309 rear beam on a 205 Gti
Discussion
My 205 Started life as a 1.6 Gti but now runs a 1.9, but I still have the original 1.6 rear beam complete with rear drums. I've heard great things about 309 GTi rear beams on 205's as this widens the rear track and helps the handling, plus you get rear disks. I'm not really fussed about rear braking as the car's stripped out for track use and with the brake bias valve I've got the balance spot on now.
Is it worth sticking on the rear beam from a normal (like 1.3 or 1.6) 309 or does it need to the full fat GTi rear beam to get maximum effect? I'm asking cause I've found a very cheap 309 up for grabs.
Is it worth sticking on the rear beam from a normal (like 1.3 or 1.6) 309 or does it need to the full fat GTi rear beam to get maximum effect? I'm asking cause I've found a very cheap 309 up for grabs.
Simes205 - don't you have to do some work to the rear arches to accomodate the wider track of the 309 beam?
I'd second the advice about doing the front wishbones - you can pick them up new for sensible money and it's a simple enough job to replace the existing ones. The 309 wishbones will give you negative camber at the front but you'll need the longer driveshafts from a 309 which you can get from GSF.
I'd second the advice about doing the front wishbones - you can pick them up new for sensible money and it's a simple enough job to replace the existing ones. The 309 wishbones will give you negative camber at the front but you'll need the longer driveshafts from a 309 which you can get from GSF.
Edited by GnuBee on Thursday 31st January 08:46
WEREWOLF said:
Rich
I`ve got 309 rear beam and wishbones on mine and it makes a big difference.Well worth the effort in my view.
Yeah I remember you saying about the beam as you'd just had it done last time we met. Just wanting to find out whether normal 309 beams are in fact the same as GTi ones as I've been told.I`ve got 309 rear beam and wishbones on mine and it makes a big difference.Well worth the effort in my view.
Take a look on forum.205gtidrivers.com there's load of stuff about beams and it's pretty common to see beams of all varieties cropping up in the For Sale area.
If you're looking at one that's on a car then you need to make sure the back of the car will move properly - sometimes you'll find it'll move down and then stay there or it won't move at all. Also look at the rear of the car and any camber on the rear wheels means walk away unless it's very good deal and you're prepared to drop possibly serious money on a rebuild.
If you're looking at one that's on a car then you need to make sure the back of the car will move properly - sometimes you'll find it'll move down and then stay there or it won't move at all. Also look at the rear of the car and any camber on the rear wheels means walk away unless it's very good deal and you're prepared to drop possibly serious money on a rebuild.
^
What he said. Basically, make sure its not a) seized - which means new bearings and maybe new spurs or b) cambered, which means new bearings and deffo new spurs.
the bearings can be done DIY but its a nightmare, and involves making various tools. You can buy recon'd beams from E-bay, might be worth a go?
What he said. Basically, make sure its not a) seized - which means new bearings and maybe new spurs or b) cambered, which means new bearings and deffo new spurs.
the bearings can be done DIY but its a nightmare, and involves making various tools. You can buy recon'd beams from E-bay, might be worth a go?
I recently carried out the same conversion and had the problem of fooked bearings and inner stub axles.
If your after a refurbishment job on it give R Mountjoy a ring (http://www.sspengineering.co.uk/) on 01404 881 325. Its in the middle of no-where but well worth it my beam feels like new and makes the car handle like a demon.
Also i think you need to change the 1.6 braking system to the 1.9 system as the are slightly different and require separate brakelines running from the master cylinder instead of splitting off of a block.
If your after a refurbishment job on it give R Mountjoy a ring (http://www.sspengineering.co.uk/) on 01404 881 325. Its in the middle of no-where but well worth it my beam feels like new and makes the car handle like a demon.
Also i think you need to change the 1.6 braking system to the 1.9 system as the are slightly different and require separate brakelines running from the master cylinder instead of splitting off of a block.
The gains made by fitting the 309 rear beam are pretty negligible. Arguably the car maybe a little more stable, especially the rear, becoming less twitchy with a 309 rear beam but I for one prefer the slightly twitchier more pliable/workable rear. Don't get me wrong you can still be caught out by LOOS with a 309 beam.
Jonny
Jonny
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