Well, firstly ill describe how my car was before.

Eibach and Bilstein combo with 18" Azev on Falken 225/35/18.

Crashy, hard, tramlining all over the place with some torque steer, any little crevice in the road the car was just pulling me into it, and the rear was very skittish and very wobbly under hard braking. All in all I was getting a little fed up with it to be honest.
Was going to change the odd thing here and there and in the end just thought, lets do it all once and properly and be done with it and enjoy it all ready for spring/summer.

What was done:
New Wishbones
New Droplinks
New Track Rod Ends
New Rear Subframe Bushes
New Rear Trailing Arm Bearings
New Custom Made Braided Brake Hoses all round
Front and Rear Subframes cleaned up and protected
Front Subframe Welded
22mm Whiteline Rear ARB
Continental Sport Contact 5 all round
Then tracking.

Whilst everything was apart checked the condition of shocks and springs and they are mint! Shock have only done around 12k anyway.

The car is transformed, as you can imagine.
Its completely planted, more precise, tight, flat and more inspiring and confident.
Puts all 420 bhp down where as before it felt out of control too raw and use to spin up everywhere.

I really dont agree when people buy budget tyres, even on a standard car, its still 220bhp!

Now, that is quite a list so thats the end of my new GTX series turbo for 500 bhp but saying its money well spent is an understatement!
I couldnt of imagined the car with more power before anyway, but thats the negative point, now I can imagine it with more power!

The car used to drive me, NOW I drive the car! Love it again......

this is what im looking to do along with the brakes , whats involved in the subframe cleaning welding and protecting ?

With proper geometry, your car will be far faster with 420bhp than it would ever have been with 500bhp and iffy handling

Cool, must feel like a new car!

I also changed all parts in the front suspension and had the same feeling like you. It's like a complete new car.

And over 400 horses, I'm jealous dude

+1, what I said!

glad it feels more sorted mate, lets get you on some trackdays this year!

@ THE G, As for welding the front subframe, you need to weld it in certain places and it stops it flexing, making everything feel tighter and more precise.
Cleaning and protecting: Apparently some can be in a right state, imagine the newest ones are still around 11-12 years old, mine wasnt too bad, some surface rust, wire brushed and cleaned up, then I think it was painted with Hammerite.

@ Per, yes it feels like new, really happy with it and now a pleasure to drive.

@ Freddan,

@ Jon, Ill see about a track day, I have been thinking about it alot. Take you for a spin first soon.

Oh, and the bonus is I get to keep the 18" Azevs as I was thinking of going for some sort of 17" for more grip and comfort, but I have that now anyway. Lovely Jubbly.

so all the refreshes made your 18's more comfortable ? this is good if true , my car would be much better with new bushes etc

i wouldnt need engine out or anything for subframe welding ? if not i will get someone to do the welding after i have cleaned it an get it painted too

Nope, the engine doesn't need to come out. IIRC you need to unbolt the wishbones from the hubs and the track rod ends. Disconnect the power steering pipes from the rack and then you should be able to drop it. 6 bolts along the bulkhead and 1 in each chassis arm

Hi Technics, how did you find changing the rear subframe bushes? I've wanted to sort mine for ages ( they look pretty perished) and where did you get them from?

As for the welded front subframe, is this well worth doing? Mines out on the floor at this moment so it no grief for me if you recommend it

If I do these two things il have carried out the exact some work you've just done, unfortunately I don't have 420bhp! But il still have a planted coupe can't wait

I didnt do the work mate, I went to Barbz as he is only 15 mins away from me.
I think its a bit of a pig to get them out and the new ones in, thats all I can say.
I got them off Barbz seen as he was doing all the work anyway and saved me on delivery. Otherwise you can get them off Joe at FCSS, look in the traders section, he can post them out to you.

As for the front subframe, if its no trouble for you to do then you may aswell, stops it flexing so that can only be a good thing. I cant say on how much difference it made as I done all the work in one go so I couldnt compare just the subframe before and after.

You will love how planted it is. I took my friend out earlier for a good blast and even as a passenger he could tell the difference on how differently and how well it was putting all the power down!