Anyone else read PVW this month...

[th3_f15t]

...and get to page 61 (the article on the first modified Mk7 Golf) and read this line;

"Witness the various interpretations of Mk6 conversions on Mk5s, ranging from 'simple' front end swaps to full body face-lifts..."

Now either I'm totally reading that wrong, or are they implying that it's possible (with, I assume, some tweaking of bodywork) that the Mk6 GTI front end could be fitted to the Mk5 platform? Has this even been attempted/done in the UK?

Having a search around Google, with various phrasing of "Mk6 GTI front on Mk5" I've come across nothing. I'm taking a guess at if it is possible, it would be front wings, bonnet, bumper, grills and trim that would need to be bolted/welded on? But is it theoretically possible...

If the answer is yes... My mind is already scheming...

[Beddie]

Given the right amount of parts and time/money it's entirely possible as the mk6 shares the chassis and running gear with the mk5 and is identical underneath the body panels...

VW themselves did a front end facelift by putting the mk6 front end on the mk5 Jetta sportwagen in the states 

[th3_f15t]

Seeing as you're the first reply, you've now taken responsibility for me spending far too much cash on my GTI.

So effectively, find the list of what needs swapping over, and do so? I assumed there would have to be some modifications to air intake and stuff, as though some engine parts bolt onto the bumpers?

I shall Google more to find this article...

[Ess_Three]

I assumed there would have to be some modifications to air intake and stuff, as though some engine parts bolt onto the bumpers?

I would doubt that.

When I removed the airbox/inlet ducting from my Mk6 GTI to fit a carbon airbox, I left it sat in the garage.
Fast forward a few months and a quick look at my Mk5 GT TDI showed the airboxes looked similar but the feed pipework from the grille was smaller on the Mk5 TDI, so the Mk5 TDI now sports a hybrid Mk5 TDI/Mk6 GTI inlet set up using the Mk6 GTI duct, pipework and lower airbox. The Mk6 GTI and Mk5 TDI share the same air filter anyway.

I know the Mk5 GTI is a different design, but this proves that the pick up points behind the grille are in the same place, and interchangable...so what you have now should fit a Mk6 front end.

[th3_f15t]

That's cool, but to totally avoid that, use an open cone filter induction kit with the heat shield, and just have no air feed directly bolted to the front. However, you're advice is much appreciated.

What about the radiator and inter cooler? Do these have any fixings that attach to the bumpers?

[dTEA]

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=34622.0
this thread with this pic


But also the point that the swage lines dont match up.

[Wayne]

I would think the biggest issue is finding parts plus the price of them.

[dTEA]

£4000 plus was mentioned in the link.

[th3_f15t]

Yeah, I have read that topic, as I'm also on that forum. The price is pretty steep, but I'm not planning to do this straight away, and there's a VW scrap dealer around my neck of the woods so may investigate with them.

[Wayne]

Yeah, I have read that topic, as I'm also on that forum. The price is pretty steep, but I'm not planning to do this straight away, and there's a VW scrap dealer around my neck of the woods so may investigate with them.

You will need to be very lucky s/h as most cars are front end damage.