next project ideas etc

starting to gather info as to what my next mk1 golf / project will involve, this is the 1st early stages of ideas, questions and gathering info.

will try and make things simple as possible.

base model to be a cabriolet, big block engine with small bumpers, good bodywork and roof. (already hard to find)
looking at a 20vt conversion, and am hoping to transplant as much as possible.

questions are as follows.

1. a friend had a mk2, and he used mk3 subframes to "wide track" it and make it 5 stud and use all mk3 front end components.
is this possible on a mk1? is the mk3  or even mk4 subframe compatible? if so then all mk4 suspension, brakes etc could be used.
what about the rear beam? will anything else fit?

2. what components are transferable from mk3 / 4  into mk1?

3. is abs / pas a viable option?

4. the issue with the fuel tank rotting, can it be overcome by using a different tank, and neck combination and making fit underneath.

5. dashboard fitting - what dashboards have been fitted, and which are the better / easier to fit?
would ideally like something mk4 polo or mk3 polo. (have heard of tt dashboards being used)

6. whats the best brake set - up?
mk4 at rear, scirocco 16v cables, but whats best up front? and whats interchangeable.  (servo changes, remove old servo location and fit direct action, or hidden with pedal box?)

7. what ecu is needed, whats best? want to keep the diagnostic port, allowing easy diagnosis and connection to ecu.

am fairly competent with most mechanical things, and being a mechanic, things will hopefully be easier to undertake. (am a firm believer in anything is possible to be made / modified)
just want to know the whats what where it comes to mk1 and transplanting things.

anything else people can think of?

as said, trying to get as much info and insight into what people have done themselves or seen and any links or other info will be very helpful

thanks in advance.
dan

1. not easily no, there are no longer wishbones for a mk1 that i know of. some early porche parts fit (944?) and so something off one of those may work, but then you also need custom shafts which is expensive way to go.

MK2/3 subframes would need significant cutting and welding on the mk1 chassis to fit, it has been done before though. then you could use mk2 wishbones or even mk3, but i think mk3 would probably end up a bit too wide. main issue would be the steering, you could make up a custom uj if you can mod the shell though. mk3 uj comes in 2 halves sop that would be a good place to start. this would mean that PAS and big brakes would be easier to fit to the mk1 though so there is that, plus VR6/R32 engines drop straight on a mk3 subframe.

2. not a great deal really, mk1 is totally different chassis to mk2/3/4. pretty much just the engine

3. abs doable with mk2/3 subframe as the front bearing carriers have holes for the sensors, at the back you would go for a disc upgrade and again this would give you sensor mounts. I wouldn't bother though. as per 1, with mk2/3 subframe pas would be easy. if you stuck with mk1 shell this is more difficult but still doable, few options including corsa column or the tsr conversion which used a nissan bluebird rack iirc, plus there was another thread around somewhere where a mazda rack or something was used i think.

4. new mk1 tank and neck only bolt on option, nowt else fits direct

5. many have been done, mk2, polo etc. up to you really but I like the mk1 dash

6. mk1 chassis you have vauxhaul route, or scirocco 16v/audi 80/90 carriers plus 256 brakes, or the g60 adaptors. if you go mk2/3 subframe you can use 280mm brakes easily, or if you can find some seat brembo setup. if you go 5 stud theres mk3 288s straight fit. 280s really all u need in a light mk1 shell tbh

7. entirely up to you. can go oem setup for an easy life or megasquirt or equivalent for mappable ecu. both oem and aftermarket ecu have diagnostics

cheers Jonny, really kind of you.
With using a cabby, if I use a later one, (mk2 years)
is the subframes still different?

what about scirocco gear? (although i know some is based on mk1 subframe anyway)

ideally I would prefer to run abs over pas, maybe even fitting mk4 servo and pedal box into the mk1 if possible.

I want to build another mk1, but want a few comforts of modern car.

Guess I will have to do a bit more digging, then decide if I am going to use a cab or tin-top, but would prefer cabby as its to be a summer toy, and the prices of cabbys are cheaper than tin-top.

going to be a bit of a time taker getting all the info on required to decide what to do.

scirocco and cabrio up to 1992 are all based off the mk1 floorpan with the same running gear so no help for you there

shame.
might be a big project then!

If you can weld/fabricate its all possible.

Welding and fabrication not an issue, but didn't really want to mess about too much, but if its only vehicle chassis modding not subframe modding then all is possible hopefully. (will just take a bit of time and patience)