mk1 restoration, the plan.

this is the start of a 1984 1.3 driver restoration trackday project, (pics soon), i have gutted the car headlining, carpets, windows, steering the lot, i'v sanded  the bonet, doors, tailgate(which is damaged) and located rusty areas, ready for filling and welding, tryin to keep welding to a min cos i'v heard it alters the handeling characteristics alot and seens as it's for track i dont wont to risk that, here's a list of what i think the process is going to look like, any advice, coments, opinion's or feedbeck welcome,
- finish sanding and clean up rust and treat wiv krust.
- use repair panels for rear arches, not sure weather to widen the car or cut up for what i need, (any idea's where best match).
- fill dents and repair other rusty areas along the sills and rear valence.
- weld in new drain cap which has rusted out in passenger footwell.
- drop rear axel (a stud sheared when i lowered it to remove fuel tank) and remove rear suspension, clean up inner arch.
- stone chip the underneath, arches and 5 or 6 inches up.
- go about fabrecating a rollcage out of scaffy tubes (welded).
- fit new fuel tank, filler neck.
- install a gti axel (for discs), and fit new rear suspension, any ideas?
- now time to make a start on the door's, bonet and tailgate.
well thats about as far as my vision is at the moment but eventualy,
- 16v engine, on webers (less wirring plus better noise).
- mate with best ratio gear box, any idea's?
- brake and fuel lines in baided pipes on the inside.
- 16v servo and master cylinder.
any idea's where to start shoppin. i.e new and brakers

sounds to me like your rushing into things and not taking time to research properly.  the mk1 gti and driver axla are the same.  the mk2 16v has the rear disks which will bolt onto your existing axle.  have a good look around here for inspiration and once you have decided where your heading heavily research it.  

are you making a track only car? or a road car for track use?  you can get fiberglass panel easily to save on weight.

Who told you welding affects the handling?

What do you mean by fitting a GTI Axle for discs? Front or rear? The Golf doesn't use an axle at the front, and at the rear, discs are not the best upgrade path - concentrate on the front brakes.

If you're thinking of racing/track days, then I'd be going for new parts, after all trackday use wears parts out much quicker so what's the point of fitting part-worn stuff? Also it will be of unknown reliability, at least with new stuff you can kinda be reassured it will work. Especially things like brakes, suspension, which are wearing items anyway.

Best ratio gearbox - again depends on application and engine power.

i was aware you can change the stub axel's over but the swing arm if not axel is in a bad shape and like paulc say's i'd like everything to be as reliable as possible i just dint think i'd be able to get some things new.

the same guy who told me abut the deisel box, i can sort of see the theory behind them.

The Mk2 rear axle simply won't fit - the mouting points are different. You could use a better secondhand Mk1 axle if yours is severely corroded, but normally they are not a weak point and can be cleaned up and repainted.

maybe it could be sandblased but am in the mood for rear discs, am doin this much work so why not.

ShaunyC said

maybe it could be sandblased but am in the mood for rear discs.

You'd still need to sandblast the axle….the rear disc conversion bolts onto the Mk1 axle, you transfer the relevant parts from the Mk2 axle to the Mk1 one.

cheer's, i'm a propper novice this is a good learning curve for me, so sorry if i seem abit dim at time's.