View Full Version : VW Mk2 Golf "Deep Blue" project
Hey Guys,
Thought I'd start up a build thread after being linked here by another forum member.
I bought the car just under 2 years ago like this:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/justbought-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/avatar2-1.jpg
A standard 8v Mk2 golf. It was in very good condition, owned by the same family for over 6 years, and had an extensive service history. The interior looked brand new, no wear rips or cracks of any kind anywhere aside from the headliner sagging. All it had done was a 60mm drop.
Over the time I've had is so far I have done:
LED Interior lights (Buttons, cluster etc.)
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/101_1452-1.jpg
Crystal front idicators:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/sigfront-1.jpg
In the front crystal lights I installed amber city/parking lights, so they light up amber like the US spec cars:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/ambercitylightsupload-1.jpg
Ever since I got it, I had a vision on mk3 widened steelies with mirror polished lips.
The steelies started out like this:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/colorcaps-1.jpg
I got them widened and then polished the lips for hours, then painted the centers silver and clear coated the lips. Now they look like this:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/newwheels1-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/newwheels2-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/singlewheel1-1.jpg
Specs are:
Fronts: 8" wide et20
Rears: 8.5" et13
185/60R14 tyres all round.
I then took my spare set of tails and tinted them all red. Used Dupli-color metal cast paint, and clear. I believe this is the only set on a mk2 in New Zealand.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/newwheels1-1.jpg
I also installed red footwell lights which turn on with the dome light (only when doors are open, and turn off when closed).
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/06/footwelllights-1.jpg
They're not really as bright as in the photo.
Also got a 16v lip recently, kind of rough but I got it for next to nothing, and it scraps on every driveway anyway. Planning on going back to the small lip once I get it a little lower.
Plans now are:
Lower it a little more.
Color the interior black, and redo the headliner in a blue plaid.
Swap a 2L engine block and get a good cam. Also considering swapping to carbs, if any one has in input on this that would be great.
Find some mk3 recaro GTI seats.
And some other little things.
Next thing I have to do is to replace the top mounts, and have been told that Polo 6n ones fit and lower it by 10mm. Can anyone here confirm this?
skid plate
24-06-2012, 06:05 PM
nice work on the steelies! And the tails. Let me know how the clear coat holds up.
Thanks man. I have been driving around on them for a while now and have not had so much as one chip on the clear coat, which is quite surprising to me. Will keep you posted though.
Jarred
24-06-2012, 09:25 PM
loving it.
love the all reds against the blue, looks ace.
Thanks. To be honest I wasn't sure how they would work out before I did them, but I'm happy I did!
GoLfMan
26-06-2012, 11:03 PM
looks ace! With a little more drop it'll just about be spot on me thinks :)
Thanks. Will be lowering it within the next few weeks, just waiting for my new top mounts to arrive.
On Sunday coming home from a small VW get-together my Golf got rear-ended.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/damage1-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/damage3-1.jpg
Finished up today fixing it:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/repair1-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/repair2-1.jpg
While I was at it I shaved the badge too. I couldn't quite get the original shape of the panel, so there is a bit of a gap between it and the bumper, as can be seen in the photo. But for how much it cost me to fix it myself I can't complain. The paint also needs a good wetsand and compund which will get done soon. Will eventually get a new panel welded it to properly fix it.
This week I also painted the door cards black:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/blackdoorcards1-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/blackdoorcards2-1.jpg
nice work on the panel repairs!
car looks slick mate, nice.
What paint for the door cards?
nice work on the panel repairs!
car looks slick mate, nice.
What paint for the door cards?
Thanks man :) For the door cards I used Sem Color Coat (interior paint). Worked really well, had to use 2 cans to cover all four cards.
Not a huge update, but today I installed the shaved color matched plinth I made:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/plinth1-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/plinth2-1.jpg
Jarred
19-07-2012, 02:12 PM
it's the small details that count.
how do you open the tailgate now?
it's the small details that count.
Yes, exactly.
The switch for the antenna opens it. I installed a door motor in the tailgate and wired it to the switch for the antenna (since it didn't work anyway). I want to get it wired so it works on my alarm's remote eventually.
Today I put the original orange indicators back on and installed arch flares.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/arches1upload-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/07/arches2upload-1.jpg
Recently replaced the rear springs with some Eibach ones that are 2 coils shorter than the old ones. The back arches sit right at the top of the tyre, equal to the front.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/08/lowerback2upload-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/08/lowerbackupload-1.jpg
I was going to replace the front ones too but the springs that are in now are only just captive, so couldn't put any lower ones in. Will be looking into coilovers.
Yesterday I went and got one of the resonator's (one in place of the cat) deleted as it was rattling. Also got a new tip made up which I mirror polished today.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/08/exhaust1-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/08/exhaust2-1.jpg
Recently I made some half smoked tail lights and also smoked my crystal indicators and the side markers. Also added a red stripe on the grill, as I felt the front looked a bit bland without any color. Really happy with how it looks now.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/09/4-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/09/12-1.jpg
Jarred
03-09-2012, 05:23 PM
the smoked look works quite well!
Thanks man :)
I agree, the old orange ruined it I reckon.
New face:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/09/newface2-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/09/newface1-1.jpg
As much as I liked the quad light grill, I got this grill for cheap so thought why not, time for a change.
GoLfMan
08-09-2012, 12:56 PM
looking good dude, enjoying seeing the small updates you're doing!
Thanks man :)
Hoping to have bigger updates coming soon, since I've done almost all I want to do cosmetically at the moment.
Next things I hope to do are:
Go over the paint with a good cutting compound to clean it up and get rid of some scratches and stuff,
Clay bar and wax,
Coilovers,
Start building the 2L motor which will (most probably) consist of a 2e block and pb head, with a good cam and some other bits and pieces.
So I've done a few things to the car so thought I'd update.
Because I'm quite fussy I decided to redo my all red tail lights again and this time do it right. So I sanded the paint off and the little numbers, logos and such so that they're perfectly smooth. Then I repainted them. I think it makes a big difference, they look much smoother now.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/redoneredtails-1.jpg
After a while I decided to go back to factory spec, so put the standard tail lights on and the quad grill with red stripe.
Before/After:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/comparison1-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/comparison2-1.jpg
I'm sort of just playing around with the look of it trying to decide which I like best. The final plan is to get chrome strips for the bumpers, chrome stripe on the grill and no arch trims, just the quarter flares on the back arches (like at the beginning). I'm not sure which grill I'll end up going with, starting to think I'd like a single headlight badged one (4 slat).
Also recently got a fire extinguisher after hearing of another mk2 catching fire.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/fireextinguisher-1.jpg
Jarred
01-10-2012, 11:42 AM
I love the red tail lights, look so smooth and schexy!
GoLfMan
02-10-2012, 12:43 PM
all reds suit it to a tee mate! Love it
SpeciP3
02-10-2012, 12:53 PM
Car looks great mate, love the duals on a mk2!
Who did the work to widen the wheels? They look awesome, thought about this route myself instead of sourcing g60's :)
Thanks guys. I think the all reds are still my favourite.
A guy in Manukau, Auckland called The Steel Surgeon did them. They are 14" mk3 golf steelies. I originally wanted to get g60's too but they were just too expensive/hard to get in NZ and now I've grown to prefer the 14s.
Here is a photo someone took at a big cruise on Sunday which I quite like:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/Me-1.jpg
ryana89
14-10-2012, 03:09 PM
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/redoneredtails-1.jpg
Don't suppose you'd be willing to work on another set (just smoothing and polish) for $?
They're absolutely ace!
Sure I can do that. If you want to organise send me a PM :)
Stiggy_21
15-10-2012, 08:05 PM
Don't suppose you'd be willing to work on another set (just smoothing and polish) for $?
They're absolutely ace!
would i be able to get your half smoked ones then ryan??:)
ryana89
15-10-2012, 08:27 PM
would i be able to get your half smoked ones then ryan??:)
After I find another set of half smoked ones to send to MM....
Stiggy_21
15-10-2012, 08:39 PM
After I find another set of half smoked ones to send to MM....
sweet, im always keeping an eye out:)
sorry MM,
BTW great job!!!
sweet, im always keeping an eye out:)
sorry MM,
BTW great job!!!
No problem, thanks man.
Just finished another set of tail lights, smoked all reds. They came out a beautiful cherry red color, and I also discovered a trick to get rid of all sanding scratches so these are much glossier than any of my previous ones. Very happy with how they came out.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/cherrytail_zpsbf7fdc53-1.jpg
Comparison with the old red one:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/redscomparison_zps76ac304a-1.jpg
On the car (excuse the wheels I took the steelies off due to horrid weather):
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/cherrytailson_zps60339bcb-1.jpg
Also just got a job recently so some bigger updates should be coming soon :)
Stiggy_21
16-10-2012, 07:23 PM
wow that looks......:D
I've always liked the idea of the amber lense front indicators, but never liked the brownish color of the factory ones. I discovered that by putting a white backing they come out a more yellow-orange. So I pulled the cases apart and painted the insides white:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/11/indicatorcase1-1.jpg
While I was at it I installed some 1157 (BAY15D) bulb holders and bulbs so that I could use them as city/parking lights as well as indicators (like the US spec cars).
On the car with lights off:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/11/indicatorsorangeoff1-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/11/indicatorsorangeoff2-1.jpg
And with lights on:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/11/indicatorsorangeon1-1.jpg
Also bought techtonics tuning chip and new tappets so just waiting for those to arrive to put them in.
Went with my good friend and fellow mk2 owner Omar recently to a junkyard and stripped a mk2 of some good parts, of which included and great condition raintray (just need to paint it black) and these door speaker grilles which I have been looking for for a while:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/11/doorspeakergrill-1.jpg
Last Monday we picked up this 87 GTI for my mom:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/11/DSCF1958-1.jpg
It's a bit rough but runs alright and was quite cheap so we're happy. Already put my old wheels on it.
Last weekend, on my blue one, I installed the Techtonics chip and today, with Omars help, installed the new tappets. Big improvement with the chip, accelerates much better now and is smoother, plus the pinking is gone which is great. Motor sounds like new with the new tappets.
Just waiting on Omar now to upgrade his coilovers and I will be buying the ones in his mk2. They are almost new and he is asking a good price so can't pass that up. Watch this space :)
Swapped some stuff from my mom's mk2 into mine today.
Black sunvisors, sunroof handle, inner seal and smoked hella interior light with built in delay (which I'm very happy about):
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/interior1-1.jpg
Full trunk carpet:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/interior2-1.jpg
Black C-pillar trim:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/interior3-1.jpg
Also washed it and couldn't resist taking some photos:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/street_2-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/street_1-1.jpg
Jarred
01-12-2012, 03:47 PM
love mums new ride!
Quite cool isn't it?
Recently went to buy a new seatbelt and ended up buying a full set of GTI door cars with the vinyl and chrome trim. I painted the fabric part black. Makes the interior look so much better.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/newdoorcard3_zps8f6e1d79-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/newdoorcard1_zpsd674fb4f-1.jpg
Put my new raintray in:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/raintraynew_zps5f723de1-1.jpg
And today I went on a 300km round trip to pick up some Passat leather front seats. They're not as perfect as the photo makes them look but are in great condition so I am happy. Plus the drive was fun.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/leatherseats_zpse096f498-1.jpg
Forgot to post this cool photo someone got at a meet we had recently.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/224976_4525298009126_1811548559_n_zps6b9-1.jpg
Went over the bonnet with a clay bar, cutting compound and wax today. What a difference, should have done this over two years ago when I first got the car! Going to progressively do the rest of the car in the next couple of days.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/bonnetcut2_zpsad1bec64-1.jpg
I love how water beads on new wax.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/bonnetwater1_zpsaa87b438-1.jpg
Finished off the rest of the car yesterday. Pictures of the restored paint:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/cutpaint1upload_zps8fd5d42b-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/cutpaint2upload_zpsfe6886b7-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/cutpaint3upload_zps6689b40c-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/cutpaint5upload_zps095e08f9-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/cutpaint4upload_zps77939245-1.jpg
The last photo is an exact depection of what it looks like in person. I am very happy with how it came out. It's so nice to see the sun hit it and there are no swirl marks, just the beautiful metallic sparkle.
Jarred
31-12-2012, 09:24 AM
looks great. Such a good feeling finishing detailing your car only to see the sun hit it and make it sparkle. makes it all worth while!
that red 2dr on snowflakes looks pretty tidy too!
looks great. Such a good feeling finishing detailing your car only to see the sun hit it and make it sparkle. makes it all worth while!
that red 2dr on snowflakes looks pretty tidy too!
Exactly how I feel.
That red mk2 belongs to a guy called Dean, he won the last Stance Off event we had. It's extremely tidy, not a dent on the whole car.
Picked up a fabric for the headliner last week. It looked like this:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/fabric2_zpse395c50e-1.jpg
But since before I bought it I wanted it to have some color, namely red. So I bought a permanent marker and went over one line on each section to make this:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/fabriccolor1_zpsaeb8fbd2-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/fabriccolor2_zpsbd910ef0-1.jpg
I have yet to finish it, but not much more to go. Scored the whole 3 meters of the fabric for $12 on a sale so I'm very happy about that.
Also while browing Trademe (the NZ version of Ebay) 2 days ago I came across a Nardi wood steering wheel for $150. Hit the buy now 5 minutes later and now it's sitting in my room.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/nardiwheel_zpsf1fdb9da-1.jpg
It came with the horn button and the ring that goes over the bolts so I think this was a good score. Just waiting for the boss kit to arrive to put it in. I have also ordered a 276 techtonics tuning cam which should be coming soon, I can't wait to have that in.
Lemonskin
05-01-2013, 01:59 PM
Forgot to post this cool photo someone got at a meet we had recently.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/12/224976_4525298009126_1811548559_n_zps6b9-1.jpg
Love this pic. Car's looking awesome.
Thanks alot man.
Look what arrived today
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/newcam_zps866ed50d-1.jpg
Unfortunately the excitement was ruined when the stupid courier, who delivered it just as I got home, threw the box onto the roof of my car which slid and caused scratches right across the roof. Now I have to do another cut and wax on it. :mad::facepalm:
Installed the cam today. All I can say is OH YES! Pulls hard from 3000rpm and the idle sounds amazing. I'll be picking up the 2E motor next week, can't wait for that to go in too.
Got my boss kit today so installed my Nardi:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/newnardi_zps239cb740-1.jpg
It's such a difference to the feel of the car with this, much more like I'm connected with it in a way. I'm very happy with it.
New headliner is in:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/headlinerin1_zps88578d30-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/01/headlinerin2_zpsfffd69c8-1.jpg
Big thanks to my friend Anton who helped me to do this and did most of the work.
ryana89
24-01-2013, 10:54 PM
^
:bowdown:
That looks spectacular!
Haven't posting in this thread for a while, my mk2 has undergone a few changes lately. I got a full new set of chrome bumper stripes, Jetta front end and FK coilovers. Here is how she looks now:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/06/golf2_zps2af5d716-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/06/golf1_zps1b36865e-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/06/golf3_zps92cc077d-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/06/coils4_zpsc1afcc4f-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/06/coils1_zps991a1847-1.jpg
Right now I'm in the process of gathering all the bits for my engine conversion, I have got most parts and will be ordering the rest soon. Hope to have the engine swap done in September. I have also acquired this E28 to drive while I do the swap and will start some serious work on that once I have the engine done.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/06/bbs11_zps48ee95f3-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/06/bbs12_zpsb6dc8a24-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/06/bbs7_zps8c21e791-1.jpg
team_v
27-06-2013, 05:23 PM
So jealous!
Both cars are great!
VW VR6
27-06-2013, 05:33 PM
Well done mate - VW look better and better.
ByronRichesMk1
27-06-2013, 08:19 PM
Holy s**t dude they both look epic! Your mk2 is sexy as all hell.
Thank you very much, I really appreciate the love :)
I forgot to mention that unfortunately I'm going to have to do something with the wheels on my mk2 as the clear coat is chipping and quite a few rust spots have started to form. I'll probably do a brushed finished which I'll spray in a tinted clear. As much as I really like how the polished finish looks, I'm probably not going to do it again because I just can't be bothered to polished them again. I'd rather do that on another set of wheels like some RS's or something. But we'll see, I'll finish the motor first.
Domel
28-06-2013, 09:33 AM
This is so cool! Great effort, the Golf has come a long way, that's for sure! Love the chrome trim around the front grille!
The e28 looks great, too. What engine / spec is it?
This is so cool! Great effort, the Golf has come a long way, that's for sure! Love the chrome trim around the front grille!
The e28 looks great, too. What engine / spec is it?
Thank you very much :)
The e28 is a 2.7eta Auto, which uses lots of fuel and isn't very fast. But I got it for $1000 and spent $400 including registration to fix up some little things and get it legal so it was a very good deal. It also has the not so great blue interior, but I have painted some things such as the lower dash and door cards black and plan on changing the rest. I also plan on doing a manual swap as soon as I've done the Golf motor and then will start building a motor for it, probably a 3.5. If you guys are interested I could start a thread on it as well.
Cookie28
28-06-2013, 12:31 PM
I'd be interested in that, live E28's.
And because I haven't posted in here yet the car looks fantastic, have watched it since the beginning :)
Domel
28-06-2013, 12:33 PM
I would be very interested, thank you! I'm a big fan of the e28, will own one, one day. Manual with 3.5 sounds great! Also make sure when you replace the seats that you get the recaros/sport seats!
I'd be interested in that, live E28's.
And because I haven't posted in here yet the car looks fantastic, have watched it since the beginning :)
Thank you :)
I would be very interested, thank you! I'm a big fan of the e28, will own one, one day. Manual with 3.5 sounds great! Also make sure when you replace the seats that you get the recaros/sport seats!
Ok I will make one. Not much is happening with at the moment as all my money is going towards the mk2 motor, but I'll make it and update it as I go along. Definately will look for the Recaro seats, ideally I'd like to go with the dark red/burgundy leather seats but I believe they are quite rare so I guess we'll see.
Domel
28-06-2013, 12:46 PM
A black interior always looks good, too :)
Keep us posted.
I agree.
Here is the thread, I will make sure to update it as things progress: http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/f55/m-ms-bmw-e28-87348.html#post966816
I started polishing the ports on my Cylinder head today. I've never done it before but decided to pretend to know what I was doing and get started on it.
Here are some comparison photos, the one on the right is one I did and the one on the left is the factory one:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/07/9295596997_ae514458c3_c-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/07/9298378760_76e19a19bb_c-1.jpg
Polished:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/07/9298378312_0651913668_c-1.jpg
Not:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/07/9298377888_d5d89a4cee_c-1.jpg
I hope that's how it's supposed to be done, still have to do a bit more on these to get them completely smooth and do the other ones too. It definitely feels like it would make a difference to the air flow.
It's getting there.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/07/9295597365_70a32131fc_c-1.jpg
Right, update time.
Firstly I'd like to apologize for the lack of anything in this thread, I'm not very good at writing and tend to just get stuck into doing things rather than documenting it.
Yesterday I spent a good few hours unplugging everything and labeling, and with the help of my two great friends Anton and Mike, pulled my motor out. We left the car at the end of the day like this:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10034280936_3006062e33_o-1.jpg
Big thanks to them for coming round and giving me a hand.
The wiring looked a bit daunting at first even though I think I'm fairly experienced with wiring, but today I went through and sorted what I need and what I don't and all was well. It's my first time doing a swap and I have to say it was very straight forward and easy to get it out. I also spend the day today cutting out all the unneeded brackets, nuts and whatever else was in the bay that I wanted gone, leaving it like this:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10049251813_2e78ef41e9_o-1.jpg
I won't be doing much tomorrow but on Friday the plan is to degrease and clean everything and start masking and if I have time I'll spray the primer. I'll be painting the bay black.
I will be deleting AC as well as power steering and will depower my steering rack so that I essentially will have a short ratio manual rack. Hopefully will have some more updates shortly.
ryana89
02-10-2013, 05:16 PM
Neat work.
Just on the port polishing, what did you use? (a dremel?)
I've always been curious about the benefits of a polish and even match-porting the intake on a 8v...
Thanks mate.
For the polishing I used a dremel yes, the sanding bands on the little drum. On the exhaust side I port matched the manifold to the head using a carbide burr, the intake manifold will be cut using the head's measurements so shouldn't need to be port matched. It should create a bit of a difference but hard to say as I never had this engine running without it. It doesn't take long so I think it's work doing it anyway. I once read online of a guy with the same setup as what I'm doing but with ITB's, he got around (from memory) 148hp with the port matched dual downpipe manifold and I think 152 hp with headers. Just some interesting information.
So the other day as I was working on the car I decided to do this properly while everything is out. So I've removed all visible seam sealer and am filling in all the spaces to make the bay as smooth as possible. I figured I may as well as it doesn't take as long as I originally thought, plus it will make a huge difference to the look in the end. This is how I left it today.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10165115345_c0e991d9fb_o-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10164998434_3d5baf4a0f_o-2.jpg
Painted the bay yesterday:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10324184423_1df57d239b_o-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10324023585_d47d0d4410_o-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10324002234_93c10a9134_o-2.jpg
It's by no means perfect but I think it came out pretty good. I'm still considering wet sanding it and compounding to get it looking really good, however this will require more maintenance long term so I'm not sure. Might just leave it as it is.
I painted the gear box a few days ago:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10499236636_df249d7192_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/10/10499241145_a152c24cf6_o-1.jpg
Block and head to be done most likely this week.
GeorgeMK1
28-10-2013, 04:33 PM
Good work man, I've spoken to you before on s/w haha good to see a thread here! Bay came up a treat
Good work man, I've spoken to you before on s/w haha good to see a thread here! Bay came up a treat
Yes I remember that, thanks man! You actually encouraged me to join this forum :)
Got a bit done yesterday:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/11/10982983226_f43e11845a_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/11/10983084614_9d3e3002af_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/11/10983112043_d010356323_o-1.jpg
Big thanks to Anton and Mike who helped me put it back in. I still have a few more things to do bit I hope to have it running by next Friday.
Car is still not going unfortunately. Have almost all the bits now, intake manifold is made now and most other bits sorted but I'm having trouble with the alternator setup, was going to run the v belt but there is no way that will work really, the bottom of the carb on cylinder 1 hits the alternator so it looks like I will have to run a serpentine belt setup, just need to find all the bits I had for it that I left at my friend's place. Hope they are still there. Another thing which sucks is we discovered one of the mixture screws on the carb is rounded off and stuck, so have to order a new one and try to get this one out while keeping the thread it tact. Also I've had to order some silicone joiners and aluminum pipe to be able to plumb in the top radiator hose as I'm using an e36 radiator. Will get some pictures up soon.
The carbs and manifold:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/12/11242583673_7d80fc0795_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/12/11242472955_a665817d7d_o-1.jpg
The screwed screw :P
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/12/11242476555_4fb5a78c17_o-1.jpg
How the carb hits the alternator:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/12/11242513344_39f97cecb3_o-1.jpg
The carbs on the car (they look great if I do say so myself):
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/12/11242516104_04c8cfb6d4_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/12/11242520246_044d370d69_o-1.jpg
I've got quite a bit on the mk2 done. With great help from Anton, we drilled out the rounded idle screw and retapped it, luckily it came out perfectly. I have sorted the alternator now by swapping to a serpentine belt set-up, including the waterpump so there is no v-belt at all, just one ribbed belt. I've also sorted the choke and throttle cable for the cables and made all the mounts for the radiator. It's basically complete now, just need to hook up the fuel hose from the regulator to the carbs, the vacuum line for the distributor and install the new idle screw when it arrives (hopefully tomorrow so I can start this thing finally!)
It's great to see the car mostly back together, almost there now after 3 months. Can't even remember what the car felt like to drive.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2013/12/11560099976_5fc73cbbc4_o-1.jpg
ryana89
26-12-2013, 09:20 PM
I'm amazed how much space you gain (in the rear of the bay) by going to a cross flow head.
Would love to hear a video of it when it's up and running.
I'm amazed how much space you gain (in the rear of the bay) by going to a cross flow head.
I know it's huge!
I'll definitely be putting a video (or a few) up once it's going.
After quite a lot of fiddling around for it on Friday and not being able to get it firing (which I realized just as we ended for the night that it was because my ignition leads were in a random order as i just placed them on and forgot to re-arrange them, guess how I feel!) we managed to get it firing yesterday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGkx1BQtgrU&feature=youtu.be
It started a couple of times but can't get it going again, the battery seems too weak as it struggles to turn the engine over. Will get a bigger battery and see if that helps. Was really happy though when it did fire because it just fired right up, no struggling or pumping the pedal for ages. Also still need to wire an oil pressure safety switch for the fuel pump as now it runs constantly on with the key on run even if the motor is off, and need to sort the small fuel leak coming from the FPR.
The battery was the issue, just picked up a larger one and the car has started multiple times. Tuning time now, I need to fiddle with the idle mixture as it's idling at around 1500-2000 and I can't get it to go lower with the main idle screw plus revs are returning really slowly, all signs of a lean mixture (as far as I can find out) so will have a play with the the idle mixture screws a little later and see what I can do.
Took the car out for the first drive yesterday just around the block, I'm very pleased with the results. It's by no means running right, currently it idles anywhere between 1200-2200 revs and I haven't even begun to tune it, so I can only imagine how well it will go when I sort it out. I still need to sort a few other issues such as a leak from the lower radiator hose that I improvised and I need to install an oil pressure safety switch for the fuel pump as well as a radiator fan sensor switch. My main fuel pump is not currently working so I have bypassed it and am just running the intake pump which seems to provide the needed 3psi. I will try and claim warranty on the other pump as I only started the car 3 times with it and now it only pumps drops of fuel, not sure what's going on there. Will try to get pictures and videos up soon.
Right guys, time for photos:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/01/11721209664_8d4da5ef6f_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/01/11721617876_97a174737f_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/01/11721619156_530847fee0_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/01/11721108643_1fa9019c1f_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/01/11721208374_9f32fcc6a2_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/01/11721213204_34cda59ff7_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/01/11721220184_388b0b6d72_b-1.jpg
I have been playing around with the carbs and have got it to idle pretty smooth now at about 950 rpm so I'm guessing they are close to balanced. The revs also return nicely now and it goes as it should. Still need to do a bit more to get it perfect, I know a guy who has put these carbs on mk2 escorts so will go and see him to make sure everything is ok. Have taken it for a few drives around the block, I've very pleased with how it goes. Quite a bit of torque steer when flooring it in first, makes me smile every time.
Jarred
05-01-2014, 02:09 PM
nice, looks and sounds good!
SP4RR0W
06-01-2014, 03:48 PM
looks real nice man, just a quick question where did you get those wheels??
Thanks man. The wheels are mk3 steel wheels which I had widened.
mike1990
17-01-2014, 05:41 AM
You have no idea how much I want your MK2! And those steels look great on it too :)
You have no idea how much I want your MK2! And those steels look great on it too :)
Thanks man, appreciate the kind words :)
sports racer
18-01-2014, 09:59 AM
have got it to idle pretty smooth now at about 950 rpm so I'm guessing they are close to balanced.
Idle and running at revs are totally different. Get a carby balancing tool (real easy to use) or take it to get the carbs balanced. It really does make a big difference in performance.
Cheers
Paul
Idle and running at revs are totally different. Get a carby balancing tool (real easy to use) or take it to get the carbs balanced. It really does make a big difference in performance.
Cheers
Paul
I am looking at getting a carb balancing tool, would rather learn to do it myself than pay someone else. Thanks for the advise!
golfmeup
06-02-2014, 11:54 PM
You have done some great work on this car!
Love the tartan roof lining!!
Can't wait to see a vid of this running.
Thanks. I'll try get a video soon, I've been to distracted just driving it.
I have sorted all the issues and it's been running smooth for the last couple of weeks. Very pleased with the result.
Bamish1000
20-05-2014, 09:49 PM
I will be deleting AC as well as power steering and will depower my steering rack so that I essentially will have a short ratio manual rack. Hopefully will have some more updates shortly.
How have you found the steering since doing this, is it noticeably heavier? Have you encountered any problems since?
sports racer
21-05-2014, 01:27 PM
From the posts I've been reading on Edition 38 there are quite a few MK2s without power steering in England and the only complaints are when someone fits a small steering wheel or drives a non-power steering car for the first time.
I'll be removing my power steering setup as well as the aircon soon.
Cheers
Paul
golfmeup
21-05-2014, 11:13 PM
I get intermittent removal of power steering when driving in heavy rain.:P
Feels bloody heavy, but I guess you would get used to it.
sports racer
22-05-2014, 01:33 PM
It's only hard the first time ...........................
Tighten/clean your power steering belt and pulley.
How have you found the steering since doing this, is it noticeably heavier? Have you encountered any problems since?
Sorry for the late response. It is heavier than before but not unmanageable. I find it fine when rolling, it is a bit heavy when not moving or at very slow speeds but you get used to it (at least I have). You get good feedback from the road though. A regular manual rack now feels so light to me.
Also, a quick update. Upgraded all the brakes with 256mm fronts, mk3 disc rears and 22mm master cylinder. I also installed the mk3 Jetta rear beam (the widest available) and 16mm stub axle spacers on each side. Back wheels sit so much better. Just need to get driveshafts and tie rods and I can widetrack the front as well. Braking is so much better now.
Oh yes and my steelies are sold. I will get some 14" BBS RAs in the future which are the same specs as these so will fit the same.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/06/14315557044_9156ae9779_o-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2014/06/14129648337_557f024717_o-1.jpg
I have also finally got a wideband o2 sensor kit, have it installed and have been fiddling with the fuel settings over the last few days. It's not bad but the AFRs are a bit all over the place. Super rich at low revs on part throttle just when throttle is pressed (10s - 11s) then leans a bit to about 12-13 which I'm trying to sort. At least it's not super lean and melting pistons! I think the needles need to be adjusted or replaced as the idle mixture screws do nothing to change this. High revs and full throttle and it gets better, generally seeing 13s but I need to do more testing to be sure. Might post some graphs later if I remember.
sports racer
18-06-2014, 12:41 AM
The back looks much better but why are you running G60 arches (the widest available) on the front but standard arches on the back?
The back looks much better but why are you running G60 arches (the widest available) on the front but standard arches on the back?
I'm not, all arches are 8v arches, I just haven't installed widetrack on the front yet. Just neet to get the driveshafts.
Have made quite a few changes to the mk2 since my last past. Widetrack front now on, as well as a new steering wheel, Mk3 Recaro seats (still no rears, who needs friends?), early 7 slat front grill and some other things here and there. Also have a very big update to come which I will put up once done. Think more than 2x the valves and boost.
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/05/16930737122_b0f7d9067c_z-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/05/16931048331_a01ebe2238_z-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/05/16827148717_46fc6e6b9c_z-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/05/17033109992_b42348a23e_z-1.jpg
Quick preview of what's to come:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/05/16696389844_7b985de603_z-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/05/17161734288_6df51de48d_z-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/05/17385012425_b98d2baf15_z-2.jpg
Juzzpc
13-05-2015, 09:56 AM
wow good read! goodluck with everything! boost sounds good
Thanks. Should have the motor in on the weekend.
Engine went in today:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/05/17573661510_b27e10a06a_o-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/05/17140856373_6d779fb6d6_o-2.jpg
Hope to have it running by the end of the week. Just need to finish the intercooler piping, coolant piping and some other small bits.
golfmeup
12-06-2015, 10:29 PM
Looks awesome.
Looking forward to seeing more of this!
Sorry for the lack of updates, I'm not very good at build threads. Car has been going for a few weeks and is great fun. It is faster than I expected it to be, gave me a bit of a surprise at first.
Latest photo of engine bay:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18666651291_2af15e1614_o-2.jpg
Some photos from Caffeine And Classics a few weeks ago:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18155083700_0fc054c0fe_o-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18344274271_ce32503908_o-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18316377236_f0263b15fb_o-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/17722154403_6e0bd7d519_o-2.jpg
Still need to put the dash back together but other than that it's finished for now.
Looks awesome.
Looking forward to seeing more of this!
Thanks.
Bamish1000
16-06-2015, 11:16 AM
Love this car!
What wheels are running currently?
Thanks. They're the BBS lookalikes that came on the car when I bought it, not sure what brand, just say Made In England. Planning to get some 15" BBS RAs in the future.
golfmeup
17-06-2015, 10:52 PM
That engine bay is looking pretty finished! Any future plans there?
Thanks. Not much at this stage, I want to just drive the thing now. I will need to do something about traction so tyres will be the next thing and bigger brakes.
Some more photos of it complete and with new 40/30mm springs installed:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18854568296_95539e2f7e_c-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18875730482_7ce23db168_c-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18854672016_aee25cf585_c-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18875746452_372e1dddb1_c-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18259962133_0a544aed27_c-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18692867348_9b9369a47e_c-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18692754450_3c95be0108_c-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18694080549_729f7dd37b_c-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18693273350_991bf2e8f3_c-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/06/18881019165_f2f66822e5_c-2.jpg
Bamish1000
21-06-2015, 08:46 PM
Love the colour! Did you grab the matching rear seat as well?
Salkow
21-07-2015, 09:06 AM
This thing is absolutely incredible!
Where in heavens did you obtain those seats!? I would do horrible things for them.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
GOLFBALLS
12-08-2015, 10:09 PM
Awesome work man! You should be proud. 20vt is the perfect engine in a mk2.
GeorgeMK1
09-09-2015, 11:21 AM
Great work dude! The bay is super clean, and the attention to detail is well worth it!
Sorry for the late response. Thanks guys for the comments. I got those seats out of a Mk3 GTI that I wrecked for parts, heaps of them here. I have the matching back seat but not going to put it in at this point.
Haven't done heaps lately, a while back I installed the mirror polished intake manifold that I spent ages polishing by hand, got a cool airbox and lowered the back of the car by a notch. Some updated photos:
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/20164111886_873de6df2c_c-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/19567715764_eaf035d8dc_c-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/19737511044_b8e4e0ef95_c-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/19737507074_9ca606d34b_c-1.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/20172111240_0879a5055b_c-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/19329384164_9ecbe13950_c-2.jpg
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2015/09/19763991998_b55f9d2e0f_c-2.jpg
I've got some new wheels that I wanted to restore (just need all the paint stripped and a repaint) but I have to admit I haven't been using it much lately. Since converting my E28 to manual I've lost most of my enthusiasm for this. It goes really good and is a nice car to drive and be in but for some reason I just can't get excited about it (and Golfs in general) anymore, not sure why. Not planning it on selling it after all the work I've put into it but I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
GeorgeMK1
22-09-2015, 11:43 AM
That feeling comes and goes mate, I've owned and own so many different types of cars and one day I'll be over it and within a few weeks couldn't get enough of it haha. Ride the wave!
Manifold looks amazing
Thanks man. Yeah I know but I've been feeling like this for a few months now. At this point I'm thinking to keep it and just using it to blast round the track. Last thing I want is to sell it and regret it after all the work in a few months time. I'll see how things go.
sports racer
23-09-2015, 01:47 PM
For months I've been debating about selling my MK2 and using the money to get the MK1 back on the road. Today's drive to work (more than 100 ks) was magic and made me realise there's no way I can sell it.
I sold it once and bought it back 2 years later so I know what it's like to regret the sale.
Cheers
Paul
I have a feeling I will regret it so not really planning on selling. Like I said, it'll at least make a good track day car so will be keeping it. That and I couldn't live with seeing all my hard work in someone else's hands. Would rather part it out.
sports racer
24-09-2015, 01:39 PM
My favourite track MK2's
19062
19063
I've seen that top one before, pretty cool. Do you have any more on the bottom one?
sports racer
25-09-2015, 02:38 PM
Start here and be prepared to spend all weekend reading about it.
Nige`s 2.0 16VT MK2 Trackcar. Final Pre DN13 Prep. (http://www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?126104-Nige-s-2-0-16VT-MK2-Trackcar-Final-Pre-DN13-Prep)
Lots of in-depth explanations and pix of what it takes to change a MK2 from doing 9 minutes around the Nurbergring to 7 minutes and able to pass Porsche GT3's while doing it.
No rocket science or big budget build, just lots of common sense and knowing what works and what doesn't.
Nice one, thanks. Will read it.
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