Mk4 Golf GT TDi 130 - A Quick Project

[mwstewart]

Mikeyplum said:

Excellent build yet again Mark. I've had a Bora 130 for over 5 years and have recently bought a 2004 Golf TDI PD130 so will be taking a lot of lessons from this thread.

Would you mind posting any links, or pointing me in the right direction for the interior ally trim please?

The alloy trim is much harder to get hold of, as you may have realised. Try eBay or ukmkivs.

[Barchettaman]

What an unbelievable (re)build.

Best of luck with sale, assuming it´s happening this month.

[mwstewart]

Barchettaman said:

What an unbelievable (re)build.

Best of luck with sale, assuming it´s happening this month.

Thank you

[Usget]

Sorry for thread resurrection.

I've sold the TT discussed earlier in the thread and I've picked up a cheap (just above Shed money) 8L A3 1.8TS which is going to be a bit of a project.

1) What were the B4s like? Would you recommend them? I don't particularly want to lower the car (I guess being a Sport it is on the firmer springs in any case, same as a GTI 1.8T?) but I'm keen on some greater damping control.
2) Did the 312mm discs make a big difference? Only the carriers need swapping on the 1.8T Sport, the calipers are the same, so I'm considering combining the bigger discs with some braided hoses for a more meaty set of stoppers - what was your experience?
3) How fiddly was modifying the splashguard to accomodate the rear 256mm discs?

Cheers in advance.

[mwstewart]

Usget said:

Cheers in advance.

PSB.

Usget said:

1) What were the B4s like? Would you recommend them? I don't particularly want to lower the car (I guess being a Sport it is on the firmer springs in any case, same as a GTI 1.8T?) but I'm keen on some greater damping control.

Yes, I would. Very nice road dampers.

Usget2 said:

Did the 312mm discs make a big difference? Only the carriers need swapping on the 1.8T Sport, the calipers are the same, so I'm considering combining the bigger discs with some braided hoses for a more meaty set of stoppers - what was your experience?

They made a fantastic difference - the difference between having to stand on the anchors and having some modulation in reserve. Very worthwhile.

Usget said:

3) How fiddly was modifying the splashguard to accomodate the rear 256mm discs?

Not really - I just cut off the periphery.

Edited by mwstewart on Monday 27th April 14:35

[Usget]

Thanks for the swift reply. I don't see where the Pet Shop Boys come into it, though...?

[mwstewart]

Usget said:

Thanks for the swift reply. I don't see where the Pet Shop Boys come into it, though...?

You know what I mean, you little tinker.

[mwstewart]

There were a few months MOT remaining but I had a new one undertaken yesterday.

Now for sale http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WV-Golf-Mk4-1-9-TDi-130-...

[mwstewart]

The Golf is still going

The only problem I've had is the front exhaust/cat section rotting out at a join. I've replaced it with a stainless section:


Mileage is now 70k, and she's due a basic service at VW.

[JakeT]

Good to hear it. Just got myself a Mk4 GTi Turbo and like it for what it is. It's not a raw hot hatch but makes for a good cruiser. There's a couple of things I need to do to the thing (got some Montreal II alloys on the way) but what would you recommend for these cars? It's already got cloth recaro seats and the winter pack. Also it has an excellent aftermarket amp and speakers in it.

[mwstewart]

JakeT said:

Good to hear it. Just got myself a Mk4 GTi Turbo and like it for what it is. It's not a raw hot hatch but makes for a good cruiser. There's a couple of things I need to do to the thing (got some Montreal II alloys on the way) but what would you recommend for these cars? It's already got cloth recaro seats and the winter pack. Also it has an excellent aftermarket amp and speakers in it.

In order:

1) The TT front hub and arm conversion with defcon inserts & early bushes;
2) TT 2WD struts and springs, and early front ARB;
3) V6 TT quick rack.

The above makes a big difference to how the car drives. You can use second hand parts to keep costs down, though it is well worth changing lower arm bushes (£4.75 small, £7.56 large) and ball joints (£26.52).

[martin mrt]

Nice to see your still running the Golf Mark.

Have you decided not to bother selling after all?

[mwstewart]

martin mrt said:

Nice to see your still running the Golf Mark.

Have you decided not to bother selling after all?

I had an offer a few hundred off of the asking price, which was already higher than market average to reflect the work gone into it, but I rejected it. I think we're at a point where its more valuable to me than its net worth, so I'm going to run it for a couple of years

[Podie]

Won't you get bored when you have nothing to tinker with?

[mwstewart]

Podie said:

Won't you get bored when you have nothing to tinker with?

I'm not selling the Golf just yet, and the other car is a project too

[JakeT]

mwstewart said:

In order:

1) The TT front hub and arm conversion with defcon inserts & early bushes;
2) TT 2WD struts and springs, and early front ARB;
3) V6 TT quick rack.

The above makes a big difference to how the car drives. You can use second hand parts to keep costs down, though it is well worth changing lower arm bushes (£4.75 small, £7.56 large) and ball joints (£26.52).

Good advice. Thanks. The front and rear end have been re bushed, so the thing handles as it was meant to but it still is a little soft. How much quicker is the V6 TT steering rack? The Golf feels like a bus in comparison to Fiestas and other things I've been driving recently. Also, is the V6 TT rack a straight swap? Mine doesn't have ESP or ASR so less of a headache there.

[mwstewart]

JakeT said:

Good advice. Thanks. The front and rear end have been re bushed, so the thing handles as it was meant to but it still is a little soft. How much quicker is the V6 TT steering rack? The Golf feels like a bus in comparison to Fiestas and other things I've been driving recently. Also, is the V6 TT rack a straight swap? Mine doesn't have ESP or ASR so less of a headache there.

The TT bushes are specific to that model with the rears being solid - unlike the Golf's void bush - and the fronts are very small to aid steering feel and prevent geo changes.

Also change the rear beam bushes for Fabia VRS or Cupra-R. Again, they are not void bushes but are still comfortable enough for daily use.

The rack is a straight swap and makes a big difference. I had an early Golf and it felt like how I imagine piloting an ocean going cargo ship would, mine now in comoparison is good fun.

[Joe5y]

mwstewart said:

I'm not selling the Golf just yet, and the other car is a project too

I am fairly certain that you will have a list of people but do bare me in mind when you do decide to sell.

What was the reason that you took it off the market last time?

[qwertina]

Thoroughly excellent work!

[Podie]

mwstewart said:

Podie said:

Won't you get bored when you have nothing to tinker with?

I'm not selling the Golf just yet, and the other car is a project too

I meant the BMW is for sale, the Ferrari and the Golf must be nearly done.... so just the Fiesta to do.

Oh, and when did this become your car? I thought it was the other half's car!