Cup kit or Coilovers for Autocross

[EuroGolfJay]

Thanks for showing interest in my thread. Im saving up money and I want to start doing some amateur autocross racing. Currently my car has a stock suspension but that will change mid summer and I looking for a good quality suspension for a beginner. If you don't mind, please let me know your opinions on this matter.

[Pf3il]

tires first.

i would choose coilovers with some adjustable damping. then you're able to tune ride height, damping, and spring rate (with off the shelf springs).

[MusicCityGTI]

What class do you want to compete in?

Depending on class, the optimal set-up could change. For example, if you want to stay in stock then you are somewhat limited but if you go all out Street Mod then your optimal choice would be different.

More info may yield more informed advice.

[JetBlack16Valve]

What class do you want to compete in?

Depending on class, the optimal set-up could change. For example, if you want to stay in stock then you are somewhat limited but if you go all out Street Mod then your optimal choice would be different.

More info may yield more informed advice.

This. But...you're also gonna be competing in a novice class. Print out the class rules off SCca website. Decide how much you want to put into it. Maybe drive a few in stock trim to see if its what you wanna do. :-) GL

[EuroGolfJay]

Thanks everyone for your replies. @MusicCityGTI: I am not sure what classes are in my local area but I was hoping to do some novice with light modification. @Pf3il: What tires do you have in mind?

[AutoX Matt]

Thanks for showing interest in my thread. Im saving up money and I want to start doing some amateur autocross racing. Currently my car has a stock suspension but that will change mid summer and I looking for a good quality suspension for a beginner. If you don't mind, please let me know your opinions on this matter.

The most effective thing to mod is you & your driving. 2nd most effective is tires. Everything else is far behind those 2. If you are going to have a set of tires just of autocross events get R-compound tires. If you will be daily driving on your autocross tires, get an extreme performance tire: Bridgestone RE-11, Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08, Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec, or Kumho Ecsta XS. Get some events under your belt before you do anything else.

If you have a car with McPherson Struts (as I think all VWs have) be very cautious about lowering your car. If you disrupt your suspension geometry you'll do more harm than good. Lower is not always better. Look up some of TechEd's posts.

It would be helpful to know what car you will be running & what mods have been done to it.

You'll find some useful information in some other threads here, such as:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...o-SOLO-MkV-R32

[EuroGolfJay]

Great Link. Based on what I read, I would be interested in the Street Touring Category. What I am currently running on my 00 Golf GLS 2.0 are Kumho Ecsta EST tires, Stock Rotors but Hawk PC pads all around, i just freshened up my suspension with TT bushings, ball joints, both half axles (raxle), and tie rods. I was hoping to get a set of quality coilovers because i have stock and original springs and struts on my car now (175,XXX miles) and taking the slightest turns gives me crazy body roll. I wont be using my old struts for lowering. As far as lowering, I don't want to be rubbing my frame on the pavement as I know that is counterproductive. However, I am looking to stiffen up my suspension and improve handling.

[AutoX Matt]

Great Link. Based on what I read, I would be interested in the Street Touring Category. What I am currently running on my 00 Golf GLS 2.0 are Kumho Ecsta EST tires, Stock Rotors but Hawk PC pads all around, i just freshened up my suspension with TT bushings, ball joints, both half axles (raxle), and tie rods. I was hoping to get a set of quality coilovers because i have stock and original springs and struts on my car now (175,XXX miles) and taking the slightest turns gives me crazy body roll. I wont be using my old struts for lowering. As far as lowering, I don't want to be rubbing my frame on the pavement as I know that is counterproductive. However, I am looking to stiffen up my suspension and improve handling.

There is probably a trove of suspension info over in the mk4 forums.
In my own recent research for a mk1, many people were recommending ground control kits with koni shocks. I believe they both make similar parts for your car.

If you can stay within the stock rules, you might be better off running in the H Stock road tire front-wheel-drive (RTF) class than in STC, at least initially.