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DognamedElvis
07-10-2012, 09:53 PM
Fail....................................

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/DSC_0022b-1.jpg

I have 'simplified' my original wish-list as the cost was going to be well over $30k :facepalm: NOT including what I've already spent on the Golf and buying the Cupra donor car!

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/DSC_0048-1.jpg

I am planning to do a fair percentage of the work myself to save on costs where possible, however I am not particularly good with my hands, but I have half a clue, give things a go, do lots of reading/research and try not to ask too many stupid questions :D
Obviously, there are quite a few members on here that have undergone this swap in the past, so please feel free to comment, advise, criticise and offer suggestions as you see fit. That's actually a significant reason for this thread.

The rust, leaks and bodywork I will leave to a pro, as I want to make sure I'm starting with as solid a base as possible. I can't realistically afford to do a full dip/bare metal job all over as my budget for the bodywork is well under the ~$10k it's been suggested to me that may cost. I'm hoping to get away with under $5k...ideally, well under.
Paint/presentation has been demoted well down the priority list (no silky smooth engine bay for me), structural integrity is my main aim.

Not ideal :(
http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/DSC_0039-1.jpg

I was dreaming about a late model hydro 6mt, but have decided staying with the 02A 5 speed makes better fiscal sense. It's around $600 landed for a complete 'crazyquiffs' hydro clutch kit for the 02A, so I'll probably go that way, as I'm no fan of the cable clutch.
Shortening the final drive ratio with a 3.94 Ring & pinion and adding an LSD (*undecided on type/style) are also a priority as is fitting a lightened flywheel (*weight advice req'd) and upgraded clutch (*haven't yet researched this).
I'm budgeting ~$3k for all of the above.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/DSC_0042-1.jpg

I found some documentation in the SEAT today, detailing a head service at Camden GTi, It appears Matt has added some 'euro spec' cams, replaced head studs, skim/set-up buckets, re-seated the valves, pressure test etc totalling over $2k, albeit nearly 4 years ago, but I'll leave the long motor un-opened at this stage. It's 135k km's young :)

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/DSC_0028a-1.jpg

Again, I was hoping to go ITB's, after market ecu, etc., but the real cost of this set-up is too great for me to justify, so I'll be converting the ABF engine to carbs...hopefully bike carbs depending on cost, availability, manifold etc and making sure the rest of the fuel/ignition system is suitably upgraded. Budget is ~$3k for the carbs, manifold, fuel pump, dizzy, coil, leads, ignition kit etc.

I will be fitting headers/extractors and a catless system (*advice on pipe diameter and header brand req'd) ~$1k

I will most likely need a custom radiator to make all this fit and like the idea of Spal thermos...another ~$1k

Haven't even started on the suspension yet :mad: but thankfully, I already have KW V1's, but I would like full poly bushes, Strut braces and a FAT rear swaybar...~$2k

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/DSC_0026a-1.jpg

I want a comfortable cockpit, so despite it's weight, I will be rolling out metres of dynamat and getting the dash/doorcards resurfaced or replaced (*looking for info/pricing on dash 'flocking') and my Recaro SR3 will be retrimmed and fitted. I won't run a stereo at all and will probably remove the heater core/fan etc and rep a 12v hair drier for demist duties and a mini fan for cooling :D
~$2k

No doubt additional costs such as hard lines for the rear discs, electrical upgrades/repairs and other things I've forgotten will crop up, but I'm heading into this with no illusions of a 'budget' build.
If the car is engineered and rego'd for anything less than $20k from here, I'll be stoked.



In the perfect world, this will be up and running by April next year. Can't wait, as I can feel the potential every time I drive the Cupra and can only imagine the difference a few hundred kilos and some added 'eagerness' will make...good times ahead.
Enjoy...
Pete.

Smead
07-10-2012, 10:08 PM
Good luck mate. Car looked good at SGAD so ill be following this build with interest :)

Stan
07-10-2012, 10:23 PM
good luck, looks like a cool project

Jarred
08-10-2012, 05:52 PM
Great to see.

Seems as you've set a very reasonable price target imo, and some very sensible and well sorted mods.

Should be a ripper car onces done!

Have a look on clubgti (if you havn't already), there's heaps of good info on there, alot of 16V stuff, and bike carb stuff

zllewellyn
08-10-2012, 10:11 PM
I'm going to say this again, I LOVE this car!! I'll be very interested to see how the conversion comes together, would love too do the same someday

DognamedElvis
09-10-2012, 09:20 PM
Cheers folks :)

Thanks for the PM's of advice, much appreciated. I've also been made an offer to check out a local ABF converted mk1, will def be taking you up on that Andre :)

Looks like I'm going to (pretty much have to) go the full hog on the body after all...at the end of the day, it's the only way I can be 100% sure its proper straight, solid and rust free. It really is a mess in the passenger foot well, there is also a collapsed jack point on the front drivers side that has me worried. I am going to strip it back as much as I can myself first (parts etc).

With a full respray on the cards, I will now think about a colour change...probably a Satin Chocolate or Military Green of some description (I have a old VW trends somewhere with a picture of a slammed Beetle Convertible 'Papler' Police car...THAT colour is win!)

It will mean a few extra months of saving before I can really make things happen, but It will give me plenty of time to research every thing else I need properly.

I've been busy reading through clubgti (ta Jarred) and The Mk1 owner's club forums and there is heaps of info to trawl through there.
I have sent an e-mail to BoggBrothers regarding their complete ABF Bike Carb/Manifold kits (car jetted, ready to bolt on/drive to the dyno) as they appear to have been doing it for about 10+years.

Another thing I am going to do, when the spending starts, is list all of the actual costs of all work and parts.
It is something that is, more often than not, omitted (understandably) from build threads. I feel comfortable with this, as it is not really going to be a 'big dollar' car.

I am self-employed, but at this time of year, I have more work than I can poke a stick at (Gardener), so I will be putting in the big days and the odd weekend so I can hopefully get the body under way sooner rather than later :) It's amazing how motivating these things can get once you mentally commit...

Pete.

ffoff
09-10-2012, 10:14 PM
New you'd come round Pete! I'm around to give you a hand if you need mate!

DognamedElvis
09-10-2012, 10:25 PM
I'm around to give you a hand if you need mate!

Ditto if you want a hand with your hub conversion :)

DognamedElvis
10-10-2012, 07:55 AM
Again, I was hoping to go ITB's, after market ecu, etc., but the real cost of this set-up is too great for me to justify, so I'll be converting the ABF engine to carbs...hopefully bike carbs depending on cost, availability, manifold etc and making sure the rest of the fuel/ignition system is suitably upgraded. Budget is ~$3k for the carbs, manifold, fuel pump, dizzy, coil, leads, ignition kit etc.


Sweet news from Bogg Brothers...a full bike carb kit for the ABF including all fittings and delivery is just under $1200Aud delivered, happy with that.

dubstar
10-10-2012, 09:41 AM
Cool project. I wonder though whether you would be better going with the Injection/ECU/Fueling from the SEAT. That way you can get access to all the chips/programming available. Wiring it in is very straight forward and straight out of the box you have 170bhp.

You can contact the VASK.org.nz guys as there are quite a few ABF builds there.

DognamedElvis
10-10-2012, 12:37 PM
Cool project. I wonder though whether you would be better going with the Injection/ECU/Fueling from the SEAT. That way you can get access to all the chips/programming available. Wiring it in is very straight forward and straight out of the box you have 170bhp.

You can contact the VASK.org.nz guys as there are quite a few ABF builds there.

It is still an option and depending how much the bodywork costs, I may well do just that. The stock set-up will basically cost me nothing, so I would be foolish to rule that out. I'm actually getting BoggBrothers to quote me on a bike 'throttle body' set-up, as I figure I may as well arm myself with as many options as possible. I really 'rate' well set-up aftermarket ecu's and in all honesty, am more likely to find a good tuner, if I steer clear of carbs. And Ecu motorsport features are cool.
Cheers for the heads up on the NZ stuff...will check that out for sure.
Pete.

Stan
10-10-2012, 01:17 PM
tough decision, those carbs will look awesome, but the seat setup is already paid for and tunable...

dont forget t o replace all you can while the engine is out - timing belt, water pump etc... much easier now even if it doesnt really need it - cheap insurance

more pics!!!

Jarred
11-10-2012, 08:50 AM
Thats a pretty good price for carb/manifold etc etc.

I do agree you'd be taking a little bit of a risk on the carbs as opposed to the factory ECU or even aftermarket ECU and ITBs.

Remember the atmospheric conditions will be difference between here and there, so I wouldn't be suprised if there were a few issues. Maybe talk to a local dyno/tuner (can't be too many in canberra :P) and see what they say.

blinkx
11-10-2012, 10:18 PM
Looking forward to watching this one pete
Also very happy to come around and help when i can if you need it. I mite even be able to help get that paint job a little cheaper, my dads a panel beater and i know a few painters as well.

Keep up the good work mate.

DognamedElvis
11-10-2012, 10:18 PM
Actually Jarred, with your 'prompting', I have decided I'd be mad NOT to fit the factory set-up...at least in the beginning. It's free, I already have it and it's going to be a quick little car anyway. I will research chip upgrades too. I can always do something else with the induction set-up further down the track. Thank you :)

I'll be getting a mobile quote on the bodywork next week, so my aim is to have to car as bare as possible by then.
I'm getting quotes for rust repairs alone, repairs and basic matched respray and a full strip/repair/respray/re-colour. I may yet decide to just get the bare minimum done to have it solid, as now I've had a decent look, the body isn't TOO bad afterall.
We will see.
I got a little bit further stripping the interior today...

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/DSC_00531-1.jpg

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/DSC_00541-1.jpg

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/DSC_00561-1.jpg

Hard Parked...

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2012/10/DSC_00551-1.jpg

I must say, as a new comer to getting my hands dirty on the Golf, having a "Bentley's" manual is certainly a huge help.
I just wish I could track one down for the Cupra...but no joy yet.
Pete.

Jarred
12-10-2012, 09:20 AM
I believe that the Bently manual is a US based publication and IIRC USA didn't get Seats? Pretty sure the USA also never got the ABF, which is why there isn't alot of US based aftermarket stuff (in comparison to the UK, where there is plenty)

Glad to have been for assistance. Just for the record, I'd love a set of twin carbs or something on a valver, pure porn. :D Hope this doesn't confuse you too much, but I think that the factory EFI would be so much easier to set up and more reliable., plus you've already got the engine there - complete and running. Just remember there will be a fair bit different with wiring looms between the EFI and carb, and small difference in fueling setups, incase you do decide to switch or upgrade etc.

velly_16v_cab
12-10-2012, 09:41 AM
16v's have a lot of potential...as Jarred said, check out clubgti forum. Lots of info on there how to squeeze out as much power as possible!
Also work looking into the archives too, two guys who do alot of playing about with ABF 16vs are GVK and Tubthump. they did alot of inlet manifold changes and head swaps (ABF v KR) and cams. They were getting 180bhp out of their motors all day long with really good torque too.
Also Paul (16vcab) is a master of valvers on there.

good luck

DognamedElvis
12-10-2012, 10:20 AM
Just for the record, I'd love a set of twin carbs or something on a valver, pure porn. :D Hope this doesn't confuse you too much...

Haha, this is the whole reason around my original dilemma! The 'porn' factor :)