Tipex Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Right, I've been offered an old mk1 Skoda Octavia for basically peanuts. It's slightly unusual in that it's a 1.8t 4X4. It's not a VRS. Now it's an ex cab, so it's up on miles (but not horrendous) I was thinking of ripping the interior out as it's a bit ropey, and stripping it for a track car. What power do these have as standard, and what is the engines tuning potential without spending fortunes? What's this Haldex 4X4 really like? is it any good on track or just extra weight slowing you down? I'm used to my Scooby's permanent 4WD so I'm not sure about this haldex malarkey. Anyone think it'd make a good track car and surprise/embarrass a few big boys toys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonC Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 What's this Haldex 4X4 really like? is it any good on track or just extra weight slowing you down? Cue the R32 drivers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Haldex is the same system as the TT, S3, R32 etc etc. Its permanent 4x4 in the sense that it is not user selectable, and is there when you need it. It cuts in at a fraction of a second via an electronic controlled clutch within the diff. There are also upgrade controllers available from Haldex themselves to change the charachteristics/ tweak their performance. I personally have been in 2 modded S3's since 2002, which considering i used to keep my cars 18 months as i got bored easily, speaks volumes. Certainly with my remapped S3, the haldex is in 4x4 mode more than people give it credit for. This is easily seen when fooling the car into 2wd with one notch on the handbrake, enough to bring on the switch, but not the brakes. As 4x4 is disengaged on braking, you get 2wd. Try a spirited acceleration from a junction, or even mid straight run, in the wet, and it just spins up the front wheels and torque steers. With haldex, it doesnt. Its far easier to detect when haldex isnt woking properly, than when it is!, I dont even notice it switching. However someone like Scotty, who has alot of track miles, and has driven both types of "quattro" extensively probably will. I think they are based on the 1.8T Mk4 150bhp golf engine but dont quote me on that. However, all the VAG 1.8T based engines have traditionally been good tunable engines. A quick remap, decent fuel. and a good service will soon bring out a few more bhp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 I can't offer any practical advice, but if it's cheap, I reckon you could have an interesting trackslag there mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Tipex - It's NOT like the Scooby AWD system - it's electronically controlled, rather than mechanically, so you have to drive a Haldex car in a slightly different way, anticipating when the rear wheels will get their full whack of torque chucked at them. Can't remember if I ever took you round Donington in my R32? You can uprate the rear Haldex controller (this is what determines when the Haldex clutch kicks in to chuck torque to the rear). You'll need one of these if you're going to use it as a track toy. About £600. 1.8T on that up to 200bhp with a remap. Stick a decent exhaust on it and you're up to about 220bhp & 240torques. Stick a K04 turbo on it and you can get up around 270bhp and 300 torques - again needs a decent remap, preferably custom remap set up on a rolling road. Not sure how much the car is, but spend about £3K on it and you'll have a decent engine, exhaust, suspension set-up and brakes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 I can't offer any practical advice That's completely normal isn't it...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theduisbergkid Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 That's completely normal isn't it...? You. Outside. Now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Anyone think it'd make a good track car and surprise/embarrass a few big boys toys? Yes, as long as you set it up right and well, based on my toy, you know a 1.8T can surpirse some much bigger toys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 You. Outside. Now. Why, can't you see your mirror properly in the office light to put your eyeliner on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Could be interesting Tipex. If it's cheap, it's a go-er in my eyes. You'll never get the proper 4wd driving experience but a performance Haldex controller will certainly help. The great thing is that everything's cheap. A decent set of big brakes will be cheap second hand, tuning is cheap as so many people tune them and again you could get second hand bits from everywhere. The fact that they're based on the Golf means that anything for a Golf/A3/S3/TT etc will all bolt straight on. If you don't like the Haldex, you could always get a cheap gearbox, put a LSD in it and remove the 4wd components (saving weight here too). It might handle better like that anyway. I'd be seriously interested.. very tunable and bits available from everywhere. It's almost a no brainer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 (edited) I think they might only be a 150HP model though, prehapes chip tuning?! 0-62 9.0s. Edited May 21, 2009 by steelwind101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Yes it is only 150bhp but it's simple enough to sort that out My 150bhp Golf GTi + remap went like stink! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 I've owned an Audi S3 and Golf .:R32 in the past both with Haldex 4WD. I really like the safety aspect of these systems and their all weather capabilities. I dont really push my cars "hard" but I have been out in many RWD and FWD cars and given the british weather we have the 4WD option wins for me. Went out in my cousins SLK55 AMG (360bhp RWD) and its one scary car in the wet.... seriously...... Haldex is a big thumbs up from me Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Riz, we're talking about a stripped out, fire-breathing, knuckle skinning track toy here. Not safety on roads! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riz Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Riz, we're talking about a stripped out, fire-breathing, knuckle skinning track toy here. Not safety on roads! Doh Well in that case get the Haldex PP ECU..... I dont think you can do much more with the Haldex system? :confused: Riz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Yeah you can, you can take it off and have FWD with LSD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Scott Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Not that I know much about it, but as long as it has four working brakes . . sounds like from what everyone is saying its worth a go mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Scott Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 . . . and you let me have a go in it! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted May 21, 2009 Report Share Posted May 21, 2009 Not that I know much about it, but as long as it has four working brakes Definitely a pre-req! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted May 23, 2009 Report Share Posted May 23, 2009 we're talking about a stripped out, fire-breathing, knuckle skinning track toy here Erm, are we still talking about Tipex and a Skoda..? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Originally Posted by shark_90 we're talking about a stripped out, fire-breathing, knuckle skinning track toy here Erm, are we still talking about Tipex and a Skoda..? Yes, one is a track toy, the other a Skoda... (did I really just type that? ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Yes, one is a track toy, the other a Skoda... I've been called a lot of things in my time, but thats the first time I've been called a 'track toy' I think I've decided to can this idea, the car is stupidly cheap, but the cost of the necessary modifications, and the fact I'll end up with a car that really isn't much more powerful than the Scooby I already have, and it has a pretend 4X4 system rather than the Scoobys proper 4X4, I think I might as well just stick with what I've got for the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelwind101 Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 Its fun to think these things through though? As i tell the wife, what ever it is you want, imagine it, enjoy it in your mind. After a while you will probably be over it and work out you dont really need it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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