no GTI yet but soon!

[kinezo]

hey guys, i wanna get some wisdom before venturing into the mk1 gti rebuild projects!
i wanna just wnana know what type of cost i am looking at to rebuild a mk1, and where can i find these parts for it exterior or inteiror. i was hoping to get a 20vt from a mk4 gti, which lucas(giac) from melbourne will give me a hand rebuilding and fitting.
if you guys have any wisomd feel free to just add.

[anarchycamp]

From what ive heard of experts...open cheque book, a lot of spare time and a huge love (most would consider un-natural) for the dub. Scares the willys out of me

[Golf Loon]

You wont find a genuine GTI, nor should you butcher one for this project.

You can relatively easily find a straight Mk1.
It will of course be carby and every part will be 30 years old.

So you will need a new fuel injected tank, rewiring to suit your new engine and to update the 30 year old bits.

Then you plug a few thousand dollars worth of engine into your $500 bag of 70s glory.

Then you will need custom fuel computer $2000+, or rewiring the factory computer and ecu from the donor car into the Mk1. This will cost less $$, but more time and you will need to carry over the key and clocks from the 20V.

Then obviously you are gonna need new dash, all mk1s are wrecked, new seats as the horsehair is now 30 years old and probably some new paint

Obviously bigger brakes and probably new suspension to cope with the Turbo.

Also a custom exhaust system and turbo piping.

Then engineering and reg.

Then congratulations you have spent $10k-20k on a car that you will never be able to sell for what it cost you.

Dont let me discourage you, simply be aware that the world is full of unfinished (Mk1) projects for a reason.

[TassieGTi]

Is it any wonder there is discussion about lack of inspiration on the forum

Kinezo, check out http://www.edition38.com/forums/inde...showtopic=5657 , where there are 87 pages of modified Mk1s and not one of the owners would care that the cost to finish their projects is more than they could ever expect to get back in return! That’s obvious! I don’t know of many people who would start such a project with the aim to selling and making money! Should it be something you want to do, the enjoyment you will get out of completing and then using your Mk1 20vt will make it worth every cent! It could be something you could then enjoy for years to come!

Whilst a Mk1 GTI is rare in Australia, they are certainly about and you could track one down if you were keen enough. They pop up every now and then if you remain on the look out!

A 20vt conversion is becoming a popular choice, especially in the light Mk1. There are a few tricks to getting them into a Mk1, but it is certainly easily achievable. Like any project, the important thing is to be realistic and to remember that you need to be prepared to spend the money (minimum 20K) to finish the job properly! It is also important that you have a contact with the necessary skills to help you, if you don’t plan on doing the work yourself! If you don’t have the money, contact or skills, then perhaps it is something that you shouldn’t take on!

Be assured, whether it be a genuine GTi or not, there is no way you are going to butcher a Mk1 with such a conversion! With the use of the custom mounts, you would hardly need a new screw hole in the engine bay

I recently completed a Mk1 20vt conversion and would be happy to be of assistance if it is a project you would like to pursue further. There are also plenty of examples on various VW forums around the World.

My Mk1 20vt:




In regards to other parts and accessories……………you can get anything you need for a Mk1

[Golf Loon]

Geez TassieGTI, dont take it personally, I`m not having a pop at your car, I think its great.

However, Mk1 GTIs in original unmolested condition are becoming rare everywhere, particularly in Oz and are worth more unmodified.

You are gonna change everypart on it anyway, so why not start with an easy to get and not valuable shell and build from that base?

I love conversions and have done a few and you do end up with a great and unique car.

I`d love to see some more build threads on here, but am just making the point that you should be aware of the amount of work and cost involved before jumping in.

Thats all.

[TassieGTi]

I didn’t take anything personally!? Just thought your response was a little negative and uninspiring! Sure, kinezo needs to be made aware of the costs involved, but it should be encouraged if he is prepared to do what is required!

Going on the examples of Mk1 GTIs in Australia, you’ll spend just as much restoring them to original condition then dong a 20vt conversion on one anyway As for selling a Mk1 you've put lots of money and hours of work into......who would want to do that unless you were hard up for some cash

[Water Boy]

I was hoping to get a 20vt from a mk4 gti, which lucas(giac) from melbourne will give me a hand rebuilding and fitting.

Just woundering if this Lucas (giac) bloke has a business, could you fill me in further, address, work, what he does, etc...

Back onto the Mk1 project... Save up some cash get some skills knowledge of Mk1's and get ready for some fun...

Best thing is there is heaps of people willing to help both here and on other forums... So good luck... Also if your running big power in a Mk1 make sure you get an LSD of some sort and look after your lovley Golf...

Good luck...

Cheers James

[roccodingo]

A great project Kinezo, I have to agree with Loon tho, would prefer to leave a genuine GTi as just that, there are still plenty of Mk1 2 door shells about for modding.

Here is the vortex thread of my mate "Andy's" daily driver scirocco 20VT upgrade,( same A1 chassis as a golf ) hopefully be driving it in January when I am next in UK. Think there is a breakdown on the last page of the costs...remember this is the UK tho, not here where anything VW is worth a bomb..

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3218953

[kinezo]

to tell you the truth, im ready for the rebuild cost wise. its the methods, and skills which i lack off. but this venture is an educational venture hopefully after this i will have a perfect car which i will keep and be apart of my collect, which all my 3 champ go karts and my aprilla RS250. worst come to work i can sell my karts for extra cash. lol but as mention i lack of methods and skills.
ive found a mk1 gti through deano of volkspower. he has one and im thinking of getting it off him for 5k. seems like its in good nick but going to have a 2nd look at before i pay him. ill be drving it around the streets of melb for awhile as my 20vt will take time to build.


loon thanks for all the wisdom, i understand what trouble im putting myself in, but im young and i wanna get challenged. so thanks for the heads up but i wanna do this for my benefits as a educational view.

sorry guys i havent been on this forum but im on golfmkv.com, because i own one and i know the feeling of owning a gti. this is my inspiration for this build.

thanks for all ya response. and i will be here often asking stupid and complicated questions!

[kinezo]

i also want to ask you guys what is prob the best year of mk1 to get??