Not so much a rebuild

[mattsrocco]

of my 1992 8V Scirocco more an upgrade.
I'm just changing job and need a reliable, comfortable and enjoyable car. So after spending Christmas and New Year thinking about this I selected the Alfa Romeo GT as a replacement for the Rocco.
Booked a test drive of a 2006 JTD GT 40 minutes away, jumped in the Mk2 which started immediately after 2 weeks in the cold and damp of a Norfolk winter and as ever, I set off on a thoroughly enjoyable drive across the typical mix local roads.
By the time I arrived my adoration of these cars had persuaded me to keep my money in my pocket and investigate updating the Scirocco. So, can you fellow Scirocco lovers help?
The car needs an MOT and must do jobs give opportunities to upgrade and improve this car.
They are : Exhaust replacement and potentially manifold.
Front Shocks and therefore possibly rear shocks.
No other faults

Mechanicals that need doing : Replace passenger window motor.
Original Distributor which just delays momentarily under acceleration, hardly noticeable,
Lower Pulley for Fan belt wobbles or out of shape, not loose ( diagnosis?)

General wear and tear that could be improved or fixed : Condensation,
Drivers seat bolster
Cracked top panel of dashboard
Replacement or fix Parcel shelf
Creaky clutch pedal but no damage to bulkhead
Clock

Obvious improvements to drag the Car into the 21st Century : Headlights main and dipped beams

The engine has been tested on a rolling road and offers 97% of original given by VW, it's done 112000 miles but was effectively a non-runner because of a failing Pieroth carb. I replaced that with a Weber and other than the tiny blip under acceleration the engine is perfect. The car is tidy and clean with no rust. This last winter the boot and carpets are damp, hence condensation, so have window seals become hardened and permeable?

New car budget was £5000 to £6000, I'm happy to invest to retain the driving pleasure this car gives me, I'm not a mechanic, so the car is looked after by a trained fella but I need to source the parts.

Most grateful for your thoughts and advice, I like the car to appear straight and original, I would lower it a bit if there was a benefit in driving quality but not if there wasn't.

[mark1gls]

Welcome mattsrocco,
I use my golf as a daily drive and cover 50 miles a day in it, I did lower it by 40mm on Boge springs and shocks but found it stiff and the car crashed over pot holes and dropped drains, I've now gone back to the orginal suspention set up and find it so much more comfortable to drive I did use new gas filled shocks but I keep the old springs as they were in good condition. This is an easy to job to do with the right tools and should not more than a day to do on your driveway as long as things are not rusted in place.

As with any old VW as long as you change the oil and filter and service it when needed, keep an eye on the fuel filler neck, clean the lip in the rear acrhes (I blast the water hose around there every month or so) they are fine in the winter.

Headlights, you can replay them to make them brighter there is a guide on here somewhere.
What ever you decide to do you have come to the right place, there is standard cars and modded cars to full blown racers, the choice is yours.

[mattsrocco]

Thank's for this, I'll hunt down the headlight upgrade.
The suspension mod is clearly right, the roads in Norfolk and Suffolk are terrible, and the OEM set up is frankly still great even after 20 years. My decision to persevere with the Scirocco was highlighted by driving the 1996 Alfa on A Roads. Ill check out gas-filled shocks, any other advice out there regarding 'Gas Filled Shocks'
I'll hunt down the Headlight Mod.....
Many Thanks
Mattsrocco.

[ianaudia4]

Check out Bilstein gas shocks, they are a top quality product and can be used with standard springs or lowered springs up to about -40mm,
My Scala has standard shocks and springs, all renewed in 2010 and the ride is comfortable, my Storm has Weitec lowered shocks and springs, fitted new in 2009, gives a nice flat ride when the roads are in good condition but is harsh on roads that are damaged.

[mattsrocco]

Hi Ian,
Well, it sounds like that the standards are going to save me money and give the 'ride' the roads demand. You are recommending Bilstein Gas with the view that these are an improvement on VW/or similar 'standard' oil filled set up as normal?

[ianaudia4]

Bilsteins are very high quality items, I can't see anyone disagreeing!

I know what you mean about the roads in norfolk, I visit a mate there quite regulary but I think all the roads are pretty shite in this country!!!

[Mr Funk]

Suspension is such a mixed bag/can of worms.

Lowering cars is great: it can look ace and can improve handling no end but there's real limits. Mine runs 100mm lower on top of the range coileys but there's absolutely no way I'd use it every day, but saying that I simply wouldn't use a Scirocco for a daily if I was doing any great distance. A lot of people do but it would send me potty.

I've had first hand experience of the infamous boge kit and its brilliant. Lowrs the car a bit and stops it looking like an off roader but doesn't kill the ride like some kits can.

For the love of the Giant Monkey fit a lower front strut brace. Undoubtedly the finest mod.