2013 GTI - K04 Build

[Roadrunner_GTI]

Winter updates have begun, although not without issues. Ordered Vorshlag camber plates, and ran into a slew of problems...from the spring perches not being the correct diameter, to the stack height being way too tall, to the plates hitting the inside of the strut tower limiting adjustment range. At the end of the day, I wanted to like them, but they just didn’t work for my application.

Decided to go with Ground Control camber plates after returning the Vorshlag ones. The GC plates fit perfect, with a stack height actually a few mm lower than stock strut mount assembly. They also seem to have a very wide range of adjustment, and I went ahead and opened up the strut tower opening to help with adjustment.

Next up is alignment, aiming for -3* front and -2.5* rear.

 

[3rdOne]

Sorry for the late reply, I’m not getting thread notifications for some reason. I currently have a Stoptech ST40 kit on order, should be about another week or two before I get it. I bought from LM Performance, which was 10% cheaper than anywhere else I could find.
As far as my camera, it’s a GoPro 5 mounted to Tackform headrest mount. I don’t recall enabling image stabilization, but I’ll have to double check my settings. iPhone is notorious for recording shaky video, and there’s several threads dedicated to it on the Harry’s LapTimer forums. Hope that helps!

Thanks for the info! When I get closer to getting a BBK, I'll look into LM Performance. If you post about your install/impressions I'll look forward to reading about it.
Glad to know my phone could be the main cause of the shaky video. I have been using Track Addict so haven't seen info about it.

 

[ChrisAttebery]

The GC camber plates are really easy to install and adjust. My passenger side plate clicks on bumpy pavement though. I think the bearing itself is loose or the bearing is loose in the plate.

A buddy of mine as a fully track prepped e46 M3. He loves the NT-01s. He told me that he buys two sets every year and they last a full season (~10 events) for him. So they are 1-2 seconds a lap faster and have roughly half the life of the RS-4s.

 

[Roadrunner_GTI]

The GC camber plates are really easy to install and adjust. My passenger side plate clicks on bumpy pavement though. I think the bearing itself is loose or the bearing is loose in the plate.

A buddy of mine as a fully track prepped e46 M3. He loves the NT-01s. He told me that he buys two sets every year and they last a full season (~10 events) for him. So they are 1-2 seconds a lap faster and have roughly half the life of the RS-4s.

I expect some noise with these, but so far they’re pretty quiet.Like you said, they’re very easy to adjust and fit within the strut tower nicely.
I’m still on my first set of NT01s and have 8 days on them so far, and can probably get two more days. I have another set ready to once these are done. I will say that these seem to get faster as they wear. As far as them being 1-2 seconds faster than RS4s, I think it’s hard to make that blanket statement with so many variables at play.

 

[Roadrunner_GTI]

Alignment done. This is with the GC camber plates and SuperPro RCA ball joints maxed out. I was aiming for -3* camber and as much positive caster I could get, so I’m fine with the results.

 

[Roadrunner_GTI]

Still impatiently awaiting the Stoptech ST40 BBK to arrive...

In the mean time, I removed my sagging hood liner, replaced it with some DEI radiant barrier that I cut to fit.

 

[MrFancypants]

I don’t suppose you remember what your oil temperatures got up to before the oil cooler? Curious because I don’t have a gauge and run my car not too far south of you.

 

[Roadrunner_GTI]

I don’t suppose you remember what your oil temperatures got up to before the oil cooler? Curious because I don’t have a gauge and run my car not too far south of you.

Summer trackdays they would get above 275*F until ran a few cool down laps. I wasn’t willing to let them get much higher, but if I didn’t have a gauge then I’m sure they would have.

 

[MrFancypants]

Summer trackdays they would get above 275*F until ran a few cool down laps. I wasn’t willing to let them get much higher, but if I didn’t have a gauge then I’m sure they would have.

~275 is about at the top of my comfort limit as well. Not so much worried about the oil itself though, mostly all the seals on the engine start to get cooked if it goes too much higher.

 

[Roadrunner_GTI]

After 6 weeks of waiting, the Stoptech ST40 BBK finally showed up

Worth the wait...

Install went fairly smooth, no real issues other than a galled up banjo bolt washer that didn’t want to seal. Ended up replacing it and it was fine.

Side note, I did have to add 7mm spacers for the spokes of my street wheels to clear the calipers. My track wheels do clear by about 3mm, so I’m not planning on running spacers on track. Stoptech recommends a minimum of 2mm clearance.

Initial impression is that these fixed calipers are a game changer for pedal firmness. I’m running G-Loc GS-1 D609 pads on the street, and pre-bed R-12 pads for the track. There is so much confidence under heavy braking, I can’t wait to get this thing on track.

Also went ahead and performed a coolant flush with some fresh G13, a Motul 8100 X-cess oil change, and Motul RBF600 brake fluid flush. Just about ready for track season.

 

[Roadrunner_GTI]

One quick follow up to the ST40 BBK install, I’ve been trying to track down a rubbing sound while cornering at certain speeds. Thought it was tire rub, and it turns out the ball joint on the right side was just barely touching the inside of the brake rotor. I had heard that there may be clearance issues when running the SuperPro ball joints and a BBK with a wider rotor (25mm vs 28mm). Fortunately it was only minor contact and the rotor didn’t suffer much damage. I took a file to the ball joint to create enough clearance.

 

[torga]

Oh wow, are the ST40 rotors just more inset than OEM? I wouldn't think it's a thickness issue because these ball joints work fine on Golf R, which is a 30mm rotor. Regardless, I'll pay extra attention to my SuperPro ball joints when I upgrade to R32/R brakes.

 

[Roadrunner_GTI]

Oh wow, are the ST40 rotors just more inset than OEM? I wouldn't think it's a thickness issue because these ball joints work fine on Golf R, which is a 30mm rotor. Regardless, I'll pay extra attention to my SuperPro ball joints when I upgrade to R32/R brakes.

I don't believe the rotors are further inset, I just think it's a combination of the additional thickness of the rotors and the additional negative camber I'm running (-3*) which causes the decreased clearance.

 

[Roadrunner_GTI]

Last addition before track season officially kicks off in 2 weeks...

Went with a Schroth Quick Fit Pro, which uses the factory attachment points. Excited to try this on track.

 

[3rdOne]

I am really considering these belts. Please do post your thoughts. Do you plan on using a HANS Hybrid with it?
Where are you running? I hope to get to VIR later this year.