Discussion
New OMP strutbrace arrived from www.strutbracer.co.uk today, excellent service. 
Locking wheel nuts were in an attempted delivery yesterday, so hopefully get them redelivered on Monday. Full set of Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2s will be arriving on Thursday.
Just got to get it MOTd then it's back in business.
Locking wheel nuts were in an attempted delivery yesterday, so hopefully get them redelivered on Monday. Full set of Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2s will be arriving on Thursday.
Just got to get it MOTd then it's back in business.
sorrento205 said:
have you fitted the brace yet?
Im pretty sure mine is an OMP also, but to get it to fit i had top batter the bonnet and i now have rather undignified lumps in it
Not to put you off or anything, just proceed with caution
Im pretty sure mine is an OMP also, but to get it to fit i had top batter the bonnet and i now have rather undignified lumps in it
Not to put you off or anything, just proceed with cautionI've seen you mention that on a thread before, but I've also seen several in situ without any problems.
However, there are two types from OMP. Is yours adjustable or rigid? I've gone for the adjustable one.
In all honesty, i didnt notice a difference. But then i'm not very attuned to the car.
Ive seen people say the lower strutbrace has more effect, but then ive also seen people say its pointless because of the GTI's suspension, youve got pretty beefy bracing between the struts anyway.
Neither are particularly expensive as far as 'performace' mods go, so its wortha try atleast imo
N.B. I havent got a lower brace
Ive seen people say the lower strutbrace has more effect, but then ive also seen people say its pointless because of the GTI's suspension, youve got pretty beefy bracing between the struts anyway.
Neither are particularly expensive as far as 'performace' mods go, so its wortha try atleast imo
N.B. I havent got a lower brace
I would definately get a front upper strut brace as they tend to make quite a big difference especially on an older car - mine is 16 years old. It will do exactly the same thing to a 8v as an mi16 so I wouldn't worry about that. Lower ones I personally don't think are as important as they are pretty well braced down there anyway.
The strut brace wont make the front end any sharper, you aren't increasing the roll stiffness at the front - which can promote understeer, you are merely maintiaing the torsional rigidty of the shell and especially the suspension turrets that twist in relation to each other during hard cornering. The main advantage is they keep the suspension geometry more stable as the front end won't twist, which in turn keeps the the wheel in better conatct with the ground during cornering and hey presto! better handling.
Hope this helps
Alex
The strut brace wont make the front end any sharper, you aren't increasing the roll stiffness at the front - which can promote understeer, you are merely maintiaing the torsional rigidty of the shell and especially the suspension turrets that twist in relation to each other during hard cornering. The main advantage is they keep the suspension geometry more stable as the front end won't twist, which in turn keeps the the wheel in better conatct with the ground during cornering and hey presto! better handling.
Hope this helps
Alex
Well, due to various reasons I've done very little to the 205 so far, however I did get round to doing a trackday yesterday at Rockingham - The brake killer!
Strutbrace - I didn't notice any obvioous improvement from this however the whole car seemed to respond more inuitively than the last time I was there, so perhaps it has made some difference. It certainly makes things more stable on bumpy roads anyway.
Brakes - These were unchanged but performed surprisingly well. I was actually gaining confidence in them during the course of the day and they didn't fade at all - not even during a 12 lap stint. The last session did completely obliterate the pads though, so today they have been replaced with mintex 1144s. Next week I'll have new standard front discs, braided hoses all round and dot5.1 fluid fitted.
Tyres - A very old and worn pair of Bridgestone Potenza 195s on the front and very cheap Tigar 185s on the back provided limited grip, however they were extremely progressive and I was massively impressed by the budget Tigars which clung on admirably for the whole day with no worse than average wear. The Bridgestones are now properly worn out though, so they will all be replaced next week when the spare wheels are refurbished. I can't decide between Michelin, Toyo or Goodyear and whether to go the 195 or 185 route. I have discovered that the 195s don't fit in the spare wheel cage, so may go for the 185s on that basis.
Suspension - At over 116,000 miles the suspension has every right to be sloppy, however the car is a joy to drive and everything felt tight and progresive with no knocks or bangs despite some over-zealous kerb usage. I've no immediate plans to change the suspension, although I do hope to acquire a refurbished beam at some point just for peace of mind.
Overall I'm really impressed that this car has only been back on the road for about a month due to electrical gremlins and a snapped clutch cable and yet can perform so well on a very demanding circuit with so little expense. I know a Caterham would be faster and probably not cost a great deal more to run, but there is something really cool about ragging it round a track on the Sunday, then parking it up at Station on Monday.
Definately a
car. 
Strutbrace - I didn't notice any obvioous improvement from this however the whole car seemed to respond more inuitively than the last time I was there, so perhaps it has made some difference. It certainly makes things more stable on bumpy roads anyway.
Brakes - These were unchanged but performed surprisingly well. I was actually gaining confidence in them during the course of the day and they didn't fade at all - not even during a 12 lap stint. The last session did completely obliterate the pads though, so today they have been replaced with mintex 1144s. Next week I'll have new standard front discs, braided hoses all round and dot5.1 fluid fitted.
Tyres - A very old and worn pair of Bridgestone Potenza 195s on the front and very cheap Tigar 185s on the back provided limited grip, however they were extremely progressive and I was massively impressed by the budget Tigars which clung on admirably for the whole day with no worse than average wear. The Bridgestones are now properly worn out though, so they will all be replaced next week when the spare wheels are refurbished. I can't decide between Michelin, Toyo or Goodyear and whether to go the 195 or 185 route. I have discovered that the 195s don't fit in the spare wheel cage, so may go for the 185s on that basis.
Suspension - At over 116,000 miles the suspension has every right to be sloppy, however the car is a joy to drive and everything felt tight and progresive with no knocks or bangs despite some over-zealous kerb usage. I've no immediate plans to change the suspension, although I do hope to acquire a refurbished beam at some point just for peace of mind.
Overall I'm really impressed that this car has only been back on the road for about a month due to electrical gremlins and a snapped clutch cable and yet can perform so well on a very demanding circuit with so little expense. I know a Caterham would be faster and probably not cost a great deal more to run, but there is something really cool about ragging it round a track on the Sunday, then parking it up at Station on Monday.
Definately a
car. This thread has been the most useful thread on the French Bred forum that i've seen yet. However I am finding myself wanting to spend more money. Especially as all the upgrades you mention are what I want to do, refurb rear beam, upgraded brakes, better tyres (mine are Accelator and made in Micronesia or somewhere). Then hopefully an Mi16 somewhere down the line when I can afford the conversion and the insurance.
Did the strut brace fit well then, as I am tempted by that because I have the sunroof model which appears to be slightly less stiff, and I like a nice stiff car. Does it make a big difference to noise taking the sound proofing out from under the bonnet as well?
Good to hear the car went well at Rockingham, i've killed brakes and tyres in far more expensive cars on that circuit so nice to know it holds up well. Now i'm even more tempted to take it out on Brands Indy when i'm there tomorrow to see a mate. To track it or not to track it, that is the question.
Did the strut brace fit well then, as I am tempted by that because I have the sunroof model which appears to be slightly less stiff, and I like a nice stiff car. Does it make a big difference to noise taking the sound proofing out from under the bonnet as well?
Good to hear the car went well at Rockingham, i've killed brakes and tyres in far more expensive cars on that circuit so nice to know it holds up well. Now i'm even more tempted to take it out on Brands Indy when i'm there tomorrow to see a mate. To track it or not to track it, that is the question.
Yep, if you have poor tyres then fitting good ones will make a huge difference, a set of F1s transformed my car in the wet. Other "performance" mods approach with a do I need it attitude, e.g. if you brakes don't fade with stock fitted why fit more expensive ones, if they fade then look at upgrades but choose ones that actually perform better rather than ones that just look pretty.
Rob
Rob
yep good advice, in hindsight i probably would not bother changing the standard front brakes even though my guide for the gtidrivers site has seemed to inspire many many people to do it themselves too. Im having hassles at the moment with wheel balancing, my local place dont stock the french fitting ones that go on the outside of the rim.
With regards tyres, F1s are good, but yokohama paradas are seriously WOW. no idea what they are liek in serious wet yet but in the dry they are breathtaking
With regards tyres, F1s are good, but yokohama paradas are seriously WOW. no idea what they are liek in serious wet yet but in the dry they are breathtaking
sorrento205 said:
yep good advice, in hindsight i probably would not bother changing the standard front brakes even though my guide for the gtidrivers site has seemed to inspire many many people to do it themselves too. Im having hassles at the moment with wheel balancing, my local place dont stock the french fitting ones that go on the outside of the rim.
With regards tyres, F1s are good, but yokohama paradas are seriously WOW. no idea what they are liek in serious wet yet but in the dry they are breathtaking
With regards tyres, F1s are good, but yokohama paradas are seriously WOW. no idea what they are liek in serious wet yet but in the dry they are breathtaking
What are they like wear wise?
I do like the F1's as a friend had them on his Fiesta and I couldn't believe how well it went round corners. However if this sunny weather carries on I will get through a set very quickly indeed. I may get some in autumn/winter, but for now i'd like some tyres that hold up in the heat and with good tyre wear. Also what is the price like for the Yoko's?
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