MK3 1.8t or mk4 gti?

[shami]

Still recovering from my recent wedding, i turn to the question of what i should drive. I have a mk3 siting at home unregistered but i miss my mk4 gti. Should i do something nuts and build a mk3 with a 1.8t in it or just buy a tried and tested mk4 gti???

The mk3 build would probably take a while since i cant throw money at cars like i used to. I have significantly modified a mk4 gti and enjoyed it immensly...

In saying this, i do have an urge to build something and have been toying with the idea and what i'd do to it for the past few weeks..yes even on my honeymoon.

I have, naturally, thought of the perils of a build and getting it right, encountering issues and well being patient enough to get through the process.

But i am very confused and want the opinions of the dub world....

[AGO41T]

do a mk3 1.8t! do sumthin different

put a set of 20's too

[AusScare]

1.8t mk3 would be hell exxy.

Is yours a 2dr mk3? Why not throw in a vr6 engine, that would be slightly less expensive, easier, sound better.. etc.

[shami]

1.8t mk3 would be hell exxy.

Is yours a 2dr mk3? Why not throw in a vr6 engine, that would be slightly less expensive, easier, sound better.. etc.

Yeap its a red 2 door. Im not a fan of the red, but oh well. I thought about a vr6 but its been done before. With the 1.8t i think if i ever got the itch to keep modifying its alot easier and cheaper than a vr6.

[jayjay]

i reckon go 1.8t. if you have the time money and patience, you will be rewarded with a foooking fast car.

it's funny that they're ubiquitous in overseas tuning circles, but there's isn't 1 here...

[AusScare]

Isn't it like $20k+ for a 1.8t transplant and associated costs?

[Spyda]

Isn't it like $20k+ for a 1.8t transplant and associated costs?

Thats what people say. But i think thats counting suspention upgrades, chip, and stuff like that. Im prity sure thats on the table with whatever car he gets.

It would basicly be about 5K more than what the donor car costs.

If you dont mind the mk3's oldness then do the 1.8T.

[jayjay]

Well it really depends on how you do it.

you'd need vr6 running gear, ie. entire F and R subframe assemblies and a front cut/wrecked 20v.

or you could just bolt it in and pay someone to wire in an aftermarket computer..

For vw motors, the 20v easily has the most off the shelf tuning potential of any.

[Bboy_Sparx]

Get another GTI. Cough cough.

Congrats on the wedding mate.

[shami]

Get another GTI. Cough cough.

Congrats on the wedding mate.

Thanks mate. Dont worry if i decide on the mk4 its going to be yours.

[Jarred]

Realistically, I reckon it'd be about 15-20K to do the conversion into a mk 3. that includes brake suspension upgrades. wiring would be the hardest part - stand alone or factory loom? how much power are you after? 15-20K is just for a 'standard-ish' 1.8T, let alone too many upgrades & searching for more power, which then means gearbox & driveline will need some attention too. How much of the work can you do yourself, or will you be paying someone for it? There's lots of variables, but I doubt it would be 'easy' or 'cheap'

For the money you could buy Jules' GTI, and a set of really rad wheels and be done with it! it's already got a bucket of upgrades and is a super clean and cool car! If I had the money I would have bought it already!

Thats just my 2C, HTH.

[Whubbsie]

Mk3 rear mounted VR6 conversion??

[dubbed]

Just get the MkIV. Because realistically, do you think you will finish the MkIII? At least you'll be able to jump in a MkIV GTI and drive her straight away. Plus I'm sure it'll have better resale.

[static1800]

A mk3 is about as "easy" as a 20v conversion comes.

For ecu grab one of the plug and play kits from someone like QPENG. To boost up brakes and suspension try and find a wrecked VR6 like someone mentioned and use all the subframe and rear end, then you can use a cable shift box also which I think is factory on a vr6 anyway??

All depends if you are up for the swap and the associated costs, would be a very cool swap for a 3dr mk3.

The easy way out is the mk4 though

[Mrk_Mickey]

I'd opt to have some fun with the mk3 too. While a mk4 would still be nice, be easy and quickly available, I couldn't turn down some spanner action down with a mk3 build