What should the firts mod be?

[taglo]

Hi guys, I am picking up my new baby first thing on Tuesday and am already thinking of what my first mod should be. What would you recommend from your own experience is best to start off with?

[Saul]

In my experience, suspension would be best first.

You will enjoy the car a lot more, standard is IMO pretty poor.

Then look at brake upgrades.

:cheers:

[edc]

Depends on your priorities. If you're a traffic lights racer, then more traction and power would be top, but if you like to enjoy the car at the limits and want speed in all situations then suspension and handling. Me, I've done neither and re-done the interior - cheap and DIY - handling addressed next.

[prc]

Upgrade the suspension + add wheels spacers 1st. They are definitely the weakest link in the beeza.

[taglo]

Will changing the suspension improve comfort as well or will the car become even stiffer and i will suffer on these crapy greek roads?

[Jimmyboy]

If you dont want to spend a whole lot of money then I would go for a Hurricane air filter. It makes the car sound so much more beefier engine-wise.

[edc]

Taglo,

Comfort versus handling will depend entirely on the kit and settings you opt for. Lowering and stiffening the suspension to find better handling often gives a deterioration in the ride comfort. However, this is not always the case.

Bilstein damped set-ups are allegedly very hard but give excellent handling characteristics.

Glyn says the adjustable Koni dampers strike a good balance between handling and ride comfort - with possibly improved ride comfort (on an 8v through). Handling is not the ultimate but is a massive improvement and good enough for the roads.

Others on here have an H&R Cup kit which is meant to be excellent on the 20VT, nicer riding and good handling. Cup kit is a fixed drop and damping.

Alternatively, you can spend more money and get coilovers for a multi-adjustable set-up to suit your needs - in my opinion, a bit extravagent if the car is for 99% road use.

[prc]

Originally posted by taglo
Will changing the suspension improve comfort as well or will the car become even stiffer and i will suffer on these crapy greek roads?


Since Greek Road ~ Portugues roads

I would say not to lower the car. I upgraded my old beeza with eibach springs & koni sport shocks. In less than 10000Km I removed the eibach springs because they where killing my back.

I would upgrade the shocks (koni or bilstein) and if possible increase size of the anti-roll bars (eibach makes a good kit):

http://www.seatcupra.net/reviews.php?descrip=Anti%20Roll%20Bar%20Fitting%20Guide%20Ibiza%20Mk2

Adding the spacers will help keep the rear in check.

[Sim]

EXHAUST!

As my stock exhaust was crap (hit rear axle all the time) my first mod was an aftermarket exhaust. It is a centre box less solution, which i can deeply recommend for nice throaty & popping sound which is not loud at all by any means (my 2.0 16v was louder WITH centre box!).

[Shock_Xe]

Chip, who cares about cornering, U want to go as fast as you can in a straight line!!!! Then DIE at the corners :) . But who cares you will be so far infront of everyone else, it wouldnt make a difference if you slow right down to take em!!