Roadrunner_GTI
Drag Racing Champion
Hi all, I think this may be my first post with this forum, but I wanted to weigh in on the LSD vs. power upgrade. I added the Peloquin LSD this winter after doing the APR Stage 1 upgrade last spring and I wish I had done them in reverse order. I've run HPDE at Summit Point (WV) and TNiA at Pitt Race (PA) and both times the Stage 1 made me spin tire like crazy on the uphill turns (I would get less wheel spin w/o the Stage 1, but still would get it). I will be going back to Summit Point over Memorial Day weekend so I'll get my first feel on how the LSD performs at the track, but at least when canyon carving the LSD seems to have solved my slippage problem.
Question for the group - is there a point where you stop upgrading your GTI due to the limitations of FWD and F/R weight distribution and consider moving on to something like a Miata? I bought an E91 325xi last year as my "new" daily driver and am amazed at how balanced it is which has got me reconsidering how much I want to keep upgrading the GTI. Thanks!
I'm with you on LSD being the first mod. Sending power through one wheel is just ridiculous, and it's hard to explain to people that it completely changes the car so they will understand. Also, it's low on the "scene points" scale, but really really high on the "I actually use my car scale". :laugh:
As far as modding a FWD car, I would say the limit is pretty high. I say this as a traditional RWD guy that is one of the few FWD cars in a group of E46, E90, and Subaru AWD cars. I'm right in the mix and usually have more power in the straights. The important thing to remember is that you drive a FWD and RWD car completely different on track. In some ways, FWD has it's advantages regarding powering toward the apex. With FWD, I would focus on trail braking in order to keep weight on the front.
A decent set of sway bars, along with an anti-lift kit will drastically change the understeering tendencies of the car. What tires are you running on track?