GTI fitment question

[vRbeHavior]

OK. So now I'm actually gonna be ready to get my first set of coilovers in a week. Any input on what would be a good set to get. I was thinking about picking up a set of FK streetlines.

[slowrx]

So now I'm thinking getting a skidplate and motormount spacers before I even lower the car.

I would just do the motor mount spacers when you do the coilovers, no need before you drop it. You can always go ahead an do the skid plate though. When I did coilovers I did this all at once: Motor mount spacers, new axle's, ecs front end refresh, half height strut caps, coilovers, spacers, and rolled all the fenders. Driving around ~23.75 in. (not low in the vw world by any means). Next is wheels/notch. Thats just how I went about it all, and I came into the vw world from subaru's, and lifted diesels so I knew NOTHING about VW or stance. Just take your time, research and read alot and you will get it all worked out.

[vRbeHavior]

So now I'm thinking getting a skidplate and motormount spacers before I even lower the car.

[vRbeHavior]

On VRs, you definitely need to watch out for the oil pan. EuroImage sells motor mount spacers if you want to raise the engine up. I love mine. Skid plates help as well, but still will kill your pan if you hit something hard enough to bend the plate onto the pan.

I drive quick sometimes on the highway, that's about it. As far as city driving (driving in general), I scan the road constantly so I don't encounter something that'll kill my engine.

sounds like those spacers are the way to go before I even consider dropping the car hard.

[Han]

What problems do you run into with that kind of drop when you're driving around town? Also, can you drive it aggressively?? I'm thinking I won't even come close to 3inchs low based on what you guys said and the issue of clearance on the oil pan. From the research I've done on VWvortex, everyone seems to like the FK Streetlines for a beginning set of coilovers. Running that on my factory shoes will give me an idea as far as what I can do with clearance.

On VRs, you definitely need to watch out for the oil pan. EuroImage sells motor mount spacers if you want to raise the engine up. I love mine. Skid plates help as well, but still will kill your pan if you hit something hard enough to bend the plate onto the pan.

I drive quick sometimes on the highway, that's about it. As far as city driving (driving in general), I scan the road constantly so I don't encounter something that'll kill my engine.

[vRbeHavior]

I know everyone has to start somewhere, but I suggest you do FAR MORE research before you do anything.

That GTI you posted is around 21 7/8" ground to fender in that picture which is about a 4.25" drop. My car (MK4 Jetta in my sig) is @ ~22 flat (around 22 1/8") which is a little under a 4.25" drop as well.

The OZ's you posted is 17x8.5 ET17 with 205/45/17 and 17x10 ET30 215/45/17. See how it fills up the wells? I also suggest you research how tire sizing works.

What problems do you run into with that kind of drop when you're driving around town? Also, can you drive it aggressively?? I'm thinking I won't even come close to 3inchs low based on what you guys said and the issue of clearance on the oil pan. From the research I've done on VWvortex, everyone seems to like the FK Streetlines for a beginning set of coilovers. Running that on my factory shoes will give me an idea as far as what I can do with clearance.

[Han]

I was looking at a few pics last night. I figure I'll just get the drop job done by end of the year with a set of coilovers ( probably FK streets?) on my factory tires to see how everything feels. Then I'll test fit something with a larger diameter. I think my factory wheels are 16s. I have a VR and I'm already scared I'll crack the pan open so I'm looking to get a skidplate :-\

I know everyone has to start somewhere, but I suggest you do FAR MORE research before you do anything.

That GTI you posted is around 21 7/8" ground to fender in that picture which is about a 4.25" drop. My car (MK4 Jetta in my sig) is @ ~22 flat (around 22 1/8") which is a little under a 4.25" drop as well.

The OZ's you posted is 17x8.5 ET17 with 205/45/17 and 17x10 ET30 215/45/17. See how it fills up the wells? I also suggest you research how tire sizing works.

[vRbeHavior]

That Silverstone GTI above is at around 22" from ground to front fender, it's absolutely slammed on coilovers and most people wouldn't be able to drive it without breaking things. On a MK4, you can run into any of those problems listed above with even a moderate drop, it depends on the car and on a VR, the pan is stupidly low. I recommend doing some more research before you decide on anything. Check out the various picture threads and stuff on VWVortex, lots of good examples on there.

I was looking at a few pics last night. I figure I'll just get the drop job done by end of the year with a set of coilovers ( probably FK streets?) on my factory tires to see how everything feels. Then I'll test fit something with a larger diameter. I think my factory wheels are 16s. I have a VR and I'm already scared I'll crack the pan open so I'm looking to get a skidplate :-\

[ShadowWabbit]

Is it just me or is this guy getting waaay ahead of himself? Research and buy a set of coils that have enough "low" and since ur still in the learning stages I recommend buying wheels that came off a nicely stanced mk4 and use em as a start. Then dial out the problems and dial in the stance some more.

U won't really learn till u just jump in! I was wer u r right now ~4 years ago and I learned the most from reasearching, trying shit and fucking shit up

[aar0n.]

That Silverstone GTI above is at around 22" from ground to front fender, it's absolutely slammed on coilovers and most people wouldn't be able to drive it without breaking things. On a MK4, you can run into any of those problems listed above with even a moderate drop, it depends on the car and on a VR, the pan is stupidly low. I recommend doing some more research before you decide on anything. Check out the various picture threads and stuff on VWVortex, lots of good examples on there.

[vRbeHavior]

getting a mk4 low is another animal from gettting something like a dc2 low.

First, oilpan is one of the lowest points, and its also made of aluminum, so they dont bend they shatter. That silver car you posted probably has about an inch from the lower control arm mount to the floor. That's more in the range of a 4+in drop. At that kind of drop you're also going to run into problems with the axle hitting the frame, so its going to need to be notched. Also going to need to either remove the sway bar or buy a hotchkis sway bar that doesn't go over the axle. Your also going to need a set of coils that will get you that low, like first gen weitecs or B&G's. I haven't owned a mk4 in a while so I haven't kept up with some of the newer stuff as much, there may be other brands that will go that low. I'm not sure they even still make B&G's. Raising the motor helps with oilpan clearance issues and will also help with axle binding, and depending on what motor you have, you can either run a mk3 steel pan or a hybrid pan if you have a 1.8t. I dont know the specs on those wheels but i do know they're 17's. Im sure someone else like aaron or calvin can chime in on more details

Hmmmm, if thats a 4+ drop thats a bit low for me. I want to go 3inches max on the drop. Would I still have those issues with a 3 inch drop??

[Tuck&Poke]

getting a mk4 low is another animal from gettting something like a dc2 low.

First, oilpan is one of the lowest points, and its also made of aluminum, so they dont bend they shatter. That silver car you posted probably has about an inch from the lower control arm mount to the floor. That's more in the range of a 4+in drop. At that kind of drop you're also going to run into problems with the axle hitting the frame, so its going to need to be notched. Also going to need to either remove the sway bar or buy a hotchkis sway bar that doesn't go over the axle. Your also going to need a set of coils that will get you that low, like first gen weitecs or B&G's. I haven't owned a mk4 in a while so I haven't kept up with some of the newer stuff as much, there may be other brands that will go that low. I'm not sure they even still make B&G's. Raising the motor helps with oilpan clearance issues and will also help with axle binding, and depending on what motor you have, you can either run a mk3 steel pan or a hybrid pan if you have a 1.8t. I dont know the specs on those wheels but i do know they're 17's. Im sure someone else like aaron or calvin can chime in on more details

[vRbeHavior]

I have a question. Why have you settled on the 2.5in drop? Whats the reasoning behind that exact number? There is no formula that you can plug variables into, it varies depending on what your looking for.

Maybe a better way to go about this is to find a pic of a mk4 you like, and then we can help a little more by telling you what it took to achieve that.

Edit: i just realized you were talking about the sig pic. That car is on air, with pulled fenders, camber shims and 18x11in wide rears with something like a 225/35 or 225/40 on the wheel.

so in short:



No.

To be honest I came up with 2 1/2 based on a few cars I saw. Most of em have a pretty decent drop @ 2.5inches. I noticed one civic that was on the ground at a 3 inch drop but it was still manageable to drive so thats where I came up with that number. Personally 2.5 inches isn't a must. I'm just honestly looking for a drop that makes the wheels look flush and slightly tucked. If the fenders need to be rolled, I'm down for that too. Also I figured 15 inches would allow for a good drop without the risk of rubbing. I don't have enough experience with my VWs. All my VWs have been factory ride height. I had an LS Integra on the ground but I bought it like that. So this is the first VW thats actually a good platform without having to rebuild the WHOLE car.

What I'm looking for is something like this:




I'd even be willing to go lower but from the looks of the picture, going lower would probably require bags without rubbing. According to the title, this is a static drop.

[Tuck&Poke]

alright, then I guess something was lost in translation. I was thinking 10 deep because I don't mind if they poke as long as the tires's are stretched but, again, I dunno if thats too wide. Looking at that signature of the pulled fender and the cambered wheel my first reaction would be that the wheel is at least 9 deep????

i answered this above

[vRbeHavior]

i wasnt trying to be a dick but there is no second pic... i think ur looking at Ignapu's signature lol which is of a nicely pulled fender and cambered wheel

alright, then I guess something was lost in translation. I was thinking 10 deep because I don't mind if they poke as long as the tires's are stretched but, again, I dunno if thats too wide. Looking at that signature of the pulled fender and the cambered wheel my first reaction would be that the wheel is at least 9 deep????