1981 Rabbit Erik.Shifflett@nextel.com Car class DSPDescription. The following setup worked well enough to win the SCCA championship in DSP for the New England Region in 1999. It is not even close to being perfect, but the car was built on a tight budget, so for all
you budget racers out there... here are a few ideas.
1) The stiffer the better!!! As stiff set of springs will work wonders on responsiveness, camber control while cornering, and overall communication ability between you and the car. I installed very cheap, used Neuspeed "Race Springs". These look like progressive rate springs, but the smaller coils collapse under the weight of the car. They are actually linear springs made this way so that they stay seated in the spring perches under all circumstances. I'll guess the front rates are around 400lbs, rear about 300lbs. The ride is very rough, and really not too well suited to a street car, although they can be endured.
2) The shocks are Koni adjustable on all four corners. I chose these because they are stiffer than anything else in their price range. (125. each). I drive to the races on soft, then turn the fronts to full stiffness, and the rear to half way for racing.
3) No front sway bar, but added a large, 27mm. rear bar to further reduce roll, but primarily to reduce understeer. Understeer is the plague of a front wheel drive car. A stiff rear end in a Rabbit creates an excellent
throttle steer ability. In other words, to keep the rear in line, floor it... to let the rear out, or to induce oversteer, (or a spin if you're not careful) just lift off the gas while cornering. NO FRONT BAR IS KEY!!! Just stiff front springs.
4) PUT YOUR CAR ON A SERIOUS DIET!!! Weight is your enemy. If it's legal to remove an
item according to the SCCA rule book, than get rid of it!!! Rear wiper, and motor, passenger side mirror, spray on sound deadening which was not applied to older Rabbits from the factory, air conditioning, power steering, cruise control... it all has to go!
5) Tires. I used and swear by the Hoosier Autocross Radials. (A305 model) Size 225/50/13. Thirteen inch rims key for light weight and fitment. Wheels sized 13 by 8.
6) Engine is a stock 1.8 low compression 8valve from an 83 or 84 rabbit gti including full throttle enrichment switch and all associated electronics. These are a dime a dozen in junkyards. Add a decent exhaust manifold, and free flowing muffler, K&N air filter, and your up to 110 horses from 90.
7) Tranny is close ratio JH code from same GTi donor car with a lightened flywheel.
That's it!!!
Erik