The Mk1 ABF Project

[EndlessMKI]

I remember back when I was going through this ppl kept on warning me about the height of the abf block potentially hitting the bonnet. I can tell you that you don't need to worry about this provided you run fairly firm engine mounts.

Also work out before hand what brake MC you'll be running and find an appropriate dizzy cap. They generally clash if you use standard.

.....hope it all works out as planned.

[cartertronic]

Hey all, back from Xmas holiday with girlfriends family. Her brother in-law is building a plane, was great to see the amount of planning and time put into crafting the frame and body!

Have u got plans for the head carter??

Not as yet. I'm working to a fairly strict budget so haven't seriously considered head work.
More than anything I don't want to push the torque curve to high. This project is for a daily driver, so don't want all the power up top where I won't see it..
To the best of my knowledge head work will increase hp, but generally at higher revs. Any tips for boosting (without boost!) mid range?

There are 2 supersprint pipe sets on the water now, spoken for by Pete Jones and Chris. Due mid January.

Still awaiting more info to fit up a TT 16V into Mk1 header before comitting to purchase.

Excellent, make sure you guys give us a review once they're on!

Any Pommie or Mk1 GTI with the 6 bolts holding the downpipe on, not the clips of horror will fit both th 16v manifold and your car.

They came in late model 8v Mk1 GTIs, Scirocco GTIs and 16vs and Caddys etc. Lots of South African cars had em and post 82 pommie GTIs.

Great tip! I'll keep my eyes open..

weld top half of 16v downpipe onto mk1 GTI downpipe

Cheers dado, don't fancy my welding skills though!
For those considering this route check out..
http://www.clubgti.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=128209

I remember back when I was going through this ppl kept on warning me about the height of the abf block potentially hitting the bonnet. I can tell you that you don't need to worry about this provided you run fairly firm engine mounts.

Also work out before hand what brake MC you'll be running and find an appropriate dizzy cap. They generally clash if you use standard.

.....hope it all works out as planned.

Wicked, thanks for that. I've been a little worried about that, as I've heard mixed reports.

I'll be running a Cordoba MC and booster. This should give the ABF dizzy a little more room hopefully (I think Valver used a Cupra MC+booster in his conversion, figure it will be similar..). I wasn't aware this was going to be an issue, thanks for the heads up!

Can the VWW member who PM'd me about a downpipe please PM again with a contact email or phone #? I'm very interested to check it out

[Preen59]

I think you'll get a pretty pleasant shock if you put that engine in standard. A standard Mk2 KR 16v is pretty impressive for what it is, so if you want my opinion, i'd just put it in bog standard and go from there.

[cartertronic]

Cheers Preeny, that's pretty much what I was thinking/hoping.

I figure the existing 2 inch exhaust system and pod intake will open it up a little any anyway.

[cartertronic]

Will this downpipe fit a mk1?



It doesn't seem to have the lateral curve that most other mk1 16v downpipes have.

[Preen59]

Something about steering box clearance i remember reading.. Not sure though. Might want to search one of the euro forums about it??

[Blondie]

Any updates on this one?

[cartertronic]

Hey All,

I bought the above downpipe, just waiting on shipping.

The engine+bits are now removed and the car has been scraped

Currently, looking into freight and packaging options.

CRATE
I'm favouring a crate about 1m square, that can hopefully fit the engine, gearbox, AC bits and pieces, + coilovers and misc bits. First quote I've received is for £130 (international freight safe/certified + delivered to address in UK) - quote from www.movecorp.co.uk

FREIGHT
So far, best quote on freight (truck pickup from UK address > freight to Melb) is £252, but from a different company - www.havas.co.uk

I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised by the freight cost

I'm hunting down more crate suppliers, I'll post any results.

QUESTIONS
1. Does anyone have any crate or freight hookups in the UK? Let me know!

2. RE: Coilovers, I'm thinking of going with FK Konig Sport coilovers (£634) as the are height and damper adjustable and run Koni shocks. I know 'alex g' has run some FKs in his swallow tail project ( ) and have PM'd him about his experience/opinion. Does anyone else have any experience with FK?

3. Also, I am need to get some new discs (grooved/drilled 239mm/20mm vented) but am on a fairly tight budget. Have considered getting a random set of ebay.uk, but keep hearing great things about Black Diamond (amongst others).

I know this is an age old question (quality vs. price), but ... considering that the ebay jobs are half the price and this project is a road car, is it worth the extra coin?
Main concern is durability and performance (remember its a road car so performance level required won't be as high as track). Interestingly I noticed on Venom Motorsport that the Black Diamonds have a minimum of only 19mm, whereas most other discs have a wear minimum of 18mm... does that mean half the life span or are they made from more durable metal?
So, £110 Black Diamonds OR £50 ebay jobs (examples 1, 2 & 3)? Does anyone have any experience/opinions?

See y'all Melbs lads on Sunday!

[cartertronic]

Finished my sound and heat insulation project

Check it out here http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...d=1#post471203

I bought the downpipe pictured above, turns out it does have a lateral curve just not obvious in the pic.

Also, have slapped down some cash on FK KonigSport Coilovers

[Jarred]

Good to see you're keeping at it!

You'll have to take me for a spin next pub meet, it'll be interesting to see how quiet it is now!