What VR6 do I want??

Simply, what vr6 do I want, in terms of year and ignition/engine management, and is there a gearbox that's better suited to the engine? (stock, is it 5 or 6 speed?)

It's going to be a 2.8, most probably from a mk3 golf, 12v not 24v because the wiring and electrics from the 24v will apparently blow my mind!

I'm planning a conversion into my mk1 project and I'd like to know which you guys think is best! No comments about handling or weight or the like, I've thought long and hard! If there's anywhere you could point me in terms of similar threads, I'd appreciate that too.

Cheers

go for the late non-isv VR6 (often called OBD2), apparently the management is slightly better for mapping.  but the early stuff still fine really, main thing is make sure it has a coilpack on it, as those can be easily converted to run your clocks. the really early one with a dizzy cannot so you would need vr6 clocks or a converter for 6-4 pot signal then mk3 -> mk1. or  alternator signal -> mk1 converter.

tbh though, if going to all the effort of VR6 lump I would go for at least mk4 24v preferably r32 as the management is a lot better in the mk4 but its your call of course. wiring mk4 into a mk1 really isnt that hard, its the same effort as wirting a VR6 in really only thing is you have to add the DBW pedal which is easy really bit of L plate and simply extend the wires from the pedal to reach the blue plug on the ecu loom

basically for wiring guides look at 20v oem DBW -> mk1 threads as all mk4 ecu looms basically the same regardless of what engine

Thank you! I thought OBD2 was the way to go, but if I was planning on mappable ignition at some point, would it make a difference?

I'm on a bit of a budget so I'd prefer to keep costs down at the moment. In the future I would possibly look at supercharging the engine anyway, but for the mean time I'd subtly tune the engine to breath some life back into it for the time being. My budget unfortunately won't cater for an R32 engine as much as I'd love to have one! But I'd be chuffed to bits with a running vr6 in a rusty mk1, as long as I'd done it myself. It's my first project so I'm looking to learn!

Thanks for the info

do you mean megasquirt or something? if so doesnt really matter then as the basic lumps are the same. if you were going that route I would skip vr6 completly and go straight to mk4 24v lump

as i say actually wiring it in even if you go oem mk4 stuff is actually no harder than wiring in a VR6 as both will require splicing to the mk1 fusebox regardless

Yeah, probably the one I'd choose! But definitely find a coilpack model! Haha, they're coming up at 2 and 3 times the price of a decent vr6! I'll be doing work on the head before the engine goes in anyway, and with forced induction and slightly larger inlet valves I'll be happy! Not a fan of the v6 lumps, there's probably reasons behind them being less popular? 
Okay, that's good to know, I'll do some research on the engine and if one comes up at a decent price, it'll be food for thought! 

after having a vr6 12v in my mk2 that was all headworked bigger valves etc balanced all mapped up and then driving my mates mk2 24v id say go for the 2.8 24v set up. Its better on fuel when driven respectfully and is just an all round better design. Makes more power out of the  box too. Some people with exhaust upgrades cams and a map are making near 3.2 power as well with the 2.8 afaik