Polo G40 -Talk to me!
Discussion
syncro. said:
Bear this in mind...
Clearly a G60 charger which is the hand-grenade of the two. G40 units hardly ever let go. I'd be surprised if they are any less reliable than a turbo. A G40 doesn't have to cost mega money to run. You've just got to do your research and buy a decent one in the first place, much like any other 90's hot-hatch tbh.
However the handling is nothing compared to the Golf GTI (Mk2). There are some mods you can buy to sort this but you're looking at between 500-1000 quid to get there depending on how far you want to go.
Bringing this thread bang upto date, alot of people here seem to be very mis-informed about the Polo G40!
It can and pretty much is super reliable in stock form, VW even showed the world with a world record for speed and distance driven over 24hrs on the EHRA test track.
Now the cars are getting to 20year old (Mk3 from 1990 H reg onwards), they are requiring the likes of new injectors, CTS sensors but the chargers generally are bullet proof as long as they have been serviced. Blocked oil feeds and drains have been a cause of quite a few gone because some owners haven't checked them. G60's are more fragile chargers, wider case and scroll but even on the 1.8 engine, the workrate is still 2:1 same as the G40 on the 1.3 so are still reliable units.
The problem ensues when 'boyracers' get hold of them, hitting them against the rev limiters (bouncing off the rev limiters does not do the charger seals the world of good) time on time and just generally not looking after them something you'd get away with on a N/A car for the most part.
Chassis: They were 20mm lower and 20% stiffer as standard over normal polo's, wider tyres and a rear ARB, front TCAs having inner rose joints. Most people fit uprated suspension, and the latest mod is a full front subframe which turns it into a now 750-800kg mk1 Golf 'handling wise'.
They had a habit to understeer like most FWD cars would do, but with the supercharger it gave it torque steer issues so abit more understeery. Those who had 'loose' rear ends or got the back out have a problem or just can't drive!
Brakes: 239mm vented disc brakes - same as MK1 GOLF!!!! The reason the uk model brakes were crap was because LHD models had a larger servo so had awesome brakes but on the conversion to RHD, the inlet manifold was in the way so VW fitted a slighter smaller servo thus giving them the 'reputation'. Most people fit 22mm golf 16v master cylinders and decent pads and race fluid to get the brakes really effective.
G-Smiles - There just isn't any replacement!
It can and pretty much is super reliable in stock form, VW even showed the world with a world record for speed and distance driven over 24hrs on the EHRA test track.
Now the cars are getting to 20year old (Mk3 from 1990 H reg onwards), they are requiring the likes of new injectors, CTS sensors but the chargers generally are bullet proof as long as they have been serviced. Blocked oil feeds and drains have been a cause of quite a few gone because some owners haven't checked them. G60's are more fragile chargers, wider case and scroll but even on the 1.8 engine, the workrate is still 2:1 same as the G40 on the 1.3 so are still reliable units.
The problem ensues when 'boyracers' get hold of them, hitting them against the rev limiters (bouncing off the rev limiters does not do the charger seals the world of good) time on time and just generally not looking after them something you'd get away with on a N/A car for the most part.
Chassis: They were 20mm lower and 20% stiffer as standard over normal polo's, wider tyres and a rear ARB, front TCAs having inner rose joints. Most people fit uprated suspension, and the latest mod is a full front subframe which turns it into a now 750-800kg mk1 Golf 'handling wise'.
They had a habit to understeer like most FWD cars would do, but with the supercharger it gave it torque steer issues so abit more understeery. Those who had 'loose' rear ends or got the back out have a problem or just can't drive!
Brakes: 239mm vented disc brakes - same as MK1 GOLF!!!! The reason the uk model brakes were crap was because LHD models had a larger servo so had awesome brakes but on the conversion to RHD, the inlet manifold was in the way so VW fitted a slighter smaller servo thus giving them the 'reputation'. Most people fit 22mm golf 16v master cylinders and decent pads and race fluid to get the brakes really effective.
G-Smiles - There just isn't any replacement!
PaulG40 said:
Bringing this thread bang upto date, alot of people here seem to be very mis-informed about the Polo G40!
It can and pretty much is super reliable in stock form, VW even showed the world with a world record for speed and distance driven over 24hrs on the EHRA test track.
Now the cars are getting to 20year old (Mk3 from 1990 H reg onwards), they are requiring the likes of new injectors, CTS sensors but the chargers generally are bullet proof as long as they have been serviced. Blocked oil feeds and drains have been a cause of quite a few gone because some owners haven't checked them. G60's are more fragile chargers, wider case and scroll but even on the 1.8 engine, the workrate is still 2:1 same as the G40 on the 1.3 so are still reliable units.
The problem ensues when 'boyracers' get hold of them, hitting them against the rev limiters (bouncing off the rev limiters does not do the charger seals the world of good) time on time and just generally not looking after them something you'd get away with on a N/A car for the most part.
Chassis: They were 20mm lower and 20% stiffer as standard over normal polo's, wider tyres and a rear ARB, front TCAs having inner rose joints. Most people fit uprated suspension, and the latest mod is a full front subframe which turns it into a now 750-800kg mk1 Golf 'handling wise'.
They had a habit to understeer like most FWD cars would do, but with the supercharger it gave it torque steer issues so abit more understeery. Those who had 'loose' rear ends or got the back out have a problem or just can't drive!
Brakes: 239mm vented disc brakes - same as MK1 GOLF!!!! The reason the uk model brakes were crap was because LHD models had a larger servo so had awesome brakes but on the conversion to RHD, the inlet manifold was in the way so VW fitted a slighter smaller servo thus giving them the 'reputation'. Most people fit 22mm golf 16v master cylinders and decent pads and race fluid to get the brakes really effective.
G-Smiles - There just isn't any replacement!
i did the 22m master cyl on both of my GT's. a fantastic upgrade, no question!It can and pretty much is super reliable in stock form, VW even showed the world with a world record for speed and distance driven over 24hrs on the EHRA test track.
Now the cars are getting to 20year old (Mk3 from 1990 H reg onwards), they are requiring the likes of new injectors, CTS sensors but the chargers generally are bullet proof as long as they have been serviced. Blocked oil feeds and drains have been a cause of quite a few gone because some owners haven't checked them. G60's are more fragile chargers, wider case and scroll but even on the 1.8 engine, the workrate is still 2:1 same as the G40 on the 1.3 so are still reliable units.
The problem ensues when 'boyracers' get hold of them, hitting them against the rev limiters (bouncing off the rev limiters does not do the charger seals the world of good) time on time and just generally not looking after them something you'd get away with on a N/A car for the most part.
Chassis: They were 20mm lower and 20% stiffer as standard over normal polo's, wider tyres and a rear ARB, front TCAs having inner rose joints. Most people fit uprated suspension, and the latest mod is a full front subframe which turns it into a now 750-800kg mk1 Golf 'handling wise'.
They had a habit to understeer like most FWD cars would do, but with the supercharger it gave it torque steer issues so abit more understeery. Those who had 'loose' rear ends or got the back out have a problem or just can't drive!
Brakes: 239mm vented disc brakes - same as MK1 GOLF!!!! The reason the uk model brakes were crap was because LHD models had a larger servo so had awesome brakes but on the conversion to RHD, the inlet manifold was in the way so VW fitted a slighter smaller servo thus giving them the 'reputation'. Most people fit 22mm golf 16v master cylinders and decent pads and race fluid to get the brakes really effective.
G-Smiles - There just isn't any replacement!
Oooh An Aardvark one?!!
The car still around nowadays? Only know of a few still around, Craig Winfield's being the only one still racing. Peter Studer sold his to my mate who raced it in the VW cup and TRC SE before selling it minus the engine to a lad intending to do hillcimbing. I had one too, but abit of a shed so ended up getting broke for parts to fund my other racer.
The car still around nowadays? Only know of a few still around, Craig Winfield's being the only one still racing. Peter Studer sold his to my mate who raced it in the VW cup and TRC SE before selling it minus the engine to a lad intending to do hillcimbing. I had one too, but abit of a shed so ended up getting broke for parts to fund my other racer.
PaulG40 said:
Oooh An Aardvark one?!!
The car still around nowadays? Only know of a few still around, Craig Winfield's being the only one still racing. Peter Studer sold his to my mate who raced it in the VW cup and TRC SE before selling it minus the engine to a lad intending to do hillcimbing. I had one too, but abit of a shed so ended up getting broke for parts to fund my other racer.
shame there are not many left have always fancied an ex cup G40.The car still around nowadays? Only know of a few still around, Craig Winfield's being the only one still racing. Peter Studer sold his to my mate who raced it in the VW cup and TRC SE before selling it minus the engine to a lad intending to do hillcimbing. I had one too, but abit of a shed so ended up getting broke for parts to fund my other racer.
PaulG40 said:
Oooh An Aardvark one?!!
The car still around nowadays? Only know of a few still around, Craig Winfield's being the only one still racing. Peter Studer sold his to my mate who raced it in the VW cup and TRC SE before selling it minus the engine to a lad intending to do hillcimbing. I had one too, but abit of a shed so ended up getting broke for parts to fund my other racer.
Its long gone I'm afraid. I rolled it at Snet during the last race of the 2000 season. It was sold and the buyer broke it to put the bits in his road carThe car still around nowadays? Only know of a few still around, Craig Winfield's being the only one still racing. Peter Studer sold his to my mate who raced it in the VW cup and TRC SE before selling it minus the engine to a lad intending to do hillcimbing. I had one too, but abit of a shed so ended up getting broke for parts to fund my other racer.
rallycross said:
PaulG40 said:
Oooh An Aardvark one?!!
The car still around nowadays? Only know of a few still around, Craig Winfield's being the only one still racing. Peter Studer sold his to my mate who raced it in the VW cup and TRC SE before selling it minus the engine to a lad intending to do hillcimbing. I had one too, but abit of a shed so ended up getting broke for parts to fund my other racer.
shame there are not many left have always fancied an ex cup G40.The car still around nowadays? Only know of a few still around, Craig Winfield's being the only one still racing. Peter Studer sold his to my mate who raced it in the VW cup and TRC SE before selling it minus the engine to a lad intending to do hillcimbing. I had one too, but abit of a shed so ended up getting broke for parts to fund my other racer.
Although, thinking about it now I wonder what happened to the red car that Nigel Middleton owned? He rolled it gently at Mallory in about 98 and we never saw it again. I always had the impression that he was a bit too fond of it to go racing
rallycross said:
PaulG40 said:
Oooh An Aardvark one?!!
The car still around nowadays? Only know of a few still around, Craig Winfield's being the only one still racing. Peter Studer sold his to my mate who raced it in the VW cup and TRC SE before selling it minus the engine to a lad intending to do hillcimbing. I had one too, but abit of a shed so ended up getting broke for parts to fund my other racer.
shame there are not many left have always fancied an ex cup G40.The car still around nowadays? Only know of a few still around, Craig Winfield's being the only one still racing. Peter Studer sold his to my mate who raced it in the VW cup and TRC SE before selling it minus the engine to a lad intending to do hillcimbing. I had one too, but abit of a shed so ended up getting broke for parts to fund my other racer.
Paul Dishman said:
I thought Craig's was the last man standing!
Although, thinking about it now I wonder what happened to the red car that Nigel Middleton owned? He rolled it gently at Mallory in about 98 and we never saw it again. I always had the impression that he was a bit too fond of it to go racing
I believe Craig is racing his Beetle this year in the Beetle Cup that he organised and started. The G40 is just resting till next year and finds a suitable championship to race in.Although, thinking about it now I wonder what happened to the red car that Nigel Middleton owned? He rolled it gently at Mallory in about 98 and we never saw it again. I always had the impression that he was a bit too fond of it to go racing
Interesting photos, mostly from 92/93 although David Pierce's red car is taken in 1994.That's the car David sold to Nigel Middleton.
I think Craig's car is Lemmer's white car. Craig bought the car off Tim Munday who won the championship in it. Before Tim rebuilt it, it did the Willhire 24 hour race in '94 when it was owned by Gary James.
My car was owned by Paul Taft who raced it in 1992, but not 1993. I bought it off Paul in '94 for £3750 or thereabouts
I think Craig's car is Lemmer's white car. Craig bought the car off Tim Munday who won the championship in it. Before Tim rebuilt it, it did the Willhire 24 hour race in '94 when it was owned by Gary James.
My car was owned by Paul Taft who raced it in 1992, but not 1993. I bought it off Paul in '94 for £3750 or thereabouts
It's great to see the Polo G40 race car pictures!!
As has been said, the G40 can be turned into quite the beastie by changing suspension,brakes and steering components but in my opinion they are better left nearer to stock. Certianly the most reliable ones i know of have only minor engine modifications and are well maintained. Those that are regularly abused will cost a fortune to run and will spend more time off road than on, BUT the same can said for nearly all cars.
The Charger unit is not a time bomb, the 2 most common causes of charger failure are lack of oil changes and broken belts, these two items are not expensive - £30 for oil/filter change, £10 for a charger belt. If you stay on top of these then the charger will last, there are a few G60s in the US that are on well over 100k nearer to 200k that have NOT had a charger rebuild.
8v is a better drivers car IMO, particularly without PAS.8v the better drivers car - maybe if you dont drive above 30mph and are interested in fuel economy.
For every other occasion a 16v is by far the more entertaining car to drive, a 8v is all out of steam by 5500rpm when a 16v is right in its stride ready to continue to 7000+.
dave
As has been said, the G40 can be turned into quite the beastie by changing suspension,brakes and steering components but in my opinion they are better left nearer to stock. Certianly the most reliable ones i know of have only minor engine modifications and are well maintained. Those that are regularly abused will cost a fortune to run and will spend more time off road than on, BUT the same can said for nearly all cars.
The Charger unit is not a time bomb, the 2 most common causes of charger failure are lack of oil changes and broken belts, these two items are not expensive - £30 for oil/filter change, £10 for a charger belt. If you stay on top of these then the charger will last, there are a few G60s in the US that are on well over 100k nearer to 200k that have NOT had a charger rebuild.
lazyitus said:
soad said:
Groober said:
MK2 16v all day long.
I would have thought so too. For every other occasion a 16v is by far the more entertaining car to drive, a 8v is all out of steam by 5500rpm when a 16v is right in its stride ready to continue to 7000+.
dave
PaulG40 said:
What is it they say on ClubGTi...
8v FTT (For The Torque) - 16v FTW (Well you know!)
Good one!8v FTT (For The Torque) - 16v FTW (Well you know!)
I do find the 8v = more torque myth quite funny, all things taken into account a 8v an 16v have same gear ratios 1st -4th weigh the same, one has 139hp one 112hp one takes 7.3sec to 60 one 8.1 yet its amazing that people believe the 8v is the quicker car.
On the back of one of my 16v i have a sticker that says ' 16v = more torque and more action" which really winds up 8v owners.
dave
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