Hi all,
I've just bought myself a Mk2 16v GTi (1987) with the intention of turning it into a road and trackday car, and I have some questions for the experts. I'm intending to do the upgrades gradually as I improve on the track (and depending on how "into it" I get). I'm a complete novice in this area, and totally useless as a mechanic, besides which I don't have a garage or driveway to work on.
Before I get serious with modifying the car I need to sort out 3 faults:
- clutch is slipping badly. Would like to replace with a higher performance part, such as a Sachs sporting kit. Are these worthwhile?
- gear lever has lots of play, making finding the gears difficult, particularly 1st. I've heard this is fairly common... but whats the fix?
- key sometimes doesn't work, needs jiggling before it starts. Whole new set of locks?
- And the drivers seat is twisted, but that doesn't matter because I'll be replacing it with bucket seats, hopefully before the first track day. Come to think of it does that mean I need to get someone to make me custom runners/adaptors or do you buy kits for the golf, or do they come with the seat? (Told you I needed help
)
The jobs I think I need to do to get it ready for track driving are:
- upgrade the brakes all round. Would like grooved, drilled items as big as possible and upgraded brake lines (and fluid?)
- strip the interior, replacing both front seats with bucket seats and fitting harnesses
- replace the bottle-top (is that what you call them) alloys with lightweight alloys and sticky tyres
Later on I'd like to:
- sort the suspension
- fit performance hoses such as samcos
- fit performance exhaust and air filter
- other engine work (cams?)
So I guess what I'm after is advice. For each job I'd like to do it the right way rather than the cheapest way. I really am a complete amateur and would appreciate any advice on any of the jobs above.
Biggest question of all is getting a recommendation for a good mechanic who can do the work and not rip me off. I'm based in South East London, SE16, and would like to get cracking right away!
Many thanks,
Mark
