Mk2 VW Golf GTi 8v with VR6 conversion
Discussion
Having been into mk2 Escorts for a lot of years and spent more than I care to mention on modifying and restoring them, I sold up last year and via a couple of disastrous 4x4s, arrived at my latest purchase, a 1991/H Golf GTi 5-door in faded Tornado Red.
I have initially been looking for a red 3-door in standard condition but kept coming back to a car on ebay which, despite its blingy lights and steering wheel, still seemed like a good option having been fitted with fully 2.8 VR6 engine/box, subframes, (new) brakes, wheels etc. It also had a new set of coilover suspension and the interior was in absolutely mint condition. Here are the pics from the original ebay ad:
There are a few jobs to do, main ones being to sort out the sloppy gear linkage; put new wishbones on to remove the wandering front suspension; and to paint the front wings which have had a dodgy respray that has now cracked. I have already done quite a few minor jobs like replacing the aerial and rewiring the rear speakers having ripped out the MDF parcel shelf complete with 6x9" speakers.
The MOMO wheel has gone to be replaced with standard, as have the crystal front indicators and rear lights (amber, and tinted 16v replacements) and I am in the process of sourcing a few more bits to return the bodywork to standard. The only thing that will look a bit out of place to anyone who knows about Golfs are the VR6 5-stud alloys as the previous owner had retained the hubs and larger brakes, and the wider track from the VR6 underpinnings. More pics shortly.
I have initially been looking for a red 3-door in standard condition but kept coming back to a car on ebay which, despite its blingy lights and steering wheel, still seemed like a good option having been fitted with fully 2.8 VR6 engine/box, subframes, (new) brakes, wheels etc. It also had a new set of coilover suspension and the interior was in absolutely mint condition. Here are the pics from the original ebay ad:
There are a few jobs to do, main ones being to sort out the sloppy gear linkage; put new wishbones on to remove the wandering front suspension; and to paint the front wings which have had a dodgy respray that has now cracked. I have already done quite a few minor jobs like replacing the aerial and rewiring the rear speakers having ripped out the MDF parcel shelf complete with 6x9" speakers.
The MOMO wheel has gone to be replaced with standard, as have the crystal front indicators and rear lights (amber, and tinted 16v replacements) and I am in the process of sourcing a few more bits to return the bodywork to standard. The only thing that will look a bit out of place to anyone who knows about Golfs are the VR6 5-stud alloys as the previous owner had retained the hubs and larger brakes, and the wider track from the VR6 underpinnings. More pics shortly.
Edited by PigFilth on Sunday 25th March 19:05
Dave Hedgehog said:
tidy looking car
bit disappointed you haven't destroyed the handling by stancing it
poor show ..
Standard 90s Yuppie look is what I am aiming for. Be glad when the linkage and wishbones are sorted then it can be driven properly but it sounds fantastic. Exhaust is a hybrid VR6 manifold/front with standard 16v backbox. Cat has been gutted. New tyres all round. Not sure whether to keep the rims and have them refurbed or ebay them and get some shiny BBS lookalike (original ones won't fit as 4-stud).bit disappointed you haven't destroyed the handling by stancing it
poor show ..
Plans so far:
1. Replace both wishbones and ball joints; get tracking done.
2. Replace gearbox control tower and possibly gear linkage.
3. Swap single light grille with standard but new GTi grille with 4 lights.
4. Swap crystal side repeaters with new amber replacements as per fronts which have just been done.
5. Source and fit parcel shelf.
6. Sort out why rear wash/wipe and HRW not working.
7. Boot courtesy light not wired up properly - fix.
8. Attend to one or two rust blisters on tailgate and NSR arch.
9. Find someone to repaint front wings.
10. Straighten NSF fog light bracket and replace fog light.
11. OMP strut brace I bought the other day needs fitting.
12. Fit radio surround trim piece which is missing. Learn how the hell to use the Alpine head unit.
13. Buy and fit Pistonheads sticker in rear window like the rest of the fleet
1. Replace both wishbones and ball joints; get tracking done.
2. Replace gearbox control tower and possibly gear linkage.
3. Swap single light grille with standard but new GTi grille with 4 lights.
4. Swap crystal side repeaters with new amber replacements as per fronts which have just been done.
5. Source and fit parcel shelf.
6. Sort out why rear wash/wipe and HRW not working.
7. Boot courtesy light not wired up properly - fix.
8. Attend to one or two rust blisters on tailgate and NSR arch.
9. Find someone to repaint front wings.
10. Straighten NSF fog light bracket and replace fog light.
11. OMP strut brace I bought the other day needs fitting.
12. Fit radio surround trim piece which is missing. Learn how the hell to use the Alpine head unit.
13. Buy and fit Pistonheads sticker in rear window like the rest of the fleet
I love this! Not much biased myself as I own and run a 5 door tornado red gti as my daily hack! 
Hopefully looking into doing a VR6 conversion over the summer to replace the ageing 8valve unit!
Glad your not going to ruin it by stancing it, silly tires etc... It looks great the way it is!
Rik
Hopefully looking into doing a VR6 conversion over the summer to replace the ageing 8valve unit!
Glad your not going to ruin it by stancing it, silly tires etc... It looks great the way it is!
Rik
Cheers Rik. Only reason I might look at other wheels would be because I am not a massive fan of the way the VR6 alloys bow outwards but they are the closest to the standard BBS ones I can get.
It came with the original grille and spotlights but most of the grille clips are knackered, the lights are corroded and loose, so I've bought some secondhand units on ebay to go with the new grille and if they all arrive before the weekend, I'll have plenty to be getting on with. Not looking forward to doing the suspension arms though!
It came with the original grille and spotlights but most of the grille clips are knackered, the lights are corroded and loose, so I've bought some secondhand units on ebay to go with the new grille and if they all arrive before the weekend, I'll have plenty to be getting on with. Not looking forward to doing the suspension arms though!
Thanks for the nice comments. I've not compared it to a standard one so can't comment, but once the wishbones are done I can tell it'll be a great handler.
Brakes are 288mm off the VR6 - seems to stop well.
I'll try and get some more pics up once I've figure out how to get them off the iPhone, and some of the mk1 Golf GL 5-door resto project that I got tonight (£350 with T&T!).
Brakes are 288mm off the VR6 - seems to stop well.
I'll try and get some more pics up once I've figure out how to get them off the iPhone, and some of the mk1 Golf GL 5-door resto project that I got tonight (£350 with T&T!).
Thought I'd list the spec before I get round to uploading some pics.
Mk2 1991H Golf GTi 8-valve 5-door in Tornado Red
Mk3 VR6 2.8 engine and box
Mk3 VR6 subframes, brakes, widetrack setup
Mk3 VR6 alloys and 205 tyres
K&N air filter, VR6 front exhaust with gutted cat section, standard 16v backbox
Wolfsburg Edition gearknob, window winders, lock pins and mirror adjusters
Aero wipers
Since purchase, I have bought brand new indicators, side repeaters, front grille and also added 16v tinted rear clusters, standard Golf steering wheel, mk3 Golf GTI rear badge, new aerial, and fitted a new n/s wishbone and balljoint. I'm also waiting for a GTI grille badge. Rear speakers upgraded to new JVC ones instead of the paper-cone standard jobbies.
Mk2 1991H Golf GTi 8-valve 5-door in Tornado Red
Mk3 VR6 2.8 engine and box
Mk3 VR6 subframes, brakes, widetrack setup
Mk3 VR6 alloys and 205 tyres
K&N air filter, VR6 front exhaust with gutted cat section, standard 16v backbox
Wolfsburg Edition gearknob, window winders, lock pins and mirror adjusters
Aero wipers
Since purchase, I have bought brand new indicators, side repeaters, front grille and also added 16v tinted rear clusters, standard Golf steering wheel, mk3 Golf GTI rear badge, new aerial, and fitted a new n/s wishbone and balljoint. I'm also waiting for a GTI grille badge. Rear speakers upgraded to new JVC ones instead of the paper-cone standard jobbies.
Starting to sound good and like its coming together now! Lookng forward to the update pictures!
Just out of interest, you wouldn't know who done the vr6 conversion? Just that I was planning one for mine soon. Been looking at a company called MV developments who can do one for a not bad price according to their website.
Cheers, Rik
Just out of interest, you wouldn't know who done the vr6 conversion? Just that I was planning one for mine soon. Been looking at a company called MV developments who can do one for a not bad price according to their website.
Cheers, Rik
RikkiGTI said:
Starting to sound good and like its coming together now! Lookng forward to the update pictures!
Just out of interest, you wouldn't know who done the vr6 conversion? Just that I was planning one for mine soon. Been looking at a company called MV developments who can do one for a not bad price according to their website.
Cheers, Rik
If your half decent with a tool kit, and have the spare time its not that hard a job to do yourself. Its 90% bolt on with a little fabrication, although I would recommend buying a complete donor car to make it easier. Plenty of info on the net now as well.Just out of interest, you wouldn't know who done the vr6 conversion? Just that I was planning one for mine soon. Been looking at a company called MV developments who can do one for a not bad price according to their website.
Cheers, Rik
Starting to get sorted now - new grille, indicators, repeaters, aerial etc. Aerial might get swapped for a beesting one eventually, and need to sort out the ding on the bumper.
Picture of the new rear clusters, taken before I added the new Golf GTi badge (rather the 'olf').
Picture of the new rear clusters, taken before I added the new Golf GTi badge (rather the 'olf').
Edited by GTiVR6 on Tuesday 10th April 12:56
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