Other project - Passat B2 GL5

So I bought one of these.  It's a 5-cylinder, 2L estate.  Personally I think that it's great, although a neighbour reported it as dumped and attempted to get it towed away!!
Rings have recently given up so I have a slightly larger engine to pop in when I have a free weekend…

The previous owner allegedly spent a lot of money looking after it but everything that I inspect on it needs fixing.  Already replaced the complete brake system, service components, etc., and the bodywork appears at some point to have been artificially distressed as there are scratches and dents in the most unlikely and improbable locations.

The GL5 engine sounds OK but is terrible and gutless.  With a big-valve head and decent exhaust it might be a little more fun but a 5-branch manifold alone is £600 so I bought a different engine for similar money.

Looks cool. What engine you putting in?

Thanks!
Well I was toying with the idea of a longitudinally mounted 3.2VR6 but that seems to require quite a lot of bothering around in terms of actually connecting the engine to the gearbox in the first place and then ensuring that it fits below the bonnet, so I also considered mounting the engine transversely but that seems like a shame given how much space there is in the engine bay…

More pics required.

I like these, cool old and boxy.

Awesome

Ian

Looks good but we need more pics bud… be interested to see the rest of it 👍

CambridgeMarsRedMk1 said

Thanks!
Well I was toying with the idea of a longitudinally mounted 3.2VR6 but that seems to require quite a lot of bothering around in terms of actually connecting the engine to the gearbox in the first place and then ensuring that it fits below the bonnet, so I also considered mounting the engine transversely but that seems like a shame given how much space there is in the engine bay…

Been a fair few months, have you decided which way to go?

Not decided 100% on the engine as work / parenthood has been difficult recently.  I have however decided that the brakes could be better still so have a complete Cayenne setup to add at some point.  Almost finished rebuilding the 6-pots and just need to finish fabricating the caliper carriers!  Also attempting to make DIY coilovers which is challenging.

New brake setup:

Just because I think that they will look really cool.  Totally unnecessary stopping power given the gutless engine however  

Lol  overkill but I love it, why not 😁👍

Thanks!!  

Got a (different) bigger engine (it's a surprise) and gearbox but can't afford the clutch and flywheel at present.  Pretty sure it will fit in the engine bay and to overcome the problem of it potentially being taller I have come across (for £29!) a vgc black bonnet which could be modified if necessary (i.e. a power bulge, either subtle as on a Capri V6 [lovely motor] or more sizeable as appropriate).

The gearbox is a 2wd longitudinal one from a 2.5V6 TDI which should handle the torque.  Probably looking at either trying to swap inner CVs on the original driveshafts or simply making some adapter plates to fit the existing inner CVs to the gearbox flanges.  Alternatively it might get complicated  

p.s. just need the wife to go away for a fortnight with the kids to get the new engine out of the donor vehicle and play with the gearbox and stuff.  Or a lottery win.

These are the new wheels.  The front brakes should almost be touching the insides of the rims.

Hopefully I'll be able to drop it another inch or so at least too.  It rides much better with the 18s than with the banded 15s (test drove them).

This is just so different it makes me smile seeing it!!  Keep the updates coming mate… sending the family off for 2 weeks is gunna cost you mate…

ever thought of going to one of those big hedge maze things with the family… you know like they have at manor houses etc then running off with the map… come back in a fortnight with twigs and that in your hair pretending you tried to find them?