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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: francescop1 on 06 December 2010, 19:56

Title: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: francescop1 on 06 December 2010, 19:56
So like many before me, my first car was an mk2 gti, but not just any mk2 gti – a (formely) mint, one-owner 50k mile, completely unmolested 91’ valver in alpine white.

Note: I cannot provide any pictures right now as I am in a different country to the car.

So that was about five years ago. Now the car has about 90k and is tucked away in a garage after being neglected for the last couple of years while im trying to get the funds together for a complete restoration. I am aiming for something around the 3-3.5k mark for the total cost and I want the car to remain as original as possible. The project will probably commence during next summer when I have more free time on my hands. I wanted to use this thread as an opportunity to bank on the know how of more experienced people in these forums. I have done some preliminary research and I am posting my findings for to get some feedback along with getting some specific questions I want to have answered.
-the car will not be doing any track work.
Engine:
I am aiming to do a complete DIY rebuilt of the engine to save money and get myself better acquainted with my pride and joy.
Most of the information I have on this comes from the Haynes mk2 manual and this excellent channel on youtube that details a rebuilt in 54 parts that I have put into a playlist.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=C39A55371D924CB8

The video is pretty comprehensive but I would like to do a more thorough job with the cylinder head and block.
These are a couple of resources I have found for this.

Block:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PDFs/Engine%20Block%20prep%20by%20Standard%20Abrasives.pdf

head:

http://65corvette.nonethewiser.net/technical/diyport.pdf
http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/p/362936/2467156.aspx
http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38090
http://www.eastcoastdubs.co.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=22&p=40997
http://portandpolish.blogspot.com/

Equipment:

http://www.frost.co.uk/

My question on this is, these guides detail how to give the head a smooth finish everywhere, but I have read elsewhere that in certain parts it is best to give it a rough finish which aids fuel mixing. Is this accurate? Can anyone provide any instructions for this?

During the rebuilt I will be using OEM parts apart from the parts listed below. Please let me know if you think some of these parts will not be a worthwhile upgrade or if there are other parts that I should aim to upgrade from OEM.

Engine & Transmission:

ecotec valve
ecotec valve filter
pipecross induction kit
k & N filter
neuspeed sport camshaft  (this is for the inlet cam. Description says neuspeed recommend only changing the inlet cam.)
vibratechnics front engine mount
vibratechnics rear engine mount
vibratechnics gearbox  mount
jetex resonated exhaust
Neuspeed Shift Repair Kit Golf 2
Neuspeed Short Shift Kit Golf 2
Neuspeed Solid Shifter Golf 2
ecu superchip
tsr buffled sump and windage tray
Tsr 4 layer steel Head Gasket
kent cams competition cambelt
ecs magnetic drain plug
arp resusasble bolts

Brakes:

goodridge hose kit (I haven’t quite grasped how many hoses I would need for my car with a standard brake setup)
Brake discs front g60 280mm (is this worthwhile or should I stick with OEM or aftermarket 256mm?)
pagid fast road pads front
pagid fast road pads back
calipers for 280mm conversion (G60 OEM?)

From what I have gathered, I would only need G60 calipers and discs to go 280mm at the front. Is this corrent?

Suspension:

powerflex bushes (Im aiming to upgrade with everything they offer
Bilstein Streetline Kit Mk2 Golf (can you recommend anything else at this price point? Would it be better to go for a similarly priced coilover kit?)
front upper strut brace
front lower strut brace
rear strut brace (are the front lower and rear strut brace worthwhile?)



Below are parts that I am aiming to replace but with new OEM parts. Please let me know if you think this is worthwhile or if should just refurbish them. I have looked at uprated aftermarket versions of these parts (pistons, conrods, rings etc) but they are prohibitively expensive on my budget. If anyone can direct me to some middle ground solution on any of the parts below that would be ideal.
Engine & transmission:

cylinder block:

main bearings
crank
crank bolts
pistons
piston rings
conrods
conrod bolts
intermidiate shaft
oil pump
engine sump

cylinder head:

valves
valve springs
hydraulic tappets
exhaust camshaft
spark plugs

Suspension:

cv joint kit
cv joint liner
Bearings

Wheels & Tyres

michelin pilot exalto 195/50 R15 (Anyone have any experience with these? Any alternatives? Is this the correct size for OEM BBS RZ?

And finally I am after a set of BBS center caps http://www.justmatz.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=OriginalBBSRS
These are the only ones I found, but they are a bit steep at 200 quid.


- Edit as im quite tall, 6'5" I would like to sit as low as possible. I have the standard height adjustable driver's seat that is not low enough and I know that the lowest you can go is by fitting corrado front seats that go right in. I havent been able to find any information on whether there are different versions of these (apart from the trim). Are they all recaros?
 
Will these mounts make them lower? 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HC-738-OMP-SEAT-MOUNT-BRACKETS-VW-GOLF-MK2-GTi-16V-G60-/350346452893?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5192469f9d#ht_7482wt_1141


Thank you for your time,

Michael.






Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Wayne on 06 December 2010, 21:14
A few small points these 2 items are a complete waste of money ecotec valve & ecotec valve filter.

Superchip I would go for a remap when it is all in and sorted.

I see no point in changing the crank, pistons, conrods, intermidiate shaft or valves unless you have bore wear in which case go for a slight overbore with new pistons.
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: rich1977 on 06 December 2010, 22:48
Didn't think the k jet valver could be mapped
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Wayne on 06 December 2010, 23:37
Didn't think the k jet valver could be mapped

Good point, I think your right.
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: francescop1 on 07 December 2010, 00:18
http://superchips.co.uk/search?make=38&fueltype=1&model=239&variant=1541

This is what led me to believe that it can be done. Are all 16v mk2s kjet? It does look kind of suspicious as from what i know only the fuel mixture settings can be modified on a kjet...
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: rubjonny on 07 December 2010, 09:15
depends what the superchip they are offering does, 16v only got electronic ignition so thats the only bit that can be 'chipped'.
You could get a k-star+fuel kit back in the day which allow you to change the ignition and fuelling. As well as a box to play with ignition it also had a fuel injector type thing inline with the wur to allow you to tweak the fueling, i wasnt aware of any other tuning kit that does the same thing though? 
maybe the superchip package is a tweak of ignition map plus then wur mod to increase the fuelling a little?

with the seats you either fit scirocco or corrado fronts to make em sit lower, or go aftermarket. those omp mounts wont do anything to the standard seats they're for aftermarket buckets.  if you swap your front seats for pre-90 mk2 ones, you can change the driver side metal base frame for a MK3 Polo GT/G40 one which will make it sit lower but keep oem seats. Has to be a height adjust base the fixed ones have the legs at the wrong angle, can bend but bit of a bodge.  You can get scirocco seats in mk2 patterns as well but quite hard to find.  all depends on if you want to keep it looking original!
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Wayne on 07 December 2010, 09:42
http://superchips.co.uk/search?make=38&fueltype=1&model=239&variant=1541

This is what led me to believe that it can be done. Are all 16v mk2s kjet? It does look kind of suspicious as from what i know only the fuel mixture settings can be modified on a kjet...

Lol at the 8bhp extra claimed  :smiley:
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Sam on 07 December 2010, 12:46
Good luck in finding a K-Star unit, nevermind somone who can actually plug the damn thing in and map it. Right pain in the arse for me
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: francescop1 on 07 December 2010, 14:01
so how come the 16v uses kjet when the more "advanced" digifant injection was used on the 8v?

-the ideal thing for me would be to fit a megasquirt and work on it as part of my final year project in school, but im not sure if thats gonna fly with my school :/
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Neo Badness on 07 December 2010, 14:28
so how come the 16v uses kjet when the more "advanced" digifant injection was used on the 8v?

-the ideal thing for me would be to fit a megasquirt and work on it as part of my final year project in school, but im not sure if thats gonna fly with my school :/

K-jet is rubbish imo, as has been outlined in previous threads. Megasquirt isn't exactly OEM though is it? In which case you could always put ITBs on there or swap for an ABF or something. Depends how much of a slave you are to the OEM?
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: francescop1 on 07 December 2010, 14:45
Quote
Depends how much of a slave you are to the OEM?
I couldnt justify putting an ABF (in my head:/), but a small chip that allows me to run around with a laptop in my car on school time - yes please. :/
Quote
You can get scirocco seats in mk2 patterns as well but quite hard to find.  all depends on if you want to keep it looking original!
- i wouldnt mind the corrado seats. i dont think they would look out of place in an mk2. i wouldnt put race buckets though.
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Neo Badness on 07 December 2010, 14:54
You cannot "chip", K-jet. You can do a WUR (warm up regulator) mod but the shortcomings of Kjet are well documented. I have a Kjet 16v and can count on my hands the number of times it's been running absolutely spot on. When it is, it's great, but it needs constant tweeking to optimise.

You can find more info here on WUR mod, will give better top end.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=31611.0
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: clipperjay on 07 December 2010, 15:35
so how come the 16v uses kjet when the more "advanced" digifant injection was used on the 8v?

-the ideal thing for me would be to fit a megasquirt and work on it as part of my final year project in school, but im not sure if thats gonna fly with my school :/

A well tuned K jet with the right fueling and head work will kill most things out there!
Think about what a metering head does it supplies a lot of fuel at speed instead of a computer telling what its going to do before it knows what its going to do next! Which is why most 16vers like carbs as it helps with fuel to air ratios! But a highly tuned engine will require constant tweeking and maintence esp in differing ambient climates.
Digipants came in to fix the euro emssions and to a certain extent helps with over fueling cars at idle and traffic.
With the K jet if properly set up is like fuel and air on tap as much as it wants or the Head can take so to speak.
IMO the best options would be a ported head lower compression with bigger pistons crowns combined with a super charger it will kill most things on the road if you have a decent road mapp i.e Megasquirt! My own ideas is purely based upon 16V limited kind of power which is still OEM  :smiley:
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: tech1889 on 07 December 2010, 15:42
the above sounds like fun  :cool:
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: clipperjay on 07 December 2010, 15:48
the above sounds like fun  :cool:

Best thing is no all wheel drive drain to slow things up pure BHP to the front wheels  :drool:
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Neo Badness on 07 December 2010, 16:33
so how come the 16v uses kjet when the more "advanced" digifant injection was used on the 8v?

-the ideal thing for me would be to fit a megasquirt and work on it as part of my final year project in school, but im not sure if thats gonna fly with my school :/

A well tuned K jet with the right fueling and head work will kill most things out there!
Think about what a metering head does it supplies a lot of fuel at speed instead of a computer telling what its going to do before it knows what its going to do next! Which is why most 16vers like carbs as it helps with fuel to air ratios! But a highly tuned engine will require constant tweeking and maintence esp in differing ambient climates.
Digipants came in to fix the euro emssions and to a certain extent helps with over fueling cars at idle and traffic.
With the K jet if properly set up is like fuel and air on tap as much as it wants or the Head can take so to speak.
IMO the best options would be a ported head lower compression with bigger pistons crowns combined with a super charger it will kill most things on the road if you have a decent road mapp i.e Megasquirt! My own ideas is purely based upon 16V limited kind of power which is still OEM  :smiley:

That's the critical bit, but finding someone who know's what they are doing with KJet to get it setup right in the first place. My experience with Kjet hasn't been a happy one so that is influencing my opinion. Kjet is a mechanical system subject to wear and tear and in optimum condition is fine but they are all getting on for 20yrs old. There is a better solution to the fueling than Kjet. Again, just in my opinion.
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: clipperjay on 07 December 2010, 17:06
I don't think its a bad thing to have differing views its just down to what you have tried and experienced!
Yes I find tuning a K jet real pain, but once you get there its like you have seen the light  :grin:
Its so easy to just say well 20V T would be easiy and cheap, which is why I'm pro K jet, plus it really depends what you want out of it Top end a KR 2.0 would be awsome, but hey petrol is not cheap and can't see many people wanting an undrivable car stuck in traffic for that matter? I prefer super charged cars they much more pedictable in power and more managable to live with.
20year old cars it makes you think what criteria was in order of importance without the restraints of todays criteria's?  :wink:   
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Neo Badness on 07 December 2010, 19:44
Supercharged ABF = win :grin:
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: francescop1 on 08 December 2010, 10:22
...i dropped a line to superchips the other day

Dear Michael,
 
Thank you for your enquiry.
 
We actually no longer offer a modification for this model because the product we used is no longer available. I have asked for the listing to be removed from our website. Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience.
 
Kind regards,
 
Dominic
 
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Sam on 08 December 2010, 10:30
They no longer offer it because it never existed  :grin:
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: lemski on 08 December 2010, 21:45
Chips for a valver mk2. Damn I need one of those. O wait its called turn the fuel up and spend a day tweaking the k-jet.
There is a relay to reaise the limitet to 7500rpm or 8000rpm.
Oem is stock, you seem to be swaying to oem+ (I think that's what I mean any way)
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: francescop1 on 09 December 2010, 15:40
thanks to everyone for their replies. I think i will be sticking with kjet for the moment with my mind on upgrading to megasquirt in the future.

I have done some more research into suspension upgrades and it seems that reviews for kits on the mk2 are few..
I have found some combos that might interest me and i was wondering if anyone can testify to their experience with these. I will be diying these so im giving some rough pricing on each. I wouldnt want to mix and match dampers and springs as im of the opinion that kits by the same manufacturer work better with each other. As i will not be using the car on track i want something that driveable every day and not too harsh but an upgrade on OEM.

eibach pro kit (dampers/springs) eibach antirolls - around 750
koni spr.t  kit (dampers/springs) eibach antirolls - around 500 (if im not mistaken this is a new entry level kit)
http://www.vwspeed.co.uk/volkswagen/vw-parts/Golf_2_STR_T_Kit-3024-477.html
kw sports  kit (dampers/springs) KW antirolls     - around 630





Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: lemski on 09 December 2010, 18:15
It depends what what sort of drop you want? Upto 60 spring and dampers. Koni is a good choice for that. Ot coiloverd for an all round setup. I prefer coilovers
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Neo Badness on 09 December 2010, 18:26
Depends how often you want to change the ride height of your car? This issue has been covered to death in other parts of the forum.

IMO I reckon a set of fixed rate suspension(springs/dampers) -40mm would be your best bet for not overdoing the lowering and keeping it almost OEM. Getting the benifit of lowering the car but not dropping it on it's hoop.
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: francescop1 on 09 December 2010, 19:39
do you think the eibach kit is worth the extra 50% over the konis? - or should i spend the extra 200 odd quid on booze and women?
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: lemski on 09 December 2010, 19:41
I would go koni. And other 200 on some goodies for in the bay. Maybe some uprated brakes and pads too get it to stop better
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Wayne on 10 December 2010, 00:01
do you think the eibach kit is worth the extra 50% over the konis? - or should i spend the extra 200 odd quid on booze and women?

Koni kit will be fine.  :smiley:
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: Sam on 10 December 2010, 01:28
This thread is going in the right direction but also missing the point. The op stated that they wanted to stick as original as possible and in true gtiforum style, we have pushed them in the complete opposite direction. Just wanted to make sure that the OP was aware that this had happened.  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: lemski on 10 December 2010, 07:10
It'll still look standard. Just say his suspension has sagged cos its old, :/
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: francescop1 on 15 December 2010, 00:40
looks like i ll be going with koni kit then...

- question: i want to put powerflex/superpro bushes everywhere, is that going to be doable if im doing it myself?
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: X4MGS on 15 December 2010, 01:03
This thread is going in the right direction but also missing the point. The op stated that they wanted to stick as original as possible and in true gtiforum style, we have pushed them in the complete opposite direction. Just wanted to make sure that the OP was aware that this had happened.  :lipsrsealed:

I read this too - and then also read what else was said - Got bored and moved on by!!   :rolleyes: :wink:
Title: Re: 91' Mk2 GTi 16v Restoration project by newbie – help request
Post by: lemski on 15 December 2010, 07:41
Some bushes may have to be burnt off. Use the search function mate