My MK3 Cabrio VR6 build thread

[vortexpert.]

ok brian this can go on now..

[VR6 NRG]

so we were hoping to start on taking the Cabrio apart tomorrow and get the motor and trans out but it looks like, because of scheduling at the shop and the other people that it's going to be two weeks from now.

In the mean time i will start dismantling the interior of the cabrio on my own in my spare time.

As a result i will have a full beige interior to sell once its removed.

[VR6 NRG]

well i started to rip out the interior today and get things taken out of the car and cleaned up.

started off like this

then went to the remove the console


then went to the doors. these were easier than i remember because in 96 there were no allen screws along the door trim.


but i found out why my passenger front window didn't work. there is no regulator in it at all!


on to the back. decided since i won't need the carpet to trash it and clean and degrease everything i could



driver rear floor before

and after


and then i had to stop before i got to the passenger side. needed to eat, clean up and get to work to sell a car
so i left it like this for the night.


I have tomorrow off and will do the passenger side, clean the doors, probably remove the front carpet and padding and just leave the front seats and dash in.

[VR6 NRG]

I think i have changed my mind on color now. After looking at a Porsche again in the Macadamia metallic in a few different light conditions, i don't think it will "pop" enough. so i may pull some inspiration from the other cars in the household.

I REALLY like the color of my TT, Volcano Red, and i also REALLY like the interior of the 2005 Canyon Red Audi A6 we have. It is all black carpets, doors, dash, with cream colored seats and door inserts. the color combo looks fantastic and is a main reason why we decided on that particular car.
I have to get a good picture in sunlight. this color has a huge amount of orange to it in the sun.

[Aloha-boy]

I have a soft spot for red MKIII's!!! What color top are you planning?

[VR6 NRG]

I have a soft spot for red MKIII's!!! What color top are you planning?

If i go with the color of the TT then black top. If the porsche color then a custom brown top would be the choice.

[VR6 NRG]

some minor minor updates.

I switched locations of the Cabrio and GTI. the GTI has been in a friends garage leaking oil all over it since the day i got it. so i took the Cab to him to begin working on it this weekend so i could then start dismantling some stuff from the GTI.
I did get the GTi through emissions yesterday and got an official license plate and registration for it today. a whopping $37 for reg through August, can't beat that.

The oil leak is the oil cooler which will be fixed tomorrow to stop the leak and then will be replaced by the EuroSport oil cooler when the swap occurs. thanks to ...Derek... for the help
I also ordered my first few parts for the car to get ready.
The list includes
black e-code jetta headlights and wiring adapter from eBay
VR6 Y adapter coolant fittin, PCV fix, and upgraded crack pipe all from MJMAutohaus.

and i think i have finally decided on a color and don't know why i didn't think of this earlier.
the color will be Audi Exclusive Ipanema Brown. ordered from the factory it is a $6k option. Fortunately it won't be that much to paint the cabrio. This brings the POP that i wanted in a color and still retains some classy and exoticness at the same time. i will still have to decide on top and interior colors.

[VR6 NRG]

I did some more parts ordering and the Optikwerks smooth front bumper and e-code headlight brackets from eBay.

The cabrio tear down started today and i should have some pics tomorrow of some of it.

[VR6 NRG]

it finally started today.
the motor and trans came out of the cabrio along with associated parts. tomorrow the rest of it will come out to make it just a rolling chassis to prep for paint




and got my first parts today. jetta e-codes from eBay

[robinson001]

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.

So is the check engine light on, or just the abs light? Does the engine light come on when the ignition is cylcled on for the first few seconds? if not it could just be the bulb is burnt out so the abs light comes on to compensate and tell you there is a problem.

[Pineapplegti !]

Do it right with a euro core support .

[VR6 NRG]

i am going with the OptikWerks smoothed bumper so i won't need the euro core support or don't think i will, and I can save that money to put elsewhere.

[VR6 NRG]

So is the check engine light on, or just the abs light? Does the engine light come on when the ignition is cylcled on for the first few seconds? if not it could just be the bulb is burnt out so the abs light comes on to compensate and tell you there is a problem.

we are pretty much ripping anything out of the car that could have caused this so hopefully it won't be a problem when the VR6 goes back in. the Vr6 passed emissions and only threw a random SAI code and a misfire was all. So there shouldn't be any issues knock on wood.

now my search is for the least expensive new black cloth top, and what things to remove in the engine bay without going to a fully shaved headache.

[MKIIITOMV]

deff gonna keep an eye on this build

[miseryindeath]

Do it right with a euro core support .

i am going with the OptikWerks smoothed bumper so i won't need the euro core support or don't think i will, and I can save that money to put elsewhere.

The Euro core support is so your headlights mount without brackets and rigging them in there.

Been watching since the beginning, and just now commenting for that. Been on the hunt for a good, rust free Cabrio around me to do a VR (or possibly R32 motor/6spd trans) swap myself.

[AtomicJunk]

Awesome Brian! I just picked up E-codes and HID fogs for my GTI and that Ipanema looks RAD!

[VR6 NRG]

yeah i am really excited about the color.

and for the euro support i don't know if i can justify $130-180 just for perfect headlight fitment. If it all goes together and looks like ass then i will get one.

two good things popped in my email today. I think my Work wheels are sold netting me $1600 back and i think i have the 2.0L and trans from the cabrio sold already. incoming cash is a good thing now.

[VR6 NRG]

the engine and trans came out last night, i put it on craigslist last night at 11pm, and i had a buyer for it who picked it up this afternoon. a quick $360 made to help the funds and pay for the swap.
Gotta love craigslist.

[miatafreak]

the engine and trans came out last night, i put it on craigslist last night at 11pm, and i had a buyer for it who picked it up this afternoon. a quick $360 made to help the funds and pay for the swap.
Gotta love craigslist.

Holy s***. When I did my VR swap, it took me a good few months to unload my 2.0 and trans.

[VR6 NRG]

Holy s***. When I did my VR swap, it took me a good few months to unload my 2.0 and trans.

yeah i got really lucky. a guy that runs a repair shop bought it to save a 2.0L Jetta for a young lady so it didn't end up in the crusher with a horribly bad motor.

i also just found a local brand new top in the box, grey cloth for super cheap. gonna pick it up soon.

[Eskimio]

[samiam0295]

in

[VR6Mann]

All nice cars, don't expect anything less for this one. Watching this .

[VR6 NRG]

some updated photo's from this weekend's progress


engine was sold within 12 hours via a craigslist post


passenger frame rail smooth and mount removed

and how it sat late Sunday just about everything removed and some smoothing began.

[Aloha-boy]

some updated photo's from this weekend's progress

passenger frame rail smooth and mount removed

and how it sat late Sunday just about everything removed and some smoothing began.

Are you removing the EVAP completely? If so, can you elaborate more on what needs to be removed, plugged, etc.?

[mk2driver]

i also just found a local brand new top in the box, grey cloth for super cheap. gonna pick it up soon.

One thing I will say to this effect is that. We installed one of these MK3.5 tops that VW Clearance'd off, if it is the same top (Window stitched into top) you will need to buy the 3.5 hinges and bolts from the dealer or source from a local scrap yard as they are different then the hinges from the MKIII top.

Also install the top on a very hot day outside as we were almost unable to get the top latched down to the car (They almost appear as if the top isn't "quite" big/long enough) The top really needs to be stretched out, not sure if you will have the same issue. I would be curious to see if you do!

Good luck!

[VR6 NRG]

I have already sourced the rear window "struts" from our parts department and when it comes for the top install, probably a month+ away, i will pay to have it done because i know how much a PITA it can be hearing from others.
Thanks for the heads up man.
as far as the evap canister, it will be reloacted along with the fuel lines, battery, and some other stuff.
again, i'm not doing a full shaved bay, but something much cleaner than it started.

[..Derek..]

One thing I will say to this effect is that. We installed one of these MK3.5 tops that VW Clearance'd off, if it is the same top (Window stitched into top) you will need to buy the 3.5 hinges and bolts from the dealer or source from a local scrap yard as they are different then the hinges from the MKIII top.

We've already done 3 of the VW blowout top retrofits so I let Brian know as soon as he said he scooped one that he'd need the hinges.

[EasyTarget]

Hood is done, come and get it!

[VR6 NRG]

SWEET.
Thanks Darren i will see you on Friday to pick it up.
smoothed Jetta hood FTW.

[VR6 NRG]

just some more pictures from the engine removal and the GTI interior disassembly. I know none of this is ground breaking, but again i am doing this thread more as a blog for myself than anything.
these were taken with my GoPro 960


that's me in the corner, thats me in the spot... light loosing my new enginnnee (REM ref.)

one of the two brains behind the work "Like" Parts Score on Facebook for more photos of the process

and the other brain


and the GTI starts its tear down.




I pulled the door panels, center console, and glove box that will all be used on the Cabrio. the dash will get removed when the engine comes out. I hope to reuse the carpet from the GTI but it is COVERED in long white dog hair which i don't think would ever come fully clean.

[Aloha-boy]

I pulled the door panels, center console, and glove box that will all be used on the Cabrio. the dash will get removed when the engine comes out. I hope to reuse the carpet from the GTI but it is COVERED in long white dog hair which i don't think would ever come fully clean.

Sweet pics! If you're not going to use the carpet, I'll put it to use! Let me know!

[mk2driver]

Vacuum, rubber gloves (attracts/works up the hair), and duct tape you can get it clean!

[VR6 NRG]

Vacuum, rubber gloves (attracts/works up the hair), and duct tape you can get it clean!

thanks. that will be helpful

[VR6 NRG]

another minor update

got my JOM 2-bar badgeless grill and BFI .5 motor mount kit all from BFI