USA Corrado TDI Owner Picks Up a 9n Polo 16V

[G60ING]

Hello all, I just picked up a 2002 9n polo 16V. I found it forsale in San Diego California which was odd because they were never sold here, fortunately it was titled and registered in CA. I was in San Diego for a business trip and being a vw enthusiast I decide it would make a great daily driver and a road trip home to florida was required.



We'll I made it home after 3,700 km, 1 alternator, 4 red bulls and 4 cups of coffee. I did break up the first part as I had to work in LA after buying the car so on that short trip I found the alternator to be bad. I swapped it out with one from 2002 vw jetta 2L. Many thanks to man who helped me out. His timing was perfect for my busy day.




I left LA late Friday afternoon and hit traffic for the first 3+ hours and in 36*C temps without the a/c working. I stopped in Flagstaff and heard the first signs that the brake pad wear light was more than a thin pad, the rear was grinding. I woke up early hoping to get pics of the red bull team promo team that I parked next to. They left earlier than I did.




I drove last approximately 2,900 straight thru to arrive home Sunday morning knowing that I have to fly back to CA today (Monday) and I want to have some fun time with my son.



Time to visit the registration office and see what problems arise before I fly back to CA.

I ran the car at 4k rpms just about the entire time and the oil moved from the top of the dipsticks hash marks to the middle, that a heathy motor. The brakes are hosed, hence why I signed up here as I found the break upgrade thread. The exterior is rough, it has already been resprayed once and they did a poor job. I will drive it for a while and then restore it. Who knows when I do the paint I may try to see how big of an engine I can squeeze in there.





Oh and here is my Corrado TDI. I've built two of them, this being the way I wish I could have built my first one. It has an AHU engine with a bunch of afn parts and now a bv43 turbo upgrade.

[fred27]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

[kaanage]

I may try to see how big of an engine I can squeeze in there.

Welcome and nice find!
VW managed to squeeze in a 1.9 PD TDi into these as well as the 1.8T 20V from the MkIV Golf so you have plenty of scope.

Nice Corrado - if you like TDi power, you'll find the 1.9 PD engine transforms the Polo (particularly if you tune it up like your Corrado.

Glad to see you've joined in the Polo 9N(3) subforum

[G60ING]

The car spent most of the day in the driveway where washed of 3,700 km of bugs and did some much needed maintenance. While cleaning I jacked it up and power washed the engine bay, under carriage and wheels. With it up in the air I replaced the rear brakes and changed the oil (no filter because it wasn't available here) now I just need to order some parts. Here it is in the garage.


This is my favorite air box and engine cover, it would be perfect for a shaved bay.

[blackbetty]

welcome to the forum.
Im not sure but i think you might be the first american to post in the Polo section
and great to hear that on purchasing the car the first thing you did was drive it 3700kms

when I stand back and look at your corrado, i have a back to the future experience.

[philthy]

Here's some LHD polo inspiration for you if you haven't stumbled across it yet

Meet my Polo!

[kaanage]

Lovin' that garage setup too

[Mystic storm]

Welcome to the forum

[pologti18t]

I am interested to know how it was registered in the USA. Doesn't seem to have the required side marker lights etc.

1.4 16v - you could have 75hp or 100hp

[G60ING]

It's NOT the tsi version so I'm fairly certain it's the 74hp version.

It was registered and titled to a military officer in California and that state is by far one of the strictest states in the country to title in.

I just needed a small cheap car for my job so this fit the bill. Mileage from work should have it paid off in the next 6 months. After that is when the wife has green lighted my idea for VR6 swap. It looks like the only 9N swap I can learn from was done on club polo in the UK and they used a mk3 vr6. I have a mk4 12V vr6 lined up with all of the accessories, wiring and whatnot.

Now before all the 20v people tell me it's an overweight pig of an engine with limited power, I need to tell you I'm after the engine note. I could care less about track performance and hp numbers.