8v to vr6 conversion

[Tuccy]

im really sorry if its been asked before.

basicially im about to start this conversion for my g/f and her mk3 gti 8v

awaiting arrival of the main donor parts, we`ve ordered

mk3 vr6 engine and box (complete engine with started alt etc)
exaust manifolds, and front pipe
ecu, harness, clocks,
gear linkage, transponder from orig key,
transponder reciever, relay box

think thats it, is his a straight forward enough transplant or are there any common probs i should be aware of, im a mechanis and ive good auto electrical knowledge, just tryin to be fore warned of any probs i might encounter on my way
and who better to ask than the pro`s

brakes are not an issue as thankfully they were uprated a while back for larger discs etc

Many thanks in advance 
Thomas

[shepgti]

think i read somewhere about the factory vr's having uprated wishbones/suspension components. may be wrong though

[Wayne]

Your going to need pedal box etc as the VR6 is hydraulic and your 8v is cable, radiator and driveshafts are also different.

My 2pence worth, it is a lot of work when VR6's are so cheap at the moment plus I would check your insurance as a converted car will be a lot more than a factory.

Good luck if you go ahead with it.

[boneybradley]

think i read somewhere about the factory vr's having uprated wishbones/suspension components. may be wrong though

nope only the front springs are different (although the brakes changed on the vr6 from 280mm in early 94 (rather than late 95 like the gti) to 288mm)

[Tuccy]

think i read somewhere about the factory vr's having uprated wishbones/suspension components. may be wrong though

nope only the front springs are different (although the brakes changed on the vr6 from 280mm in early 94 (rather than late 95 like the gti) to 288mm)

Phew lol thanks for that,
still a little worried about the vr6 gearbox possibly being hydraulic

[Wayne]

think i read somewhere about the factory vr's having uprated wishbones/suspension components. may be wrong though

nope only the front springs are different (although the brakes changed on the vr6 from 280mm in early 94 (rather than late 95 like the gti) to 288mm)

Phew lol thanks for that,
still a little worried about the vr6 gearbox possibly being hydraulic

It is 100% hydraulic all VR6’s and 16V’s were.

[Rmachines]

Its easy enough to change to a hydraluic clutch,   You dont actually need the whole peddle box, just the peddle, spring and the master cylinder,  its simple enough to change.

Same with the gear linkage, simple.. bit fiddly sometimes.

[Tuccy]

ok thanks for the responces..

now a vr6 pedal box and piping added to the order...
thankfully the supplier had not dispatched the order yet so i managed to have the bits added to the pallet...

anything else i should know before i start, common headaches, troubles etc...

im looking forward to doing the conversion (have booked a week of work too )
i believe its harder than dropping a vr6 into a 16v.

i questioned my supplier regarding the drive shafts and he said they are the same, am i mis informed? will i need vr6 driveshafts too?

i will take progress pics of the conversion and post em on here after for anyone who might care to see em..

thanks for the help and guidance
Thomas

[Wayne]

ok thanks for the responces..

now a vr6 pedal box and piping added to the order...
thankfully the supplier had not dispatched the order yet so i managed to have the bits added to the pallet...

anything else i should know before i start, common headaches, troubles etc...

im looking forward to doing the conversion (have booked a week of work too )
i believe its harder than dropping a vr6 into a 16v.

i questioned my supplier regarding the drive shafts and he said they are the same, am i mis informed? will i need vr6 driveshafts too?

i will take progress pics of the conversion and post em on here after for anyone who might care to see em..

thanks for the help and guidance
Thomas

Not sure what gave you the idea it is harder to fit it to a 16v as that shares a lot more with a Vr6 than an 8v.

Could I ask why your doing it, seems a lot of work / trouble when Vr6 prices are on the floor at the moment.

[Mikester]

also the 8v exhaust is smaller than the VR6. So you need the full exhaust all the way out, otherwise it may overheat.

Also unless u change the ignition to the VR's the key wont start the VR6 ecu, so you need to get the ecu de-imobolised, or change the ignition to the Vr one from the exact ECU.

And wayne, im doing this conversion, as i cant find a nice 3 door VR6. But i can make a nice 3 door 8v, and sawp it over. Plus i already have the 288mm brakes, so its just a bolt in and out job.

Plus i have too much time on my hands. And like the fun of building it. Wont drive it! Heck, that would cost to much to fill up.

But the sound makes me wet myself...... ROOOOAR!