Converting a mk2 to a GTI

Basically can someone write down a shopping list of what is needed if I was to convert my mk2 1.3 into a GTI 8v? And could people put was is essential i.e. gearbox and others that are recommended i.e. upgrading my current brakes.

 

is yours CE2? (hazard switch on top of steering column) if so, why not go for something like a ABF or vr6?

is gonna require lots of bits changing so not really worthwhile doing it if you can already buy a mk2 with the same engine in out the factory (gti's are ten a pennie)

 

why bother ? just buy a gti , they are cheap enougth and it will save you loads of time and money , plus your existing car will never be a gti , prob cost more to insure too !

 

Yep, that's the thing. On the V5 it'll always be the model it is now, and to insurance companies it'll always be a modified MK2 1.3 (with quite a lot of horsepower increase = ). The result is that some insurance companies may charge you a different figure compared with if you had a standard GTI. I suspect the likes of HIC will be okay though. So aside from the technical issues, that's another aspect worth considering.

I mean, loads of people on here are modifying basic spec MK2s and putting bigger engines into them and that's fair enough. Quite a good idea to use a basic MK2 for a project if it has got a good shell, too. But if you're aiming to have a MK2 with a digifant 8V in it then just buy one.

On the other hand if you wanted a VR6 then you would be modifying no matter what MK2 you started with, so it would make sense. Look at TRD's car for example - he's putting a G60 engine into a Driver. I think that makes sense.

Sorry, this isn't answering your query. You're asking what bits you need, not whether you should do it. My opinion is go and buy yourself a very cheap MK2 GTI donor car with a good running engine. That'll be the cheapest way to do it, and you'll be able to see how everything comes apart, plus you can test the engine and gearbox before you use it.

Not only are you upgrading the engine and brakes but you also have things like the fuel pump to deal with, and other little bits and pieces like the rear brake regulator, etc. I think the 1.3 rear beam lacks an anti-roll bar too, so you'd need a GTI rear beam (someone correct me if I am wrong there). You would need GTI exhaust manifold / downpipe etc. Larger brake master cylinder. Hence a donor car is a good idea.

 

Cheers for the input. The reason for the shopping list is mainly due to the fact i'm trying to figure out how many parts need taking off as my clutch is iffy so I've got 3 options:

1) Fix the clutch, use it for a while and sell it
2) Take the engine out and drop another one in it
3) Sell the banger as it is and get a GTI

Am I right in saying once the engine is out of the car, the clutch and timing belt can be replaced?

As for a VR6 lump, that would be a dream to me, but I think the overal cost is far too much!

You're correct Trev16v, my rear beam lacks the rear ARB.

My car has the hazard on top of the steering wheel! The decision to consider a conversion is due to 8v lump's being cheap now and might be a better option spending a couple of hundred pounds on fitting a GTI lump in rather than spending the money on fixing meerly the cluth.

Well I'm having words with someone from Edition 38 who fitted my suspension on Tuesday regarding the health of my car to discuss any projects i might consider.

As for insurance I know that will be the issue, its just a shame the overal shell and paint of my car is ok, and not sure if its quite at the stage to see if off to the scrappy as yet.

Anyone got any suggestions what I can do to save the car if not a GTI lump? Otherwise might have to SORN it over the summer when MOT run's out

 

sell the banger and get a gti

 

1.8 carb would be an easy job

 

I'll follow this up on tuesday depending on inspecting my car overal mechanically to see if its fit for any conversion or worth fixing

 

why not spend a couple of hundred on a full GTI? even the cheap ones are often ok

then spend the proceeds from selling your car on fixing it up a bit...?

 

prob cheaper than a new clutch too. of course ya dont know how long the clutch will last if you get ANY s/h engine and box with one already in - might end up paying for new engine and box and then a new clutch anyway. in which case you will be getting close to the cost of selling your car and buying a GTI, if not more than.

 

have a go at changing the clutch yourself.....you may as well, your not risking much.

 

I was considering putting a 9A/KR in my old 1.6 driver, but its a lot of messing about due to injection system/lack of fuel pump and fuel lines etc.
In the end i just sold the driver and bought a real Gti which in my opinion might be a better option for you.
To give you an example of prices, i got a quote from TSR to supply and fit a 9A block with KR head and fit Gti fuel tank, all wiring and set up etc etc 3300.
Its all down to how much spare money youve got i suppose! (unless you can do the conversion yourself)

 

If its any consolation G Man, my 1.3 MK2 is on the drive, awaiting its conversion to a digifant 8V. I've heard all the arguments, and there are plenty of cheapish GTI's out there to buy, but thats not what the scene's all about. Take advice, but make your own choice. I've bought all the parts I need over a few months, you need; GTI rear beam (make sure it comes with regulator),fuel pump at rear of car, engine, box, driveshafts, loom, ECU, change front subframe, the loom & fuel pump wiring in, bigger brakes and servo. New exhaust. I bought 16v front brakes and master cylinder, though the 8V ones will do the job. You will need an engine crane and a friend or two, and buying a cheap donor car means you should get all the parts you need. Hope this helps!

 

If you got a solid shell go for it.
GTI's are ten a penny but they're all run into the ground.
Look at jolfa he's bought cheap gti's and they've all been nails. (nowt personal mate)
Rear arb is about as thick as the pepperami I'm eating so sod that.
Front arb can be s***ped over so nowt to cry over there.
Rear disk's add a negligible amount as all the weight is over the front when braking but are soooo famous for fudging up I have no idea why people change to them.

and hey I've just been quoted 75 per year extra to take my scirocco storm from 8v gti engine to 16v gti engine so insurance isn't always daft. (that's with tesco, not any specialist company)
and it can't be any worse insuring a "modified 1.3" than a repaired write off.

Lets see that's 90% of the forum insulted.

Hmmmm

Baldies
Students
chavs
Diesel.

 

my current car was beautiful 'til that curb jumped out into the road and hit it[:^(]

admitedly all my other cars were nails, except maybe my 1.3, which in the end got kained everywhere and the gearbox didnt like it..

 

Well guys phoned someone who was going to aid me in fixing the car, but we both came to an agreement that spending money fixing a clutch wasn't worth the money as the car is still driveable and spending around 150 getting everything fixed will not mean i'll get that money back. The bottom decision lies on the fact we've owned the car for over 2 years now, and buying the car and fixing it (with mods) has cost a total of 700. Thats not bad for 2 years worth of use, plus given the fact i can get at least 100 back from parts.

Engine coversion is still considered, but depends now on how much time i've got on my hands. If the car is still driveable with no clutch slipping, then i'll get rid of the car asap to some chav. Don't really want to break it to be honest or scrap it.

 

Just spoke to my old man, he's allowing me to take the car off road and have a go my self at fixing it over summer! So hopefully i'll get my hands grubby and learn a few things!

 

I agree with what Darryn said, a 1.8 carb is not that difficult. Thats what I did when my 1.3let go. Obviously it hasn't got the same power as a Gti, but it is a lot easier as your swapping a carb'd engine for another. If you can pick up a cheap complete car (there are laways good ones going for around 400) its a simple case of swapping the parts over. You could probably do it in a weekend with a mate.

 

Not sure if that is a reference to my MK2 (which was an insurance loss because it was stolen and recovered) but for the record, this has never affected the insurance cost.

G-man - just another thought - if you ever did go down the route of getting a donor car, you could also probably consider getting a dirt cheap Passat instead, which could potentially get you a 2L 8V.

Trev

 

Spending dollar on a car you think about how much use you aim to get from he car in the future, and looked at that way the economics stack up. I would go for an engine conversion, I bought my engine. gearbox, loom, driveshafts etc for less than what a re con carburettor & tune up would have been. Its an experience, get the right donor car and someone to help you and you should be laughing. A 2 litre passat would make an excellent cheap donor as they dont go for much money