A Golf VR build...because I want to.

[vdubspeed]

Back in the late 90s I owned an 8V GTI that I absolutely loved.


Funny back story...while trying to sell it.....I stumbled upon a VW site known as the vwvortex

Back then I knew the 8V was trash. I always wanted to do a g60 or VR swap but working at Winn-Dixie at that time combined with very little knowledge did not allow for this. Well I sold that GTI to buy my now wife a wedding ring. Here we are...somewhere 10 years later and I've only owned 1 other mk2 since then. (A gorgeous 16V that I owned for 6 years)

I'm 90% a mk1 guy but seeing as how my first watercooled was a mk2 as was my wife's and brothers...I leave a space in my for the mk2
Here is a shot of my turbo rabbits:


Fast forward a decade and I finally will build the Golf VR I've always wanted to. Inspiration has come from two VERY specific cars....Mom's Golf and Futrell VR build.

So...two weeks ago I finally got the much needed donor. Here's a quick video of her before she is parted and scraped:


So the next part of my mission was to locate the perfect receiver car. I knew EXACTLY what I wanted...a mk2 4dr Golf. I have two kids guys...I enjoy 4 doors.

Well in my search I found this hot mess about 20 mins down the road:



Good car but to beat and no title. So...that little 87 with factory NO a/c and NO p/s is getting parted.

Good news is I have located the perfect car...just have to iron out the deal but most likely you will be seeing a very clean 88 Golf 4dr. It's CE1 digi 2 but all that mess is coming out.

I know VR builds are a dime a dozen but I build cars for me and as I said...because I want to

[Massern]

More pics of the MK1's, please.

And yes, I will definetely follow this thread

[black gti]

I love the blue one

[taymk2]

I followed your blue bunny thread I'll be following this one too

[cyclops594]

Love your A1's. Soooo clean are the both of em. The swaps are awesome and very tidy. What do ya call the blue one again? Lookin' forward to seein' what ya do with this mk2.

[vdubspeed]

Son of beach.

The mk2 I want to put the VR in has been so damn elusive for so many years. I've tried to buy it for four years now and never can get it. Now we finally strike a deal but the title is lost and the last person to have the title is pretty sketchy to say the least!

I'm not parting the mk3 until I have the receiver car as the mk3 can atleast drive itself around the yard if need be.

[taymk2]

Your video was pretty funny btw

[vdubspeed]

Hot damn! Car found. Driving 9 hrs round trip to get her.

One word....westy.

[vdubspeed]

Oh yeah...inspiration comes directly from this car:

[steveo27]

^classic

in for progress

[bodhi_tree777]

Oh yeah...inspiration comes directly from this car:

I love Mom's Golf..



watching this

[INLINE V]

I know VR builds are a dime a dozen but I build cars for me and as I said...because I want to

You definitely have a valid point, even on VWVortex.

[Rcmafia]

Watching this for sure! Any more of the Rabbits? The GTI looks so clean and the 4-dr is gorgeuos too

[Death Trap]

I like where this is going

[vdubspeed]

Putting some new 10 Ply Class D tires on the dolly today. Gotta get the funds from the bank before I head off on tomorrow's trip.

I'm stoked. Pics tomorrow night on the lucky lady.

I'll be the second owner...and she has service records.

[Lypse1.8T]

This is Jason's wife. He's leaving Atlanta with the golf and wanted to say he's smiling ear to ear. It has Mom's golf written all over it.
Pics later tonight.

[taymk2]

Lol.... Jay your the man

[vento86]

Both rabbits look awesome.GL with the build

[vdubspeed]

Oh friends...the VW gods have smiled upon me.

Today I was blessed to take over ownership of this American Golf. I it over and over.

Bought originally from Jim Ellis VW in Atlanta in 1985, it has lived most of it's life in GA with a short stint in N.C.

The original owner keep EVERYTHING and had the vehicle serviced for anything. The vehicle was garage kept and the exterior and interior reflect this. Though she was driven (162K), she has been garage kept and loved. The original owner left the Golf to his cousin in 2010 and this is who I bought it from. Dan was an AWESOME guy but more of an aircooled guy. If he ever reads this...thanks again Dan

The Golf has seen one small wreck in it's day but was repaired with utmost care so I can only imagine it happened early in it's life. Regardless, you will notice the C-pillars and rear are a hair darker than the rest of the car.

Speaking of the rest of the car...it's minty. The a/c blows cold and sunroof is smooth as warm butter. The interior is very inviting and the smell screams mk2. The blue tweed dates the car perfectly and even the dash is crackfree.

I felt bad at first for wanting to rip out the fresh 8V but then again..this is no museum piece. She has served as a daily well and now is her chance to be upgraded.

With that said...the car will hit the back burner but not for long. Tomorrow I will start parting out the mk3 and that usually takes a couple days. Then the knife will fall on the mk2.

The goal for the car is to install the entire mk3 running gear, wiring, and HVAC. This includes ABS but not power steering as the mk2 is manual and steers fine. The stock mk2 steelies will be replaced by generic 5X100 steelies/hubcaps and the car will be done. Nothing fancy. No BBS rims, No 1K coils. Just a mk2 Golf with some OEM action.

Onto the pics...

Welcome home!














Thanks VW gods...I won't let ya down.

Thanks to you all who follow this thread too. I don't build my cars for anybody but myself but I always think it's cool that people enjoy what I do.

Regards,

Jason

[steveo27]

AWESOME SCORE


leave everything as it with it (blue tweed, 4 lug, ect) and clean the bay up real nice and detail the 12v, itll look killer

[vdubspeed]

4 lug is definitely going the way of the buffalo.

I want ABS, rear disc, etc and don't happen to have a g60 readily available. That and the 13s won't clear the larger disc from the VR.

Everything else however...will stay

[black gti]

glad to see mom's golf as inspiration, and the new golf looks really complete, great starting point!

[vdubspeed]

Well I'm happy like a kid in a candy store.

First off, it is with great pleasure that I say I tagged/titled/insured the Golf today. The reason I say this is a big deal is because MANY VWs come through here. Only a select few are given the chance to stay.

Anyway, I drove it around town today. Hard to start cold but runs great after she's goin. A/C is great. Steering is easy because of the small tires. Brakes work good but are weak. Suspension is soft like a cloud. Hit the brakes at any speed and the nose dives while the ass jumps up.

This car is begging to be modded.

Lastly, I spoke with a friend last night about the best way to preserve the OEM of the car but install all the MK3 goodness. I'm going to go CE2 and just a combo of other CE2 cars to make everything as plug and play as possible.

I'm about to start parting the mk3. It's about 1000 degrees outside but f it...this mk2 needs a new heart!

L8r,

Jason

[themagellan]

First time I have ever subscribed to a thread. Loving everything about this build, and your attitude about it.

Make us proud!

[vdubspeed]

Well...I was kinda lazy and slow today. I managed to get the car tagged and then spent a little time at an antique store. After lunch I eased outside and after getting the work area ready...I dug in. I have the VR ready for pulling tomorrow.

Anyway...just a few boring pics. Here's the area of my yard I call the chopping block. Only tear down of vehicles happens here.


And then the rain was about to roll in so I packed up. Here's the parting shot:


Took the family to McD's for smoothies tonight in the Golf.

the wheel keeps on rollin...

[vdubspeed]

Made a little progress today but no pics. I replaced the Auxilary Air Regulator in the Golf to help it run better when cold. It's my daily until I'm ready for the VR swap.

Speaking of the VR...it was rather annoying today. Broke a Snap-On triple square while trying to remove the CV bolts. To make matters worse the axle would not come out of the hub so I'm removing it as one large package.

To add insult to injury I can't get the other three rims off because I can't find the key for the ricer lugs. Good thing is hammering on a 5/8 socket is working but I have to reweld the socket since I cracked it.

Well...tomorrow I'll finally get the engine out and start ripping apart the interior.

Blah blah blah.

[desmodronic]

Subscribed!

Take it easy and good luck with work!

[MeinGolf]

I am glad that Mom's Golf is still an inspiration....13 years later!!
My brother and I started that project in '97/'98.

I am inspired again-by your project, Bluebonnet, and one (or is it two) 4 door Golf vr6's in the Classifieds!

Good luck!!

[dankehoe1]

Subscribed

[watchxmexdie]

sweeet!

[MOTA BOY]

Sell mefront bumper!

[saucerman]

Hey man! Just checking in to see how the Golf is coming along! Looks like it settled right in with the family.
I will be following along too. Thanks for the email with the thread.

Take care!
Dan

[vdubspeed]

Just a quick update.

Got back from my vacation which proved WORTHLESS for finding VW parts. I was looking for a number of parts to make this swap happen but came home empty handed. Good news is I have located a mk2 VR that has already been swapped but is pretty beat so that will become the donor for the conversion parts.

The Golf is still doing daily status though I can't wait to rip out the CIS 8v. It works...but it's weak

[Cry0]

Nice cars man, keep up the good work!

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

Subscribed