Discussion
Right, where do I start.
I have owned the car for 4 and a half years now, its been through a couple of different looks. I went down the silly 'scene' route with stupid camber and dished wheels, budget AP coilovers as low as they could go.
In the last year I see sense and decided to make use of the car for what it was designed for. I set about getting some new coilovers, I opted for BC Racing as I heard nothing but good things about these. I was then on the look out for a set of lightweight wheels, a set of Team Dynamic 1.2's were my choice. I then soon changed to a set of OZ Ultralegerra's. A few other handling upgrades such as front and rear anti roll bars were fitted. Every single bush was replaced under the car, a mixture of Powerflex and OEM were used as i didn't want the ride to be too hard on on the road.
The next thing was some lightweight seats, at the time I had a set of Corsa VXR Recaro's re-trimmed which looked lovely but weighed a lot. After sitting in a pair of Recaro Pole Positions, these had to be the seats. A week later I had set in the car with some OMP Harnesses to match my OMP steering wheel.
I had the car weighed, without me and a full tank of fuel it came in at 930kg.
Modifications so far:
4-2-1 Stainless Manifolds into a decat Janspeed system.
BMC cold air intake
BC Coilovers
Whiteline RARB
H&R FARB
Powerflex bushes
Recaro Pole Positions
OMP 4 point harnesses
OMP steering wheel
OZ Ultralegerra
G60 Brake upgrade
Braided Brake Lines
Wheel stud conversion.
Future plans are to get a bit more power out of the 1.6 with a port and polished head, cams and a new inlet manifold.
A CAE shifter is also on the list.
For anyone interested in seeing more pics you can follow me on Instagram: @ClaytonJoness
This is one long journey in short basically lol. I'll leave a few picture below of what it used to look like and how it looks now.
I have owned the car for 4 and a half years now, its been through a couple of different looks. I went down the silly 'scene' route with stupid camber and dished wheels, budget AP coilovers as low as they could go.
In the last year I see sense and decided to make use of the car for what it was designed for. I set about getting some new coilovers, I opted for BC Racing as I heard nothing but good things about these. I was then on the look out for a set of lightweight wheels, a set of Team Dynamic 1.2's were my choice. I then soon changed to a set of OZ Ultralegerra's. A few other handling upgrades such as front and rear anti roll bars were fitted. Every single bush was replaced under the car, a mixture of Powerflex and OEM were used as i didn't want the ride to be too hard on on the road.
The next thing was some lightweight seats, at the time I had a set of Corsa VXR Recaro's re-trimmed which looked lovely but weighed a lot. After sitting in a pair of Recaro Pole Positions, these had to be the seats. A week later I had set in the car with some OMP Harnesses to match my OMP steering wheel.
I had the car weighed, without me and a full tank of fuel it came in at 930kg.
Modifications so far:
4-2-1 Stainless Manifolds into a decat Janspeed system.
BMC cold air intake
BC Coilovers
Whiteline RARB
H&R FARB
Powerflex bushes
Recaro Pole Positions
OMP 4 point harnesses
OMP steering wheel
OZ Ultralegerra
G60 Brake upgrade
Braided Brake Lines
Wheel stud conversion.
Future plans are to get a bit more power out of the 1.6 with a port and polished head, cams and a new inlet manifold.
A CAE shifter is also on the list.
For anyone interested in seeing more pics you can follow me on Instagram: @ClaytonJoness
This is one long journey in short basically lol. I'll leave a few picture below of what it used to look like and how it looks now.
Edited by claytonjones on Monday 18th December 08:11
Edited by claytonjones on Tuesday 19th December 07:29
Edited by claytonjones on Tuesday 19th December 07:47
Edited by claytonjones on Tuesday 19th December 10:11
Edited by claytonjones on Saturday 23 December 21:21
Yes it did pop up on the TrackAddict page👍🏼
Tidying the back is on the list, not quite sure what to do with it. A half cage is on the list as well so i need to wait till that is sorted.
The first set of seats weighed 27kg each. The pole positions weighed 7kg each, so quite a saving!
Tidying the back is on the list, not quite sure what to do with it. A half cage is on the list as well so i need to wait till that is sorted.
The first set of seats weighed 27kg each. The pole positions weighed 7kg each, so quite a saving!
chrismc1977 said:
claytonjones said:
Exactly mate, not a route i want to go down with this engine really. I think this engine with around 160/170bhp should be good fun.
What are they- 125 standard? Hope you’ve got deep pockets......chrismc1977 said:
claytonjones said:
I know several people who have got 150ish with only the mods i have now. So with the plans i have, i should see that.
Just beware of the law of diminishing returns- manifold/decat & exhaust doesn’t generally liberate a 20% gain on a N/A car- unless it’s a quote-me-happy dyno of course ;-)EdT said:
claytonjones said:
Thanks, i love the look now!
As far as i’m aware there was only ever 110 made in Tornado Red, so can’t be many left on the roads now.
Have you been to the 'Ring? Last time there I chatted to a couple of Lupo drivers think both red. Couple of years back,As far as i’m aware there was only ever 110 made in Tornado Red, so can’t be many left on the roads now.
scottos said:
Fond memories of these, a good friend had a silver one with poles, kw suspension, bbs rm's and a full custom exhaust. I had a couple of drives and it was an awesome thing. It was always the intention to do the head and cams etc but was sadly sold! Please stick with your plans for yours!
Also dont suppose you're around the Durham area are you?
Plans will be sticking mate, head is currently being done and cams arrived last week!Also dont suppose you're around the Durham area are you?
No mate i’m from Ipswich, Suffolk
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
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.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
Edited by volkswizardph on Friday 22 December 22:54
Completely forgot to add a video of how the car sounds, so here you are
Oh and Merry Christmas everyone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyokjWLywJo
Oh and Merry Christmas everyone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyokjWLywJo
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 sMe 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.
t 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.
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
Edited by claytonjones on Wednesday 27th December 08:29
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. 
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