Lupo GTI

Author
Discussion

volkswizardph

39 posts

136 months

Friday 22nd December 2017
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I've got a 2002 Lupo GTI that I modified for track use on a smaller budget than OP but similar format;
KW V1 Coilovers
G60 brake upgrade
Custom Ashley 4-1 manifold and decat (with standard exhaust system as it's loud enough now!)
HEL braided hoses
Back seats removed
BMC panel filter
Toyo T1-R tyres on standard Brands Hatch wheels

I've since replaced it with an Mk5 Golf GTI Edition 30 but I wont sell the Lupo simply because with the exhaust modifications that unleash this rev happy engine, what it does at the top end of the rev range is absolutely crazy and total addictive.
At 5000 rpm it just takes off and head butts the 7000 rpm limiter. Flick it up a gear and in the 6 speed box you are back at 5000 rpm ready to go again.

140 bhp is quite believable with these mods but it's got very little low down torque so doesn't feel fast unless you thrash it though this really is no hardship!

A standard car is OK but I'd probably have sold it as it feels strangulated in comparison.

A 1.8T might be fun but it's heavier, too torquey for the limited traction (205 section tyre) not really what the Lupo GTI is about.

Only problem on track is that while it's fun, you do constantly spend your time looking in the rear view mirror as everything else is faster but those drivers are unlikely to be smiling as much smile


Edited by volkswizardph on Friday 22 December 22:54

BlueRSedFly

51 posts

144 months

Saturday 23rd December 2017
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Nice work on the Loopymachine!!

claytonjones

Original Poster:

231 posts

149 months

Saturday 23rd December 2017
quotequote all
volkswizardph said:
I've got a 2002 Lupo GTI that I modified for track use on a smaller budget than OP but similar format;
KW V1 Coilovers
G60 brake upgrade
Custom Ashley 4-1 manifold and decat (with standard exhaust system as it's loud enough now!)
HEL braided hoses
Back seats removed
BMC panel filter
Toyo T1-R tyres on standard Brands Hatch wheels

I've since replaced it with an Mk5 Golf GTI Edition 30 but I wont sell the Lupo simply because with the exhaust modifications that unleash this rev happy engine, what it does at the top end of the rev range is absolutely crazy and total addictive.
At 5000 rpm it just takes off and head butts the 7000 rpm limiter. Flick it up a gear and in the 6 speed box you are back at 5000 rpm ready to go again.

140 bhp is quite believable with these mods but it's got very little low down torque so doesn't feel fast unless you thrash it though this really is no hardship!

A standard car is OK but I'd probably have sold it as it feels strangulated in comparison.

A 1.8T might be fun but it's heavier, too torquey for the limited traction (205 section tyre) not really what the Lupo GTI is about.

Only problem on track is that while it's fun, you do constantly spend your time looking in the rear view mirror as everything else is faster but those drivers are unlikely to be smiling as much smile


Edited by volkswizardph on Friday 22 December 22:54
That is the thing, they are just so much fun. Unless you have owned one its hatd to explain! Sounds like you had a nice on yourself mate.

volkswizardph

39 posts

136 months

Sunday 24th December 2017
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In all honesty it's a bit rough hence why I didn't mind modifying it.
Will put seats back in and probably put standard shocks and springs back on it so it sits at standard height but use some stiffer dampers as the standard damping is pretty horrid (as almost every VW of the time was).

Wont be strangling the engine again though

claytonjones

Original Poster:

231 posts

149 months

Monday 25th December 2017
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Completely forgot to add a video of how the car sounds, so here you are smile

Oh and Merry Christmas everyone!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyokjWLywJo

swizzlekicks

2 posts

75 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
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I've got to say I preferred it with wide, dished wheels! Although I have a Polo myself (I've had it for 10 years now) which I've lowered on coilovers and run on wider wheels, so I have a soft spot for that "scene". Each to their own for sure though, nice to see someone do something a little different. Looks tidy.

Me and my Dad did a fair few track days with a few different cars back in the day - Caterham 7 1.6 Roadsport, Mazda MX-5 (Mk1) and a Saxo VTR. All cars that were good fun in the twisty bits because they handled well but lacked the top speeds, which I think may be a situation you find yourself in on the track (I could be wrong!). The Caterham would leave some Porsches and BMWs for dead in the corners but then they'd dust you on a straight. I'm not sure where you're based but the narrower, curvier tracks were always more fun for us. Cadwell Park (Lincolnshire) and Oulton Park (Cheshire) particular favourites. We did Silverstone a few times but the long straights and the airfield nature of the track made it less fun. Still great experience, though.

Keep up the good work.

claytonjones

Original Poster:

231 posts

149 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
quotequote all
swizzlekicks said:
I've got to say I preferred it with wide, dished wheels! Although I have a Polo myself (I've had it for 10 years now) which I've lowered on coilovers and run on wider wheels, so I have a soft spot for that "scene". Each to their own for sure though, nice to see someone do something a little different. Looks tidy.

Me and my Dad did a fair few track days with a few different cars back in the day - Caterham 7 1.6 Roadsport, Mazda MX-5 (Mk1) and a Saxo VTR. All cars that were good fun in the twisty bits because they handled well but lacked the top speeds, which I think may be a situation you find yourself in on the track (I could be wrong!). The Caterham would leave some Porsches and BMWs for dead in the corners but then they'd dust you on a straight. I'm not sure where you're based but the narrower, curvier tracks were always more fun for us. Cadwell Park (Lincolnshire) and Oulton Park (Cheshire) particular favourites. We did Silverstone a few times but the long straights and the airfield nature of the track made it less fun. Still great experience, though.

Keep up the good work.
Thats fair enough, it did look nice just drove like st compared to now!

Yeah i plan on doing Cadwell next year, went to spectate a few weeks back and done some laps as a passenger. Definitely will suit the Lupo more so than Snetterton did.

claytonjones

Original Poster:

231 posts

149 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
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Me and a few mates went for an early morning boxing day hoon, left at 8am from Ipswich to Aldeburgh taking the long way there. Makes me love this car even more, such an awesome B road car! Took a picture before i put her back in the garage when we got home smile



Edited by claytonjones on Wednesday 27th December 08:29

swizzlekicks

2 posts

75 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
quotequote all
claytonjones said:
Thats fair enough, it did look nice just drove like st compared to now!

Yeah i plan on doing Cadwell next year, went to spectate a few weeks back and done some laps as a passenger. Definitely will suit the Lupo more so than Snetterton did.
Yeah for sure, the slammed look is done for aesthetics over driveability - more of a cruising thing.

You'll really enjoy Cadwell, I think. It was one of our favourites by far. Donington is also quite a good one that's twisty and has lots of elevation change without too many long straights. I've never been to Snetterton (only raced it on video games and I can recall the circuit map) and it never looked very exciting, another circuit that was formerly an airfield.

neilbauer

2,467 posts

182 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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Nice car OP, glad you’ve moved away from the stance (fridge dropped on roof) scene.

claytonjones

Original Poster:

231 posts

149 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2018
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Picked up these OZ Superlegerra's a few weeks back. They will be my track wheels with some Yoko AD08R's on.

Any suggestion as to what colour to get them refurbished in?


AndrewGP

1,976 posts

161 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2018
quotequote all
claytonjones said:
Picked up these OZ Superlegerra's a few weeks back. They will be my track wheels with some Yoko AD08R's on.

Any suggestion as to what colour to get them refurbished in?
Very nice wheels and I think they'll look great on the car! You could go white for that old school Evo TME look, but my suggestion would be anthracite. On red cars they look good and they won't show up the brake dust on a trackday.

DaveyBoyWonder

2,466 posts

173 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2018
quotequote all
claytonjones said:


Edited by claytonjones on Wednesday 27th December 08:29
Wow lick

poing

8,743 posts

199 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2018
quotequote all
AndrewGP said:
claytonjones said:
Picked up these OZ Superlegerra's a few weeks back. They will be my track wheels with some Yoko AD08R's on.

Any suggestion as to what colour to get them refurbished in?
Very nice wheels and I think they'll look great on the car! You could go white for that old school Evo TME look, but my suggestion would be anthracite. On red cars they look good and they won't show up the brake dust on a trackday.
I'd get them done either bronze or go full motorsport white.

Great looking car with all the right modifications. You take some really good photos too.

claytonjones

Original Poster:

231 posts

149 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2018
quotequote all
AndrewGP said:
Very nice wheels and I think they'll look great on the car! You could go white for that old school Evo TME look, but my suggestion would be anthracite. On red cars they look good and they won't show up the brake dust on a trackday.
I’m not a big lover of white but Anthracite is definitely an option, my TD’s were Anthracite and i quite liked the look.



claytonjones

Original Poster:

231 posts

149 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2018
quotequote all
poing said:
I'd get them done either bronze or go full motorsport white.

Great looking car with all the right modifications. You take some really good photos too.
Bronze is also an option, just a hard colour to get the right shade. Thanks, its just a basic Nikon DSLR smile

Bdevo3

478 posts

88 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2018
quotequote all
claytonjones said:
poing said:
I'd get them done either bronze or go full motorsport white.

Great looking car with all the right modifications. You take some really good photos too.
Bronze is also an option, just a hard colour to get the right shade. Thanks, its just a basic Nikon DSLR smile
BMW sepang bronze is a great colour for wheels

daniel-5zjw7

598 posts

100 months

Tuesday 2nd January 2018
quotequote all
Bronze for the wheels would probably be my choice or stay silver!

Also in Suffolk.. Snet would be a good option and also Brands Indy but if it's your first trackday I'd probably suggest Bedford, a bit more of a trek but a decent layout in any car and excellent run off!! Plenty of scope for learning the cars abilities as well as your own.

claytonjones

Original Poster:

231 posts

149 months

Wednesday 3rd January 2018
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Lightweight flywheel arrived today, stock one weights 5.5, this one weights 2.9kg.



claytonjones

Original Poster:

231 posts

149 months

Saturday 13th January 2018
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Got the Superlegerra’s back from Aerocoat today, decided to go for a Satin Anthracite. They came out absolutely perfect, exactly what i wanted! Let me know what you think smile