78 2-Door Build Thread

[dubmc]

watch this space...

[mikinoz]

watch this space...

[dubmc]

so basically, the next phase for the mk1 is in progress. i have been on the hunt for a new powerplant for a while, really wanting to give the golf some more balls, not that is was a slug to start with...

i have recently attained a 1.8L block which has been boared out to a 2L. the engine is running 2L forged pistons with a lightened and balanced crank. the block has also been decked to accomodate the shorter throw lenghts of the pistons, upping the comp.

it is going to be a complete rebuild. at the moment we have the crank, pistons and intermediate shaft all out. spent saturday cleaning the block & honing the cylinders as well as cleaning up the pistons and crank...

recents purchases include:
- piston rings
- main, trust & conrod bearings
- conrod botls
- sump gasket
- main engine seal (front and rear)
- x 2 ring seals

still undecided on which head to go with but will decide next pay check...i also plan to paint the engine bay once the engine is out which is the beginning of a eventual complete respray...

anyway, that's the latest & greatest - got a few crappy pics below to check out

[mikinoz]

Very nice, what compression are you expecting and you still fuelling it on dellotos?

[dubmc]

Very nice, what compression are you expecting and you still fuelling it on dellotos?

yes still the dellortos for sure! with the head which was originally on that block it was about 13.5:1 I believe, but the head had also been decked so with a standard head it would be greater 12:1 i'm guessing...

[GeorgeMK1]

Great work mate !! This is going to be interesting, its good you arnt going the 16v option like everyone else, good to see sometihng different. Such power in a little car would be very interesting !!

[dubmc]

so the bottom was finished last night...installed all near bearings and concord bolts...installed the new pistons rings -oiled everything up and torqued it all into place...

my next dilemma is choice of head...i have searched the next but havent found too much...

any recommendations for which head to go with? leaning towards a solid lifter but am chasing a head with big valves and porting - can anybody point me in the direction of either locally or overseas supplier of performance 8v heads? - happy to do with work myself but just weighing up costs vs. performance - any advice appreciated!

[ByronRichesMk1]

Pretty sure JRE racing make a performance head for 8V's mate.
I copied the specs for you off their website.

JRE 8V VW Race Cylinder Head, flow bench designed, dyno tested, track proven performance. This cylinder head incorparates many years of experience with VW modifications. This cylinder head is the ultimate 8V VW this incorparates 42mm, 7mm stem race inlet valves, 35mm, 7mm stem race exhaust valves, 8 big valves seat inserts competition bronze valve guides, CNC ported ports hand finished. Cam buckets machined for 37mm cam followers. This cylinder head can produce up to 235+BHP, Price:£1800

Escort, mk1, mk2, cosworth

Fairly costly though at £1800..

[dubmc]

a few pics from the weekend...didnt time to take that many due to all the running around

[Jarred]

what did you run!?

[mikinoz]

Do a skid!

[dubmc]

what did you run!?

ha...my best time of the day was 15.7 at 140km/h - hot day with my **** tyres on the front...

i also ran a number of 15.9's

made it to the finals ahah came runner up in the watercooled class, which was quite surprising - i lost in the finals because i broke out too far from my dialled in time lol (trophy is coming in the mail next week )

---------- Post added at 09:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 PM ----------

Do a skid!

ahah did a heap of skids mick...needed to do a couple run without getting the carbies sucking too much hot air....when i upload my vids you will see what i mean - had it on the rev limiter quite a few times!

[HaydEn]

I was quite impressed with this thing at the drags. There should have been more of you guys.

[jayjay]

looks like a bag of fun!!

from my learnings take the best of both worlds. Find a South african or U.K spec pre-emission 8v head. that have like 40 or 41mm intake valves to begin with. There are a few online hydro to solid lifter conversions. Peter Jones did one, may have also written it up.. if you plan on winding it out past 8k, solid is the way to go.

Defs find out what the static compression ratio is. Choice of cam will be hugely dependent on that.

[dubmc]

just uploaded a video from the weekend - it's 3 mins in lenght because i havent had time to edit it - this was my first time using my new go-pro camera - really happy with the quality just need to order the correct bracket for it as the helmet strap sits it too high in the car...

hope you enjoy the vid - this wasn't my best run as it was super hot at this stage and i had just done a back to back run so the car was sucking in a lot of hot air causing a bit of splatter in 2nd/3rd...