Hi!

The purpose of this thread is to sort out all the questions regarding fitting coilovers and upgrading the chassies on the Octavia MK1.

Ask all your questions here and i'll try to recap the info to the first post.

So, whats needed to go lower than 50mm all around?

Which car parts can you use from another car?

What is the next step to improve the cars handling after going for coilovers?

Front:

Back:

Edited 13 April, 200917 yr by scootie

Great idea!

And perhaps those who have coilovers fitted (as well as those who has other forms of uprated suspension) could post a pic, along with what they've done and a brief blah blah?

As the number of suspension threads asking the same thing is very weary, perhaps this could be made a sticky if it becomes a popular thread?

Steve

Which connector rods are the right ones to go for when going lower than 50mm? I think the ones on the left are the original ones? Do the ones at the right fit a Octavia RS?

<-- front ones, are the ones in the back also needed to be swapped?

Edited 13 April, 200917 yr by scootie

Hi!

The purpose of this thread is to sort out all the questions regarding fitting coilovers and upgrading the chassies on the Octavia MK1.:

Hi Scootie, You will probably not get a much replies as this has been done many times over and you will get this info searching threads. Plus what "Scathel" states there is no point making it a sticky as there are so many options that, what is good for one person may not be as good for someone else. With so many options on handling and various options suiting some octavia models and not others , I think the thread will loose it's purpose.

Search threads like Hot tuning coilovers, weitec coilovers etc

I think it was you asking questions before so, you may already have answers to your questions. A few tips just to give you a basis to consider.

Ask all your questions here and i'll try to recap the info to the first post.

So, whats needed to go lower than 50mm all around? :

You don't state what car you have or the comfort level you are after, but if it is a VRS then why go lower than 50mm. You will get problems with clearance and the handling will be pretty bad. Most VRS owners don't go lower than 30mm

If it is not a VRS than 50mm can be done with most coilover options. As Coilovers offer adjustable height then this would be an option to you

Which car parts can you use from another car? :

What benefit is this option, unless you have access to a number of cars you can strip down. It is not normally an economic option to strip suspension from another car unless you know the car and history of the parts on it as you could be putting bad or worn parts back on. If you have a none VRS then the VRS second hand parts are an option to you.

What is the next step to improve the cars handling after going for coilovers?

In My Opinion Coilovers should not be the first option. These will make your car a lot stiffer and you will feel the road more, unless that is what you want.

A rear antiroll bar is by far the best option for you as a first mod, if it is better handling you want.

Makes are for these :

Whiteline

Neuspeed

Eibach etc

Then the rest of the mods to the chassis can be a gradual change as not needed straight away unless parts are worn. Your bugdet will also depend on what you are going for and trying to achieve.

Edited 14 April, 200917 yr by Bowders1

Thanks for the above info Bowders1.

The point I was trying to make was if there is just one thread where everybody who has uprated their suspension fires up one picture and what's been done, ppeople could then decide for themselves what suited them best. And it would save a lotta searching.

But you're right; with so many of them already on the go, who needs another suspension thread?

That's what the search button is for!!!

Steve

http://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv29/shreadings89/n609246050_1966862_6872944.jpg

is this wat ur lookin for its slammed 60 front and dunno on the back havent measured it but i cant get my fingers in the arch anymore its that low

the handelings alright i suppose but u do feel every bump in the road and if the roll bars and lowering arms arnt fitted then it knocks and rubs like a bitch so not the best for and everyday drive to work

but it does look really cool

nik

Why have it so low??

Can't understand that at all.....

Steve:)

Why have it so low??

Can't understand that at all.....

Steve:)

Because, as he says "It look really cool", the fact it handles like a pregnant camel with toothache, and knocks and rubs like a bitch does not come into it...........................LOL

Come on Steve, you really should know better.........................LOL

Come on Steve, you really should know better.........................LOL

I am such an ar$e.......

it handles like a pregnant camel with toothache,

how do u know wat that drives like i like it really low and ive never had a problem with handling does get the back end out when u want it too

nik

the handelings alright i suppose but u do feel every bump in the road and if the roll bars and lowering arms arnt fitted then it knocks and rubs like a bitch so not the best for and everyday drive to work

nik

ive never had a problem with handling does get the back end out when u want it too

nik

Contradiction surely?

well besides the mechanical problems with it knockin and bumpin which can be sorted by raisin the front slightly on the coilovers

but when i say handling i mean the physical corner takin is quite fast but when the hand brake is applied for just a second the rear end slides rather nicely

I agree wi ste.

y go so low, it catches on everything, and it doesnt look that good imo. i raised mine a bit from the pics in my gallery outside the hangger and think it looks better now.

easier and nicer to drive, and is more compfortable.

billy

spilt opinions really isnt it i just prefer it low not say they should all be as low but as there are only a few speed bumps and the roads are pretty flat around where i go its not a problem so its wat every u want really

were do you live mate?

I wanna live there as all the roads near me in bristol, cardiff, huddersfield and haverfordwest are all crap lol.

billy

down in the portsmouth area there is a few crap roads and the odd speed bump but if ur looking for goin anywhere fast this isnt the best area its traffic jams constatly

lol thats y there no humps lol

its also y the roads are in a good condition as well

its also y the roads are in a good condition as well

Good condition. I live in Havant just down the road and the roads here are c""p.

I have to avoid most of the roads in Southsea as they have either speed bumps or rasied sections to slow the car down.( not that I could even go the speed of normal traffic) I caused a tailback through back end of fawcett road other day. And as for cascades shopping area multi story forget it. My spoiler got caught coming down the ramp. I had to get the missus and kids to get out the car.:rotz:

I have raised the back end slightly more since, same a billy has on his.

I love the look and the handling, but it is a compromise on some roads being a no go.

thats a bad *** bit of kit lol.

I like the look mate.

mine was about that hight at the front before i lifted it but my rear was bit higher.

lifted mine bout 12mm since and it is now an even better ride. and handles nicer too.

billy

I am on my Second Octy Mk1 VRS and am now running modified FK Konigsport coilovers with adjustable ARB Links and 18's, whilst the very low look above looks awesome it completely screws up the handling of the front end as the lower wishbones are running way off the ideal ( parallel to the ground) and actually create less camber ( more towards the negative on hard cornering, reducing overall grip).

I have also found that running 18's with the standard ET 35 so low causes rubbing on the wheel arch liners on the outer top section where they meet the bodywork.

I am on my Second Octy Mk1 VRS and am now running modified FK Konigsport coilovers with adjustable ARB Links and 18's, whilst the very low look above looks awesome it completely screws up the handling of the front end as the lower wishbones are running way off the ideal ( parallel to the ground) and actually create less camber ( more towards the negative on hard cornering, reducing overall grip).

I have also found that running 18's with the standard ET 35 so low causes rubbing on the wheel arch liners on the outer top section where they meet the bodywork.

The handling of mine is superb actually. Wheels are 18" and ET 35 with no rubbing what so ever on the front even with car fully loaded. The rear rubbed slighly on the drivers side until I raised it a bit. All the bushes changed and RARB and strut braces also keep it firm and fixed to the road. Not everyones cup of tea to go that low, but suits me and how i have done mine.

gonna say mate urs is good. mine only looks lower at the front end coz my back is higher which pushes the nose down a bit lol.

catches bumps like.

also you need to watch the sump lol. very flimsy these ones.

billy

catches bumps like.

also you need to watch the sump lol. very flimsy these ones.

billy

Yep thinking of getting the sump guard for this reason.

I've lowered my coilovers to the maximum as i prefer the look of it been closer to the ground and having no arch gap but i've modified my wheel arches for clearance and yes it is a harsh ride and the drive shafts sit at silly angles into the gearbox and will no doubt cause wear a lot quicker but i'm happy with that

i just can't understand it when people say it ruins the handling cos the octavias hardly the best handling car anyway and although mine has a harsh ride its no worse than the handling was as standard and lets face it that was good enough for skoda and even with my cheap suspension with its harsh ride i can still drive it round corners at sensible speeds within the national speed limits which is all it will ever do as its not a track car,its a normal everyday road car.