New to VR6: 2.9L Build

[L. Fopps]

Not yet I have the long list of parts waiting to go in... I haven't had the time to actually do it.

[L. Fopps]

Its been a while since I've updated again. Suede headliner in and done just gotta get some more material for the pillars. Finally got to some finishing work on the 2.9 clone Intake manifold. About 6 hours and 30 sheets of sandpaper later I have it at a perfectly smooth surface ready for polish. Taped it off and in progress. Manifold will go on when I get around to doing the mk4 head gasket, chains, and cams. Still trying to decide on which cams to go with.

Also this weekend I finally have some free time to replace the entire cooling system ( radiator, heatercore, low temp thermostat, low temp fan switch, fan control module), and the ignition switch. If this doesn't solve the climbing temperature I am at a loss to what the problem is. After all thats in Im gonna finally get my a/c up and running, this heats brutal.

[L. Fopps]

Just picked up a new rear drivers side door, black leather door cards and black carpet off BCarlo. All in awesome shape. Just need seats to complete the black interior swap at this point.

Gizmo approves....



and progress on the manifold

[L. Fopps]

Im hoping to finish up the manifold tonight (note it is at bare smooth aluminum in the picture, hoping to get her polished up nice tonight... Im starting a local gtg tonight so we will see how far i get before then. And maybe start swapping over my door cards. Counting down till the weekend to finally solve the overheating issue... Radiator, Low temp thermostat, Low temp fan switch, heater core, and fan control module going in.

[cocotaso218]

here are the arm rest i was talking about, borrowed pics btw

[xStacks]

Glad to know i will be driving down to h2o with another mk3.

my project

bugatti wheels painted black


vr6 turbo

[L. Fopps]

there will be at least one more also search j.fopps

[L. Fopps]

Finally taking a stab at the overheating issue. Replacing radiator, thermostat, fan switch (both low temp) FCM and heater core this weekend. Hoping to get home from work a decent time to get started tonight. Ive never done a heater core and am expecting it to take an entire day. Hopefully this will all solve my problem though.

[L. Fopps]

Got home from work around 8 decided to get a head start:



Helluva way to spend my weekend



and resting in the garage waiting for me to Hunt down a Thermostat Housing tomorrow morning. It Literally fell apart when i was taking it apart. I should have just ordered one to begin with I had a feeling this was going to be an issue just didn't think of it at the time of placing the order.

[cocotaso218]

kanye shades right here,
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...n-blend-MKE-WI

[L. Fopps]

Found a new thermo housing thanks to a suggestion to RPM foreign parts up in Stanhope NJ. Great Guys and great prices... got the rad thermo, fan switch, FCM in and done. And after about 8 hours finally got the old heater core out.... With taking breaks stopping to eat and go get parts. Tomorrow I will reassemble... Ive heard horror stories about heater cores but im pretty mechanically inclined so i gave it a shot. If I ever have to do one again I will sell the car first... Or just bypass it and ride with heated seats.



You will never see this interior again Blacks going back in.



Whys this Sh1t on the driveway??









Effin sheer bolts.... Managed to drill it out and keep the bolt in tact to find replacements.... kudos to my brother





All to get to... Holy booger ****...



And a tease of my headliner as it is for now.... Still have some finishing touches to take care of

[j.fopps]

Effin sheer bolts.... Managed to drill it out and keep the bolt in tact to find replacements.... kudos to my brother

your welcome

[L. Fopps]

Finally Finished. and black dash in

[97green machine]

looking very good cant wait to see it in person at the end of the month!

[wannabaja]

FYI-This would have been a much easier removal with a flat screwdriver into the side of the head and a hammer to tap it loose.

[L. Fopps]

we tried that first they were too tight. This wasn't as bad as it looks. actually went very smoothly and quickly.. Thanks for the tip... but I promise I will never do a heater core again for the rest of my life.

[The Big V]

dude! isht is comin along nicely! your headliner looks as good as mine
i need to do sooooo much work on my car but haven't had any time at all....dunno if i'll make h2o this year but would love to ride down w the mk3's if so. those side skirts workin? i still have to paint and put my abt reps on. keep up the good werks.

[L. Fopps]

I feel you on not having the time.Im trying to find every hour i possibly can. Definitely come h2o is by farthe best show of the season. I only used the top strip and the end caps. i flipped the rest of it and got almost all ofthe money back. search my thread im organizing a cruise down to H2o from central jersey... Hop on the bandwagon

[McDubin]

You should've done a metal impeller water-pump and metal water distribution pipe (crack-pipe) while you were in there. BFI has some pretty great prices on this stuff. I just took care of mine a few weeks ago.

Not to jinx you, but your gonna be pissed if either or one of those things fail, and your pulling the coolant system apart again.

You were basically already there. The only thing you would've had to do past what you already did, is jack the motor up a bit to access the water pump.
The OEM water-pump has a plastic impeller, and if I showed you the pictures of mine, you would've replaced it.

[L. Fopps]

I did a metal impellar water pump a couple months ago already. Believe me when i tell you I know what you mean about the plastic impeller. I was amazed when I pulled it out. Your absolutly right on the metal crack pipe. I should have and didn't even think of it for some strange reason. the plastic one on currently is in good shape hopefully it doesnt give me any issuees

[aoj2108]

I promise I will never do a heater core again for the rest of my life.

Yea that's what I said after the first one. I've slayed about 2 or 3 since. I love this thread because my first VR6 game me the exact problems you encountered even in the same sequence and it took me a while to pinpoint and repair every single dang detail. For doing it right

[L. Fopps]

Okay so the temp is still climbing running over 3000 rpms consistently on the highway. Now it isn't over heating anymore because of the low temp thermo and fan switch so its climbing to the half way point. It stays at right around 160 around town under normal driving conditions. Yes i know halfway is fine and the typical running temp anyway, however I do not like the fact that the car isn't running at a consistent temperature. I'd like to not have my fans run constantly. And if it will not run at a consistent temperature, although it isn't overheating, something still is not correct.

I did everything and I dont know what I can be missing. I've replaced the Water pump, aux water pump, radiator, coolant temp sensors, low temp thermostat, paired with a low temp fan switch, a different coolant bubble and cap (not New), FCM, and the heater core. And even decided to do the ignition switch just in case while everything was apart for the heatercore.

I do not have coolant in my oil or oil in my coolant. So I have ruled out the head gasket. Is there anything that I am missing?

[L. Fopps]

finally got around to switching out one of my damaged doors from the previous owner. Still have to change the drivers front door. For some reason when he replaced the door he put a pinstriped faded door on the car instead of finding one that actually matched I have the door sitting in my basement. Not sure when I'll get to the front.

But anyone have any opinions on my previous ^ post?

[L. Fopps]

Anyone got a nice set of black glx leathers? Or have any idea why my car won't run at a steady temp? Problem described 2 posts above.

[rankadoodle]

I'd make love to a tree if my vr ran a consistent temperature.

Oil temp over 230? Official over heat.

If not, forgettaboutit.

[Minor_Threat]

good work larry

[jazzcat2001]

Okay so the temp is still climbing running over 3000 rpms consistently on the highway. Now it isn't over heating anymore because of the low temp thermo and fan switch so its climbing to the half way point. It stays at right around 160 around town under normal driving conditions. Yes i know halfway is fine and the typical running temp anyway, however I do not like the fact that the car isn't running at a consistent temperature. I'd like to not have my fans run constantly. And if it will not run at a consistent temperature, although it isn't overheating, something still is not correct.

I did everything and I dont know what I can be missing. I've replaced the Water pump, aux water pump, radiator, coolant temp sensors, low temp thermostat, paired with a low temp fan switch, a different coolant bubble and cap (not New), FCM, and the heater core. And even decided to do the ignition switch just in case while everything was apart for the heatercore.

I do not have coolant in my oil or oil in my coolant. So I have ruled out the head gasket. Is there anything that I am missing?

so around town its a quarter of the way up and on highway it reaches the mid point? i don't see a problem with that at all..like someone said above my post what are your oil temps at? if they are >230 then don't worry about it

[L. Fopps]

Yea its not climbing above halfway with the low temp thermo and fan switch. With the regular thermo and fan switch i was seeing oil temps of 240. Havent checked my actual oil temps since i did the overhaul Ill check but my guess is nowhere close

[L. Fopps]

My oil temps are barely reaching 200 so I guess I'm good. Does anyone know why it is that the vr's do not run a consistent temp under heavy driving? I thought that it was just me, but apparently this is a common thing

[rankadoodle]

My oil temps are barely reaching 200 so I guess I'm good. Does anyone know why it is that the vr's do not run a consistent temp under heavy driving? I thought that it was just me, but apparently this is a common thing

<230?

Drive harder.

[L. Fopps]

with the stock thermostat under heavy driving it was reaching 230 and staying right there. Im new to vr's and just assumed this was an issue and should be running a steady temp. I did a new thermostat and fan swtich and both are low temp 70 degree celsius. It stays right at the 160 mark now unless im pushing it then itll go up to 190. I guess I was just paranoid seeing it climb over the halfway point and it was unnecesarry...Oh well now I have peace of mind as I just did a coolant system overhaul.

[L. Fopps]

New thread title.

Okay so im now at a point that the car is reliable, running at normal operating temp, and have eliminated all dtc's except for my cat.

Future Plans and Things I am Looking For:

Test pipe
42DD o2 spacer
42 DD intake elbow with no pcv inlet
Custom catch can
Finish up my 2.9 clone manifold
at the same time
1. do my chains
2. cams and matching chip
3. as well as MK4 head gasket
1.8t IAT

I am unsure which cams I want to go with. I am not very familiar with cams but was considering doing 268's based on other threads I've read but am interested to know how it will idle and run for normal daily driving. Also which brand and which chip to match? I am very interested in hearing everyones opinions.

Im still looking for

Black glx leathers in good shape.
some 16 inch wheels. (Staggered, wide, I'm open to whatever just show me what you got. Im really interested in some Porsche 7 slots but like I said im open to whatever.)

I also want to respray but i refuse to do so until I have my own place with a garage to keep it out of the weather once it is done.

[L. Fopps]

effin spoiler holes leaked. ad with all this rain back seat floor is soaked. Just realized this a little while ago... and Lowes doesnt have the correct plugs. Shoulda known not to go to that *** store and shoulda went to home depot but it was closing time. Don't have time to shopvac the moisture out bought some damp rid and going to get the wetness out tomorrow as well as hopefully find some plugs

[X37]

Try an external oil cooler to help with your temp issues.

[L. Fopps]

I thought about it. But now my temp seems to be good.