The Mk1 ABF Project

[Valver.]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Stu, are you thinking that if I have a KR, there will be more room as the head is marginally lower than in the ABF? I would not have expected to have had that issue with welding and re-drilling, but as you say it may be a case of getting what you pay for.

Chris, have you matched up you head to the manifold to see how they look?

I think it'd still be pretty close to the plastic sleeve on the steering rack as it bends under the car. The trouble is that all the LHD headers are skewed to the driver's side of the car with the notion that the knuckle is on the left.

You'd definitely at least need some poly engine mounts to limit the engine movement a bit more. Bear in mind that the stock headers flow pretty well and you probably won't gain anything by using a Raceland one instead. If I wanted to save money, I'd get one of the Techtonics downpipes (or similar) and retain the stock manifold. You can also import one of the stock tubular manifolds found on late model LHD ABFs - matching this with a high-flow downpipe is probably better than any aftermarket header in terms of quality and reliability. I have a source for all this stuff if needed.

If you do trial fit the Raceland, make sure that you have all three sections bolted up - once I fitted the top half into the sleeves of the bottom half, this was when it threw out the alignments of the bolt holes.

[mikinoz]

Based on your advice Stu, I will get a dyno plot on Sunday and then we can analyse things better from there!

[cartertronic]

So, the crate is almost ready to go haha!

Seriously, would I lie to you?

The problem with organising your own crate from foreign soil is that it just keeps getting bigger as you add more stuff to the pile!

Anyway, crate is ordered and ready to go... but has just enough room for a set of rims So about to throw down some cash on a new set of 15' Ronal R10's (buying them new for 500GBP = $760AU... how can you go wrong?) so thought I should ask about tyres.. (UK prices, again, put ours to shame)

Ride Height: I'll be lowering it further with some adjustable coils + it already has gti arches.. so rubbing is definitely a concern (although won't be going super low, just enough to eliminate gap).

Current setup rubs occasionally: Autostrada Modenas 16 x 8 (e38 ) + 205/45/16 tyres

Ronal R10 Spec: 15 x 7 (e28 )

I've used a few tyre calculators, and was thinking 195/50/15
WillTheyFit.com with above specs

Reasons:
-50 seems a decent width, so ok ride quality + won't throw speedo too far out
-Not so interested in stretched look (sorry!)
-Not so bad on the wallet
-Seems as though they'll fit

Is this too wide? i.e. 185 better choice for no rub? Any personal experience?

Also, brand advice would be great (general road use, nothing crazy).. thinking about TOYO T1R's, good choice?


PS - Apologies for going MIA for 12months! I've been keeping myself busy with a V.A.G related project that'll be revealed in about a month.. top secret until then though

[Valver.]

195/50s are too big for a Mk1 on 15s. The correct size in terms of rolling diameter is 195/45/15.

Given how easily a 2.0 16v will light up the wheels in a Mk1, you don't want to go to a narrower tyre - 1st gear will be even more of a waste of time!

You can't go too wrong with tyres nowadays, provided you steer clear of Malaysian and Indonesian brands

[roccodingo]

Anyway, crate is ordered and ready to go... but has just enough room for a set of rims So about to throw down some cash on a new set of 15' Ronal R10's (buying them new for 500GBP = $760AU... how can you go wrong?) so thought I should ask about tyres.. (UK prices, again, put ours to shame)

Remember you have Cost of goods + shipping cost + 5% uplift + duty on that total + GST on that total...yeah, sucks....

[Preen59]

I'm not sure why the **** i said i have Racelands headers.. Pete and I got Ashley. Sorry.

I just fitted a set of 195/45.15 KE31s to some 7 inch Zenders and they look sweet.

[cartertronic]

Cheers guys, tracking a set of Toyo T1R 195/45/15's now...
Amen, on the reduced width! Traction is king

Remember you have Cost of goods + shipping cost + 5% uplift + duty on that total + GST on that total...yeah, sucks....

[YOUTUBE]ROPEICInVPY[/YOUTUBE]

Rocco, do you know how duty is calculated? How much etc?

EDIT - Scratch that, found a useful FAQ document at the Australian Customs website (PDF)

Also, found this if anyone is interested... Australia Customs website - Importing a Car

[roccodingo]

Going thru this now...

Importing Vehicles to Australia

Have the import approval and the car has been collected, waiting for the shipping next.



the factory build date was 30 Sept 1980 so it should be duty free ( Older than 30 years)

hijack appologies

[Jarred]

dammit grant! another one!

(jealous!)

Good to see you're wondering around here still simon! I've lost your number otherwise I'd have bugged you to come down the pub last week.

oh, and 195/45's should be fine. Might have to fold the lips and trim the arches a tab, all depending how low you want to go.

[cartertronic]

No apologies necessary for that beast!

I'll shoot you a text Jarred, keen to hit the pub again after an extended absence.

Btw - some second hand tyres came up on eBay, is this a nightmare waiting to happen with AU customs (as they're paranoid about dirt/organic waste coming in the country)?

[roccodingo]

Quarantine inspection service will be fussy if they actually get to look at your used tyres.

I usually pay more and have the seller thouroughly power wash the items before shipping. If quarantine picks them here you will be stung for additional charges to get them clean enough. Personally if your going to the fuss of buying used I would just get new ones.

Check out tire rack in the US, last trip to LA the shipping warehouse was full of new wheels n tyres being shipped here as there loads cheaper.

[Valver.]

Grant's right! I went through hell when I imported my last set of wheels from Germany. They opened every one of the four boxes and pressure washed each of the wheels, which stripped off heaps of the paint etc... And then charged me an extra $280 for the "hassle". It also amounted to a six-week customs delay!

Given how cheap the tyres are new, you'd be mad to try and get used ones. It's a safety thing anyway - don't fall into the trap of being another "Mk1 corner-cutter"

I'll be at the next monthly meet (I've been a tied up the last two times, so well overdue to appear again!), so we'll have to discuss ABFs

[Jarred]

I've heard if they're mounted on the wheels you'll get less hassle, than if they're just loose. If brand new, loose tyres should be ok though. Given how much cheaper quality tyres are OS, I reckon you may as wel try and get new ones.

Got ya text, cya next month!

[cartertronic]

...don't fall into the trap of being another "Mk1 corner-cutter"

Yeah, too true. I've cut corners a few times and paid the price - new tyres bought!

Pub meet sounds good lads! I'll have to brush the cobwebs of my ABF knowledge haha!

In other news, I finally bit the bullet and bought a daily driver (been using and abusing the Mk1 for a few years now..) Mk4 GL last night. On the topic of not doing things half-arsed, I figured I would do a better job + have time to respray it if I had a daily.

Got a pretty good deal from a mate heading overseas, $5000 with rego to October and about $2500 of receipts already paid for (all maintenance - clutch, belts, water pump, relays, cracked headlight, chipped windscreen, AC fix + misc stuff) to bring it up to RWC. It's got a couple of scratches and dents, but for a daily who gives a crap?

Although there is one thing, the central locking unlocks all the doors.. but won't lock them again

Anyone got any idea what this might be (this brave new world of electrics is new to me )?

[Jarred]

congrats on the bargain mk 4. Hopefully it's dull-ness will help and inspire you to finish the mk 1 quicker!