MK1 16v GTI Caddy

Right guys, it seems the done thing to keep a record of work carried out to all projects so ill start mine.

Over the past 2-3 years I've developed a real passion for all things VAG mainly VW's, and after recently completing my first project a VW T5, which is now a full custom camper:



I started looking for something else to get stuck into, after debating for months over the right choice of VAG project I wanted rather conveniently my brother decided to sell me his 1990 MK1 caddy pick-up. NOw this had a 1.6 petrol engine, a mainly solid body and a pile of parts, so after getting stuck into this for the last 4 months and finely getting the bodywork almost finished, I sold it:





All for the chance to buy myself another MK1 caddy, the one I had been after for years after seeing it lie alone in a workshop for the last 3 years. Again its another one of my brothers forgotten projects, but something I am most keen to turn around.
I have a fully stripped 1.8 16v GTI lump, with all the essential parts, a solid rust free shell, some BBS alloys and a mountain of parts. So here goes:

This is what I've started with, the freshly stripped GTI block, after debating colours from white to black and everything in between, I think this gold seems to suit it just fine. So out came the paint guns and my project began.



Im currently gas flowing and port matching the head, and looking for a good engine guide for the 1.8 16v if anyone has any suggestions.




Ill keep you all posted on progress as it develops Cheers
Tom.

Nice looking shell tom, love caddys, best of luck with her  

Matt

Nice Caddy mate, good luck with your resto, love the T5 too!!

pazwaa said

Nice looking shell tom, love caddys, best of luck with her  

Matt

Thanks, the shell is actually the one I sold, I'll get some pics of my new one, and you can see a difference. 

Melteddrummer said

Nice Caddy mate, good luck with your resto, love the T5 too!!

Thanks, it's taken some doing but it's was well worth I for the results. 

Wow, that's the shell you rejected!!!! Can't wait to see the one you kept!  

Some more progress on the head, I finished gas flowing and port matching so had it sent off for a skim and get the valve seats tidied up, they also got the valves seated in for me while they were at it. Fitted the valve stem seals and also found a polished cam cover, happy days.







With my Caddy came a collection of multiple parts, hopefully enough for me to build the majority of my caddy, but also parts which I can sell due to having more than one; this intake is a prime example, got digging around after reading about a 50mm inlet which is a must for a modified head, and guess what, I found one. The size difference is instantly obvious, just need to get it looking as nicely polished as the original. Any ideas??

Nice looking project mate, look forward to seeing it complete, you could polish the inlet manifold yourself, there is a thread on here somewhere about polishing, I did my alternator and it looked great but took hours to do, alternatively send it to a polishers, I used http://www.mmpolishingltd.co.uk/home to do my 16v manifold and they did a top job on it

Woah, that's beautiful polishing!   

Looking good!i didnt think id be sure on the gold bottom end but its growing on me and quite like the colour now!

hubbadubba said

Nice looking project mate, look forward to seeing it complete, you could polish the inlet manifold yourself, there is a thread on here somewhere about polishing, I did my alternator and it looked great but took hours to do, alternatively send it to a polishers, I used http://www.mmpolishingltd.co.uk/home to do my 16v manifold and they did a top job on it

The polishing work is amazing! It looks brand new, ill definatly be looking into that, thanks very much.  

bluemk120v said

Looking good!i didnt think id be sure on the gold bottom end but its growing on me and quite like the colour now!

Thanks, I think once it gets build with the polished and ali parts it will really come into its own.
I hope so any way it was abit of a bold choice to do it gold. I just need a body colour now????? That is something i really can not decide upon.

Heres a quality picture:

thought maybe of doing the writing on the inlet in that gold?

bluemk120v said

thought maybe of doing the writing on the inlet in that gold?

yeah i did however I'm doubtful it would last?

Love the work going into this mate. It's going to be awesome when finished.

Best of luck with the project.  

smudger said

Love the work going into this mate. It's going to be awesome when finished.

Best of luck with the project.  

Thanks very much, it all seems quite over whelming at times but I guess all projects do at some point.
One day it should be looking as good as your lots cars on this forum.  One day  Smudger your golf is something else, just had a quick look what a lovely looking car! 

Thanks mate. It's a great car but it's not finished yet so not that great

I know how you feel about it all being daunting sometimes. I have had a few of those moments during the build but it's all going to be worth it in the end.

Smudger

i had an inlet powdercoated black then used a high temp white paint to do the lettering lasted ages! pretty sure youll get a high temp gold paint?Just depends what colour you choose for the car.. im sure when its done it will look good

bluemk120v said

i had an inlet powdercoated black then used a high temp white paint to do the lettering lasted ages! pretty sure youll get a high temp gold paint?Just depends what colour you choose for the car.. im sure when its done it will look good

That sounds like the way to go, I'll get them polished up and secure myself some high temp paint. 

when i did mine i masked it all off then used my finger to press in the masking tape into the 'dohc 16v' writing. I then used a craft knife with small blade to cut out them bits ready for paint. I was pleased with the result and im pretty sure when polished with the gold and matching gold block it would suit nicely