It's time to start planning for the spring "repairs", I know from some
previous messages that some of you are running after market clutches. So
I'm looking for recommendations. My 2.0L 16V has developed an appetite for
stock clutches. The last few have only lasted a few thousand miles. The
surface either develops chunks or the center springs/housings
fail. Naturally this is getting very expensive and extremely
annoying!!! My Local VW shop thinks that the vibratechnics motor mount may
be adding to this by increasing the shock to the tranny when you stomp on
it (It definitely feels more connected). I recently had a lightened
flywheel installed and it made no difference (not that I expected it
to). Now my car makes a rattling noise at idle when the clutch pedal is
depressed, I suspect something has broken off the clutch and is rattling
around in the tranny. Anyway I would like to install a heavy duty clutch,
and need info on what works and what doesn't. I plan on doing the install
myself this time so any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
On another issue, I'm sad to say that after years of our "salt free"
winters here in PA, all three of my VW's are in need of some body work, I
would like to deal with this myself but I haven't done much in the way of
body work. So I'm looking for some pointers or a good source of info on
repairing/combating rust and general body work. I don't expect to
produce "show" quality work, that is not my intent. I just want to save A
LOT of money by doing this myself and get the experience that I will need
come rally time. I hope to get to the point where I can repaint my car
myself. Should be interesting!
Also I need to replace my rear brake lines, not the Flexible lines, but
the hard metal ones. I want to run the new ones inside the car so I can
install an adjustable proportioning valve. Any good Place to bring the
lines thru the floor? I will probably go with areoquip lines, unless
someone has a cheaper suggestion????
Now some OT rants :-) (you'll notice I got the VW stuff in first)
FWD vs. RWD: If you can't get a VW to oversteer you shouldn't be on this
list :-) Seriously suspension is a big part of that (as everyone else has
stated), even without that you can induce oversteer using Left Foot
Braking. With that technique a FWD should kill most RWD cars in any
wet/snowy turn. Want proof: Most rallies take place on dirt/gravel or
snow (i.e. low traction), FWD cars typically do much better than RWD, in
these situations. If RWD were such an advantage you'd see more entrants
with them. Jon Nichols typically runs with the 4WD cars with his 2.0
16V. Even more extreme is Ice Racing, On a tight and twisty course a good
FWD can actually beat the 4WD cars thru the turns, not so with a RWD
car. Just my opinion.
US Engineering/vehicles: The US has had some great ideas but usually
suffers from implementation, I know of many great ideas that have sat on
the shelf because of corporate red tape or lack of initiative. There
aren't many vehicles that I have a great desire to own or drive but there
are a lot that are practical, dependable transportation, they just aren't
that fun to drive. They are meant for the US masses and they serve that
purpose well. They are there to remind us of how cool our cars really
are. Think of them as moving objects that make passing more enjoyable. I
know that I wouldn't want everyone to be driving VW's. It does kill me
that every car magazine seems to slam the ergonomics of VW interiors, they
all hate something about the Climate control knob or something stupid like
that. Give me a break, turn the key and shut up! Before I saw the light I
wanted a Beretta GTZ, That is until I sat in one..same interior as a crappy
beretta ugh, then I sat in a 8V GTI...it just looked like it wanted to be
driven. Okay I've lost the thread of my original thought I'll stop.
GT2: The Alfa is nice but the Audi TT has a better Power/Weight Ratio and
is faster, the New Beetle GT is fun to drive too. IF you really want a
killer car get the (gasp I know it's a sin here) Suzuki Escudo, it has a
HP/LB ratio that KILLS every other car I have found. I'll send you a Excel
document if you don't believe me. Oh yeah you can build up a 1.8T GTI to
387 HP, lots of fun.
-
Brian Wicks
www.vicon.net/~bvw
88 16V GTI G2
86 16V GTI EP
87 Quantum Syncro Wagon HS
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