Mk4 GTI from Downunder (contains Ferrari parts)

[SebastienPeek]

Update, more text, no photos until after 1st of November.

Lips and barrels are done, received majority of hardware the other day to finish them off, hopefully receive bolts today.

Have installed IDF control arms.
Had to change to hybrid sump over the weekend as I smashed the original JB welded one Saturday night.

Haven't done KMAC strut tops yet, not sure if I am going too. Adds about an inch and I've currently bottomed out the front struts. Threaded body won't go any further down until I lop off the bottom of the housing so I can thread the body through. This will get me lower, but we'll see.

I'm pretty happy with where she sits currently though, albeit I have to raise her as I am driving over to Adelaide this weekend. But where she sits currently, with the wheels that I am building, should be good fun.

[SebastienPeek]

Man it has been dead in here. What to say, I've been a little busy...

As I said before, there's a car show on the 1st of November here in Melbourne. So the aim is to represent S|W there, and bring some next level shit. I can hear you all thinking, but this is just a static mk4 on Q5 Audi wheels, there's nothing great about it.

That's all about to change!

I've got myself a decent list of shit to sort out before then, so I'm starting to put the wheels in motion now. In fact, I probably should have done so a few weeks ago. I have to get my suspension as close as possible to how I will run it with the wheels I'm building before I start measuring up, so that comes first!

First thing is first though, I've got to sort out my suspension setup.
1. Engine raise (25mm) & notch subframe.
2. Tubular front control arms and bent tie rods.
3. Camber tops
4. Rear camber plates

I have everything to do the engine raise now, which is nice. I still have to purchase the tubular front control arms and bent tie rods, I'm still unsure if I'll need the flipped tie rods but going to grab them anyway. Just to be safe.

The front camber tops, Stu has a pair of KMAC suspension ones. That should be enough for what I need, otherwise I'll look into AirLift Performance camber tops. The rear camber plates are going to be interesting though. I've contacted IDF and am waiting to hear back from them as to whether or not they can build the rear camber plates that I require.

Once that is sorted, then I can measure up the wheels and start getting the ball rolling on the lips and barrels. There's a few other things that I want to do as well. But that will all be dependant on how I go suspension wise.

[SebastienPeek]

Okay, little update, it's been a while.

I went to install 2.0t coil packs only to find that the plugs were different on an AGU block. So have to find a harness now so I can plug them all up.

There's a car show happening in Melbourne on the 1st of November, so I have a bit to do before then. I need to install my engine spacers (25mm) and notch the drivers side subframe. Then I need to work out how I can get the car about 10mm lower at the front and about 5mm lower at the rear than the current lowest point. I was originally considering air, but I want to do it static, so see how we go.

Have an idea for the rear I want to look into. Off to a wreckers at some point to grab some spare rear beams to have some fun with.

Starting a new job in the next few weeks too. Hopefully this sees my ability to build some wheels up for the show too.

[SebastienPeek]

After a few months I finally gave her a bath.

About to start hunting power, now that I have the height and some of the cosmetics sorted (still waiting on rear bumper, side skirts and front grill), I figure what's the next thing to do?

So about to get a 3" down pipe, the 2.0t coil pack upgrade installed, 2.5" cat back exhaust and then a tune. Need to source some front and rear rotors as well as sorting out a front sway bar that I can run while she's slammed.

Was taking a corner today and started to understeer badly. Figure sway bar should aid with that.

[SebastienPeek]

Driving around at this height is pretty intense. I'm definitely in need of a notch on the drivers side.

[SebastienPeek]

Alright, so time for a picture update!

Got the badge grill back on and fixed up the power steering, didn't realise how easy it is with power steering to drive! I lowered the front down to the lowest point too, thankfully not smacking anything underneath anymore either, 18's are perfect.

IMG_0123 by Sebastien Peek, on Flickr

I'm pretty happy with how she's sitting all round, besides the front fitment, I reckon another 5mm but it seems that one side sits further out than the other.

IMG_0127 by Sebastien Peek, on Flickr

Rear fitment is on point though.

IMG_0129 by Sebastien Peek, on Flickr

IMG_0131 by Sebastien Peek, on Flickr

She's still filthy. I'll probably go and wash her tomorrow at some point, if not, during the week.

IMG_0137 by Sebastien Peek, on Flickr

Absolutely loving these wheels though.

IMG_0138 by Sebastien Peek, on Flickr

[SebastienPeek]

Okay, so have an update of what has happened this weekend.

Got the hose off and taped it up properly. Ripped out the plastic rain tray bullshit too, and put in the badgeless grill. I'm not a fan of it unfortunately, so I reckon I'm going to put the badge grill back on.

Filled the coolant back up and no more leaking, tucked the hose back behind another hose to keep it away from the radiator fan. Got the car to a shop out in Greensborough, they got the two studs that were stuck in the gearbox and engine that got the heads ripped off when the dogbone mount decided to go bye byes.

So the new ECS dogbone was installed and the engine is running fine. Luckily I didn't cook the motor so that is always a good thing!

Need to bring the front down about four cm's again, but not going to until I've raised the engine and notched the subframe. Then I know I won't destroy the oil pan again, but, I do have the hybrid oil pan to install so I might do that when it is ready for an oil change etc.

I may potentially slam the front again anyway though.

Also, I don't have a choice, Megan said she isn't going anywhere. Uh oh.
Serious business.

[SebastienPeek]

I think those are the best looking wheels i've ever seen on a MK4, apart from maybe bmws style 63's

Cheers man, appreciate the kind words on wheel choice! I have to say, I lucked out pretty hard with these and am glad they suit the car so well!

Sucks about the journey, but hey, at least you now got a cool story of perseverance from it all.
I do like the Q5 wheels, but I was a big fan of the fezza wheels I'm not going to lie.
But thats just my opinion! Lovely car

This is true. Now Lucy knows I won't give up on her.
The 348 wheels looked the goods, but I was never going to be able to get the same static fitment with 17's as I could with 18's. That was the major killer for me.

[Mehowski]

Sucks about the journey, but hey, at least you now got a cool story of perseverance from it all.
I do like the Q5 wheels, but I was a big fan of the fezza wheels I'm not going to lie.
But thats just my opinion! Lovely car

[flyingdutchy]

I think those are the best looking wheels i've ever seen on a MK4, apart from maybe bmws style 63's

[SebastienPeek]

Man I was super bummed when you sold the ferrari wheels but those Q5 wheels are actually really cool.

Also megan sounds super cool. marry her right nao!!

Yeah, a lot of people were a little disappointed, but I think I made the right decision in the end!

Aha we're only a month into a relationship, I think it is a little early to start getting married sir!

[SnazzyQ]

Man I was super bummed when you sold the ferrari wheels but those Q5 wheels are actually really cool.

Also megan sounds super cool. marry her right nao!!

[SebastienPeek]

what a story dude, sucks

but the q5 wheels look awesome
and keep megan!

Yeah, sucks a bit, but got through it and got home!

Cheers man, I am seriously liking the Q5 wheels.
I think I'll be keeping her around for a bit that's for sure.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that I cut out the front sway bar too. So no more grinding axles on it!

[P78]

what a story dude, sucks

but the q5 wheels look awesome
and keep megan!

[SebastienPeek]

You better put a ring on that.

Ahaha a little too soon I think, have only been seeing her for about a month now!

Those Q5 wheels look really good!

Yeah, when I first got them I didn't know whether they'd suit the car. Since installing them and rolling around, I freaking love them.

Just have to fix the front fitment a little and they're perfect for daily duties.