My MK3 Cabrio VR6 build thread

[VR6 NRG]

NEW PICS ON PAGE 3

i haven't posted in the MK3 forum in years and wanted to make a return.
I've been on vortex since 1999 and although my post count doesn't show it, I've been around the block a few times on this site.

some of the old timers may remember my original car when i lived in NoVa back in the late 90's/early 00's.
Sequoia green 97 GTI VR6 with 6 point cage, sparco seats, z-engineering blower, custom stereo, projektzwo mirrors, ABT wheels, and euro arches and moldings....




since then i've had these
2003 20th AE GTI

Fourtitude.com project car and SEMA 2005 show car

2008 A3 2.0T with GT28RS big turbo

2004 R32 with VF Stage2 supercharger

and now i have this 2012 TT Coupe 2.0T quattro

a stock 1998 jetta glx
a stock 2008 Rabbit 3 door

so i've wanted to build another MK3 for a few years now and figured i hadn't owned a convertible. For the past 2 weeks i've been searching around for a cabrio. Well this morning with the help of a local friend we found one. Went to look at it, and drove it home.
I will have to post pics tomorrow because it was dark when i got home.
It is a 1996 Classic Green (i think) with tan cloth, automatic and black vinyl top. I originally wanted to find a Jazz Blue but that became too difficult. So i figured if i could save some money, find a local car that had a good body to start with i would do a full color change and something more custom.

I will say I myself am not too mechanically inclined, however i have friends that are. Some of this will be bought and some will be built. My goal isn't to make a stunning show car, but something i have fun with that stands out some when i go to shows. I thought about shaving the engine bay and air ride and both of those will be too expensive for the estimated budget i will have for the car. At a few grand each i'd rather do other things with a more direct impact to the car.

The Plans
VR6 swap
manual transmission swap
Full color change: yet to be known
interior swap to black but redo the seats to compliment the new exterior color
pulled fenders
16" wheels but wide (typical stance stuff)
and maybe a few custom bit and pieces along the way.

There are some great people here in AZ that i know that can help bring this all together and give me some good advice, help, and pricing on things along the way.

So MKIII forum hello again old friend.

[sleepin gti]

welcome back

[Dmoneythegreat]

OG status in here

I'll be watching this

[VR6 NRG]

it may progress along slowly but i want to have the car somewhat acceptable for Wuste at the beginning of June.

[VeeDubGolf]

hey brian! good to see you back in mk3! good luck with the build.

[SylvesterStallone]

thats going to be sick! be sure to post all the way i want to do it too!

[vento86]

[taymk2]

Bump for my boy Brian welcome back bro

[PigPen14]

i like your style and interested in this new project

Have you ever thought bout a ginster cabrio?

[syracusegli]

[Project Mayhem]

with your collection this will definitely be one to watch!

[miatafreak]

Always love to see another guy join the VR Cabby ranks

[VR6 NRG]

I brought the car to the dealer today. yes i trust the dealer and here is why. I myself sell Audi's for a living and with that comes knowing a lot of great technicians. We also have a VW dealer on campus and they have two great techs there that i trust a lot.

So i finally got to the see the car up on a lift, had an oil change done and hoped i didn't find anything bad underneath...
Here are the first pics





the results were good. no signs of rust or any damage at all. the driver side rocker has some dents from a jack probably but that should be covered with a side skirt eventually.
the only bad parts i was told were the motor and tranny and associated things but they will last me long enough until i do the VR6 and manual swap.
I am really surprised that all of the electrical things work (except cruise), and i just needed two license plate bulbs.

here is a possible color i've chosen (not the best pic)

[vento86]

that color is cool. what did it come from? looks to be root beer

[miatafreak]

Porsche?

[vento86]

Porsche?

i figured that after staring at the pic for the last hour and a half. holy **** im stoned

[VR6 NRG]

Porsche Macadamia Metallic

[Pineapplegti !]

I figured you pop up. I thought you were going to do air as well ?

[OMGitsKYLE!]

ooooo this is gunna be good.....

[VR6 NRG]

I figured you pop up. I thought you were going to do air as well ?

no air, and i saved $1000 vs. buying your car. just FYI when you are wanting to sell something, and someone has worthy questions asked, it would help to not be a dick and answer their questions. I seriously thought about your car but because of how you answered your emails that was the reason why i didn't. just don't ever get a job selling things. and /helpful advice of the day

[Aloha-boy]

no air, and i saved $1000 vs. buying your car. just FYI when you are wanting to sell something, and someone has worthy questions asked, it would help to not be a dick and answer their questions. I seriously thought about your car but because of how you answered your emails that was the reason why i didn't. just don't ever get a job selling things. and /helpful advice of the day

I remember your SN and car from way back. I'm currently returning to the MK3 scene also with a similar project, except with a 4dr Golf. I would love to do a VR6 Cabrio instead, but it's hard to find one in Vegas.

LOL on Pineapple, I wanted to jump on his Cabrio when psycho had it for sale, but I got the funds after Pineapple got it back.

[louabt]

Welcome back.I recognize your car and screen name.
The cabrio looks to be in good shape for your build.
Good luck

[Pineapplegti !]

no air, and i saved $1000 vs. buying your car. just FYI when you are wanting to sell something, and someone has worthy questions asked, it would help to not be a dick and answer their questions. I seriously thought about your car but because of how you answered your emails that was the reason why i didn't. just don't ever get a job selling things. and /helpful advice of the day

Dealing with craigslist people has brought me to that point plus the fact you mentioned the possibility of air ride being installed on one my old cars . Sorry if i was crass. Btw I have sold well over 250 private party cars . Glad you purchased a virgin. If you are in the market for a mint canvas top with frame I can point you in the right direction. (Hiding in a az junkyard)

[1O DEEP]

OG dubber right here

[PKstrategy]

[VR6 NRG]

I will be looking for a top. Either black or beige. PM me with that crassly style of yours.


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[Pineapplegti !]

There is a 3.5 sitting in a yard in Kingman. Mint black canvas top . Hwy 66 there is a row of wrecking yards (only ones in town) .

[.T.o.n.y.]

Brain good choice on the MK3 Id love to roll out with you guys to Wuste' this year once you have this complete. I usually avoided cruises with this 2.0 but since i'll be boosted it should be fun!

[VR6 NRG]

thanks Tony

i may need some of your knowledge and assistance on this.

[.T.o.n.y.]

No problems you know i love MK3s ive had enough of them haha

[mk2gtd]

i see this turning out well

[VR6 NRG]

I may end up doing "updates" more like a blog entry, so i can keep the whole process in one place

nut much of an update, but i got the first part today. a brand new OEM window regulator for the driver side. i will also need a passenger one but that window stays up. with tax it came to $250. one benefit of working at a dealer is discounts on parts.

I'm still having trouble diagnosing the P1613 code. We think it is the gauge cluster and some of the wiring in it. I am looking locally for a gauge cluster to swap in to see if that can get ride of the code long enough to get it inspected, and then swap the cluster back if it passes. the ABS light in the cluster is on and the code is "MIL Call-up Circ Open/Short to B+"
I really want to get the title and registration done before i start buying any parts for it.

as i typed this a local friend found a vr6 cluster he will let me use to see if that works.

[Pineapplegti !]

I have a working 3.5 cluster (illumination is toast) that you can try..

[VR6 NRG]

small update today

got it over to our VW dealership where i have a good friend who is a tech there. He installed my driver side window regulator so its nice to be able to go through drive thru's now.

he also spent quite some time diagnosing the P1613 fault code to no avail. we checked some of the basics and coding that we found on vortex and google but nothing worked. then an Audi tech came over to assist and between the two of them they tried a few other things with specific wires in the cluster harness but couldn't solve it.
we then realized we were trying to do this strictly to get the car through emissions and for me to get plates on it, BUT if we are doing a VR6 and transmission swap then all of the stuff related to this error code will find a dumpster or be sold off.

So where i stand now... keep the car in my garage until i can find a donor. The one i had backtracked on me and now i'm searching for another.
I found a 98 GTI DE VR6 in AZ with 290k on the motor but it seems like the owner has taken good care of it. It is a complete running car with a full interior i could also use and for the price, it may be worth buying the entire car so i can ensure the whole swap is complete with parts.

[VR6~aholic]

Not gonna lie, your old gti is why I bought one the same color. Loved that car. If it was any indication this one should be sweet when you're done