My MK2 VW GTI 20V 1.8T Projekt

It is still sitting at the fabricator and nothing has been done to it. I am waiting for him to get through a couple of other projects. He is doing it dirt cheap for me so I really can't complain when he puts big money projects ahead of it. I got the wheels and tires on and I was going to go over tomorrow and get some pics. I might be able to get a hold of a couple of NASCAR tickets to give him for this weekend to hopefully motivate him.

 

Finally I have an update worth posting about. I got my wheels and tires on:



Here is my 17 year-old son that now works here. He is learning the tricks of the trade




Schmidt one piece Modern-Lines

Front= 16X9 et25 w/ Falken Ziex ZE-512 215/40ZR-16 XL 86W
Rear= 16X9 et30 and 17mm spacers w/ Falken Ziex ZE-512 215/40ZR-16 XL 86W

The arches will stay metal and will be rolled out to fit the wider wheels. In order to explain the lack of progress, I took some pics of what is happening at the shop to show some of the other works in progress. It will show that the car is in good hands and I figured you guys would enjoy some of these:

Here's a couple of Rhodesian Ridgebacks hanging out



Corvette Stringray Restoration



Custom Bike next to the Corvette chassis



Falcon street rod





Suicide Lincoln on bags













Bagged Ghia







30's Roadster



He runs the radiator in the back of the car to eliminate it from the front





As I was leaving, one of his finished projects pulled up:

 

Last week my car finally got rolled into the shop. The first dash I had, I totally hacked up so I found a clean dash for them to work with. I just got back from there so here are some dash pics:


and a parting shot:



The dash fits perfectly up front along the window and the defrost vents are all intact so everything should work as it did in the MKIV. Once it gets all figured out, I will pull it out so I can run all of the wiring and HVAC tubing. The exhaust has been welded together, the rear disc beam with all new and reconditioned parts has been installed, and the clutch slave cylinder, shift link, intercooler tubes, and both hood latches were sent out for chroming. I also cheaped out and bought some Rokkor coilovers yesterday so I should be able to get it dropped next week and figure out what needs to be done to the fenders. I am planning on not using flares so he may need to do some fender widening. Once the chrome bits come back and get installed, it should be ready for a test drive. Hopefully it will happen over Thanksgiving weekend, but the way my work schedule has been it will more than likely be in early December.

A few things I have learned that I would do differently if I could. I would find a MK3 steering rack since it will bolt into the MK2 and the MKIV column will bolt onto it with no modification. In order to do the dash, put the MKIV dash support in first by shaving the ends off, get it situated, and then the column will bolt right up to it. You will then need to peel the vinyl back from the back of the dash so that you can wrap the excess over the cut area which will give it a clean look. Cut a little at a time until all of the holes on the dash line up with the holes on the support. I was surprised at how little needed to be cut off.

 

Project has been stalled waiting on the fabricator, but it is coming back home tomorrow. I have been amassing parts and starting the 22nd, I will be off work until January 3rd. If all goes well, I should be able to take it out on a first drive before the New Year :cornut:.

 

It finally stopped raining here so I was able to get out and do some long overdue work on the car. New Chrome:



New Coils:



20th AE Interior Bits:



Used Neuspeed Rear Sway bar w/ new hardware:



I got the new chrome pieces installed and put the hood on. I then knocked out the coils and sway bar.

Coils on:





Hood back on:



My wife took this shot while I was underneath the car today:



All we are missing is my kids 87 Jetta that was parked in the front yard

 

I pulled the dash out today and got everything plugged back in. It fired up and it was cool to hear it running with the exhaust connected. Still won't start with the key though. I think I will just use a push button starter until I can get it figured out. I think I can make my goal of a first drive before the new year

 

Finally drove the car today. It was just down the street and back, but it is alive and drives great. I still need to top off the power steering since I ran out half way through fill up and I was rubbing the front driver's side tire so I had to be raise the coil another half inch. The wheel pokes out an inch more than the passenger side which was causing the rub. It is the same on my Scirocco too and I have never figured out why. I've got everything figured out for the dash wiring except for one plug that I can't seem to find where it goes. Once I get it all situated I'll put the dash back in and work on getting all of the lights wired up.

 

I decided not to get the cage yet. Maybe later down the road. The guy had so many different projects going I wasn't sure if it would get done anytime soon. I am going to start concentrating on the interior now. It is still completely stripped. I also need to get all of the wiring switched over to the new harness. Exterior will be down the road, but the planned color is VW Inari Silver like this car:



I think it will go really well with the engine bay color. I won't be able to get much done today though:

 

R50 with a different engine would be tough to do. The cool thing about the VW's is so much is bolt in. The only custom parts I needed were the power steering lines and front cross member. Other than that, it is all off the shelf parts.