Starting from scratch

5 have just bought a MK1 cabrio 86 1800cc, with 120.000 miles. I intend to add it to my humble collection of classic cars and motorcycles ( an 86 635 csi, a bmw 100cs (also 86) and a r100 rs ). I also have a 1150 gs for daily use. HEre in spain we have a great climate and thats why I have bought the cabrio. I intend to restore it and upgrade as much as it would be logical. Questions: Can I increase output just chanhung the motor for a 16v? Is it logical? I also need to improve handling and I supose I shal have to rebuild the steering and suspensions. Is asisted suspension possible? Any sugestions that might help me save time and efforts are welcomed. thanks in advance for your experience,
Federico

hi Frederico,

Good to see you here!

A 16v is a good upgrade option or my preferred option would be to Stage II the 8v engine.  Suspension mods are quite straight forward with lots of upgrade kits available.  Always worth fitting an upper and lower front strut braces also.

Cheers

Rich

crazyquiff said

hi Frederico,

Good to see you here!

A 16v is a good upgrade option or my preferred option would be to Stage II the 8v engine.  Suspension mods are quite straight forward with lots of upgrade kits available.  Always worth fitting an upper and lower front strut braces also.

Cheers

Rich

Its also nice to see you here rich. I believe you have a great experience in this so I will follow your advice. Im sure results are better then experimenting myself. A couple of questions: I would need to find out about modifying my engine into stage II 8v engine. There are lost of places here with second hand spares, to get them and send them to get repared, but as I am not experienced Id love to know where I could get detailed instructions.(and also the increase in output)  Also regarding the suspensions, I dont intend to lower the car (my garage ), but as its practically 20 years old, each time it goes over a pot hole, I feel the motor hits the ground. Can you recomend me a quit worthwhile acquiring? It would have to be sent to madrid so my mechanic would fit it in :
Rich, THanks for all
Fred

PS I found some interesting sales at ebay: This Auction is for a Brand New Top, Headliner, & Pad, w/Tension Cables Buyer re-uses their existing rear window. 299USD.
Im also looking for non plastic top, similar textile material as you find in BMWs. In black colour. DO you know where they are sold? Are they very hard to mount?
Sorry for pestering you with all these questions.

Fredrico,

I'd ask arond peple you know to find a tuning company that could do the work for you.  Get a good book like "Tuning for Performance and economy" - can't remember the name of the author  :?

Sounds like your suspension might just be a bit tired.  As a first step I'd replace your shocks with good quality Gas versions (should be able to get them locally in Madrid) and check the condition of the front top mounts.

The hood kit sounds like a fiar deal but I make dubly sure of the quality.  Any other Cab owners got comments on replacement hoods etc?

Cheers

Rich