Booked in for a re map and a few other bits next week. Hoping for 215bhp and 240lbs ft. Looking to up grade the wheels from 16" to 18" and lower the suspension slightly. Any tips or help would be greatly appreciated. Mk1 Octavia hatch 2002.

PM Snowmuncher, he's done about all you can do to the suspension on his 4x4. Main things are upgrading the front end to TT/S3/R32 spec, i.e. wishbones, hubs, bushes, anti roll bar

I'd be inclined to go for 18' wheels then it's straightforward if you want to fit bigger brakes (CupraR ones for example).

Set of coilovers as well, Weitecs are cheap but good, KW V3s if you want to track it, more points of adjustment

You'll probably need more than just a remap to get 215bhp out of it - most companies advertise a stage 1 map on a non-VRS 1.8T as taking it from 150bhp to 207bhp.

Cheers, will check him out. It's having a panel filter and forge 007p at the same time.

Also worth a look (although not cheap):

http://www.vagtech.co.uk/index.php/products/transmission/59

Contact for a quote...... You just know that's expensive. Forgot to add I'm on a budget.

That's a race spec one I think but you can get hold of normal Haldex blue controllers.

Mapping

215 is achieveable, but most tuners wouldn't push an OEM setup quite this hard.

I can recommend Jabbasport

R-Tech have a reputation 2nd to none

Suspension

There dooesn't appear to be any Weitecs kits that fit the Octavia 4x4/R32; suspension kits for the R32 will directly fit the Octavia, and axle weights are all within tolerance - the Octavia 4x4 has 60Kg less weight over the front axle.

KW v1 Basic Line would be the next option.

KW v3 is the best you can get, road, track or gravel track. It will probably cost more than car itself, but is worth it.

OEM springs and shocks from the R32 is the cheap option.

On lowering, you will also need adjustable rear tie bars: CompBrake or Forge

ARBs

Cheap option: R32 front + rear ARBs

For better handling, ARB sets from KW, H&R, etc are avialable. Again look at R32 stuff rather than just Octavia 4x4 1U

Strut Braces

S3 Upper and Lower strut braces

Brakes

Cheap option: 312mm OEM front setup from a vRS/Golf GTI/etc, 256mm vented OEM rear setup from vRS/Golf GTI

Next option would be 323mm Brembo 4pot OEM front setup from the Seat Leon Cupra R - can be bought cheap-ish from ebay/forums. The 323mm discs are cheap.

If you want to splash the cash CompBrake 6pot 335mm bell/rotor setup or a Badger5 330mm bell/rotor conversion for the Brembo 4pot

TT wishbones

The real benefit of fitting these is that you can use the SuperPro castor correcting bushes - these threads are worth a read:

briskoda.net/forums/topic/167520-r32-tt-cast-wishbones/

briskoda.net/forums/topic/203782-suspension-tweeks/

briskoda.net/forums/topic/225606-front-suspension-alloy-bottom-arms/

Blue Haldex Controllers

These are worhwhile, but only after you've got the basics sorted. Worth keeping an eye on the forums and ebay for 2nd bargains.

Where to start on a 4x4 1.8T Octavia

You can get Weitecs that fit the 4x4, one of the members "Suze" had them fitted on her 4x4 a couple of years ago. I think they were HiCon GTs fitted at Impossible Performance:

Next to my old VRS on standard suspension for comparison:

Thanks chaps, all over it now. Just been to the local breakers, who I know, gave them list of what i need, and they will call me when anything of interest comes in. Just been to price some 18" wheels and tyres, got to call again Monday to see if they can get replicas of the new 18" vrs octavias. I have a mk1 Leon cupra that's got to go to fund all this, I daren't buy anything else, before i sell it, or the wife will leave me if i do, I'm sure! Hoping to drop the sump tomorrow and check the oil pick up pipe, Cam belt kit ordered, think I should flirt a water pump on her? 59k with one doctor owner from new. If any one see's any second hand parts that may be of interest, please let me know. Thanks again for your help, I will upload some pictures. Ps I am courier up and down the country Monday to Friday, if any members need anything collected or delivered cheaply, pm me.

Had HiCon GTs fitted fitted to my 4x4 for well over a 1yr with no probs.

If your getting 18" and lowing it very low i would look at Adjustable Rear Tie Bars.

My was this low

They do look nice lowerd and on 18"

Then some1 made it lower :-(

Edited 11 February, 201214 yr by JackDeath

You can get Weitecs that fit the 4x4, one of the members "Suze" had them fitted on her 4x4 a couple of years ago. I think they were HiCon GTs fitted at Impossible Performance:

I fitted them, that's my shoulder. lol

Are they still available ? Weitec's site/catalogue doesn't list them for the 1U Octavia or the mk.4 R32

http://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/weitec-hicon-gt-coilover-suspension-kitbr-octavia-1u-18t-4x4-0199-p-1591.html

Others do them as well.

Look in http://briskoda.net/forums/forum/164-performance-tuning-and-parts/ see if there is one close to you.

Edited 12 February, 201214 yr by JackDeath

Had HiCon GTs fitted fitted to my 4x4 for well over a 1yr with no probs.

If your getting 18" and lowing it very low i would look at Adjustable Rear Tie Bars.

My was this low

They do look nice lowerd and on 18"

Then some1 made it lower :-(

Cheeky mother f€$¥#€s! On a main road outside your house?

http://www.dpmperformance.co.uk/weitec-hicon-gt-coilover-suspension-kitbr-octavia-1u-18t-4x4-0199-p-1591.html

Others do them as well.

Look in http://briskoda.net/forums/forum/164-performance-tuning-and-parts/ see if there is one close to you.

Anyone on spax?

Anyone on spax?

I've read threads where several dealers slated Spax quality, fit and aftermarket support.

They're suppose to be quite good performance wise, but fall far short on construction and quality.

Pity really as they offer alot on paper.

http://www.dpmperfor...199-p-1591.html

Quite alot of options there for the 4x4 owner, many more than when I was buying suspension

DPM Performance Octavia 1U Coilover List

I looked at spax when doing mine.

From what others say there fine but are a bit more harder ride.

Not much I can add to what's been said except to say I do rate the Koni HA kit, with H@R rear springs. Been on the car for 5 years now. Set to the highest setting, they still lower the car enough and provide good ride comfort and controlled handling. Better now, I come to think of it than my Mk2 VRS was, lowered on dealer supplied Eibach's .

@the OP - was your car bought off ebay recently?