Differences between pre 89 cars and 90 spec cars.

[acox99]

I did search, but couldnt find anything, what differences are there between years on 8vs, apart from bumpers, header tanks, and hazzard switch location

[Diamond Hell]

The key one is the electrics.  90-spec cars have the same design fuse and relay board as Golf3s - means stuff like an ABF (2.0 16V) loom from a Golf3 plugs straight in.

That's the biggie, really.

[rubjonny]

yeah thats pretty much it, theres loads of minor differences but the main ones are what you and diamond have listed. at the risk of the trainspotter pic coming out again, heres a list I put together whilst 90specing my mates 88 GTI

89-90 changes (90 spec):
almost all car loom changed
engine management loom hole on rain tray moved
front wings all have 2 holes for big bumper brackets
hazard switch moved to top of steering column
dash clocks now have 1 plug instead of 2
fusebox
coolant level sensor control relay removed, now internal to clocks (except with digifiz dash, relay is retained but different slot)
16vs got plain rubber injector lines instead of braided
thin rubbing strips, sill trims & front fogs on GTIs
big bumpers on GTIs & GLs
outer column housing
ignition lock housing
ignition switch
stalks
fusebox holder brackets
driver side dash under tray
fusebox cover
boot carpet made of foam instead of carpet
colour coded boot plinth on GTI
wiper spindles are thicker
header tank, lower hose, cap, level sender, level sender plug & mounting bracket
longer gearbox earth to a stud on engine->gearbox mounting bolt introduced
lower engine bay heat shield on 8v GTI models
sidelight holders have different plug
front indicators have different plug
horn loom has different plug

later 90 model improvements:
key in ign live for stereo
chunky plastic scuttle & ecu covers
side impact bars in doors
loom tape instead of thick plastic sheathing stuff
stainless sunroof deflector arms(?)

[Diamond Hell]

fascinating.... do tell us more:

[jamie_pyrite]

 



Great job Jonny, this should be moved to the Maintenance section.

[rubjonny]

fascinating.... do tell us more:

since you asked, here are the changes on the earlier models 

86-87 changes:
5 slat grill replaces old 7 slat grill
front 'GTI' & 'GTI 16v' grill badge font & clip design changed
left side rear 'VW' roundal & 'Volkswagen' badges removed, larger central 'VW' roundal with indent in panel introduced, right side 'Golf' badge font changed
single piece glass front doors replace 2 piece MK1 style doors, mirror moved to front of door
digifant injection replaces k-jet on 8v models
chunkier stalks introduced(?)
wiper arms swapped to the other side on RHD models(?)
chunky rubbing strips(?)
washer jets changed
dual tip exhausts on GTI models
dual exhaust cutout on rear lower valance introduced

[Diamond Hell]

Shockingly OFF TOPIC!

Wants condensing into a single post and placing in the anoraks maintenance + info section.