Volkswagen Corrado G60
Discussion
Wish I never sold my Corrado G60, here was mine:
I picked it up cheap off a uni mate after it just stopped running on him one day and he lost interest in fixing it.
After some investigation it had snapped the key way on the crank pulley so the timing had slipped, new one from VW was about £35 at the time, new belt and a service and off I went with that charger whine, so addictive.
I picked it up cheap off a uni mate after it just stopped running on him one day and he lost interest in fixing it.
After some investigation it had snapped the key way on the crank pulley so the timing had slipped, new one from VW was about £35 at the time, new belt and a service and off I went with that charger whine, so addictive.
@Matt_N looks good (the Sebring wheels have to be my favourite) and I know what you mean about the charger whine - just a little reminder of what's under the bonnet without being intrusive!
It's been a busy week...for other people, and an expensive one for me, but all in a good cause!
The clutch had been replaced with a VR6 item - the old one actually had more life left in it when inspected, but it was heat glazed. Engaging the gears is now a much nicer operation!
The same garage also did the timing belt as I'd not had it done in my 2 years of having the car, it's a good thing to cross off the list. There is now a whine from the belts that want there before though, maybe just the new belt bedding in, but I'll check the tension anyway.
The car has also been to Ian Jemison to have 4 of the 5 alloys refurbished, and the new Toyos fitted. The new look wheels are lovely, but more importantly - HELLO GRIP! Where have you been the previous years!
The new tyres are a substantial improvement, whereas before greasy roundabout exits could put you on the grip limit, you're now comfortably inside it. Might be even better come the spring....but I'm booked in at Snetterton at the end of February for more testing
Given however the petrol return pipe was leaking onto the manifold, it's time to do the hoses early next year before that happens.... Nothing like the stink of fuel in the cabin to make your investigate pretty sharpish!
Time to take a week off and get busy under the bonnet I think, just need to get Christmas out of the way.
First some pictures of the new wheels though (and yes, I know the centre caps need sorting)!
Cheers,
Tom
It's been a busy week...for other people, and an expensive one for me, but all in a good cause!
The clutch had been replaced with a VR6 item - the old one actually had more life left in it when inspected, but it was heat glazed. Engaging the gears is now a much nicer operation!
The same garage also did the timing belt as I'd not had it done in my 2 years of having the car, it's a good thing to cross off the list. There is now a whine from the belts that want there before though, maybe just the new belt bedding in, but I'll check the tension anyway.
The car has also been to Ian Jemison to have 4 of the 5 alloys refurbished, and the new Toyos fitted. The new look wheels are lovely, but more importantly - HELLO GRIP! Where have you been the previous years!
The new tyres are a substantial improvement, whereas before greasy roundabout exits could put you on the grip limit, you're now comfortably inside it. Might be even better come the spring....but I'm booked in at Snetterton at the end of February for more testing
Given however the petrol return pipe was leaking onto the manifold, it's time to do the hoses early next year before that happens.... Nothing like the stink of fuel in the cabin to make your investigate pretty sharpish!
Time to take a week off and get busy under the bonnet I think, just need to get Christmas out of the way.
First some pictures of the new wheels though (and yes, I know the centre caps need sorting)!
Cheers,
Tom
Having had the delight of driving a speed limited Peugeot for work over Christmas, it was nice to get back to the Corrado today. No work under the bonnet as yet (the coolant hose kit is on order and the time off is booked for the end of the month though) as I've been too busy putting the bike back together.
Hence, as it was a nice day, it got a wash, polish and wax followed by the flimsiest of excuses to take it out for a run to dry it off.
She scrubs up well for an old girl!
Really looking forward to pre-track fettling though...
Cheers,
Tom
Hence, as it was a nice day, it got a wash, polish and wax followed by the flimsiest of excuses to take it out for a run to dry it off.
She scrubs up well for an old girl!
Really looking forward to pre-track fettling though...
Cheers,
Tom
Terminator X said:
I still remember the swagger I had when I owned a Mk 2 GTi 16v (big bumpers of course) only to pull up adjacent a Corrado at the lights and get wasted! Might have been the V6 one though.
TX.
Suspect it may have been a VR6, the gearing on a VR makes 1st/2nd launches far more impressive than the G60 which is hampered by ridiculously short 1st/2nd gears. Hence a number of G60 owners have built gearboxes using Vr6 1st an 2nd (allowing 60mph) G60 3rd, 4th and VR6 5th. TX.
Pull along side a G60 rolling in 3rd/4th gear and it's very much a case of bye bye 16v.
A little bit of an update in advance of the track day at the end of the month, not all of it positive.
The good news? New tyres, clutch etc. done before Christmas are all good. The bad news is that I'm going to have to stop trusting other people to do work on the car again.....
I've had it up on axle stands to do a service and some other fettling, and last night spotted something rather alarming. Intrigued by what appeared to be a random bolt lying by the clutch mechanism, I investigated further. This was one of my gearbox to engine mounting bolts that hadn't been put back.
Oh wait, here's another one half out of its hole and loose to hand.
A third at the engine mount was missing entirely.
I'm not very happy with the garage, and will be back there next week for them to replace the missing one and torque up the others. Driving gently....
Further annoyance in the form of the hose kit - the company I bought from sent one for a Golf G60 which doesn't fit. Still they were going to send me a replacement...by the end of last week. As it hasn't turned up, it looks like I'll be going on track with the old hoses as I won't have time to do it this week.
On the plus side, I gave the old girl a service (awwww yeah) of new oil, filter and plugs. Turns out the installation of the il cooler DOES make putting the oil filter on a total pain without jacking up the engine. Still, it's only once a year!
I then decided to fit the replacement front brake splash guards, as one was missing and one was rusty. If your thinking about this you'll need:
A heat gun and penetrating oil. They won't unseize the bolts holding the old shield on, but they'll make you feel better while you do it. What you'll actually need is a multi tool for cutting a slot in the remains of the bolt, an impact driver a large hammer and some mole grips.
This will get one of the bolts out (the one that isn't blind), but once you've sheared the head off the blind one, you'll need a drill with some good HSS bits and a tapping tool.
Once the tapping tool has proved that it was a cheap and not very good buy, you'll need a bigger drill bit and a rivet gun. On the plus side, you won't need all of the fixings that came with the replacement kit....
Lets get this party started....
There was once a shield here....
Shiny!
Not so shiny.
Snap!
Win! Rivets to the rescue.
I also took the opportunity to freshen up the calliper carriers, but as they're not back together yet, and I've run out of light, it's time for a beer.
The good news? New tyres, clutch etc. done before Christmas are all good. The bad news is that I'm going to have to stop trusting other people to do work on the car again.....
I've had it up on axle stands to do a service and some other fettling, and last night spotted something rather alarming. Intrigued by what appeared to be a random bolt lying by the clutch mechanism, I investigated further. This was one of my gearbox to engine mounting bolts that hadn't been put back.
Oh wait, here's another one half out of its hole and loose to hand.
A third at the engine mount was missing entirely.
I'm not very happy with the garage, and will be back there next week for them to replace the missing one and torque up the others. Driving gently....
Further annoyance in the form of the hose kit - the company I bought from sent one for a Golf G60 which doesn't fit. Still they were going to send me a replacement...by the end of last week. As it hasn't turned up, it looks like I'll be going on track with the old hoses as I won't have time to do it this week.
On the plus side, I gave the old girl a service (awwww yeah) of new oil, filter and plugs. Turns out the installation of the il cooler DOES make putting the oil filter on a total pain without jacking up the engine. Still, it's only once a year!
I then decided to fit the replacement front brake splash guards, as one was missing and one was rusty. If your thinking about this you'll need:
A heat gun and penetrating oil. They won't unseize the bolts holding the old shield on, but they'll make you feel better while you do it. What you'll actually need is a multi tool for cutting a slot in the remains of the bolt, an impact driver a large hammer and some mole grips.
This will get one of the bolts out (the one that isn't blind), but once you've sheared the head off the blind one, you'll need a drill with some good HSS bits and a tapping tool.
Once the tapping tool has proved that it was a cheap and not very good buy, you'll need a bigger drill bit and a rivet gun. On the plus side, you won't need all of the fixings that came with the replacement kit....
Lets get this party started....
There was once a shield here....
Shiny!
Not so shiny.
Snap!
Win! Rivets to the rescue.
I also took the opportunity to freshen up the calliper carriers, but as they're not back together yet, and I've run out of light, it's time for a beer.
All finished and back together. I also managed to clean the ISV out, fix the heat shield rattle (I hope) and change some of the perished fuel pipe..
Freed off the carrier/calliper slider pins too and re-greased everything
Oven to harden off the VHT paint
All back together where the fruits of my labour can't be seen at all.
This little blighter was leaking over the exhaust manifold.
Next up, Snetterton! Hope it stays mild and the coolant stays where it should!
Cheers,
Tom
Freed off the carrier/calliper slider pins too and re-greased everything
Oven to harden off the VHT paint
All back together where the fruits of my labour can't be seen at all.
This little blighter was leaking over the exhaust manifold.
Next up, Snetterton! Hope it stays mild and the coolant stays where it should!
Cheers,
Tom
Edited by darkyoung1000 on Sunday 19th February 14:41
Good news, the coolant stayed where it should, as did everything else!
The oil temperature never broke 100 degrees on track thanks to the oil cooler, and the new tyres performed adequately despite the very wet conditions at times. A good turnout of various types of cars from a Renault 9 to a GT3 RS - all road cars and having a whale of a time!
I saw a couple of PH stickers too (an Orange JCW MINI and a blue Clio).
The Corrado on track definitely showed up that it's a road car, and what limitations that brings. That's good as I'm planning on keeping it on the road rather thank track, but if I were, I'd want stiffer suspension and better tyres! The handling was superbly predictable on the limit, round Coram, it was a matter of set it up to the limit and then proceed round without understeer until you needed to let off. At which point there were no nasty surprises, just compliant turn in.
That's not to say I didn't run out of talent on a few occasions, locking the wheels under braking when it got really wet. Also, understeer was definitely a problem (no surprise).
Anyway, enough jibber jabber, here are some pictures from the day courtesy of Picman:
Cheers,
Tom
The oil temperature never broke 100 degrees on track thanks to the oil cooler, and the new tyres performed adequately despite the very wet conditions at times. A good turnout of various types of cars from a Renault 9 to a GT3 RS - all road cars and having a whale of a time!
I saw a couple of PH stickers too (an Orange JCW MINI and a blue Clio).
The Corrado on track definitely showed up that it's a road car, and what limitations that brings. That's good as I'm planning on keeping it on the road rather thank track, but if I were, I'd want stiffer suspension and better tyres! The handling was superbly predictable on the limit, round Coram, it was a matter of set it up to the limit and then proceed round without understeer until you needed to let off. At which point there were no nasty surprises, just compliant turn in.
That's not to say I didn't run out of talent on a few occasions, locking the wheels under braking when it got really wet. Also, understeer was definitely a problem (no surprise).
Anyway, enough jibber jabber, here are some pictures from the day courtesy of Picman:
Cheers,
Tom
Somehow only just spotted this thread, looks like you had a great time at Snetterton!
I've a G60 myself, although I live near Selby now and not York like I did a few years ago I don't think I've seen it around much.
Quick question - it looks from the pictures that yours doesn't have the bizzare corrado 'nose diving' effect of the rear arch gap being larger than the front one - are you on stock suspension?
Mine's in a friends lockup at the moment with blown piston rings whilst I save up for a 16vG60 conversion - if you need a hand with anything I'll be happy to bob over and give you a hand. You on the corrado forum at all?
Keep the old girl going, it's in much better condition than mine!
dave
I've a G60 myself, although I live near Selby now and not York like I did a few years ago I don't think I've seen it around much.
Quick question - it looks from the pictures that yours doesn't have the bizzare corrado 'nose diving' effect of the rear arch gap being larger than the front one - are you on stock suspension?
Mine's in a friends lockup at the moment with blown piston rings whilst I save up for a 16vG60 conversion - if you need a hand with anything I'll be happy to bob over and give you a hand. You on the corrado forum at all?
Keep the old girl going, it's in much better condition than mine!
dave
Cheers Dave on a number of counts. I'll let you know if I need an extra pair of hands. Similarly, when the time comes to put yours back on the road, drop me a line. A 16vG60 would be a good thing to see! I've only seen one at JMR and that wasn't in motion!
As far as I know, the suspension is standard. The chap I bought it from said that he'd put it back to stock having bought it 'slammed' from a guy in Wales. I'm not sure what 'stock' is, but I hadn't noticed it didn't have the rear arch gap. I'm not complaining mind!
I am on the Corrado Forum (just not very much) - TomB. I'm usually looking for parts or posting in the spotted thread!
Got some plans for the next time I'm working on it involving nearly taking my head off with spring compressors as the top mounts need doing. I also have the hose kit to do....
Cheers,
Tom
As far as I know, the suspension is standard. The chap I bought it from said that he'd put it back to stock having bought it 'slammed' from a guy in Wales. I'm not sure what 'stock' is, but I hadn't noticed it didn't have the rear arch gap. I'm not complaining mind!
I am on the Corrado Forum (just not very much) - TomB. I'm usually looking for parts or posting in the spotted thread!
Got some plans for the next time I'm working on it involving nearly taking my head off with spring compressors as the top mounts need doing. I also have the hose kit to do....
Cheers,
Tom
It's JMR that have convinced me to go 16vG60! I phoned him up and asked advice on whether to buy a recon engine (£800 or so), rebuild the one i've got (£400 or so) but while the engine will be out for that, it'd be stupid not to consider swapping it out altogether. He waxed sufficiently lyrical about the 9A with the G60 that I'm set on it.
Sadly it needs custom engine manglement, so instead of being £500 for a 9A engine and a bit more for custom hardware for the alternator and the like, it puts another £2k on the engine once the standalone ECU and labour for the loom is involved, which means mine will be off the road for another year or so more than I ideally wanted.
Gonna be worth it in the end, though, and gives me time to sort out the various bodywork issues. Say, don't suppose you've a spare garage handy?
I've done the top mounts on mine before I put it away in october, so it's still fresh in my head, gimme a shout when you're ready to do it. Decent swan neck spanner for the top is essential, the one I used had a bit of a bad angle which meant it didn't quite engage properly, which made it a right pain, so watch out for that.
Sadly it needs custom engine manglement, so instead of being £500 for a 9A engine and a bit more for custom hardware for the alternator and the like, it puts another £2k on the engine once the standalone ECU and labour for the loom is involved, which means mine will be off the road for another year or so more than I ideally wanted.
Gonna be worth it in the end, though, and gives me time to sort out the various bodywork issues. Say, don't suppose you've a spare garage handy?
I've done the top mounts on mine before I put it away in october, so it's still fresh in my head, gimme a shout when you're ready to do it. Decent swan neck spanner for the top is essential, the one I used had a bit of a bad angle which meant it didn't quite engage properly, which made it a right pain, so watch out for that.
Tinkerton said:
It's JMR that have convinced me to go 16vG60! I phoned him up and asked advice on whether to buy a recon engine (£800 or so), rebuild the one i've got (£400 or so) but while the engine will be out for that, it'd be stupid not to consider swapping it out altogether. He waxed sufficiently lyrical about the 9A with the G60 that I'm set on it.
Sadly it needs custom engine manglement, so instead of being £500 for a 9A engine and a bit more for custom hardware for the alternator and the like, it puts another £2k
Sadly it needs custom engine manglement, so instead of being £500 for a 9A engine and a bit more for custom hardware for the alternator and the like, it puts another £2k
Well that escalated a bit!!!! I'm dead keen to see how this pans out!!!!!!
funnily enough I have a spare 9a botton end and had it ear marked for my mk2 golf , i never knew they were useful for building a 16vG60! I've got to get my ass in gear and get my Corrado down to JMR , i had a chat a while back an with my 70mm VWMS pulley, SNS chip , shrick cam, and a stage 4g60 set up i'll be content with >200hp
Tinkerton said:
Sadly it needs custom engine manglement,
Ha! Very good indeed. I like that.I need my chains and guides changed on the VR6 (not to mention other stuff). Do you guys think JMR is the place to go for this? My greatest concern is getting the best job possible rather than a cheap or convenient local job.
Thanks.
Years ago, I always used to hear Stealth VW mentioned on the Corrado Forum as the place for VR6 fettling. I don't know if that's still the case, but someone on the Corrado Forum will know... I've only used JMR for G60 stuff, but they do know what they're talking about in that field for sure.
@Tinkerton, no spare garage I'm afraid, in fact even my Corrado doesn't get room in the garage unfortunately. There are two other non-running car projects and some bikes taking up all the room. If I find some though, I'll let you know. Thanks very much for the tips on the top mounts too, very useful
Keep us posted on your 16vG60, I expect a thread shortly!
Cheers,
Tom
@Tinkerton, no spare garage I'm afraid, in fact even my Corrado doesn't get room in the garage unfortunately. There are two other non-running car projects and some bikes taking up all the room. If I find some though, I'll let you know. Thanks very much for the tips on the top mounts too, very useful
Keep us posted on your 16vG60, I expect a thread shortly!
Cheers,
Tom
I done a photoshoot of a corrado in January for a magazine called So Scene. One of the cleanest I have seen.
The magazine will be out this weekend as they are releasing this issue at Ultimate Dubs show but they also have digital copies available online. Have a look, sure you won't be disappointed, although it's a 1.8t conversion.
The magazine will be out this weekend as they are releasing this issue at Ultimate Dubs show but they also have digital copies available online. Have a look, sure you won't be disappointed, although it's a 1.8t conversion.
dabofoppo said:
Almost bought one of these a few years ago for cheap (J16 CAW if I remember right) absolutely cracking cars great buy .
Noticed this after having a look at the OP's thread. You remember correctly. Pictured below. Bought it for about a bag of sand due to a misfire...turned out to be a slipped jubilee clip. My biggest regret was selling after a few years due to wife being pregnant at time, both this and the 6n2 polo had to go. Replaced them with a latter B5 2.8 quattro which was a hoot, but no where near the character of the Rad. Only car I've had that I would get the thumbs up from men in their 60's, just as much as the young lads in their teens. Oh how i miss it!! .
A little bit of minor fettling today, as other projects had reached a convenient stopping point (awaiting parts or between coats of paint). A few weeks ago, when starting the Corrado, it was reluctant to do so on the turn of the key....
I've had this before (on my first one) and hence had bought an ignition switch shortly after buying the car, knowing it was probably a 'when' not an 'if.' Fortunately I didn't need the emergency 'battery to starter motor' wire that I'd taken to carrying, but thought it best not to tempt fate.
I hate replacing the ignition switch, the last time I did it was a while ago and I'd forgotten the exact contortions required, remembering it only as a sod of a job. Glad my memory isn't failing at least.
In summary, you need to remove the plastic trim under the steering column, and then remove one screw to replace the ignition switch. Easy right? No, not really.
You can get a screwdriver up onto the screw, just not at the corrrect angle to undo it. Any screwdriver small enough will be too small to bite in the head effectively.
2 hours of head scratching, the sage advice of CazzaVR6 on the Corrado forum was used. It's a brass screw, use a flat bladed screwdriver and drift it out from the side. 10 minutes later, job jobbed. Half and hour after that, a gentle run in the sunshine.
Cooling system and top mounts planned for the end of May.....
Just undo the three Phillips screws....
...and there's the switch. Just find the screw in here.... No fun at all.
Cheers,
Tom
I've had this before (on my first one) and hence had bought an ignition switch shortly after buying the car, knowing it was probably a 'when' not an 'if.' Fortunately I didn't need the emergency 'battery to starter motor' wire that I'd taken to carrying, but thought it best not to tempt fate.
I hate replacing the ignition switch, the last time I did it was a while ago and I'd forgotten the exact contortions required, remembering it only as a sod of a job. Glad my memory isn't failing at least.
In summary, you need to remove the plastic trim under the steering column, and then remove one screw to replace the ignition switch. Easy right? No, not really.
You can get a screwdriver up onto the screw, just not at the corrrect angle to undo it. Any screwdriver small enough will be too small to bite in the head effectively.
2 hours of head scratching, the sage advice of CazzaVR6 on the Corrado forum was used. It's a brass screw, use a flat bladed screwdriver and drift it out from the side. 10 minutes later, job jobbed. Half and hour after that, a gentle run in the sunshine.
Cooling system and top mounts planned for the end of May.....
Just undo the three Phillips screws....
...and there's the switch. Just find the screw in here.... No fun at all.
Cheers,
Tom
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