painted with a rattle can "gold wheel" paint. The bead blasted surface gives it a semigloss look, and thats why you so easily see the shape of the wheel. I would prefer a two pack paint, but I agree with you, the color is perfect... just the dirty gold color I was looking for.

[Jon]

so I looked through my wheel room and found a set of 7 & 8s. And they sort of fitted... on they went with 165/50-15 up front an 195/60-15 at the back.

Going for that poked and stretched look, Jon?

I do love the finish on them though. Looks right on that car.

The other shoes has 135 on a 6" wheel, also out of necessity... it grinds with anything wider.  That beeing said, I do prefer wheels with some shape to them.

[Rick Meredith]

Looks good Jon. The Gold wheels really bring it out

[Jon]

Thanks buddy!

[qubek]

Since there is no front engine in my car they are plenty hard enough as it is. The Golf uses 250lbs springs, and that is way to hard for a 03, after som research 130  LBS is mor corect for road use on the bug. 170 lbs is considered "casual race" on the bug, so I got 180 lbs, and I couldn't be more happy with it.

Can you tell me more about your research? I did not manage to find any sources other then internet forums where people (in most cases) claim that stock 1303 spring was 80 lbs/inch. As for what is a recommended settings, there is of course no consensus, as most people claim that what they have is best without even asking how a given car is meant to be used.

I'm asking because I have topline struts which have totally useless springs that are so soft that they collapse under the car's weight alone, statically. I need to buy something stiffer, but I'm afraid to choose something to stiff.

[Jon]

Since there is no front engine in my car they are plenty hard enough as it is. The Golf uses 250lbs springs, and that is way to hard for a 03, after som research 130  LBS is mor corect for road use on the bug. 170 lbs is considered "casual race" on the bug, so I got 180 lbs, and I couldn't be more happy with it.

Can you tell me more about your research? I did not manage to find any sources other then internet forums where people (in most cases) claim that stock 1303 spring was 80 lbs/inch. As for what is a recommended settings, there is of course no consensus, as most people claim that what they have is best without even asking how a given car is meant to be used.

I'm asking because I have topline struts which have totally useless springs that are so soft that they collapse under the car's weight alone, statically. I need to buy something stiffer, but I'm afraid to choose something to stiff.

My research was limited, I got information directly from AVO on what the Golf struts had as supplied. After that I called LA performance in the UK, and they were most helpful and gave me the information about the normal setup (kercher) and what they used for street (130) and track vehicles (170). I figured that my car was heavier than the track cars, and that I wanted to ride lower so I opted for 180lbs. I don't regret anything and the ride is quite nice when I run the shocks loose. I even enjoy the ride with the shock on a much stiffer setting.
Hope this helps, and btw the springs are quite cheap.

Jon

[qubek]

Since there is no front engine in my car they are plenty hard enough as it is. The Golf uses 250lbs springs, and that is way to hard for a 03, after som research 130  LBS is mor corect for road use on the bug. 170 lbs is considered "casual race" on the bug, so I got 180 lbs, and I couldn't be more happy with it.

Can you tell me more about your research? I did not manage to find any sources other then internet forums where people (in most cases) claim that stock 1303 spring was 80 lbs/inch. As for what is a recommended settings, there is of course no consensus, as most people claim that what they have is best without even asking how a given car is meant to be used.

I'm asking because I have topline struts which have totally useless springs that are so soft that they collapse under the car's weight alone, statically. I need to buy something stiffer, but I'm afraid to choose something to stiff.

My research was limited, I got information directly from AVO on what the Golf struts had as supplied. After that I called LA performance in the UK, and they were most helpful and gave me the information about the normal setup (kercher) and what they used for street (130) and track vehicles (170). I figured that my car was heavier than the track cars, and that I wanted to ride lower so I opted for 180lbs. I don't regret anything and the ride is quite nice when I run the shocks loose. I even enjoy the ride with the shock on a much stiffer setting.
Hope this helps, and btw the springs are quite cheap.

Jon

Yes yes, but it is still cheaper to ask then to buy twice
Thanks, that was helpful. One more thing - is 130 a spring rating from Kercher kits or LA performance recommendation for street?
Oh, and what is the make of the sway bar you use?

[jaqo]

BTW if this is the car that was on scc this year - it's killer!

[Jon]

Since there is no front engine in my car they are plenty hard enough as it is. The Golf uses 250lbs springs, and that is way to hard for a 03, after som research 130  LBS is mor corect for road use on the bug. 170 lbs is considered "casual race" on the bug, so I got 180 lbs, and I couldn't be more happy with it.

Can you tell me more about your research? I did not manage to find any sources other then internet forums where people (in most cases) claim that stock 1303 spring was 80 lbs/inch. As for what is a recommended settings, there is of course no consensus, as most people claim that what they have is best without even asking how a given car is meant to be used.

I'm asking because I have topline struts which have totally useless springs that are so soft that they collapse under the car's weight alone, statically. I need to buy something stiffer, but I'm afraid to choose something to stiff.

My research was limited, I got information directly from AVO on what the Golf struts had as supplied. After that I called LA performance in the UK, and they were most helpful and gave me the information about the normal setup (kercher) and what they used for street (130) and track vehicles (170). I figured that my car was heavier than the track cars, and that I wanted to ride lower so I opted for 180lbs. I don't regret anything and the ride is quite nice when I run the shocks loose. I even enjoy the ride with the shock on a much stiffer setting.
Hope this helps, and btw the springs are quite cheap.

Jon

Yes yes, but it is still cheaper to ask then to buy twice
Thanks, that was helpful. One more thing - is 130 a spring rating from Kercher kits or LA performance recommendation for street?
Oh, and what is the make of the sway bar you use?

130 LBS is what LA performance told me that Kercher's (and the others) used, I dont know if this is correct, I have no way of telling.
I guess the check is quite simple, how much stiffer does the spring get when compressed 25,4 mm?

The sway bar is a 7/8 Bugpack up front, and the rear was bought used so I don't know.   

[Jon]

BTW if this is the car that was on scc this year - it's killer!

You must have been looking on another car  (but it was there)

[Jon]

Snooping around

[Jon]

Just installed my new tweaked Fuchs with Toyo R888 tires. No narrow beam here, the aim is to take corners at speed...





 

[modnrod]

To me at least, this car just screams '80s street racer Jon !
I love it!

Do you know how do the Toyo's compare to Advans?

[Zach Gomulka]

What size tires did you go with?

[Jon]

After reading a few reviews the AVONs seem to have better dry weather grip, but they are significantly more money. The TOYOs offer good grip and decent rain performance (for an R tire) at a good price point.

The tires are 195/50-15" and 225/50-15" in the rear.

[Flow]

The more I look the last picture, the more I like it... 

[Jon]

BTW, the front rims are 8" and the rear are 9"   

[Zach Gomulka]

BTW, the front rims are 8" and the rear are 9"   

Really? They look like 7's and 8's to me?