1K OEM+ Build Thread

[MarkedIVGTI]

Well, I wanted a build thread for a while, but I needed two things.
1. Some decent progress, with more progress on the way.
2. Not to make one that will get drowned out in all the "I just bought a golf, check out my kamei grill" threads.
It should be a requirement to get 1000 posts make build thread, so that way you understand that those little blue threads that never need to be bumped have something important in them.

Anyway, my friends have been into Volkswagens for a while, and I got into them when I was fifteen. I lurked on the Vortex on a screen name before this, not really posting just checking out pictures, seeing what was coming and going.

I started saving for a VR, and I knew I wanted a MKIV (which back in '05 wasn't really that old of a car--though now they're dirt cheap). After four years of saving, I picked up my car (below) at an Audi stealership (they wanted 8,500) and paid 5900. Looked to be pretty clean.



I picked up an exhaust as soon as I could afford it. I didn't buy a VR because it was super fast (immediate/easy tuning is far surpassed by a 1.8T)-I bought it for the exhaust note. Not that you can tell, but its on here.
-First mistake, not lower it first, we all learn-



Next I picked up some interior bits (as they went on sale) .:R Pedals, 5 Speed .:R Line knob. Did a rear wiper delete in there somewhere, trying to go for an OEM+ sort of them.

Finally I picked up some coils and threw them in. (By the dumpsters, where it belonged with that wheel fitment/coilover setting).



My build has been going kind of slow, but I seriously put maitenance first (some quote belongs here, can't think of it... ) Did a pre cat o2 sensor, plugs, wires, coolant temp sensor, tensioner and serp belt, etc. (I can't stand CEL's).

Then I lowered it a smidge and it snowed a lot, and ended up ruining that new serp belt/tensioner on a splash guard that came loose.



Finally, when spring came, I had set some money aside for wheels and a skid plate (haters gonna hate). Was pretty excited when I threw them all on and lowered it some more. They're nothing fancy, but they fit that OEM+ theme.



Did some exterior bits, Hella euro tails, 20th heads, a euro siwtch and smoked signals, etc (not a fan of smoked anything anymore) and start looking around for spacers.

10's in the back that I got of Dicky Steves for cheap (Holy Wheelgap Batman):


On the way to NE Dustoff this year after I lowered it a bit more on those spacers.




Then found some 25mm spacers, threw the tens up front, took out the rear and lowered it onto my sway bar. Bought some 205/40/17's. These things are ****ing hard to tuck, but I did manage later on (see farther below).


Ran it like this for most of the summer, here I am with Matt P.



Cut out the sway and frame notched it (Shout out to Pete and Nick at Ampet Auto in Portsmouth NH.) This is how it sits now. Did an intake, short shifter, and a few other things along the way.





Now, driving a VR with 130k is making me nervous, and Maintenance is Paramount (I remembered) so the upcoming plans.

In the mail next week.


And while its apart...



With a Garret tune. Also have golf tails and amber signals/fender markers I need to put on. These are the immediate plans, as well as motor mount spacers and extended control arms (I bind like a bitch in right turns), Euro Bumpers the whole way around, and a real set of wheels.


This car has been built as I can afford to, no one helps (or helped) me out with paying for anything. My goal has been to build a car that somebody who didn't know anything about VW's wouldn't know much of a difference.

Thanks for your time.

Check back for the cam and chain updates.

[Chauncey Wellington III]

Looking good. Keep it moving

[Miller7204]

Great job Keep it up!

[MarkedIVGTI]

Looking good. Keep it moving

Thank you, I'll try to keep it quick enough to matter

Great job Keep it up!

Thanks!

[Chauncey Wellington III]

Thank you, I'll try to keep it quick enough to matter
!

I probably won't bump mine up for another few months

[MarkedIVGTI]

I probably won't bump mine up for another few months

Hahaha, believe me I know the feeling. Went to Cali for four months, my progress stopped dead (but my god you should see the air cooled stuff out there-MINT)

[mk4rida]

Just got my chains and clutch done. Feels soooo much better. (im at 167,500mi).

Jealous of your upcoming tune and cams

[zooyrk4]

good sihit

[.:507]

good progress

[TurboWolfVdub]

[MarkedIVGTI]

Just got my chains and clutch done. Feels soooo much better. (im at 167,500mi).

Jealous of your upcoming tune and cams

Thanks man. I can't wait, it'll be so nice not to worry, and I hate not being up to par on my maitenance. And I figured if I'm doing such a big job, I'll save up the extra ~$450 to do it all at once (I've always wanted cams--1.8Ts have it to easy )

good sihit

Thank you And I do love some Zoo York. Worked at Pac Sun for a while.

good progress

Thanks man. Hopefully enough coming to keep this thread alive.

I raise you

[cruizer34]

doin work

[ECS Tuning]

Thanks for the order!

[afd03]

Finally! Found an MKIV rolling with the seattle wheels. nice

[furr]

[boostingti4ever]

looks good so far

[Mk4WiLk01]

Looking good so far man, keep it up

[hurricanes9893]

Nice progress.

[Naters10]

looks good! coming along very nicely..

[MarkedIVGTI]

doin work

Thanks

Thanks for the order!

No problem You guys have the best selection of parts around, I always recommend you.

Finally! Found an MKIV rolling with the seattle wheels. nice

Thanks man. I don't see them that much, so its a fun wheel to run!

looks good so far

Looking good so far man, keep it up

Nice progress.

looks good! coming along very nicely..

Thanks guys! Appreciate it

[MarkedIVGTI]

Doin work. Ambers in:





Its dirty as hell. Had to run to the hospital (4 hours away!) my sister had a baby. Uncle for the first time

And order placed:



Dustoff is coming up quick! Need to keep it movin'!

[Zach!]

[MarkedIVGTI]

Thank man. BTW, I read your feature on .Ant, I didn't realize you did work for Hella. You, sir, are probably responsible for half of my backgrounds.

[.Ant]

Very nice man.

My goal has been to build a car that somebody who didn't know anything about VW's wouldn't know much of a difference.

Exactly.

[holladubin]

Nice !!

[Zach!]

Thank man. BTW, I read your feature on .Ant, I didn't realize you did work for Hella. You, sir, are probably responsible for half of my backgrounds.

[VR6Mann]

Nice build wider wheels with more strecth youd be sitting pretty.......

[MarkedIVGTI]

Exactly.

Thanks man. That was how I wanted to define my car. You car is a good blueprint for what I want mine to be

Nice !!

Thanks

Nice build wider wheels with more strecth youd be sitting pretty.......

Thats part of the plan We'll see what I can get my hands on for reasonable $$$....

[MarkedIVGTI]

Just a brief update. Dug this POS out of the foot of snow...



...and drove it home to do the brakes. New pads and rotors whole way around, along with new front tires. Maintenance is Paramount.

[MarkedIVGTI]

Up for some real progress.

Cams, HD Valve Sprints and Lifters (not pictured) came today. Psyched. One week and they'll be in with new chains



Pic of the car as it sits right now:

[xQuisite]

nice nice keep'em coming! btw i recognize the road... Route 155? always pass by there

[95jetta17]

looking good....reflex silver

[BDodsonVR6]

Really like the car. Keep up the good progress

[MarkedIVGTI]

Possibly the last update for this thread.

About 5 hours after posting last night, a guy traveling ~20mph over the speed limit, came hauling out of nowhere and nailed my car as I was turning into a friends driveway (legally my fault). My insurance company didn't have me correctly insured, so the money I had saved will probably be going towards paying for his car.

There won't be pictures of the damage, seeing something I worked so hard on for the past 6 years trashed is something I cant stand. Maybe over the next few years I'll be able to afford to have it sorted out. The rear quarter is completely pushed in, and the rear bumper and both tails are gone.

I guess we'll see. As of right now I'm ****ed, and I'll probably be off the Vortex until something positive comes along.

Until then, thanks for watching.

[Konkordmusk]

Possibly the last update for this thread.

About 5 hours after posting last night, a guy traveling ~20mph over the speed limit, came hauling out of nowhere and nailed my car as I was turning into a friends driveway (legally my fault). My insurance company didn't have me correctly insured, so the money I had saved will probably be going towards paying for his car.

There won't be pictures of the damage, seeing something I worked so hard on for the past 6 years trashed is something I cant stand. Maybe over the next few years I'll be able to afford to have it sorted out. The rear quarter is completely pushed in, and the rear bumper and both tails are gone.

I guess we'll see. As of right now I'm ****ed, and I'll probably be off the Vortex until something positive comes along.

Until then, thanks for watching.

Are you alright? That's all that matters. Cars can be replaced, you can't.
Part it out, earn some of that cash money back!