It Begins: The S3 1.8T into my '85 Mk2 GTI

[GOLFBALLS]

Good Work! glad to see you're really getting stuck in!

Did you use a 16V tensioner for the timing belt??

Cheers.
Used the the standard tensioner.

[dubstar]

Those front crossmember bushes are a real bastard. I gave up on the poly ones and went back to new OEM rubber bushes.

[Golf Loon]

All looks good Wade.

I cant help thinking that if you used a Mk3 or SEAT subframe, that would give you the later kind of cups for the engine mounts and you could use VR6 or uprated VR6 ones.

It will probably be fine.

I wanna see a pic of it all bolted in.

Keep up the good work.

[GOLFBALLS]

You may have a point, but it has to go the way it is now. It'll be fine either way.

Just had a major win with the crossmember bushes!!!!!!!!!!

Just putting it together now, which will be followed by the engine and gearbox union, followed by installation!

[GOLFBALLS]

Is it in yet?

Stayed at the shop till 1am this morning till i was about to have a siezure (i'm epileptic).

The gearbox and engine are together, both bolted to subframe/mounts, hoisted up and bolted up to car with front crossmember in place!! WWWOOOOOOOOOOOO HHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! After 3 years it was awesome to see it all go together so drama free. Preparation pays off.

Still need to just align the steering column before i bolt up the drivers side subframe bolts then add the rest of the gearbox bolts.

My next costly snag is sourcing a starter motor. Will have to find a wrecked T4 somewhere... oh yea and fill the gearbox with oil!

It looks the sex in the bay all shiny and turbocharged pics on saturday

[gareth_oau]

hehe Wade, wouldn't being epileptic help you do up the bolts a lot quicker?

[GOLFBALLS]

hehe Wade, wouldn't being epileptic help you do up the bolts a lot quicker?

In theory no - being that i'm unconcious during a siezure, BUUT, it did help as i was rushing to get it together before i started the uncontrollable breakdance!

The fear of being crushed under a car during a fit was inspirational!! I didnt end up with a fit, but i was prepared to go thru it to get that donk in by the end of the day.

[MattyT]

WOOHOO!!! Great to hear your making big progress now wade

May I recommend Motul GEAR FF-LSD TYPE 2 gearbox oil? It is very good stuff, I have some in my vr6 - very smooth shifts!

[gareth_oau]

being crushed? I'm hoping if there is a risk that you work with axle stands or ramops or something safe

[gareth_oau]

oh, and when you coming round to get that thingamejig?

[GOLFBALLS]

being crushed? I'm hoping if there is a risk that you work with axle stands or ramops or something safe

Axle stands. But possibly can be knocked over by my fitting.

Aaanyway, one of my next jobs is to go over all the hoses and pipes on the AMK that are still needed in the swap and see what i have to get. Some of the bits were destroyed in the shunt. Once i get an idea of what's what, i'll give you a buzz mate.

[MattyT]

SAMCO hose kit, doooo iiiiiiiittt

[GOLFBALLS]

Yea one day, if they make one for this conversion??

Anyway we all love pics...

Getting crossmember bushes in with lube, bolts, washers, strut tops, and lots of swearing!


Job done!




New serpentine belt & tensioner


Getting box & engine lined up for holy matrimony.



Hoisting in to posissshh..

[GOLFBALLS]

Crossmember JUST clears p/s pump outlets!!


Master cyl JUST clears timing belt cover!!!


And here it is!!



It was such a mission doing it all on my own, but REEAALLLY satisfying now.

Still got a ways to go obviously, but home stretch now! YYAYYYY!

[Henri]

Fantastic work! Looks like everything fitted just perfectly!