the 10 grand question.

[86gti]

ok....
how would you spend 10g on your mk2? :D

[Tim]

VR6 conversion! is there one in australia yet?

[syncro]

VR6 conversion! is there one in australia yet?

A friend of mine did that 14 years ago.:)

[brackie]

Your's is a very nice example, Benny. However if you had to sell it you would never get your money back so what you have to consider is the enjoyment factor while you own it. If this is $10k's worth, then go for it if you can come up with the $$$s! (For God's sake don't borrow to do it and make sure that you insure it for an agreed value that will cover it if it's a total loss.)

[aussieg60]

Motor: Bahn Brenners 16v G60 as in the Golf Limited or turbo the 16v
Suspension : Coilovers
Interior: Black leather Recaro's + VDO cockpit gauges
Wheels: BBS
;)

[tommymac]

1.8t from the A4 sexy stuff

[static1800]

Motor: Bahn Brenners 16v G60 as in the Golf Limited
;)

I was looking at these, shame you need a 16v and a g60 engine to do it :? or i would do it in a flash*
Bahn Brenner do some really good stuff.

If you have the money, time and inclination go for it mate. Doing up cars you never get your money back, but what does it matter.. it's not the reason you do it. As long as you enjoy your car and can make something you're proud of thats all that matters.

*flash being when i have money for it :D

[86gti]

Your's is a very nice example, Benny. However if you had to sell it you would never get your money back so what you have to consider is the enjoyment factor while you own it. If this is $10k's worth, then go for it if you can come up with the $$$s! (For God's sake don't borrow to do it and make sure that you insure it for an agreed value that will cover it if it's a total loss.)


I'd never sell it Brackie. never ever ever!! :D
I wouldnt borrow the money, just planing on what to do when the GTi-R goes.
it will then have some $$ spent and only come out on the weekends.

I'm also olanning on doing all the work myself, with help from you lot and my dad (mechanic for 50 years lol retired now)...

Ive spend thousands of dollars on my past cars and very rarely got my money back, but thats all part of it. lol escorts, Exas, MR2s, corollas, ....
anyway, keep the ideas comming...ive got a few of my own but im interested to know what other owners would do :D
Thankyou.

[GoLfMan]

I'd love to spend tis kind of cash on my mk1... i would never sell it either.

i recon a 1.8t off it tits with coils, lets just say a subtle sledge hammer :D

or a 1.9tdi at about 270hp... no one would ever suspect it ;)

[86gti]

I'd love to spend tis kind of cash on my mk1... i would never sell it either.

i recon a 1.8t off it tits with coils, lets just say a subtle sledge hammer :D

yea!!!!!! i will be using some to pay off my loan too, so ill have an extra couple of hundred a week for the mk1...that is hopefully how things will go (in the near future)...

My ideas so far are (mind can change whitout a moments notice)
-working a 16v 1.8 an leaving the k-jet setup...
-16x8 and 16x7 in BBS rims
-bonrath single lamp grill
-g60 arches etc
-Big bumpers
-coil overs
-paint job - same colour
and a g60 brake upgrade if ive got any change left over, lol.....

[ausgolfer]

I've already done my coilovers.

I'd fully rebuild/blueprint my 16v with cams, PP, stainless extractors AND.....

The best possible gearbox for a FWD car, a Sequential QUAIFE 6 Speed!!! (think they make 7 speeds these days)
I nearly bought a 2nd hand one of these last year before I got my coilovers but my budget didn't quite stretch that far. Apparently the handling and take off benefits of having a LSD of this type are massive, and the sequential dog box is lightning quick.

[ausgolfer]

Then again I like my Mk2 so much (despite the fact I haven't washed it in weeks) I think I could easily spend 40K on it if I had the money to waste (by waste I mean if I had a nice house etc. already)j:

[joshyd-mk2gti]

strip the hell out of it + coilovers + vr6t

[86gti]

im not convinced on the vr6 conversion, because there is allot of other things to consider with that conversion that will add up to quite allot.
like the right spring rates and brakes etc...but the again i dont know enough about them..also include the fuel system - then u into front cut territory. :?

[Tim]

ud obviously need a parts car. theyre dirt cheap tho. A lot of stuff from a mk3 bolts right up to the mk2. It obviously wont do wonders for the dynamics of the car but would be a giggle a minute!
stock vr6 in a mk2 can do a 14 sec flat quarter i think.

[86gti]

yea, love a VR6...but when u get into the other things involved...:(
i dont have power steer...need instuments etc, and i figure i should in theory have a 16v with an output around the same as a std vr6 for less than getting a donor or a front cut.....anyone, help? hehe

[ausgolfer]

VR6's sound sooo sweet but I just couldn't go backwards from a car with 4 valves per cylinder to 2 valves, I'd need an R32 motor then j:
Then again once I get my pod filter sorted I'll prob be back on the 16v band wagon.

Athough the benefit of doing a vr6 swap if you have a parts car is you can go wide track suspension, and there are a lot more choices in wheels in 5x100 rather than 4 x100.

[Tim]

easy enuf to go 5x100 on a mk2!

[Valver.]

You need a lot more than $10k to do most of the stuff in question properly (i.e. 20vT), even without labour :(

I vote for an OBD2 VR6 swap with a complete donor car, though :D That way you have 288mm brakes, 5x100PCD, widetrack, nice seats to fit with minor mods to subframes, cable change 'box, Mk3 dash, etc - all in the one car!!

All you really need then is quality coilovers, strut braces and swaybars - $4000 - and an exhaust, then a few bits and pieces to tidy up the engine, like gaskets, a timing chain, clutch, fluids etc and you're on the road :)

[G60JAY]

16vg60 for starters and brembo upgrade with koni/eibach set up. Well thats what i'm doing at the moment!!
http://users.tpg.com.au/jayg60/DSC00379.JPG

[TassieGTi]

$10k sounds like a lot, but it doesn’t get you far when you sit down and plan it out :(

I have receipts that add up to $44k……spent on my S3 by the previous owner in the space of 3 years! You will never get your money back, but it is the enjoyment of the project and the end product that counts……time and money well spent if you are going to do the work with your Dad :)

A VR6 conversion is feasible and unique for a Mk2 in Australia. At the end of the day, ease of access to the parts will keep the costs down. I can tell that trying to find a balance between the Mk1 and Mk2 is going to do your head in :D All part of the fun of ownership :D

Just a list of things to consider for all of us considering a conversion project:

1. Make sure the project is realistically achievable. Are you capable of doing most of the labor intensive work yourself? Many projects begin with great enthusiasm, but never get finished due to skill and financial issues!

2. The more complicated the conversion, the longer the car is off the road. How long can you do without the car? It always takes longer than planned to complete a conversion!

3. Is the car to be used as a daily driver or weekend cruiser? This will obviously influence the direction your project takes.

4. Have you got easy access to all of the parts required? Donor cars or someone with access to the parts you require will help.

5. Plan it out before you begin. This will hopefully minimise the amount you go over budget. There are always lots of hidden costs that can be overlooked.

6. Are further upgrades to the conversion possible? People always want more when they have finished! Can you get more from the car down the track, such as a turbo/program upgrade on a 20vt conversion?

7. Is it a car you wish to keep long term? If not, can you justify the time and money spent? It will be the buyer that benefits from all your hard work!

8. Don’t take short cuts! Be prepared to spend what is required to ensure a quality product. It is well worth it in the end. A VR6 conversion without brake and suspension upgrades??

9. Uniqueness and power? It is certainly the uniqueness of a project that appeals to me. However, consider the money spent for the power achieved! A simple 16v conversion or a more complicated and costly 20vt conversion running a standard 150bhp??

Very boring of me, but I'm sure others can add more!!

[zjm]

Id buy another one and then put the other $9000 on my mortgage

[GoLfMan]

i think you have covered everything Tassie....

Stop and Think... I know from experience that dreams are free but reality costs a whole lot more ;) work to your budget and start when you have the funds to do so :)

[86gti]

You need a lot more than $10k to do most of the stuff in question properly (i.e. 20vT), even without labour :(


yea, i know, it all adds up...need a bit more than a motor and a day to drop it straight in..
Anyone know of supercharger kits for K-jet 16v?
Im 99% shure of the 16v conversion, with mods....and maybe something to help move it along.. seen a few k-jet turbo set ups, but they look like a nightmare!


Id buy another one and then put the other $9000 on my mortgage
lol, if i could find a MK2 GTI for 1g id buy it now.....show me where!!!!

Yea i know what you mean Mike...thats why im still keeping the 16v idea pretty close..
I know allot of people new to the car scene just see the price of the motor and think thats all you need...
done a few conversions in my time (all jappers and escorts) and yess the estimate always goes way over, when you consider all the little things.
just really wanting a conversion i can build on over time...so the 16v seems the best choice at the moment....
nothing to rave about i know, but im trying to be realistic and have some money left over for some rims and addons.

[evorobin]

20VT and coilovers

[aussieg60]

Maybe this vid will help you decide on the 16v G60 :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVTLJox7Td8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7DN2cOgpaU

[static1800]

stop giving me naughty ideas....

[2L mk2]

I'm about to do a VR6 swap into my mk2 later this yr I have a complete mk3 lined up.

once I start I'll keep everyone posted on the progress

Scott

[nick1234]

not sure if you'd like my opinion, but I'd do the paint and whatever needs to be done (optical stuff). The rest I'd save for upcoming repairs and possible parts you might need in the future. I'd personally make it original again and save the rest.

Last summer in Germany somebody crashed into my parking MK2 and ran off - can happen anywhere, of course nobody saw the chap. I really like the insurance tip (agreed value) but I wouldn't spend it all ! Accidents do happen and if something happens you've spent all this money and time.

Btw. I'd keep the original bumpers cause you hardly see any scratches on those ! Just a suggestion though ...

Enjoy and good luck !

[william]

i know the first mk2 gti vr6 the guy that built it is a friend of mine james mckinon worked with him at barlo oak green two door mk2gti he showed me his pics of the build up it floating around sydney in wollongong i think

[Golf Loon]

i know the first mk2 gti vr6 the guy that built it is a friend of mine james mckinon worked with him at barlo oak green two door mk2gti he showed me his pics of the build up it floating around sydney in wollongong i think

Amost right, started as a 4 door white Mk2 and then was painted black. I`ve seen the photos too. Mullers and Jaimo were both involved in the build. I think it is in the Gong tho, or crashed ;)

[william]

that would be one nice car to get my hands on jaimos work is awesome and the car was imac in the pics

[aussieg60]

look at this bay ;)
http://www.dubforce.net/forums/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=4550

[Oneofthegreats]

Amost right, started as a 4 door white Mk2 and then was painted black. I`ve seen the photos too. Mullers and Jaimo were both involved in the build. I think it is in the Gong tho, or crashed ;)

You're on the money Loon

I just stumble across this thread & thought I could shed some light on this mk2 VR6.

The original owner was a friend of my dad's. His name is Daryl Donald.

I think from memory this conversion was carried out before the VR6 was released in Australia & maybe the first Mk2 VR6 conversion out right! Correct me if I'm wrong, it was along time ago & I was a little tacker.
It cost him an arm & a leg using alot of new genuine parts.

Anyway, here's some pics of it that I've had for quite a while. A friend took them when Daryl picked him up from the airport. He left him very white knuckled as the story goes. I think it ran 14.4 ET MPH unknown.
The back was totally stripped out as indicated by the pics.

This car should be a piece of VW history in OZ.

http://xs215.xs.to/xs215/07221/MK2VR6.jpg (http://xs.to)

http://xs215.xs.to/xs215/07221/MK2VR61.jpg (http://xs.to)

http://xs215.xs.to/xs215/07221/MK2VR62.jpg (http://xs.to)

[Golf Loon]

Nice pics Tim. Good find. Car looks like a South African Import, not an Aussie digi car as I thought. That would make the conversion harder as the fusebox is wrong. I reckon it would have to be 1993.

[GermanwithaVdub]

Go an r32 conversion if you have 10 grand... ok well 10 if you do the work yourself... but i guess that qualifies. look on german ebay theres engines and drivetrains from r32s for under 6k euros.

[DaveMack]

Go an r32 conversion if you have 10 grand... ok well 10 if you do the work yourself... but i guess that qualifies. look on german ebay theres engines and drivetrains from r32s for under 6k euros.

Fit in a Polo, you reckon? :D

Dave

[syncro]

Nice pics Tim. Good find. Car looks like a South African Import, not an Aussie digi car as I thought. That would make the conversion harder as the fusebox is wrong. I reckon it would have to be 1993.

Daryl changed the fuse box to the late Mk2 type as it was an '86 South African from what I can remember.
He worked the conversion out by himself and bought most of the parts new before VR6s were in Australia. Daryl and I went to LA in August '93 and went to a VW dealer to get the measurements and take photos of the Golf VR6s.

This was probably one of the first conversions in the world and he found out later from Tim Styles or Brian Rickets(?) that he should have lowered the engine. As you can see by the wear marks on the engine cover.

Does anyone here know where Daryl is now?

[Oneofthegreats]

Go an r32 conversion if you have 10 grand... ok well 10 if you do the work yourself... but i guess that qualifies. look on german ebay theres engines and drivetrains from r32s for under 6k euros.

I hate to say it, but even if you do find one for approx 6K euro that's over 9k AUD! Then you've got to ship it here & fit it. So your budget is blown to start with & all you have is an engine sitting oversea's.

I reckon to do a conversion like this incl. fitting the R32 AWD system & the work's & also buying the running gear, you wouldn't get much change out of 25 - 30K & that's if you do i yourself.

10K isn't really much when you think of it to spend on a car, especially if you plan on modifying everything. Engine, suspension, exterior, interior etc.
But if you only plan on modifying or upgrading one aspect you'll be fine.

I've spent 12/5K on just running gear in one of my previous car's & that was engine, tran's & diff. & that's all I done. That wasn't even crazy equipment too.

Saying this which just came to me, with that kind of money you could find a smashed VR6 & you could do most of this with the engine, tran's, brakes & suspension(just the control arms, trailing arm's etc. wouldn't use the shock's & ARB's)



Does anyone here know where Daryl is now?

Last I heard, (which was plenty of year's ago now) that he wasn't very well at all, but like I said, that was plenty of years ago. I hope he's better now.

[static1800]

Go an r32 conversion if you have 10 grand... ok well 10 if you do the work yourself... but i guess that qualifies. look on german ebay theres engines and drivetrains from r32s for under 6k euros.

If you're going to do that with 10k, go to the auctions and pick up a vr6. You will need running gear for the conversion that you wont get just from buying a crate motor and you could scrape in under the 10k mark.

[GOLFBALLS]

Yep. Get a wreck/write off from auction. I just bought a 2001 Audi S3 wreck for $4900 (minus interior)!!:D Only has 47,000 k's. I'll be taking the 20vT outta that and dumping it in my Mk2. As this motor already has 220bhp (which i'm quite happy with) i wont have to faff about spending $$$ modifying a "normal" 150bhp 1.8T
This way you can also take all the extra bits you want for the conversion and sell off the rest of the wreck to make some money back. You could possibly break even if you play your cards right with some luck! (obviously depending on what ya buy).
Personally, i've read that the VR6 lump can be a bit of a bitch to work with and it also is a heavy engine. To modify it, you will need to spend a lot of time and $$ tuning it just right to make sure it wont need to be rebuilt every two months. On the other hand, the 1.8T is very strong, relatively light, and capable of massive power increases without lunching itself.
BTW: Keep those small bumpers dude! Too many big goofys around;)