forge197 12 Report post Posted March 8, 2014 As I joined here a few months after getting the 86, there are changes/mod's I've made to date, my goals* now I've had the car a while is to stick with NA and tweak the handling, the sound system and keep it reasonably clean (* subject to change of course ) First off a detail so that I have a good base to work with Mudflaps Audio V1.0 seeing a man about something shortly for V2.0 Grimspeed Oil Cap Airfilter Change LED in the boot Bonnet Struts Laile Beatrush Master Cylinder Brace Sharkfin Rear Diffuser Strut Brace StopTech Pads and Discs all Round That brings up to today Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted March 8, 2014 Good work! What did you do with the sound system upgrade? Was it just a sub in the boot? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted March 8, 2014 Yes just a sub in the boot, I'd like to say it's ok, but it not I am seeing Tim on Thursday all being well and hopefully he can make it all better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Test Drives Unlimited 278 Report post Posted March 8, 2014 Look forward to seeing what else you do to your car Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keethos 842 Report post Posted March 9, 2014 Awesome stuff! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted March 9, 2014 Funnily enough, Paul, I popped into see Tim yesterday, haven't seen him for ages. His Golf install is done now. Honestly ask him to show you it. Amazing sound quality, clarity and a ton of welly for showing off. The difference between non DSP and with the DSP on (took him hours apparently) is astounding. It really does need a sub though, so good move. I heard that Sergei had one installed after an initial upgrade. Do keep us updated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted March 9, 2014 I am going specifically to hear the Golf as it has the JL fronts I am considering looking forward to it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted March 9, 2014 It really is astonishingly good, let me know what you think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Took the car over to RRG in Macclesfield to have the ARB's replaced back and front with a more robust adjustable setup, have 4 wheel geometry and a a set of tyres sorted. Tyre wise I've gone for Goodyear F1 Assym 2's all round, and contrary to popular belief around main dealer tyre prices Richard came in competitive with the online guys so worth an ask. Was met by Richard where we promptly had a coffee chatted about the work and did some paperwork, I got the keys to Demo GT86 for the morning which was nice and better than Aygo . Also a chance to see some features mine doesn't have Then I went to McDonalds for breakfast and onto Tim the Car HiFi Man. As an aside I asked the handbrake be tighten which was done, RRG did notice I'd missed the rubber covers for the rear brakes when I did my discs and pads, i've found them so I have a little job to do to sort those out. My first visit to RRG has been coupled with attentive and good service, nice to have a contact that is actually passionate about the cars and helping out the wider enthusiast community, that is unfortunately at least in my experience rare in a main dealer and more expected from a marque specialist, so it's great to have RRG on board . On the short little run I've done the car certainly turns in sharper and it does feel entirely different especially at higher speeds it's less noticeable at lower speeds, the changes do feel like they have made a significant change to the cars handling, which is good as that is what I had hoped for, looking forward now to the Millbrook (not that I wasn't) Day and my next track day. Some pictures courtesy of Richard of the work Hope all the bits are here….. On the ramp Fitting Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted March 13, 2014 It really is astonishingly good, let me know what you think. The Golf is indeed astonishingly good, really nice SQ the definition just lovely could sit in it all day The corrected and uncorrected sound was a surprise such a marked difference, I've asked for a price…. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Love the roll bars, Paul. I'm thinking about doing this at the same time I get coilovers fitted. Can I ask what diameter bars you went for. By the looks of it you went for drop links too. I'm guessing they're extra? I experienced Tim's Golf last Saturday, it really does deliver an astonishing clarity of sound. DSP is well worth it, I'm glad I went for it in my setup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted March 13, 2014 I went 22mm front currently on the soft setting, it's the Whiteline set and yes it came with Droplinks, rear is 18mm adjustable again on soft for now and see how it goes. Has to be DSP there is no point putting that kit in and not having it, it makes the system. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Okay, I was thinking 20mm front and 16mm rear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keethos 842 Report post Posted March 13, 2014 Awesome stuff dude, I recently had my car serviced by Rich and I was well impressed, worth the 2 hour journey there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted April 5, 2014 Originally I was going to get a system installed professionally but on reflection I realised part of the reason for getting the GT86 was to do more tinkering myself, and as I used to be "into" car audio when I was much younger it seemed natural to have a go at installing an upgraded system that would be IOOE, (Improvement Over Original Equipment, and so part 1 is done, part 2 being a subwoofer. Took off door panel, and hit the first issue getting new cable into the cabin seemed pretty hard going, so decided to use pre-installed wire loom, but didn't want to cut the OE connection. So I took the connector from the OE speakers and made a fly lead for my own needs, should be able to reinstate the OE speaker too when need be, Mrs Forge did some jigsaw work and created a base on the modified spare wheel organiser More jigsawing to create the under the amp rack power distribution A bit more for the cross overs Front Speakers Fitted, small amount if deadening added behind the speaker and also used deadening to seal between the speaker and spacer. Tweeter Fitted Some cutting and trimming of cables Power/Earth Distribution and Crossovers All done Cable awaiting the sub Had to re-instate the old tweeters that aren't active due to the crossovers but they are needed to make use of the OE loom for the door speakers as it's routed from head unit to dash to door. I need to tidy some cables up, need to check the earth have a little background noise, even though I've kept power and and audio separate where possible, but will check all the parts where audio could be near power. Could also be because I am using speaker outputs from the head unit, just need to check some bits Will re-do the EQ learning once it's been in for a week or so. First impressions seeing as it's not run in, sounds great massive improvement, can't wait to get the subwoofer sorted, will road test tomorrow and see what it's like on the move and with some other tracks. Really pleased I've done this myself (with some help from Mrs Forge) a long days work but very satisfying thus far Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keethos 842 Report post Posted April 6, 2014 Awesome stuff Forge, it's always satisfying customising the car by yourself, looking forward to the end result! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted April 6, 2014 Yes definitely satisfying, good excuse to go out for a drive today Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riceburner 284 Report post Posted April 6, 2014 Nice work tidy stuff,look forward to hearing that at some point Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted April 6, 2014 Looks good. Same front component setup as mine by the looks of it. If you haven't it's worth dynamating the doors. Also the boot floor of course if that's where the sub is going. Are you using the sub that you already have? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted April 6, 2014 Nice work tidy stuff,look forward to hearing that at some point Thanks, need to sort the sub first then it will be listener ready, assuming it sounds ok, i've dialled out some of the noise think the gains were a bit north, need to rerun the eq setup and connect the processor to the computer and see what's what , might have a look after the F1. Looks good. Same front component setup as mine by the looks of it. If you haven't it's worth dynamating the doors. Also the boot floor of course if that's where the sub is going. Are you using the sub that you already have? Thanks, Focal K2 Power at the front, I am not using the same sub no, I've a JL to go in just waiting for the enclosure to arrive. Did a little dynamating behind the front speakers but not a full door cover at this point that might be one in the future Been out for a few hours this morning things I've learn't gains a bit high, bluetooth sounds awful compared to using the USB port, and that a decent set of fronts with a good amp makes a massive difference even without a subwoofer, though I am looking forward to adding that in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lauren 2259 Report post Posted April 6, 2014 Once you have a decent system in, I wouldn't use bluetooth at all. A connection is best for sound quality. Once you put the sub in, you can put the high pass on and take a bit of work out of the front speakers for bass. Are you going to setup the DSP or are you getting Tim to work some magic? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted April 6, 2014 The bluetooth removes most if not all of the mid-range quite a strange sound, didn't notice the difference with the stock setup. I am going to have a go a setting up myself first if it's not sounding right then I'll book in for a tune, will set the PC up later on and have a look around at the options. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted April 25, 2014 Not the most ground breaking mod New Armrest And had a Whiteline Gearbox Positive Shift kit thing fitted Thanks to RRG Macclesfield for more great service in fitting both and looking at the other bits Still waiting my sub enclosure to clear customers to finish that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keethos 842 Report post Posted April 27, 2014 The arm rest really is something that should have come with the car, just doesn't seem right any more without one. Good stuff! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forge197 12 Report post Posted April 28, 2014 The arm rest really is something that should have come with the car, just doesn't seem right any more without one. Good stuff! Agree does seem something that should just be there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
