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Author Topic: Sunset Red 1.4 TSI(TFSI) GT Sport - daily drive & track car  (Read 557979 times)

Offline GVK

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Re: Sunset Red 1.4 TSI(TFSI) GT Sport - daily drive & track car
« Reply #1005 on: November 17, 2025, 02:33:31 pm »
Great pictures Rex  :happy2:

Offline rex

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Re: Sunset Red 1.4 TSI(TFSI) GT Sport - daily drive & track car
« Reply #1006 on: December 27, 2025, 02:58:50 pm »
Merry Christmas!
The car is now 18+ years old, but the mods will not stop here :).
Even if I consider I've done a lot to the car, there still are things I can improve on...

First of all, the driving position... I am a bit too high in the seats and the steering wheel is a bit too far away. For the seat height problem I am in the process of finding a solution, but I think I've solved the other part...
I think ever since I changed the seats (14+ years ago if my memory serves me right), I wanted to fit a steering wheel spacer. But I just couldn't find the proper spacer. Until a few months ago when I, again, searched and found a very elegant solution:

https://spacershop.com/product/steering-wheel-spacer-for-volkswagen-golf/?srsltid=AfmBOorfGOJlw-h5Wq33qcHE0MOAYHO6xVfASOLEWpf-a4tsdSdLAIQ_

And the same spacer works for all 4 of my cars - in case I might not like the steering position in the other cars as well.





Since I took the steering wheel off, I notice it had a bit of wear and I decided to have it re-trimmed to Alcantara - as it should be better for trackdays.









Next up, lowering the seating position - but only next year.
Until then, Happy New Year!

Offline rex

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Re: Sunset Red 1.4 TSI(TFSI) GT Sport - daily drive & track car
« Reply #1007 on: January 19, 2026, 07:29:52 pm »
So, managed to fix the seating position...
As I previously said, the Recaro Pole Position seats are, on their lowest setting, significantly higher than the stock seats. I kind-of got used to them like this, but since I fixed the steering wheel I said I could fix this as well.
So, I manufactured some side mounts, about 3cm shorter thinking it would solve the problem. But I didn't. The seat base would come in contact with the horizontal part (base) of the side mounts. In fact, by making the base thinner (as the original base was, in parts, wider), I could lower the seats by about 1.5 cm. This was clearly wasn't gonna cut it. But there was also a seat belt mount (for the OE seat belt buckle) what increased the seat height by 2cm.
I decided to cut a whole in the side mounts and fix the seat belt buckle to one of the side mounts to seat rail, bolts. So, I basically removed the need for the extra 2 cm seat belt adapter.





I also changed all the nuts and bolts (with 12.9 grade bolts), powder coated the side mounts and bought RECARO stickers.



As such, here is the before and after.





The wider washers are more visible in the second image but, except for that, the mod is, visually, indistinguishable. Which is exactly what I was looking for.
Overall the final decrease in height is 3.3 cm which clearly makes a huge difference - "that's what she said, right!?"
I quite like the new seating position but I have to wait for Spring to truly test the car.

 

Offline JamieSmeatonVW

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Re: Sunset Red 1.4 TSI(TFSI) GT Sport - daily drive & track car
« Reply #1008 on: January 31, 2026, 01:17:22 pm »
Hi Rex Did you notice a improvement with the steering wheel spacer?

Offline rex

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Re: Sunset Red 1.4 TSI(TFSI) GT Sport - daily drive & track car
« Reply #1009 on: January 31, 2026, 09:18:16 pm »
I don't drive the Golf in the winter time (I sold the winter tires some time ago and there has been a lot of snow). I only got to maneuver the car in my yard. So, I can't really provide an accurate feedback. I would have really liked to see how the seats and steering wheel feel, but I'll have to wait for spring. I'll provide my first impressions after the first, proper, spring drive.

Offline rex

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Re: Sunset Red 1.4 TSI(TFSI) GT Sport - daily drive & track car
« Reply #1010 on: Today at 08:01:30 pm »
Due to the recent warm weather, I managed to drive the Golf... And I have to report the seating position (with the lower seats and steering wheel adapter) is awesome. I truly love it. I feel much more connected tot the car than previously.
As of now, so after only a 15km (9 mile) drive, I have to say the mods are worth it.
Compared to the driving position in my previous 718 GT4 or my current 911, I only dislike 2 things: the pedals are offset to the right (at least for LHD cars) and because of the steering spacer the steering wheel stalks are 5cm further away from the steering wheel (and harder to access especially if you have small hands).

And, something new:











These are BBS CH024 made for Audi (8P0601025R). The offset is 54 (7,5 x 18, ET 54, CB 57.1), so not ideal especially for my car, but I'll fit larger wheel spacers.
Just couldn't pass them on because they were heavily discounted by Audi themselves.
Can't wait to have them fitted!