Gav's Golf... Grace

[Vinda76]

Not so much a build thread as I’ve had the car for over 2 and a half years, more an introduction. It is an 82 model year GTI and was originally delivered to Singapore. The original owner’s son imported the car to Australia in 06, he left the country not long after and sold the car to Simon (qsv). The car was run for a while before being dry stored for about 3 years. I brought the car in June 09 because although mechanically it was obviously going to need work the body was solid (turned out to need 3, 15mm holes repaired). I wasn’t banking on quite how much mechanical work it was going to need though.

The first attempt at a RWC returned over 1 page of defects , although nothing serious. The plan was to just concentrate on the defects, pass RWC and enjoy. However as is often the case I got bitten by the ‘while I’m doing this I might as well improve this’ bug. Anyway the next bit is going to turn into a list of what I have done, as much as anything to remind myself of the journey - it is so easy to concentrate on what you want to change next and forget how far you have come.

Engine and gearbox

Removed AC and replaced with heater box
Samco hoses throughout, new reservoir, and metal water pipe
Replaced 276 Schrick with G grind (low static compression made Schrick pointless)
Adjustable cam gear
New plugs and leads
New engine mounts – originals were in upside down!
Changed gearbox oil
New gear linkage bushes
N/S driveshaft seal and CV
New front hub bearings
New fuel pump, flexible lines and injectors
New pressure relieve valve
Completed system and control pressure tests
New fuel tank and e-coated original (genuine and original with no rust!) filler pipe


Suspension, steering and brakes

Superpro bushes throughout (except left, right and rear engine mounts)
22mm master cylinder and MK3 servo (great ‘how to’ Pete. Tip of the day, don't try and take a used servo and master cyclinder as hand luggage )
N/S rear wheel bearing
SS flexible brake lines
Rebuilt steering rack
New steering column gaiter
Upper and lower steering column bearings
New springs


Electrics

NOS fusebox
Replaced melted fusebox multiplugs
Rewired fuel pump to bypass fusebox (as per VW recall)
Replaced fuel pump power wires (as voltage drop was causing low fuel flow)
Replaced all perished wires in engine bay
Replaced alternator
New hella headlights
Clear front indicators
Installed twin sensor low oil pressure warning system
Period blaupunkt radio/cassette
MK2 wiper motor and 99 relay
New wiper and indicator stalks
New ignition switch


Body and trim

New instrument surround and refreshed switch surrounds
New grill, badges and red trim
New sunroof seal
New duckbill (wrecked already)
Replaced dashboard with recoloured perfect 93 cabriolet
Re-trimmed leather steering wheel
Replaced parcel shelf


Passed RWC at second attempt, woohoo. (and since moving to NSW the blue slip on the first attempt – much happiness and relief).

Still got a few things that I want to sort out like rewiring the relayed headlights (not much point having them relayed when there is still a 2 to 3v voltage drop at the lights!) and, and, and.......

Now the important part, the pics

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Thanks to those of you that I have brought parts from and had help/ advice from.

Cheers Gav

[Water Boy]

Wow looks awsome.

[Stiggy_21]

wow that looks really clean!!
another fine example

ahahaha fluffy dice

[abreut]

Very nice! Its a black version of mine.

[roccodingo]

Looks great Gavin, glad to see the time, money and effort have all come together for an outstanding result,

Does the 82 relay plate still use the bullet ceramic fuses or the CE2 blade type ?? ( cant remember here ) I wired Antons fuel pump relay ( original early version with the fuse on top ) to switch the later style CE2 fuel pump relay just for the pump, running the rest of the fuel inj circuits of the original relay, keeps the current draw thru the early relay and wiring low, and using the CE2 relay for the pump it has the larger terminals & wiring.

Sounds like the relayed headlamps are a bit sus if your getting that much volt drop !! think the scirocco ones are only about 0.3 volt drop from the battery to the lamp the way I have wired it.

[Dub Toffee]

Awesome mate, well done getting her on the road all for some summer fun hey

[Jarred]

Congrats!

Definately a lot of work, but I'm sure it was worth it!

[Vinda76]

Thanks for the positive comments

The fluffy dice are my consession to my Misses' wanting to adorn everything with soft furnishings! - perfect for the 80s theme though. Also on the look out for a NOS 'feu orange' air freshener from the 80's to complete the look

Abreut, almost the same - minus 8 valves, a turbo and a few horses

Grant, still has the ceramic fuses as per original. I'm still running the CSV, WUR and pump from the fuel pump relay. However the power circuit gets constant live from the H or I (can not remember which) contacts on the back of the relay plate and the output from the relay goes straight to the CSR, WUR and pump. In short the power circuit doesn't go through the relay plate anymore - this is what VW did as a recall back in the day.

gav

[gldgti]

Lovely GTI mate! Its great to see one pretty much original and looking so good. These ones should be loved and driven, I reckon