I'm looking to go and do a few trackdays, the plan was to use a 205 gti 1.9 but thats now changed and I'm going to use a MK2 16v. So the question is anyone know of any or sale or whats the best changes to make to any standard car I get.
Before doing too much to the car, get yourself to some days and see if you actually enjoy the whole track day 'thing' before going and spending a load of money on the car. I'd go with uprated brakes and suspension before spending too much on the engine, depends what you want to spend
I agree with Gary, a standard engined 16v is entertaining enough for starters... Basic improvements on the chassis & braking sides will pay dividends though..Decent suspension, new bushes & beefed up ARB's will greatly improve the feel of the car... In time there is loads you can do to increase the power output too..
as above, bar the fact that a puegot 205 1.9 gti will out perform a mk2 valver and will also be cheaper to tune. but yes, i think tyres, brakes, suspension then engine. tune the chassis before the lump.
If you fancy a Mk2 16V then take a look at 16V Ibiza's also - early ones are now just as cheap as golfs but are loads newer and are better specced Rob
interesting point about the Ibiza - not seen prices on them lately - is most of the runnign gear the same as mk2 golf?
Idiot - stick to commenting about what little you know about. Yet again you are wrong. They come with 280mm brakes, 02A gearbox (stronger), 2L 16V rather than 1.8 16V. Not all of them have aircon so get one without. Yes they have a few extra things like lekky windows but these can easily be removed for zero cost if you want to reduce the weight of the car. Cheers Rob
Well the guy has asked a serious question Andy & Rob has suggested a very viable alternative as a well known track day regular... Maybe its the fact that you seem totally unable to post without taking the p*ss out of something/someone that has, once again, got someones back up! Maybe you should disappear out of the "motorsport" section eh? "Widetrack"
Guys, Thanks for the feedback. So the plan of action is 16v something, lose the weight and sort out the brakes and sus. The idea of a Seat has got me thinking... the next silly question is what about a MK3. looking at the prices a MK3 can be had for the price MK2, I know they are made of lead but has anyone used one as a track car? Paul
I only know of 1 dedicated mk3 track car that races in the Castle Combe series. Goes well, but it is properly spec'd up like RobT's car. As an everyday "track day" machine Id suggest you would get more budget performance potential from the mk2 16v or Seat..
good plan on the seat front rob! Now where to find one locally in jersey is the next question! Sod it i'll try find a mk1 in jersey instead!
Don't bother with the Mk3 its a good 200kg heavier than the Mk2 and something like 350kg heavier than a Mk1. How much do the Seats weigh? Sounds like the option to me though. I have got a 1.9 8v that revs to 7k, took it to Castle Combe at the weekend, faster than an E30 BMW 325 and 318is, kept up with a 2.0l 16v Astra (until its engine expired) and out handled pretty much everything other than a Ferrari and a couple of Porkas. Thats with 2 big blokes in it too and only rear seat removed.
I have to say that while I own a Mk2 16v and love it to bits, If I think about what mechanical upgrades I've done over the last 11 months, a fair percentage of them have been upgrading it to what the seat allready has (doh! ) 2.0 16v engine, 02a box, 280mm brakes, 15" wheels to fit over the brakes... By the time you have reconditioned or put new parts on the money soon adds up ! So I'm loathed to admit it but on reflection the Seat would have been a wiser car to start with. The only thing is that they are heavier. Isn't there one in the 16v shootout? I seem to remember it saying that his future plans were to lighten the car which would bear out the suspisions that weight is it's achillies heal
The car in the shootout is my car - unfortunately on the day the distributor broke sometime during my first run - so the cars performance was not demonstrated - such is life. My car (16V Mk2 ibiza) weighs about 1000-1050kg - fully stripped inside but still with a dash/heater/full glass/all steel bodywork. Still has electric windows as I dont think they are much lighter than windups. Unlike some of the lightweight trackday specials we see about, everything is MSA reg compatible (and this inevitably adds a bit of weight) I have a full set of plastic panels on order which arrive in mid August - bonnet,hatch,doors and 4 wings. These will be fitted over the winter along with plastic windows. Car should then be under 950kg. There arn't that many race Mk2's that weigh in under 900kg's I bet - especially ones still with a dash and heater. So yes the Ibiza is heavier than a Mk2 - bound to be, more modern crash regs etc - but they can be trimmed down. Cheers Rob
Bloody hell Rob, you won't half notice loosing 100kgs in one foul swoop. The placcy windows in my mk1 only saved about 15-20 kgs max, but i could definately feel the difference afterwards.
Intresting post from rustnuts, I have just had my 89 8V converted to that speck with a port and polished head, after i've run it in a hope I can keep up with those beemers !
