Parts interchangeable?

Hi everyone, I've just rescued a GTi campaign for restoration as you may have seen on the FB page.
I have a slightly pressing question, I have the option to buy an 89 cabriolet (1.8), are the mechanical parts interchangeable? I'm planning to keep the GTi original engine but lots of the ancillary items & pipework etc are poor condition. Can I use the stuff from the cabriolet?
What about suspension/ brakes type stuff. Appreciate your help.

Welcome along mucker,

All suspension is interchangable, as are brakes.

Engines and most ancillary components are also interchangeable. You won't need the compensator valves off the master cylinder though as the tin top has one next to the fuel tank underneath.

Fuel tank, glass and seals are not interchangeable

Some bits of electrical stuff are, some aren't, depends on year and model

Hopefully that helps a bit

Ian

Most of the suspension is the same but springs are diffence as the cabriolet is heavier than a tip top.
Brakes are the same but I would try a fit new parts as the brakes are important, calipers are ok if seals in good nick.
Engine wise vw did change some of the injection system and fitted things like a anti stall device and a throttle enrichment system if the engine is cold.
Water cooled oil cooler is also fitted the cabriolets and air cooled on tin tops so slightly different coolant hoses but you may be best fitted new hoses as a full set is about £60.

2 types of fuse boxes early cars had bullet type fuses and later cars have a blade type fuses, cabriolets also had an extra fuel pump fitted inside the fuel tank and had a bigger fuel tank fitted as they had a space saver spare wheel so more room underneath the car for the tank.

Front windscreen is the same on both cars but the front seal can change as early cars had a bit of trim which fitted into the seal.

mark1gls said

Front windscreen is the same on both cars but the front seal can change as early cars had a bit of trim which fitted into the seal.

So does the Cabby, only its trim isn't chrome, but black.

On uk cars the front windscreen seal has no trim fitted into the seal, early cars do but later cars just have a solid rubber seal, maybe different in the US?

Plain seal.

https://www.vwheritage.com/171845121-front-windscreen-seal-plain-mk1-golf-jetta
 

Many thanks guys. I'm not going to bother with the doner car, just going to stick with new parts for the restoration.

bigdavy said

Many thanks guys. I'm not going to bother with the doner car, just going to stick with new parts for the restoration.

Getting a new-to-you car back to OEM or "Factory" by replacing the wear items, ie: struts, hoses, brake parts, cv's, bearings and things with new is the best way to get one of these critters back to being the daily driver it was meant to be.

Sourcing parts is another, as the 93 and 92 Cabriolets I drive had plastic parts out the wahZoo, that I had to search for older Golfs, (diesels) to get replacement flanges of metal over the newer style of plastic…

You will find that once you replace most of the maintenance items and go through and clean or replace all your grounds, your car will be happier for it, and reward you with years of carefree driving.

Do one thing at a time, do it right, and it is done for a few years….