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Second Toucan? That's just greedy! That looks much better, the Toucan fits the Hatch really well just there.
Yea, it is a bit particularly at the cost of them, and just to get the symmetry back.
Other tweaks coming up are an aftermarket front grill to get a more aggressive look going on, and a new STI badge to replace the faded one on the rear.
And shift light will be relocated to a more useful position to be determined.
Good read, interesting move following the thread on from the original owner
My car's noticeably been "crashy" since fitting a 22mm Rear ARB, wondering if I should go back to stock as you've just confirmed what I've been thinking (I was also wondering if stock drop links would soften it up a bit).
Also interested in you thoughts on the 2015 steering rack, have you had more time to get a feel for it yet? (From what I've heard it fixes the "vagueness").
I think you will prefer the stock ARB, or just increase 1mm only.
The drop links, some after market ones can be noisy, on the road stock is fine, although adjustable ones can be even better as you can remove the pre load from the bar.
The rack, it’s taken my confidence in the car to a different level and I find myself driving it harder now. A recommended although expensive change to make.
I think a return to stock with polly bushes is on the cards & maybe some experimentation between the stock & whiteline drop links.
The body roll I wasn’t enjoying was massively sorted by fitting Eibach springs, however I already had the ARB & fitted it as you don’t know unless you try these things.
Always tricky to isolate the effect of each part when several parts are fitted at the same time.
Engine Mounts - I was concerned about turning the car into a vibrating rattle box, however that's not the case. Yes there is a vibration through the car on starting and low idle, but it's not offensive at all and is not present once moving.
I actually like this slight vibration at idle, adds a little more drama. The engine feels solidly in place and you sense it's presence more, it's nice, i would recommend them.
Gearbox mount - This is Grp N rather than the Perrin item, with this and the other bushings the shift is more precise, the gearbox is nicer to use. In 1st and 2nd gear whine comes in at higher RPM and it adds to the symphony of the engine.
Fluidampr - Hard to know the effect this is having but the idea was to reduce NVH knowing that the engine and gearbox mounts would be adding it. Folks who have just swapped it on say that NVH is down 50%, but who knows, just bear that in mind with respect to my comments on the mounts.
Diff Inserts - The car feels better on a launch, but that could be due to the prop shaft also.
Carbon Prop - This was a bit of a mad one, I'd read that they make the car smoother and quieter and again saw this as an antidote to the harder engine and gearbox mounts. Cruising on the motorway, the car is quieter and smoother for sure.
If you just added this to a fairly stock car it would be even more noticeable, but it's pretty expensive. Again, launches and quick pull aways feel better.
Overall, I'm very happy with all these items and great service from Engine Tuner as per.
I would imagine that's it for 2019 mechanical mods.
Nice. My hatch was there as well; I had group n engine mounts and definitely have a bit more vibration, but it's not got alot of sound insulation in the first place.
Nice. My hatch was there as well; I had group n engine mounts and definitely have a bit more vibration, but it's not got alot of sound insulation in the first place.
Turns out the carbon prop had introduced a vibration, although not felt until about 100mph, so only felt when on a runway.
I spoke to Lee at Driveshaftshop and the view is that it's harmonic vibrations that due to uprated mounts and bushes make their presence felt.
As i say this only happened at high speed, for road use, no issue, however it was annoying.
Today i decided to pull the Perrin pitch stop and put the standard one back in, this i thought based on above might allow a different route for the vibrations.
The setup now is, Perrin engine mounts, Grp N Gearbox mount, Whiteline crossmember bushes, Perrin shifter bushes, Whiteline rear diff insert bushes and standard pitch stop, along with the DSS prop.
So far this is a very nice combination in my opinion, gear whine while still present is redcued to a nice level, overall NVH level is really nice, I'm surpised just changing this part made much difference, although thinking about it, just putting it on without the other mounts did make a big difference at the time also.
Time will tell if this has affected the prop vibration point at all.
Car is feeling really good, but as ever around this time of year I'm thinking about the years mechanical updates and collecting parts.
Definately going on the car will be the following.
Fuji Racing 355mm kit, these look fantastic, took a while to arrive from Japan, but i think they will be much better than the KSports which are quite noisy these days.
Possibly new wheel bearings if any play is detected while fitting the brakes.
Likewise lower ball joints
STI rear subframe supports.
Superpro 20mm ARB to replace the horribly rusted and overly stiff Whiteline one.
Undecided, but might put standard flywheel back on, there has always been a slight shudder when taking up drive from a standstill.
Any idea who actually makes the caliper for Fuji / ICP & if they're compatible with brake pads from other manufacturers?
I'm not sure who makes them. They told me that the manufactuer is well respected in the BMW/VW scene. I didn't push any further to get the name.
Pads, yes, this only crossed my mind later, hopefully they are a standard shape.
