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Good results from very Basic Upgrades #1621981
18/06/2018 12:22
18/06/2018 12:22
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Master_Mariner Offline OP
Club member 583
Master_Mariner  Offline OP
Club member 583
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
I just wanted to feed back on the improvement to my 20vt6, following two very basic upgrades.

Firstly the front seats were swapped for two Coupe Recaro-seats. WHAT a difference. Suddenly I'm sitting IN not ON the coupe. And they are fantastic at keeping you nicely braced in the seat- not sliding around as I always did on the standard leather seats.

Really hard to track down - but worth every penny once located and fitted. Has transformed the feel of the car.


Secondly - Sparco engine bay front strut. Joe mentioned these were an overlooked good upgrade -with a lot of bang for little buck.

Spot on! its best described by saying that all of a sudden the coup has a nose, that you can feel and place so much better in the corners!!

I'm not a boy racer- but both of these upgrades have easily added to the overall road handling and positive control of my otherwise standard coupe.

Its spurring me on to finalise the tracking/steering wheel line up on the car.

Then on to new tyre choices....oh don't mention what tyres to choose! Falkens have been suggested and I'm sure the Toyo's I have been using are old technology now and there are improvements to be had.

Anyhow - overall a Recaro style seat and front sparco brace - very well worth it for a much improved drive.

Regards

MM

Re: Good results from very Basic Upgrades [Re: Master_Mariner] #1622003
18/06/2018 18:57
18/06/2018 18:57
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,057
Southsea
G
Gunzi Offline
Club member 189, Former Club President
Gunzi  Offline
Club member 189, Former Club President
Je suis un Coupé
G

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,057
Southsea
Great review for the seat, I can imagine it will make you feel much more connected with the Coupe vs the touring style comfort options that were standard equipment.

I found the strut brace to be exactly as you describe, more 'pointy' and direct thumb

Have you decided on tyres MM?

Re: Good results from very Basic Upgrades [Re: Master_Mariner] #1622032
19/06/2018 08:10
19/06/2018 08:10
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Master_Mariner Offline OP
Club member 583
Master_Mariner  Offline OP
Club member 583
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Hey Gunzi,

Several nice looking n/a's Coups' advertised at the moment if you didn't want the hassle of a owning a 20vturbo again....?

Tempted?

Not finalised the tyre choice past thinking the Toyo's are old fashioned and she could do with better.

Falkens, or maybe F1 Eagle's are both rumoured to be a good improvement. Not a lot of choice on the 16R!

Then at the same time - full and final tracking/geo set-up to iron out the wayward steering wheel angle.

Cheers

MM

Re: Good results from very Basic Upgrades [Re: Master_Mariner] #1622056
19/06/2018 17:46
19/06/2018 17:46
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,057
Southsea
G
Gunzi Offline
Club member 189, Former Club President
Gunzi  Offline
Club member 189, Former Club President
Je suis un Coupé
G

Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,057
Southsea
Which size of tyre do you use? I used Yokohama AD08R in 225/45 R16 size and they were fantastic. They are semi slick but have a B wet rating and no braking issues from cold. Thoroughly recommend if that’s your size.

And one day thumb

Re: Good results from very Basic Upgrades [Re: Master_Mariner] #1622204
22/06/2018 10:04
22/06/2018 10:04
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Master_Mariner Offline OP
Club member 583
Master_Mariner  Offline OP
Club member 583
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Yep-same size on mine,

I'll give them a look then Gunzi!

Regards

MM

Re: Good results from very Basic Upgrades [Re: Master_Mariner] #1622337
26/06/2018 11:12
26/06/2018 11:12
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,390
Essex
Trappy Offline
Forum is my life
Trappy  Offline
Forum is my life

Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,390
Essex
Originally Posted By Master_Mariner

Firstly the front seats were swapped for two Coupe Recaro-seats. WHAT a difference. Suddenly I'm sitting IN not ON the coupe. And they are fantastic at keeping you nicely braced in the seat- not sliding around as I always did on the standard leather seats.


I really need to do this on mine. I drove the Coupé shortly after becoming acquainted with the Golf R and noticed the difference immediately. Despite spending thousands on handling mods over the years, it quickly became apparent that I have no idea what the Coupé handles like. I'm perched on top of the seat and spend most of the time hanging onto the steering wheel / bracing my knees to stop myself sliding straight off the seat...


F****** b****** thing...
Re: Good results from very Basic Upgrades [Re: Master_Mariner] #1622355
27/06/2018 05:31
27/06/2018 05:31
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,650
Dark side of the Moon
H_R Offline
My life on the forum
H_R  Offline
My life on the forum

Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,650
Dark side of the Moon
Knowing how rare the proper recaro seats are wondered if anybody knew if the fiat 595 seats would fit

set on ebay for a grand look ok and might suit the Coupe?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-500-ABARTH-595-SEATS-INTERIOR/332680556087?hash=item4d754e6e37:g:UFoAAOSwzpFbG8Cv

Not my seats just been looking for something for a while and saw these

Re: Good results from very Basic Upgrades [Re: Master_Mariner] #1622359
27/06/2018 13:42
27/06/2018 13:42
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Master_Mariner Offline OP
Club member 583
Master_Mariner  Offline OP
Club member 583
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 974
Behind Enemy Lines
Not sure re those seats,

I tried Alfa Romeo GTV front seats - lovely chair but could not be made to fit in.

Others have advised front seats from Hyundai Coupe go in with machining the seat runner to fit.

I was considering this as only alternative...before I unearthed a pair of genuine fiat coupe seats.

Regards


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