Willy's 72' 2002

[rturbo 930]

Ah, that sucks, doesn't look like it was quite that hard of a hit, but old cars tend to be pretty flimsy. I think I'd still get a quote though, since your chassis is pretty rough. Long term, it might still be easier/cheaper. Lots of little dents and rust spots to be dealt with, and the time and effort to fix each one will add up fast.

[IzzY_325is]

Oh this is too sweet, I love 2002's.

[Big Willy]

Ah, that sucks, doesn't look like it was quite that hard of a hit, but old cars tend to be pretty flimsy. I think I'd still get a quote though, since your chassis is pretty rough. Long term, it might still be easier/cheaper. Lots of little dents and rust spots to be dealt with, and the time and effort to fix each one will add up fast.

I feel like it would be fairly expensive. Not shown in the picture is the driver's side door pushed back a few inches and unable to close. In reality the orange car looks rough but would need probably as much work as the blue one, but it's work that I can do myself.

[rturbo 930]

Oh, didn't realize it was that bad. Yeah, might be better off as a parts car.

[Link]

Sub'd to see the seat and wheels make in onto the car.

[semaj4712]

Those seats will look great in that car, esp if you leave it with the great patina it has

[Big Willy]

Took a picture with the front bumper



Got some tires mounted





Got some shop space





Removed the corroded shut gland nuts



Removed the old, blown shocks



Comparing the new VW Rabbit Bilsteins to the stock KYBs



Will continue work today.

[Big Willy]

I started today by cutting off the stock perch




then cutaway 2" from the strut tube




Comparison between stock and new setup






Grind and weld









Mounted new brake rotors and bolted everything back together








At full droop




Finally








Rears in a week when the springs come in

[phreshkid]

YESSSSSSSSSS. Are those 15" alpinas with the low offsets?

Are you running Bilstein Sport or HD rabbit inserts? What are the spring rates?

[Big Willy]

YESSSSSSSSSS. Are those 15" alpinas with the low offsets?

Are you running Bilstein Sport or HD rabbit inserts? What are the spring rates?

They are the Heyking O.Z. alpina style wheels for the E21, 15x7 et12. VW Rabbit Bilstein Sports. Spring rates are 400 lbs in front, no idea what brand. The rears will be the 350 lbs race springs from Ireland Engineering.

[phreshkid]

They are the Heyking O.Z. alpina style wheels for the E21, 15x7 et12. VW Rabbit Bilstein Sports. Spring rates are 400 lbs in front, no idea what brand. The rears will be the 350 lbs race springs from Ireland Engineering.

Holy balls, dude. Have you ever ridden in an 02 with 400lb/350lb springs? It's not pretty. That's full race-car spec.

I ran 275lb/whatever IE Stage 2 rears are and it was noticibly stiff, but really manageable.

I even have a set of 300lb 7" front eibach springs that I'll send your way if you want to try them.

It's not an issue of if you can handle that stiff, it's a question of how long you want to endure that level of stiffness.


But I like the direction. A lot.

[Big Willy]

Holy balls, dude. Have you ever ridden in an 02 with 400lb/350lb springs? It's not pretty. That's full race-car spec.

I ran 275lb/whatever IE Stage 2 rears are and it was noticibly stiff, but really manageable.

I even have a set of 300lb 7" front eibach springs that I'll send your way if you want to try them.

It's not an issue of if you can handle that stiff, it's a question of how long you want to endure that level of stiffness.


But I like the direction. A lot.

I'll have to drive it around some and see how it feels then. My E30 has 450/650 F/R and I've been able to tolerate that stiffness for the past 4 years, is that comparable to a 400/350 set up on a 2002, or should I quite while I'm a head and get softer springs. It's not going to be a track car, but not an every day to work driver either.

[phreshkid]

I'd say resume your original plan and see what happens/how you like it.

But if you want to go with a different set of springs, I'll throw the 300# springs you way.

[Big Willy]

Lowered the rear, waiting for camber plates for the front to fix the positive camber and replace the cracking top hats.



It's amazing how much a car can change with a simple ride height adjustment.

[deutschman]

lookin goooood