Converting 4 stud tdi to 5 stud

[BOILINGPOINT]

Hi folks.

Sold my valver a while back, just bought a tdi to use as a daily driver.
Anyway, I have a mk3 Gti 8valve complete car for donor parts. I want to convert the tdi to 5 stud so I can use the Gti wheels with brand new toyos and benefit from Gti brakes and suspension.

What parts do I need to strip off the Gti?
What are the issues I'm likely to come across?
Will I have to buy any additional parts?

Many thanks in advance BP

[Wayne]

You will / should not need any additional parts as you have a donor, you need to swap everything over really.

But why not buy a better set of wheels in 4 stud, yes the brakes are better on the GTI but the std susp is best binned anyway.

[BOILINGPOINT]

Ok.
Standard gti suspension is better than standard tdi though?

Thought I had read that the splines on the drive shafts were different?

Cheers BP

[Bellend]

Nah screw that Wayne, sorry.  

Get the GTi brakes on it.  

I don't want to stay 4 stud, dunno what the hype is about. All the 15" wheels and above that are decent and 5 stud.  

As Wayne said, you got a doner and also yeah forget the suspension, GTi is no different. Save up and get a lowering kit or break the car, sell the bits and get one. If lowering is not your thing, get a 30/40mm kit with better shocks and springs. Wayne says Boge ( is it Boge?) are good, look at them.  

[Bellend]

OH YEAH!

Splines are different IIRC, rubjohny is a ledgend when it comes to this stuff.

I THINK you need to swap the CV joints over and that's that. Think it's just the outers, although you may have to use the GTI shafts and the inner TDI CV's. Wait for John to confirm, not too much of a big deal tho.

Also, brake lines could well be different, again no big deal.

What size are your current brakes, the smaller 239mm ones or the 256 ones?

[Wayne]

Standard gti suspension is better than standard tdi though?

The issue is that TDI susp is heavier duty on the front to cope with engine weight, GTI springs / shocks will not be man enough for the job.

[BOILINGPOINT]

Good point re the heavy engine, had not thought about that.
Set of 30mm drop vr6 springs?

[Wayne]

Good point re the heavy engine, had not thought about that.
Set of 30mm drop vr6 springs?

Will be fine, fit with a set of good quality shocks (Boge).

[BOILINGPOINT]

Just been having gander on fleabay.
Two kits listed, 91>94 and 94>97.
Anyone what the difference is between the two kits?

Cheers BP

[thai-wronghorse]

Standard gti suspension is better than standard tdi though?

The issue is that TDI susp is heavier duty on the front to cope with engine weight, GTI springs / shocks will not be man enough for the job.

In reference to this mate, do you know what kind of difference there actually is in front end weight between the TDI and a 16v with air-con? I can't imagine it been that much tbh.