VW Racer - Suspension set-up?

[mk1mark at gmail.com (Mark F.)]

On 1/25/07, Allyn <amalventano1@tds.net> wrote:

> The 8v I picked up from Mark actually lifts the inside FRONT first (enough to spin free under acceleration, even in 3rd).  It has no
> front bar, and shine coilovers w/ billstein rallys w/ 400# / 250# springs.  It is without a doubt the most 'fun' scirocco I've ever
> driven.  It's like driving a toy, or one of those mini-indy cars - (so fun it should be illegal).  What's surprising is that the
> setup is very stiff, but not unforgiving.  It doesn't feel like it's going to rattle apart when I run over railroad tracks, etc.  It
> behaves like this despite having solid spherical upper strut bearings.


<sigh>  I miss that car...  :)

You're right, it was the most fun Scirocco I've owned as well.  This
car proved the "Shine" theory to me (front roll controlled w/ stiff
springs, no front bar, beefy rear bar).  The lack of a front swaybar
really kept the car from feeling twitchy at speed, making the car feel
very planted.  One of the most confidence inspiring setups I've
driven...  This car is also a good example of something being better
than the sum of it's parts - the chipped 2.0 ABA feels much more
powerful than a "lowly" 8v should, the suspension is a lot more
comfortable than the numbers suggest, yet the chassis feels a hell of
a lot stiffer than any A1 VW should.  The combination of parts just
works...  I have a very similar (but even better!) setup going on the
75 - which I hope to show off at Cincy this year!

Later,

Mark.
75
82
82 Caddy - mTDI swap in progress