vw golf questions

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Sun Dec 08, 2013 8:19 pm

HI ALL! The new car unveiling has come, we have a mk3 golf five door rallycross car. For 600 dollars, we will be hopefully campaining a vw golf in su2. Anyone know of some affordable sport struts for a mk3 golf? and, does a gti diff bolt into a non gti vw, because we want to cure the open diff curse, of our new vw. Its seems rather punchy, not a rocket, but the sentra would only spin the tires in 1st and second. So I will miss the hp, but hp is only good if you can put it down effectively.That is why i love dirt, you cant always win on power alone in 2wd.Anyhow, lots of questions, maybe tomorrow I will get some pictures of it with my camera phone.Its dark blue, five door, vw golf mk3. The radio and all works, the guy says it recently got a head job and gasket.Teh tranny seems to be in good order, it needs shocks dearly, and needs tires.. Though for now Iwill simply rotate the good ones to the front.The rears are good shape still, common on a fwd car though the fronts are worn out.They are not corded, but the tread is gone.do you all know if a lsd diff from like a gti will bolt onto a non gti golf? that would kick ass.

Brett_Murphy · **Joined:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:02 pm **Posts:** 355

Peloquin makes a differential for the Golfs- I am not sure all GTIs came with an LSD.

I'd probably go with Bilstein HD shocks and stock height ride springs. I think HKS made a gravel suspension that added 1" of ride height for the car. Tire Rack could get them a year ago; I don't see them now.

Brett_Murphy · **Joined:** Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:02 pm **Posts:** 355

Is it a 4 bolt or a 5 bolt car? I have a spare set of 15" 4 bolt rims I'd let go for cheap.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Mon Dec 09, 2013 6:52 pm

It is a 5 bolt system.Right now I have steel wheels. anyone know of a lsd vw diff that will bolt on , like in a junkyard somewhere.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Dec 09, 2013 7:18 pm

I don't think any GTI ever came with a real LSD. Current generation use an electronic/ABS pseudo LSD.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Mon Dec 09, 2013 7:26 pm

I see, it would probably freak out if on gravel!

RickyBeam · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:11 am

JamesShort wrote:

Current generation use an electronic/ABS pseudo LSD.

Indeed. You want that shit turned off. If you can get away with it, remove the ABS computer entirely. (and/or maybe remove the wheel speed sensors. Yes, the dash will be a christmas tree.)

What year is it? (it may not have any of the ignore-the-driver's-foot technology)

Agree with Brett... Bilstein HD's, but they aren't exactly cheap. If the golf is like my bug, you're going to want to hurt some germans after changing the front shocks. (yes, it does require special tools. I don't remember if an O2 sensor wrench was the correct size, 'tho.) While you have the control arms disassembled, replace the bushings and wheel bearings.

(Note: looks like the Mk3 bolts to the knuckle instead of being pressed into the knuckle (read: super pain to get out.))

Drew O'Neill · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2013 9:52 am

James is right, nothing came with a factory mechanical lsd even as an option. Best aftermarket options are peloquin and quaife, either of which will cost almost as much as the car. Not a good chance of finding one in a junkyard either. If you go looking for a used one, know there is a difference between the 4cyl and vr6 lsd.

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2013 11:32 am

i dont think it has any traction things. i got into some mud, and almost could not get out! may or may not have abs either.

Rob Keehner · **Posted:** Tue Dec 10, 2013 9:41 pm

What happens when you weld the diff in a FWD car?

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

Chris Suich welded the Diff in his Sentra. I found it difficult to get the car to turn in. Not my first choice for traction. Welded rears can be fun to sling, welded fronts, not so much.
Charlie G

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Granted, I've only ever rallycrossed once, but it was in Chris's car, and I would agree, turn in was very difficult. I felt like using the parking brake was almost a necessity for the majority of the turns on course.

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

Correction to the Golf III it's actually a Golf IV, 1999 model. The model year was inadvertently mixed with the model year of another German car we own (BMW Z3).
So if you have any hot tips that apply to a 4th gen Golf send them in; we're in the educational mode.

Remember FLOG is just GOLF spelled dyslexically.
Charlie G

RickyBeam · **Posted:** Wed Dec 11, 2013 7:54 pm

Mk4's have the pain-in-the-ass to remove struts. Run. Away.

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/a4/s ... -Jetta.htm

And yes, there really is no space to get them out without compressing the life out of the springs (about 8"), removing the knuckle (if you're replacing wheel bearings, you'll be there already), or removing the lower control arm (if you're going to replace or inspect the bushings, now would be the time.) I would not, ever, recommend touching the subframe bolt(s) -- if the subframe slips, it'll alter the camber (which isn't adjustable without 3rd party modifications.)

If you want a heated shop to work in, I can ask Rock if we (you) can use the 3rd bay since Chris isn't doing Harley customizing anymore.

Charlie Guthrie · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 8:14 pm **Posts:** 832

YeGads! that sounds distressing.
Ricky wrote:

Quote:

Mk4's have the pain-in-the-ass to remove struts. Run. Away.

The Internet made it look ubersimple on the Golf they were working on (perhaps it was a Mk3). And now you are breaking my heart....but the offer of a heated shop really sounds good. Feel free to appeal to the "Rock" on my behalf.
Thanks,
Charlie G
Rally-X VP for Life :lol:

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