Handling Advice...

[dmmsta]

Hey all,

Had the my LC for a while now, and back in the summer took advantage of the Custom Code offer, and stepped up to Phase 2.

Power increase (unmeasured as yet) was fantastic, and the delivery is really smooth through the range, however with the wonderful weather of late it has highlighted the issue of handling, and problems putting the power down.

It's quite difficult to put the power down without ESP telling me off, and wheel spin / tread bounce.

What i'm looking for is a little direction on the best options to put this back into check, and bring the car up to full potential. I've had search around, and got some info, but there's almost too much to filter through and make an informed choice.

I have an uprated Dog Bone mount, and an S3 lower strut, which made a difference when I was running standard power, but now that I have more they just don't cut the mustard.

I don't want to lower the car really, as I like the ride height (yes I know weird arent I), plus it's speed bump central around my way, so make it's somewhat impractical!!

I know that it's going to be a combination of the following, but I'm looking for help with making the right choices / combi to get the best from the spend:

ARB (size?)
Top Strut (S3? or Aftermarket)
Suspension (options)​

I'd like to keep the car as visually standard on the exterior as I'm of the "street sleeper" fraturnaty.

All help would be greatly appriciated.

 

[james walker]

to really get the power down the arbs wont make much of a difference tbh mate

try uprated engine mounts, better dogbone mount, track density, quailty tyres and learn to use the throttle properly to avoid spinning and turn the tractiopn control off its pants.

 

[dmmsta]

to really get the power down the arbs wont make much of a difference tbh mate

try uprated engine mounts, better dogbone mount, track density, quailty tyres and learn to use the throttle properly to avoid spinning and turn the tractiopn control off its pants.

Dog bone is from Forge, not sure on the density...?

Running GSD3's that are about 3 months old, so still in good shape.

Throttle control isn't really an issue, as I'm not lead footed, and I can feather the power in, i'm just looking to be able to take fuller advantage of the re-map.

Agreed about the ESP...isn't much cop...

 

[Willie]

We seem to be heading the same way.
I'm all about OEM+ and standard looking.

So

INA engine and transmission in street density, DBM in track density to contral engine and gear box movement to help stabilize the car on acceleration and lift off
Either poly or Audi TT roadster rear LCA bushes same as above lift off and acceleration
The uprated ARB and S3 strutt brace will control the front better turn in.
And if your not going to change the suspension change the top mount bushes and bearings for OEM ones. Also tracking rod ends for new ones if not been done.

It sounds like alot of stuff but until you change old for new its not worth or you won't get the true feeling out of a suspension change.
But I'm a bit anal about the handling stuff.

 

[DOLBY]

i think most people go 22mm front and 28mm rear for the neuspeed ARBS (i will pretty soon)..as junior senior said the INA mounts are really good...after that 15mm spacers on the rear will make the rear end more planted.

as for suspension ideas i was going for the the eibach 25mm springs and koni FSD dampers. obviously this changes the suspension totally but at the same time will still look standard as its only dropped by an inch.

im a fan of keeping my car OEM'd as possible too, in looks and comfort etc thats why its taking me a age to agree on suspension..lol

 

[traumapat]

consider wider wheels in the future. even half an inch puts a good percentage of extra rubber under you and can help get the power down.

dont be too put off about going a little lower, if your aiming for better cornering it will help. going too low works against performance especially on a road car.

my set up consists of eibach shocks and springs, rear arb 18x7.5 alloys with the same tyres as you. handlings very personal but ive little understeer , very flat cornering, but find it easy to flick the tail out if i want to. it feels confident and solid.
the above all looks very OEM and the car gets little attention.

actually getting the power down is tricky. uprated mounts help but getting a delicate pair of feet is the trick.

 

[DOLBY]

how low did you go traumapat?

 

[traumapat]

i think 20mm or could be less. people have said it looks more "tuned" as opposed to lowered

 

[DOLBY]

im the same as DMMSTA..i like stealthy looks as opposed to slamming right down...the handling isnt too bad on the mk1 leons just need a bit of tightning up i.e ARBS,spacers etc

 

[traumapat]

the only reason i fiddled with it was i felt the rear got twitchy on poor roads. but adding just the rear arb made me realise how much understeer the car was limited by. the car suddenly comes into balance and the rear takes up more cornering pressure so the fronts gain grip.

the rear arb is perhaps to handling what the remap is to performance

just as well considering the state of the roads

 

[dmmsta]

Cheers for all the comments guys...I now have some direction to take

Looks like you lot have just written my Xmas list...although I doubt the misses will be able to translate it