WANTED: Golf MK2 in any condition for VR6 or R32 conversion

[GermanwithaVdub]

Hi, im new here so forgive my non-forum-lingo. i'm after an mk2 to convert it completely to either a vr6 or an r32 (depending on the money) but before that, i need the actual shell. it doesnt have to be rolling, nor does it particularly matter about rust and the interior is basically not needed. i will be replacing everything except the panels so it will basically be a vr6/r32 in disguise because i love mk2s. thanks, any replies welcome especially from those with an mk2 to sell to me or those who have done something similar!

[static1800]

If you're looking for a 3 door good luck in finding one over here. You will find a few late model 5 door gti's though.

[GermanwithaVdub]

well a 3door would be nice but i dont really mind... it definitely wont be a daily driver, have a new tdi for that :) but yeh it seems as though mk2s are extremely rare here in aus. do you think its worth importing one from the uk? i've seen ones being sold over there for under 1k aussie. have many people stuck vr6 engines in mk2s over here? theres quite a lot of them in germany.

[pommy_golfer]

will you be doing the conversion yourself? There are a few mk2 Vrs in the UK too...I have a mk2 16v KR and was thinking about bringing that over. I planned on either a 1.8T or VR6 conversion and still dont know which to choose. i have heard that a VR in the Mk2 screws up its awesome handling as the front becomes too heavy? Ive also heard that on 1.8T conversions there are alot of problems with these engines and they are forever going wrong?

It might be worth bringing a mk2 over from the Uk, but its gonna cost you!

[GermanwithaVdub]

well ive heard mixed opinions on the handling issue with the heavier engine etc... although a lot of that of course is to do with the suspension setup you choose. as far as im concerned, a vr6 has a lot more potential.

although you could of course find a mk5 gti engine and have it chipped and youd have at least 180kw at the flywheel straight up. all depends on what you want the car for. ive seen r32 engines and drivetrains in germany being sold for around the 5-6 thousand euro mark, if you wanted to replace everything and just use the mk2 as a shell. of course the computer would need to be re-done and im not sure how everything would fall into place, but i know r32 mk2s do exist.

my vote: go for the vr6 and buy good suspension.

[ausgolfer]

I have a mk2 2door 16v here in aus, they're rare, probably less than 30 2 doors in aus. I've seen a 1 standard cl spec 2 door in melbourne.

I'd like to do the same thing one day.

Where are you in aus?

[GermanwithaVdub]

im in sydney. im thinking that it might be too much trouble to get a motor from overseas. ive seen some vr6s on auction at pickles so i guess it wouldnt be too hard to pick up a cheap vr6 and strip it for parts to put them into an mk2. you're already a few steps ahead of me since you have an mk2 haha

[ausgolfer]

im in sydney. im thinking that it might be too much trouble to get a motor from overseas. ive seen some vr6s on auction at pickles so i guess it wouldnt be too hard to pick up a cheap vr6 and strip it for parts to put them into an mk2. you're already a few steps ahead of me since you have an mk2 haha

May have the car, but struggling uni students have not much money j:

[h100vw]

Ive also heard that on 1.8T conversions there are alot of problems with these engines and they are forever going wrong?

It might be worth bringing a mk2 over from the Uk, but its gonna cost you!

Bringing one over isn't really possible. Although if you don't mind doing some body work I have seen a few folk convert a 5 door shell to 3 doors.

Maybe do it with a couple of half cuts, but get them done down the middle ;)

There's nowt wrong with the 1.8Ts that a good install wouldn't prevent. Doing it cheap isn't going to work. Getting reliable big horsepower can be tough. The base engine is solid and good for 300hp with std internals. The first thing to go is the rods.

I would stick with a 4 cylinder if I was doing a conversion. Seen some VRs that don't go round corners too well at all.


My 2 pence and cents.

Gavin

[Golf Loon]

I have a complete VR6 engine, loom and gearbox if you can find a Mk2.

Unlikely to get a 2 door, but you could bring in a pre 1988 UK one easy enough.

I know of one VR6 Mk2 that was built in 1994 in Sydney, but dunno where it has gone.

I built a VR6 Ibiza (same conversion) last year and that is still being enjoyed by William and is a 2 door :) That handled pretty sweet, i reckon the key is using the widetrack suspension from the VR6.

I also have a good import syestem setup for motors and other parts, so if you want me to assist you in any way, I will.

Welcome to the forum too, hope you build a crazy Mk2.
There were a couple of hundred 1991-1992 Digi cars brought here and loads of South African and Pommie personal imports. They are out there, you just need to find em.

[GermanwithaVdub]

thanks for your advice, i shall go on the hunt for a (preferably) rather broken down mk2 that i can pick up for cheap... but i understand that might not be as easy as it sounds, i might have to look into getting an old one from the uk afterall.

basically since its a project im willing to do anything to it (including maybe a conversion to 2 door). loon you mentioned that you import engines... is it feasible cost-wise to import one? i'm really rather ignorant to how much shipping for either the car or a potential engine or drivetrain would be :S

[syncro]

Your better off with a previously registered private import than an Australian complianced one as it may be easier to get engineered.

[GermanwithaVdub]

why is that? i'm not really too familiar with the registration conditions in nsw...

[syncro]

Because the car does not have to fully comply. Really depends on the engineer.

[Golf Loon]

The RTA does not know what engine would be in a fully imported car, as they have no spec sheet on it, so you can get away with a lot more.

I`d get a South African import, which is worth less than an Aussie Car and which has been registered in NSW and go nuts on it.

I know a guy in far NW sydney who has a couple of Mk2s he wants to sell. One is Silver 1987 South African KJet GTI with sunroof and GTI interior, small bumpers 5 door and the other is a base model 5 door with a 1.8 engine on LPG! He wants about $3500-4000 each for em. They are both good cars though so would be a shame to turn em into a project.

There was also a Mk2 down in Melbie that had no engine or gearbox that the bloke wanted $1000 for. It would cost you $500 or more to get a non running car up to sydders tho.

Let me know if you want details of any of these.

I can get you an engine from the UK, but 1.8Ts are still going for nearly 1000quid with a wiring loom and ecu, add in a bit of freight and it`ll cost $3500-$4000 to get a motor here.

You can buy a damaged GTI Golf 4 at the Auctions in Sydney for $5000-6000 if you are lucky, but there are not many out there.

[GermanwithaVdub]

well i was hoping (rather optimistically it now seems) that i would be able to get a shell for around the 1k mark. it seems silly to tear apart a golf that someone is selling as a complete running car and effectively throw away its guts. i might in the near future take you up on your offer of getting in contact with the guy in melb.

it seems as if you're leaning towards a 1.8t conversion instead of vr6... i guess theres a reason for that? you probably know the ins and outs about what im hoping to do seeing as you've done it with an ibiza.

[Golf Loon]

A VR6 conversion is easier to do atm, as there are more donor vehicles out there and they are cheaper. Makes a great noise too. :D

Whatever you do, you are gonna need to upgrade the brakes, at least the beeza has abs as standard. Would be an arse putting all that into a Mk2.

VR6 or 1.8T, you choose.

[GermanwithaVdub]

would definitely be putting bigger brakes, maybe just directly from a vr6 but i definitely wouldnt be worrying about abs. and i love the way the vr6s drive... im more a fan of bigger v6's than small capacity 4s with big turbos.. not that im one to talk, driving a golf tdi haha

[Yoshi Boom]

If you want to get a shell for under $1000 you probably are looking at a mk1. I am pretty sure that a v-tec will fit into a mk1, not sure about the vr6. I am sure someone can clear that up for you. Plus the mk1 is lighter than a mk2 making for more fun.

This one here is $1000, needs a bit of work on the inside though:

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/VOLKSWAGEN/GOLF/details.aspx?Model=GOLF&__Nne=20&__N=4294962746+0+557+4294962677+834+285+257&Make=VOLKSWAGEN&State=All%20States&silo=1003&state_id=0&distance=25&Cr=10&seot=0&__sid=112C52591383&R=1231213&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1||pCar_ImageCo unt_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_DateTime|1&trecs=11

If you want to drive it home, this one is a '79 going for $3800.

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/VOLKSWAGEN/GOLF/details.aspx?Model=GOLF&__Nne=20&__N=4294962746+0+557+4294962677+834+285+257&__sid=112C52591383&seot=0&silo=1003&State=All%20States&state_id=0&distance=25&Cr=5&trecs=11&Make=VOLKSWAGEN&R=1287078&__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_I mageCount_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_LastModifiedDate_Dat eTime%7C1&__No=0

[GermanwithaVdub]

wah you'd have to be more nutcase than enthusiast to buy that thing! haha jokes that would actually be the perfect car/condition that im looking for... if only it was in mk2 guise. as far as i know, everything is interchangeable from mk2 onwards but not with the mk1s sadly. i like mk2s in particular... possibly slightly because i remember riding in my 2 brothers various mk2s back in germany many years ago. dont know what they had done to them but the suspension was hard as rock and they were awsome.

[syncro]

Mk2s are much better cars than Mk1s and it is much easier to modify the brakes without the linkages. I'd prefer a German made Golf 2 than a South African. There's plenty around. The later model the better as they modified them throughout the life of the Mk2.

[evorobin]

I don't think people can comprehend the amount of $$$ these projects suck up tbh

[GermanwithaVdub]

well over the life of the car i'm sure it would cost many thousands... but its a piece by piece hobby thing, not all at once. plus you end up with the car you want

[Golf Loon]

Yeah Mk2 platform is easier for bolting a late model engine into than Mk1

VTEC?? What????

There are knackered Mk2s kicking around for $1000, or a little bit more, but you have to search for em.

[86gti]

2 door would be best (IMO) pretty hard to find! ive got one, but it not for sale for any amount, lol
what sort of LOOK are you going for?:D

[evorobin]

I haven't mentioned this as it's pretty rough imo. Turns out (last week ffs) my brother inlaw (card yard manager) was offered a big bumper mk2 GTI 2 door trade in. Offered the guy $500 against a ute. Guy came back the next day and bought the ute having sold the car to his mate for, get this. $750

There are bargains to be had out there but god only knows how infrequently they crop up!

[benissatan]

how much is he selling this mk2 2 door for now! i will buy !!!

[gldgti]

v-tec? anyone want to clear up this little mess? its smells like hon... hon.... hond.... honestly i cant even say it.

[GermanwithaVdub]

hang on, whered vtec come into it? for 750$ id buy it tonight!!! i guess theres some ppl around who dont know anything about them and just pass them off as if they're a regular old bomb... i suppose some of you out there watch the auctions pretty regularly, do mk2s come through much? if they did i wouldnt think thered be much of a market for them at an auction

[Golf Loon]

There is probably 500 or So Mk2 Golfs in Oz. The prices range from $10000 to $500, but they dont come up for sale that often. You get the odd car yard trade in where people dont know or care what it is, or one with a knackered motor or gearbox. If you want a real cheapy, it could be a long wait.

[evorobin]

I've heard of aussie mk2's in mint condition going for a few grand at auction from vw parts guys in Adelaide. Trouble is you have to watch ALL the auctions every week for a year ATLEAST before you find one. Certainly I've never seen a mk2 at any auctions listings I've looked at...

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/VOLKSWAGEN/GOLF/details.aspx?__Ns=pCar_PrivateSpecialFlag_Int32|1| |pCar_ImageCount_Int32|1||pCar_LastModifiedDate_Da teTime|1&Make=VOLKSWAGEN&State=All%20States&PriceMax=10000&state_id=0&distance=25&__Dx=mode+matchany&trecs=2&Model=GOLF&__Nne=20&__N=4294962746+0+408+4294962677+834+285+257&__Ntk=CarAll&silo=1003&keywords=gti&__sid=10F527388B6C&Cr=0&__D=gti&seot=0&__Ntt=gti&__Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&R=1328395

Sell the engine + g/box from this one and it would have only cost a few grand. As far as trades in at car yards go though my wife has a nice car (trade in haha) we paid 2400 for and insured it for book value of $8K last year ;)

[GermanwithaVdub]

theres only a couple of big auction houses in aus arent there? i know of pickles and fowles... are there any others? ive seen quite a few vr6s go through there (either in golf, bora or passat guise)

[Golf Loon]

I prefer to deal with Pickles, you can bid online and thus remain anonnymous. If I goto the auctions, I have to pay $500 more for the same car as the big wreckers dont want me to buy em.

www.pickles.com.au (http://www.pickles.com.au)

Good place to buy a smashed VR6, make sure its a stat wrte off, hit in the front for the cheapest one.

I dont reckon you`ll get a Mk2 there.

Fowles has just merged and become ManheimFowles, but I hate their new website and I have seen some dodgy things happen there, so I try not to deal with em. Thats just my opinion.

[joshyd-mk2gti]

did you get my pm German?

[Tameth_au]

Here is your project car for sure, straight 2dr mk2 for a great price

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/VOLKSWAGEN/GOLF/details.aspx?Model=GOLF&__Nne=20&__N=4294962746%2079%204294962677+834+285+257&Make=VOLKSWAGEN&State=Queensland&silo=1003&state_id=79&distance=25&Cr=1&seot=0&__sid=112700902D2E&R=1372126&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal%7C0%7C%7CpCar_PrivateSpeci alFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1&sort_type=2&trecs=73

[static1800]

haha did anyone read that ad? at one point it's a mk1 campaign then its a mk2 gti, someone sounds confused.


Here is your project car for sure, straight 2dr mk2 for a great price

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/VOLKSWAGEN/GOLF/details.aspx?Model=GOLF&__Nne=20&__N=4294962746%2079%204294962677+834+285+257&Make=VOLKSWAGEN&State=Queensland&silo=1003&state_id=79&distance=25&Cr=1&seot=0&__sid=112700902D2E&R=1372126&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal%7C0%7C%7CpCar_PrivateSpeci alFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1&sort_type=2&trecs=73

[static1800]

Sorry double post, my car may be for sale in the next few weeks, pics here
http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=4561

[benissatan]

Here is your project car for sure, straight 2dr mk2 for a great price

http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/private/VOLKSWAGEN/GOLF/details.aspx?Model=GOLF&__Nne=20&__N=4294962746%2079%204294962677+834+285+257&Make=VOLKSWAGEN&State=Queensland&silo=1003&state_id=79&distance=25&Cr=1&seot=0&__sid=112700902D2E&R=1372126&__Ns=pCar_Price_Decimal%7C0%7C%7CpCar_PrivateSpeci alFlag_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_ImageCount_Int32%7C1&sort_type=2&trecs=73

WHAT IS THIS CAR A MK1? OR AMK2? LOOks like a mk2? but 1984? whats that about lol?
i want it! hehe

[static1800]

Its a mk2, a very early one.

[GermanwithaVdub]

anybody interested in the guts of that thing? i only want the body