1.3gt Bike Carb Conversion...NOW A VR6 CONVERSION!

Hi,

Well….i recieved my first little project, a 1983 Mk1 1.1C and thought i would start a thread on here of the progress.  She has a 1.3Gt motor fitted but the conversion wasnt completed. I dont know how long she has been standing for etc. Some wiring still do be done and a few other things. My plan is to give her a complete makeover and hopefully end up with something special. I want to get it mechanically sound first before I start on the cosmetics and all the other bits. She has Golf GTI seats at the moment wich i will keep but still deciding on weather to keep the back seats or do away with them…
Now when it comes to car engines im not a mechanical genius as I have always been in to motorbikes, so it will probably take me a while to get this running!  :?
The plan is to do a bike carb conversion on her, going to keep her the same colour and prob go for some 8-9j wheels.

Below are some pictures of when she arived and a few random pics…

When she arrived.










All the parts she came with… :?






What the engine looked like… 8O




Taken the carbs off and cleaned up a bit, although it might not look like it.




Bought this expansion tank wich i will polish nice and shiny and find somewhere to fit nicely in place of the original expansion tank.


Rocker cover i bought wich i will have chromed to fit in with other chromed bits that i will have done …


Furthermore im awaiting a brand new 4branch stainless manifold to go on as well.
Still awaiting R1 carbs wich i bought more than a month ago now  :evil:  but as soon as they arrive I will have the inlet manifold made by Bogg Brothers…unless someone has another suggestion?…

Like i said, dont know how long I will take to get this finished but i would like to aim for no longer than 6 months. (wishfull thinking :roll: )

If there is anyone that knows something about this conversion and can give me a hand with the motor for a small fee, please get in touch with me, this way I can get her running quicker.

Thanks for looking!

Thats look like a nice project.
Do you know what the colour the paintwork is called as it is quite a nice blue.

Marcus said

Thats look like a nice project.
Do you know what the colour the paintwork is called as it is quite a nice blue.

Not sure about the name of the colour mate but as soon as I find out I will let you know.
I was thinking of making her white but the more i look at the colour the more i like it, plus it will look even better when done new and fresh…

hey mate, I'm planning on doing this aswell. How are you sorting out the fueling for the carbs?

Is the 1.3 GT engine, the multipoint inj one? If so, I'll be watching this even more closely

hey mate, I'm planning on doing this aswell. How are you sorting out the fueling for the carbs?

Is the 1.3 GT engine, the multipoint inj one? If so, I'll be watching this even more closely

big_john said

hey mate, I'm planning on doing this aswell. How are you sorting out the fueling for the carbs?

Is the 1.3 GT engine, the multipoint inj one? If so, I'll be watching this even more closely

Hi mate,

To be honest this is the first time I am doing something like this so im still learning as I go along.  :roll:
It is the mpi yes but i have recently bought another GT engine with bike carb setup and everything which i should have end of this week. That will then be the one I will be putting in the car and prob sell the one currently in the car.
There are loads of threads on here that should be helpfull as im forever asking questions about stuff and the lads always help where they can.
I will keep you updated as I go along though and likewise if there is anything you figured out please dont be shy to share it with me!  

Just need to get her stripped down now for a respray….

Will you be starting a build thread on here?

Well after some time of not doing much I started strripping her 2 weekends ago and had a change of mind…!  :roll:

I have decided to do a VR6 conversion!   I have read a few threads on this conversion and sounds like alot of work but anyway, going to see this one through.
So i have got rid of the GT bits and got myself a VR6 engine. I am awaiting the Mk3 subframe and other bits. Question I would like to ask though is will it be easier using the MK3 subframe or just custom engine brackets/mounts as I have read a bit on both? :dontknow:

Ill probably be banging my head alot in the coming months so any help will be appreciated!

Anyway here are just some pics taken recently.

Old engine taken out, engine bay to be cleaned up next.



VR6 going in…

VR6 is an interesting choice, any reason over doing a 16v or 20V turbo instead, good luck all the same

the colour looks like LA5B marine blue, which is what mine is

bucket said

VR6 is an interesting choice, any reason over doing a 16v or 20V turbo instead, good luck all the same

the colour looks like LA5B marine blue, which is what mine is

To be honest mate, i have always enjoyed a vr6 so thought that would make a mean conversion in a MK1 although I have heard the 20v Turbo does to. Anyway, hope it wont be to difficult!  :roll:

Thanks for that colour code mate, I wasnt to sure but now i know!   Have u got a pic of yours somewhere on this site?

hope you dont mind me adding one in here



latest one of mine then i was cleaning under the carpets whilst pulling out some old audio cables from a previous owners audio

should be a beast once it is all in though, my mates mk2 vr6 is rapid, and the sound is rather addictive

So does this mean the Ss exhaust is for sale?

Some more progress…..

Dash out!


MK1 wiring out….to be replaced with VR loom.


VR clocks to go in MK1 dash…mmm


After some headscratching and minor modification….fitted!    Only some minor trimming to do.



More to follow….

The VR clocks look gash! id use the mk1 clocks myself, might be a bit fiddly with the old wiring but it will look miles better!

vr6, proper conversion, dash is ok and will no doubt make for easier wiring if using the vr6 ecu etc.

abfmk1 said

vr6, proper conversion, dash is ok and will no doubt make for easier wiring if using the vr6 ecu etc.

Exactly my thoughts, thanks mate!

O.k, been a few months but time to push on with this now!

Got my wheels last week…15"x9J!  


Put them on just to give me an idea what they will look like…and a bit of photoshop do give me an idea of the desired look i want…

Got myself some JOM coilovers and Febi Topmounts….



Before….








After the coilies have been put in and also trial fitted the 256mm brake set-up, as guessed the calipers are rubbing against the wheel. 5mm spacers later they still are so will be machining some of the meat away on the caliper….should then clear!





Good old weather!


Done away with the engine mounts…no turning back now!  8O

Now u see it…

Now u Dont!



Cut the MK3 subframe mounts off to use in MK1






Donor car arrived…


Custom driveshafts arrived!


Test fit no.1 to see where the welds should go…. :dontknow:




I think the welds will be a bit of a challenge as im struggling a bit getting the back ones where they should be but hey ho, will get there at the end!  

this is going to be a massive build . fair play!

O.k so finally got the welds in place and the motor in…here are some pics…

All the weld still need to be tidied up etc…

Drivers side mount welded in…



Front Mount of VR6 welded in…..with a bit of fabrication ofcoarse!



Passenger Side mount was fabricated from scratch and then welded in…



And in she went for the first time on her own…  





Only problem is she is sitting a bit low so I will have to space the mounts a bit just to lift it that extra bit …

Nice progress there