Mars Red GTX Restoration

[Roxylife]

Hello all, Having just purchased my new Mars Red GTX 1.8i (Picking her up this Saturday). I thought i had better get a restoration thread up, firstly with my plans and what I hope to do, and then obviuously pictures of it coming together!

This is my second Mk2 Rocco, and another in the long line of Mk2 golfs etc that I have owned! this one has a 9a 2.0l block with Dave Crissel head w/Schrick cams, four branch, twin 45's and relevant brake and suspension upgrades! Which got broken sometime 4 years ago! - Big regret now!


I also currently race in the Mk2 Golf Gti championship in a 16v.





So heres a few pics of my new project that I took after securing the deal!





So initial plans are a full restoration of all the running gear, rear beam, brakes, suspension etc etc. and replace the cracked dashboard, Give her a complete wheels off under arch under car valet, and treat, waxoil any relevant areas, but having had a good look underneath its pretty mint anyway!

So, more to come on Saturday!

Henry

[GTXTRA]

a cracking car to begin with and based on how thorough the earlier project build (different forum before you all ask) was then we can expect some stunning results.


good luck Henry!

[Cpt Custom]

Your last car looks to have been a beauty so I can't wait to follow your progress with this one.

[Roxylife]

Cheers guys,

I have a much different target with this one. I want this to be the most usable, reliable, comfortable, sports coupe that I can make it. With performance in mind naturally! Retaining the Std looks and heritage of the car is the key aim!

Its too good to do any jurastic with!

[the edmundator]

Its too good to do any jurastic with!

Yeah, those dinosaurs always make a mess of the interior.

[Roxylife]

Its too good to do any jurastic with!

Yeah, those dinosaurs always make a mess of the interior.

Normally most Mk2's look like a dinosaur has eaten the driver seat bolster!

[GTXTRA]

Henrys previous Rocco @ Stonor Park 2007

[Roxylife]

I really did have the coolest car at college!

[Ryan]

I really did have the coolest car at college!

I reckon you'd be right there.
Loved the engine - I remember having a serious think about fund raising to snaffle the engine when you broke it...but enough about the old...can't wait to see the progress on this one - as Sean says a great base to start with...

[Roxylife]

Cheers Ryan!

Ok so far: (Bearingin mind I havent actually picked her up yet! )

I have secured a spare rear beam to get powedercoated, and restore fully, with new brakes, lines, bushes and eventually roll bar. This way I can keep the car usable and do the changeover in one day, and sell the old beam for the same money as i bought the spare for! I pick it up from Black Cherry Dubspares at the first round of the golf championship on the 1st April. So i can muster a load of parts between now and then

The same will no doubt happen to the font end, with new wishbones, bushes, brackets, 280mm G60's (already sourced) recon driveshafts, hubs.. all powdercated with new fittings and bearings. And a decent quality 35mm suspension kit. - (Remembering this has to be 100% usable!). Of course a 16v Mk2 Servo and Mk3 diesel master cylinder.. New lines all over.

The Wheels (bottle top 16v's) will get a referb in bright silver and a set of nice tyres to match).

Then I can find an ABF. But this will be a standard rebuilt unit. Installed inthe most OEM way possible. With an 020 box (rebuilt), new fittings and links, pipes, clips, etc etc throughout. This will all be run through Megasquirt V3 of similar.

The exterior and and interior will just get tidied and not changed from how mr G intended. Maybe subtle headunit and some new speakers.. Hopefully I will have created a usable, relaible, enjoyable street car. To acompany the slightly more hardcore race car!..

What do you think?

[Funky Diver]

Sounds like a good plan.

You sticking with the drums on the rear or going for Mk3 golf discs?

[MikeH]

Sounds great - I think you're basing it on a good shell, from what I've seen of it, which is the best place to start.

If it's a daily driver, I'd be looking at putting a taller 5th gear in it, as the ABF will have more than enough poke to handle that, and it'll get you 40+mpg on motorway runs. A Mk3 GTI box might be a good compromise for the combination of the light car and 160-170 bhp, or a 4+E 5th gear in the standard box.

Having bought a C plate GTX and been using it as a daily, I was amazed how much I enjoyed driving a standard car, in terms of comfort, noise, etc, compared to the modded ones. That could be old age as well though ;)

[MikeH]

BTW, those wheels won't fit over the 280mm brakes you're planning to use - just noticed that you're talking about refurbing the 14" bottle tops.

[Roxylife]

Sounds like a good plan.

You sticking with the drums on the rear or going for Mk3 golf discs?

Havent decieded yet. My Blue one had dics on the back with a bias valve... I think it makes maintenance a bit easier and they are a bit more 'consistant' but to be honest, theres not a lot wrong with drums when they work properly!.. But disc fit in withthe theme of modernising it..

I'll see what I have available to me at the time! they will all be new/reconditioned whatever I go for.

Even better than both of those would be the Ibiza Cupra disck and stub axle setup, as they are catridge bearing and seperate disc, just like the front. But they are vented and WAY overkill!.. And not sure what hadbrake cables would with with A1 chassis cars..

The 8v boxes in general would be a better idea due to the taller 5ths, like you said mk3 with the later larger input shaft would be a bit stronger.. And obviously a nice lightweight flywheel to keep her singing!

Yes i realised the wheel/brake sitaution that after i typed it Mike! might have to look at seom OEM 15" wheels. to cover that!

I take it mine being a C-reg will have 90mm drive shafts though?

[MikeH]

Mine has 100mm shafts. I was surprised, as the gearbox FAQ I checked said the 9A code boxes had 90mm shafts.

Also, if it's just a road car, I'd think 256 fronts and rear drums are enough, if well maintained. It depends on whether you're going to thrash it round tracks as well though.