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16V VW GTI Set-Up for AutoX

Last post 09-29-2006, 1:01 PM by JBrian. 4 replies.
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  •  09-15-2006, 10:42 AM 211991

    16V VW GTI Set-Up for AutoX

    I race a 1990 Miata regionally in STS2, but know nothing about VWs, so I'm looking for some help and guidance.  My 16-year old son just purchased a 1987 VW GTI 16V, with the intent of driving it to/from school and racing it on the weekends with me.  It's got some miles on it, but is in remarkably good shape, with new exhaust, timing belt/water pump, tires, etc.  All in all, it's a pretty solid car.  I'm looking for help in how to set it up to race in STS or a stock class (DS?).  Can someone point me to some threads or websites on setting this car up?  Also, any general help on maintenance, things to look for , etc. would be nice.  I'm a daily Miata.net reader, but am not aware of any similar forums for the GTI.  Thanks for any help you can give us!

     

    Tom


    Tom Larwa
    Lake Geneva, WI
    1990 Mazda Miata - STS2
  •  09-15-2006, 1:24 PM 212019 in reply to 211991

    Re: 16V VW GTI Set-Up for AutoX

    might want to start here and do a Google search if you need more info.

    http://forums.vwvortex.com/zeromain?id=32


    Tom Buckley
    1991 Civic Si
  •  09-15-2006, 4:25 PM 212057 in reply to 211991

    Re: 16V VW GTI Set-Up for AutoX

    I tried to competitively race a mk2 (91 8v) GTI and mk3 (97 VR6) in STS the past couple seasons.

    -the early 16v GTI like you have is arguably the best choice for STS. it's light (though not Civic light), and it's got good power.
    -suspension on these strut based VW's is critical. you don't want to lower the front end too much unless it's extremely stiff. I'd suggest Koni struts (Corrado rears, and Koni Race front strut inserts), with Ground Control coilover sleeves. 450ish lb front and rear spring rates. lightweight autotech swaybars front and rear. (you need the roll stiffness from the front bar)
    -the usual 15 or 16" light wheels with Azenis are the safe bet. (you've got a 4x100 bolt pattern)

    VWvortex forums are a good place for info. there is an autocross forum there and you'll find a lot of my old posts about setup in it. (I've since moved back in to the Acura/Honda world)
    -Kelly
    Rocky Mountain Region Solo / Time Trials
    Apex RacingGroup.com
  •  09-16-2006, 12:14 PM 212127 in reply to 212057

    Re: 16V VW GTI Set-Up for AutoX

    There are also a few email lists and sources other than vwvortex, which I feel has too high of a signal/noise ratio to be very worthwhile.  Read the archives of the yahoo group vwutox and particularly focus on the posts of Kevin Wenzel and Ian Mannix.  The vwautox list is more focused on FSP A1's over later cars or ST but the information applies just as well to the A2.  It would be pretty difficult to make a 16v A2 GTI nationally competitive in DSP (understatement of the year?) but DSP is a good fit regionally unless one of the national hotshoes lives nearby.

    --Kevin H.

     


    2000 Impreza RS STX/rallycross
  •  09-29-2006, 1:01 PM 213598 in reply to 212127

    Re: 16V VW GTI Set-Up for AutoX

    kwh29:

    There are also a few email lists and sources other than vwvortex, which I feel has too high of a signal/noise ratio to be very worthwhile.  Read the archives of the yahoo group vwutox and particularly focus on the posts of Kevin Wenzel and Ian Mannix.  The vwautox list is more focused on FSP A1's over later cars or ST but the information applies just as well to the A2.  It would be pretty difficult to make a 16v A2 GTI nationally competitive in DSP (understatement of the year?) but DSP is a good fit regionally unless one of the national hotshoes lives nearby.

    --Kevin H.

     

    I raced an 87 16V Scirocco in SFR STS for two years and collected a couple trophies. I agree with the above poster regarding the signal/noise on vwvortex but there is a ton of information on that site if you use the search function and learn to weed out the smart/experienced people from the clowns (not too tough); the yahoo vwautox group is also a very valuable resource.

    The A2 VW chassis is a great platform, there's just no where for it to really play fairly in SCCA (regional STS would be a decent playground). I think a 16V Scirocco (A1 chassis and the only factory A1 16V) could do well nationally in STS but I personally would have had to make a couple changes to my car to run nationally and at the time I wasn't willing to go there, so I sold it. At the time I sold it, it weighed about 2140 without me and probably made 120-130hp with quite a bit of torque above 4k. That little VW 1.8l PL is a great motor, especially if you put a good header on it and get it tuned properly...

    Have fun trying to keep that inside rear wheel on the ground!! :)
     

     


    Jeff Bogaard
    SFRSCCA 2003 Slush Series – 1st place STS Novice - 16V Scirocco
    SFRSCCA 2004 Championship Series – 3rd place STS - 16V Scirocco
    2006 PCA Parade AutoX - 2nd place, S01 - 93 Porsche 968
    2006 PNWR PCA, Class S2 - Porsche 968: hmm..