acma 0 Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Well after years of debating, I've decided upon taking on the task of fitting a VR6 lump in a mk1 GTI, 1986....I paid just £400 for the car even though it was a runner with 12 months MOT and 1 months Tax, however once I'de drove it home (about 15 miles from where I'd bought it) it became very clear it had HGF......The bodywork is in quite good condition and underneath the car is solid as ever....After prowling Ebay for a replacement engine, I came across a V6 out of a freshly smashed up Golf VR6, had done 117k full history and came with box, ECU and all looms, etc etc and all for £250... GIFT.... Given I'm planning on stripping the engine for a full rebuild and tune I wasn't overly bothered about the conditon... More important I had all the bits...Anyway, long story short, I paid a further £150 for the front and rear subframes, uprights, hubs and brakes...I've pulled the old lump out (weekend just passed) and will get some pics up of the progress within the next couple of days. I need to do some weilding and fortunately I work for an engineering company so hope that shouldn't be a big problem especially for the engine mounts etc etc...Watch this space, I'll be updating on a weekly basisPicture of the car before any work began... Picture of the engine before any work Picture of the car with the engine just out. Car in it's current state. Link to post Share on other sites
Ben Seabrook 4 Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Nice one mate sounds like this is going to be a good build to follow Link to post Share on other sites
DanH 1 Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 cant wait to see this! and...urrrmmmm...wots HGF? am i being stupid lol Link to post Share on other sites
legvw 0 Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 Wicked! You can't beat a vr6 powered mk1 golf! She's gunna be a ripper And yeah, HGF??? Link to post Share on other sites
VR6MANN 0 Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 guessing head gasket failure!!!!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
cabrioman 6 Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 always wanted to do a mk1 vr but aint got the time or space will defo be watching this one Link to post Share on other sites
craggsy 91 Posted June 2, 2009 Report Share Posted June 2, 2009 always wanted to do a mk1 vr but aint got the time or space will defo be watching this one That would be even more chance for you to break something Link to post Share on other sites
acma 0 Posted June 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 HGF is indeed Head Gasket Failure.... Not a good thing to be suffering with, however from what I've read it's an unusual incident with VW's......... Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Nat 9 Posted June 3, 2009 Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 This is gonna be a great thread..... lookin forward to seeing this one being done!!! :) Link to post Share on other sites
acma 0 Posted June 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2009 I work Monday to Friday though and my garage doesn't have an electrical supply, so it's going to be a tough project I know, but one which will certainly bring satisfaction...I've put the front subframe in for media blasting and due to pick it up this Friday, will post pictures of what it looks like...I've also had a quote on media blasting the whole shell (using baking soda) baking soda provides a much better finish and isn't as harsh on the bodywork), I've had a quote of £400, which given it'd probably take me a few hundred hours to rub down myself, sounds like a wise investment at £400... and they promised a turnaround within 48 hours...So this weekend it's stripping the car complelely as I'm away in 3 weeks time for a holiday, I'm planning on getting the car into them while I'm away... Pictures to follow...I'm also keeping a running total of spend, so anybody can see and gain benefits of where I'll probably go wrong and have a full price of such a conversion. Link to post Share on other sites
The Monk 50 Posted June 4, 2009 Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Good luck with this mate, I bought a mk1 a month or so ago, but with the missis and my VR6 falling to pieces all the time, funds aint that good. Link to post Share on other sites
acma 0 Posted June 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2009 Cheers Big Fella, I know I too don't have a bottomless pit, so I will need to keep an eye on costs...I actually get married in 3 weeks time, so the missus is already bending my ear about spending too much time in the garage as it is lolAlthough I might add, she's already said she'd like the car once it's finished.... Yeh right as if Link to post Share on other sites
acma 0 Posted June 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 Well as promised here are the latest update pics..Got the front sub frame back from the media blaster yesterday and given it it's first coat of paint, although the car certainly isn't ready for the sub frame yet, I've given it a quick coat of hammerite just to stop it rusting...I think it's come up quite well to be honest...Just back from the blaster Just one coat of hammerite to stop it rusting.... Unfortunately with the weather being bad, I'll not be able to do much else on the car this weekend, but will update on anything I can get my hands on Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Nat 9 Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Have you got a date in mind that you want to get it finished by? Link to post Share on other sites
acma 0 Posted June 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 I've set myself a target of 12 months, but trying hard to get it finished over the summer months of 2009... But then it all comes down to money and if I have enough spare lol Link to post Share on other sites
VR6Nat 9 Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 ahh wicked, so you'll be getting bang on it then?!! Im really interested to see how this one unfolds.... good luck!!! :) Link to post Share on other sites
acma 0 Posted June 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Yeh I'll be doing my best.... I'm going to put the gearbox in for blasting this week, I'm just doing little bits each week, until I can get the shell in for a full blasting, then I think the fun will really start Link to post Share on other sites
acma 0 Posted June 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 Well it's been a couple of weeks since I last updated the thread so here are a few more pics for people who are following this thread..Not really done much regarding the fitment of the front subframe, just getting the car ready for the media blasting.. As you can see from this picture, the floor has never had any weilding, which I am pleased to say.... Link to post Share on other sites
acma 0 Posted June 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2009 Does anybody know how to get around the piccy limit of 1024 ? I'm up to 954 already and it wont let me post any further pics ??CheersMark Link to post Share on other sites
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