Discussion
Latest little update on the Lupo is I’ve swapped out the steel Recaro sidemounts for some Recaro Aluminium sidemounts, whilst I was at it I also made the seat based out of T3 Aluminium as well to save a bit more weight. In total I managed to lose 16kg which is more than I thought I would, very close to sub 900kg now!
This is one of those things I've wanted to do for a while, since fitting the ompracing strut brace, getting the cap off the expansion tank isn't possible so after seeing how small they are on the MK8 Golf Hybrid I had an idea! Looks so much better, more like the size a Lupo one should be haha!
Not all that much has been happening lately. I ordered some Silver Project adjustable top mounts to try increase the Castor as Lupo’s come with hardly any from the factory. Upon removal of the KW coilovers I noticed the front right shock had failed, it had depressurised. So I’ve send the front pair off to Cornering Force to have them rebuilt, typical they had ran out of warranty by a month! But they have done just over 2 years, 20k+ miles and many trackdays and Nürburgring trips so I’m not too bothered.
Kev_Mk3 said:
I was trying to get hold of cornering force for over a month for help with mine as a bush had gone, gave up and went direct to KW in the end.
That’s interesting, I rang them as soon as I found the issue. They answered first time and within 5 minutes they had organised the collection of them!deedub87 said:
This thread is fantastic, an inspiration to all us GTI owners!
I have been trying to fill the engine mount as you did - did you simply cut off the rubber round bit at the bottom and drain it or was more surgery required?
Mine seems to be full of black stuff and the oil doesn't really drain out. It seems there is another rubber diaphragm behind that sieve-like metal thing that you can see in your picture of the filled mount, but I can't get to it to cut it and release the oil.
Thanks mate! I have been trying to fill the engine mount as you did - did you simply cut off the rubber round bit at the bottom and drain it or was more surgery required?
Mine seems to be full of black stuff and the oil doesn't really drain out. It seems there is another rubber diaphragm behind that sieve-like metal thing that you can see in your picture of the filled mount, but I can't get to it to cut it and release the oil.
Yeah so you have to cut the bottom piece of rubber off then what I done what got a drill with a small bit and drilled out the rubber piece behind. Basically just keep going at it until you get it all out. You’ll want to let it drain and dry over night before filling with resin!
Update time!
I bought some Project Silver adjustable top mounts as I wanted to try gain some more castor as these only come with 1.4 degrees from factory. So I got to work on removing the KW’s, got one side complete no problem, started on the drivers side to notice the shock had failed, It had lost all its pressure. I was a little disappointed seeing as they aren’t much older than two years, I know they have had some hard track use but my old much cheaper BC’s lasted 4 years. Anyway, I got in contact with Cornering Force about rebuilding them, got that booked in and sent off being told the turnaround time is 10 working days. 12 working days went by without hearing anything, tried to contact them via email and phone, nothing. 4 weeks went by, still no answer. On the 5th week I eventually got a call saying they have been stripped down and they have found some anomalies, they said they have been put together wrong from factory which was surprising. Any how, they are back now in better than the new condition and back on the car with the top mounts. First impression was the KW’s instantly felt better even with the solid top mounts.
Since having it back on the road I’ve just been out enjoying it on the weekends and a trackday at Snetterton.
I removed a spark plug a few days ago to check which ones they were to order a new set to notice something very strange, one of the electrodes pretty much gone. The only thing I can think of is how this is has happened was at the Nürburgring last August. I had a misfire and noticed one of the HT leads has popped up, so I checked the spark plug to find it slightly lose, tightened it back up and the car has been perfect ever since. Fresh plugs in it and it’s running lovely, no idea where that electrode went!
Gave the car an oil change yesterday with some Fuchs Titan Race Pro after hearing good things about it
I bought some Project Silver adjustable top mounts as I wanted to try gain some more castor as these only come with 1.4 degrees from factory. So I got to work on removing the KW’s, got one side complete no problem, started on the drivers side to notice the shock had failed, It had lost all its pressure. I was a little disappointed seeing as they aren’t much older than two years, I know they have had some hard track use but my old much cheaper BC’s lasted 4 years. Anyway, I got in contact with Cornering Force about rebuilding them, got that booked in and sent off being told the turnaround time is 10 working days. 12 working days went by without hearing anything, tried to contact them via email and phone, nothing. 4 weeks went by, still no answer. On the 5th week I eventually got a call saying they have been stripped down and they have found some anomalies, they said they have been put together wrong from factory which was surprising. Any how, they are back now in better than the new condition and back on the car with the top mounts. First impression was the KW’s instantly felt better even with the solid top mounts.
Since having it back on the road I’ve just been out enjoying it on the weekends and a trackday at Snetterton.
I removed a spark plug a few days ago to check which ones they were to order a new set to notice something very strange, one of the electrodes pretty much gone. The only thing I can think of is how this is has happened was at the Nürburgring last August. I had a misfire and noticed one of the HT leads has popped up, so I checked the spark plug to find it slightly lose, tightened it back up and the car has been perfect ever since. Fresh plugs in it and it’s running lovely, no idea where that electrode went!
Gave the car an oil change yesterday with some Fuchs Titan Race Pro after hearing good things about it
Update time!
Since having the suspension back on the car, I done quite a few miles just enjoying it. Until I was out taking a few photos, I left the car idling and I suddenly noticed a hydraulic lifter suddenly got very loud! So I got the car home and parked it up annoyed with it knowing it was going to have to come apart. I got some new lifters and rockers arms ordered, got the car over to my good friends the following weekend (he is a Lupo GTI wizard). Upon strip down it was very obvious which lifter had failed. I’ll leave a video below. All 16 new lifters and rocker arms installed, back up and running in a morning and my god it’s like a different engine it’s so quiet now! My suspicion is it’s been failing for a while getting louder and louder over time.
https://youtube.com/shorts/mWgVQIxe4bI?feature=sha...
Another little detail on the car that’s annoyed me for a while is the OMP steering wheel has a Yellow horn button and Yellow engraved OMP logo below, both Yellows are completely different shades. So I painted the engraved one Black for a subtle look, well pleased with it!
The next upgrade is a new version of the airbox system I run from Sprogley Motorsport. Completely 3D printed with a revised filter setup inside. It’s hard to tell if there is any differences on the road but it certainly looks a lot better!
I’ve also had a redecorate of my garage and a reorganise, pleased with how it turned out!
Since having the suspension back on the car, I done quite a few miles just enjoying it. Until I was out taking a few photos, I left the car idling and I suddenly noticed a hydraulic lifter suddenly got very loud! So I got the car home and parked it up annoyed with it knowing it was going to have to come apart. I got some new lifters and rockers arms ordered, got the car over to my good friends the following weekend (he is a Lupo GTI wizard). Upon strip down it was very obvious which lifter had failed. I’ll leave a video below. All 16 new lifters and rocker arms installed, back up and running in a morning and my god it’s like a different engine it’s so quiet now! My suspicion is it’s been failing for a while getting louder and louder over time.
https://youtube.com/shorts/mWgVQIxe4bI?feature=sha...
Another little detail on the car that’s annoyed me for a while is the OMP steering wheel has a Yellow horn button and Yellow engraved OMP logo below, both Yellows are completely different shades. So I painted the engraved one Black for a subtle look, well pleased with it!
The next upgrade is a new version of the airbox system I run from Sprogley Motorsport. Completely 3D printed with a revised filter setup inside. It’s hard to tell if there is any differences on the road but it certainly looks a lot better!
I’ve also had a redecorate of my garage and a reorganise, pleased with how it turned out!
Couple of nice little upgrades recently that have made a big difference! The first one is something I’ve wanted to sort for quite some time but never found a solution but after the Prescott hill climb with the tight hairpins I was determined to try find a solution. So with these cars on a 195/50/15 tyre, because they have very little castor from the factory, the tyre catches the rear of the wheel arch on 3/4 lock or more. I found out that the MK4 R32 shares the same front rear wishbone bush as the Lupo GTI, which Whiteline makes a castor bush kit for. So I ordered that up hoping it could be a solution, I removed my wishbones and which already had a Powerflex bush fitted to, rather than removing that and having to press the new Whiteline one in, I used the eccentric centre in the Powerflex bush which worked a treat. Got it all fitted back on to the car and instantly noticed the wheel was 15-20mm forward which has sorted out the issue I was having! Then went and had the alignment checked, I now have around 3.2° castor over the factory 1.5°!
The next upgrade is a Polyurethane gearbox mount to match the already upgraded engine side. I’ve been waiting for someone to make this for a long time now and a good friend in Germany has provided the goods. The factory bush is 50 shore vs this is 80 shore so a good chunk stiffer. I was worried at first that it may be a bit to harsh but it wasn’t! There is obviously a bit more vibrations on idle but I can live with that for the extra benefits it gives. Gear changes are sooo much crisper and on/off throttle accelerations feels crisper with no engine swing.
The next upgrade is a Polyurethane gearbox mount to match the already upgraded engine side. I’ve been waiting for someone to make this for a long time now and a good friend in Germany has provided the goods. The factory bush is 50 shore vs this is 80 shore so a good chunk stiffer. I was worried at first that it may be a bit to harsh but it wasn’t! There is obviously a bit more vibrations on idle but I can live with that for the extra benefits it gives. Gear changes are sooo much crisper and on/off throttle accelerations feels crisper with no engine swing.
Dr.Hellno said:
Props Clayton, you’re always coming up with quality and functional mods; rated this car for donkeys!
Those single pcd DTCs are too nice, i’d do unspeakable acts for a 8j set.
Thankyou! There isn’t a massive amount of aftermarket support for these so got to do the research! Those single pcd DTCs are too nice, i’d do unspeakable acts for a 8j set.
Yeah they are beautiful aren’t they! Hahaha I was getting to that point then these popped up for sale
Another nice find using a part from another car, Powerflex don’t make the small bush for the dog bone mount for some reason but I found out that a Series 1 Lotus Exige shares the same bush, so got that ordered and fitted up. The standard one was 20 years old so it had gone quite soft.
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