Im so glad its the weekend I can finally do some more work on the mk2, as i only have the spare time on weekend due to work... If its not raining tomorrow, my plans will be putting the gearbox and driveshafts back in, linking up the new fuel lines & loom and the under-car pump and basically putting everything back together. Hopefully it will start up ok... Next thing on the list is new wheels, paint job and hopefully a nice set of new suspension... I better start saving though tbh...
good work, but why didn't you fit the gearbox to the engine and then put the lot in? Much less hassle to do out of the car. This was the original plan for mine (also a 1.8 driver) but went for a 16v in the end as i didn't want to be changing it again in a year to get more power!
I was going to mate but i painted the gearbox that day and it wasn't dry enough to fit to the flywheel. I read your thread not long ago. Great build, and i love the vids of the car. It looks well quick. The 16v conversion did cross my mind at first but i thought i'd go with the simple 8v conversion, as i know them inside out after owning 3 8v GTi's and it was a great learning experience for me as it was my first home build by myself
What a nightmare this weekend. One of my driveshafts broke and left bearings all over the floor. Lucky i had my spare GTi ones from my previous 8v. I didn't get around to fitting them today though. I couldn't work out the best way to fit them so i removed both for the time being. - If anyone has any tips on fitting driveshafts whilst the engine and box is in place please let me know Anyway i did manage to fit the TB, air box, alterantor and gearbox in. Its finally starting to look like a GTi now. Didn't take many pics this weekend but heres a couple anyway ...
To refit the driveshafts with the engine and box in place i take the front bolt out of the wishbone (the one where it bolts directly into the subframe), pull the wishbone out of the subframe partially, slide the outer cv into the hub first then lift the driveshaft upto the flange and pop the wishbone back in
Thats a great idea there Nealey, cheers. Im going to do some work on it over the next coming week as im on early shifts... Driveshafts are a nightmare though, its the most annoying problem ive come across doing my conversion, buts its a great learning exercise tbh
Managed to get rid of the space savers today, and fit the 3 series BMW wheels, which look ok. I only bought them to move the MK2 about. And the space savers were nearly flat all round. These only cost me 30 off a local guy on ebay. Tyres have plenty of thread to. I did manage to remove the old water pump, as the pulley wouldn't line up with my alternator. Was quite a nightmare fitting it. There was a bolt with a alankey head which wouldn't move, so i had to hammer a socket over it to get it out. Will update with some more pics tomorrow.
good effort, your catching us up!!!! i like the 3 series wheels, look quite moody. Its gonna be great when your done, all that blood, sweat, tears, money and you'll have.... umm a gti.....
Oi I like the wheels to. They do look quite good tbh. Look better in the flesh, rather than on the dodgy phone camera picture. You have got to come around and have a look at it some time mate. Its a minter, and you will realise why i had to keep it, and not buy a GTi
I managed to get the front end back together on saturday to. Heres a couple of pics - It looks like a MK2 again LOL. I put the new grill on, smoked front lights and indicators. Im loving the look of the BMW wheels to. All that is left now is fitting the driveshafts, fuel pumps and getting the dash back in. Nearly there
Here is a few pictures from today. I had to tow it to a new garage, and got there in one piece LOL. I should be fitting the driveshafts in tomorrow, and bolt the fuel pump/s in. It'll be good to finally hear it start up!!! Cant wait.
Not too keen on the smoked headlights but each to their own. Regardless of that, good work. Well done
The lights look better than they do in the pics, saw them in the garage a couple of weeks ago. Relieved Richard of his GU today, short term solution for my car in a week or two (oiiiiil burning). Body was really nice last time I saw it, that exhaust does look better with the bumper on.
Thanks mate The smoked fronts do look better up close, rather than in the pics... I was using my camera phone so they didn't come out that good. I cant wait to get it back on the road. Will definately be on the CGTI stand next year at Inters, looking great with its new respray and hopefully a set of BBS Ra's
Got the RAs held for you, can get you 3 with rubber on them, he's keeping one as it's the only spare he's got that will clear his brakes.
Really like the look of it on the BMW bottletops, all i'd do would be put small bumpers onto it but it does look smart with the "bigs" on, two thumbs up
