mk2 newbie engine question

[Docker]

Hi all.
New owner of Mk2 that has crapped itself - will have a good look this weekend to see how crapped it is. The car is a small bumper (85) with a GX 1.8 and auto. ....so its very vanilla. I'm at the point of working out what to do if the news is the worst and a new engine needed - I have seen a few threads here for 1.8T or VR6 transplants but I was wondering what would be involved in swapping in a stock 2L and auto from a Mk3? Chassis, loom ,etc. Any fabrication? Also, any good parts places for mk2s in Perth? Seems lots of stuff ex-UK. I am nowhere near a master mechanic (more a keen novice!) so what level of skill and hours would be realistic? The car is rego'd but cheap enough to mess about with or if it is too hard for me, to move onto someone before I mess it up more!
Thanks for any advice and excuse in advance all the stupid questions.

[blis]

VW heritage is where to get MK2 general parts, they are excellent and have a AU sub-domain ex-tax, so you are not alone.
VWS - VW Golf Parts - Volkswagen Golf Spares is the other for specific items

The first thing to do with a MK2 is check all the brown wires (Grounds) and its good practice to make a common solid ground for all the peripherals as not to make potential difference, I have an ABF transplant and added grounds from coil and ecu back to a solid point on the block. Ensure the ground from battery to gearbox is good too.

Then note that MK3's have a wider track width, this then impacts wheel hubs, inner CVs, drive shafts and before an engine swap do the research.

We had to merge the looms from the 16v in with the 8v, is yours a GTI? with multifunction dash?

Connectors are a common point of failure and you can harvest a lot of them from MK3s

In terms of working on the car and being an enthusiast, the MK2's are awesome because front end comes off and it's all there right in front of you. Personally, while the technology is older on the original 8v engines, it makes more sense to stick with it as the headaches associated with a transplant means you may end up making it even more difficult to source parts. There are more 8V available than other engines and the later you move into the mid 90's the nearer you get to the early Electronic systems and they can be daunting with immobilisers, the lack of diag systems etc etc...

Mechanics will run for the hills when they see your, they know the owners have tinkered and more often than not, won't even open the bonnet.

[Docker]

Thanks for all the advice in your reply!
checked it out last weekend and the engine is terminal...piston I think the transplant would be beyond me....and so I'm going to sell it on to someone who can do the work!
So if there,s anyone in Perth chasing a mk 2 nonGTI project and has the knowledge to rebuild the 90 hp GX or swap it out then please get in touch.
thanks again Blis for the reply

[Rallyenoel]

Hey man sorry to hear you can't enjoy your mk2. Give A_Whitbread a PM on here, he has a non GTI engine,could be a straight swap. And he's in your area.

[Docker]

Thanks for that - will give him a shout.