Dylan8's Vento

[VR28LT]

not to worry Dylan changing gears on a VR is like rowing a boat, you can adjust the linkage for a better more direct feel but then that can only take things so far.

clutch forks even new from the stealer ship are less then $50 the last time i checked.

02j shifter tower conversion is the way to go if you want the VR to shift like a mk4

[dylan8]

I've only driven a VR once but compared to my bora the shift was not as nice so i believe that its pretty normal for a VR to feel like that, and i also LOVE the gearshift in my bora and i haven't found a car yet that has a nicer shift (not that I've driven THAT many cars)

yeah thats what im thinking... im sure there are better options out there again, but i know i like the mk4s so might go that way.

not to worry Dylan changing gears on a VR is like rowing a boat, you can adjust the linkage for a better more direct feel but then that can only take things so far.

clutch forks even new from the stealer ship are less then $50 the last time i checked.

02j shifter tower conversion is the way to go if you want the VR to shift like a mk4

oh nice. the strengthened ones are $90 before postage. so probably better off just buying a stock one and beefing it up

[Jarred]

*apparently* there is also a greater range of short shift kits avaliable for the mk 4 setup, as opposed to the mk 3 setup.

[dylan8]

its been a while...
but plans are to head back to Bairnsdale these coming school holidays, and get the car to a level i can drive it to Melbourne (at a minimum) as parents are starting to get annoyed about the broken looking golf in the carport. and its a bit hard for me to work on it 3hrs away...

While there was lots of other parts I wanted (suspension refresh, hose kits, cv boots/CVs, engine mounts, mk4 shifter etc) but I just cant afford them right now.
So here is what I have on the order list. Any other 'must haves' people think I should get while pulling the engine out?
Thinking either ECS or GAP for my order. GAP kits seem to have less parts then the ECS ones, so not sure if this is a worry or not...

Will hopefully be getting Josh to strengthen the clutch release lever by welding a plate to the top to suit the HD clutch the VR is already running (its already snapped two im lead to believe)

Engine Block Gasket Set
Brand: ES#: 2726 Mfg#: 021198011A

Cylinder Head Gasket Set
Complete gasket set for your 12v VR6
Brand: ES#: 2262 Mfg#: 021198012B

Ultimate VR6 Timing Chain Kit
Complete VR6 chain kit including everything you'll need to do a chain…
Brand: ES#: 8982 Mfg#: 021198501

Throw-out Bearing
A must replacement when you do clutch work
Brand: ES#: 2167950 Mfg#: 02A141165G~LUK

Pressure Plate Bolts - Priced Each x 6
Bolt that secures pressure plate to flywheel, 6-required
Brand: ES#: 263656 Mfg#: N10101001~OE

Clutch Release Lever
Be sure to change this when doing clutch work
Brand: ES#: 272284 Mfg#: 02J141719C

Flywheel Bolt - Priced Each x 10
Used to hold the flywheel to the crank (12v VR6 only)
Brand: ES#: 2636 Mfg#: N90539801

[Ben J]

A new waterpump and crackpipe etc maybe? Easy to swap while the engines out, a bit of a pain while it's in I think.

[Water Boy]

Are you planning to reco the head once its back in Melbourne?

[dylan8]

oh these are what the car already had replaced by previous owner

Engine has new new thermostat housing with metal crackpipe and new water pump about 10k ago
2.5kg Fidanza Flywheel with replacable steel friction plate
Sachs HD clutch (~40k old)
New Drivers Side Driveshaft (full assembly) ~15k old
New Fuel Pump ~10k ago

[dylan8]

Are you planning to reco the head once its back in Melbourne?

yep. hopefully your sorting a contact for me still?

[Ben J]

Not sure what headgasket that kit comes with but if you get a mk4 metal headgasket instead of the standard mk3 one it bumps up compression a little bit and is one of the easiest ways to make a little more power out of the motor if you have the head off anyway. Something to keep in mind. Have you read through this thread before VWVortex.com - How to build a relatively inexpensive, reliable, powerful Vr6.. ? Heaps of good info in there

[Water Boy]

yep. hopefully your sorting a contact for me still?

Yeah no probs. You get yourself a VRS kit (head gasket, valve stem guides etc) we pull head off and take to bakers to reco and mild p&p.