2.9 VR6 in MK2 Advice

[Godzilla]

In need of some advice here.

A guy down the road from me is selling his 5 door 1.8 GTI 1989 Golf in the new year. Thing is he has had a 2.9 Corrado VR6 engine stuck in it.

What are these 2.9's like, anything to watch/look for?  I bet the MPG is horrific. Just getting a feeler for it at the mo' as may buy it next year. Only thing that puts me off is he is a young lad who thrashes it everywhere, i know he needed a head gasket a few months ago and that was after the engine was re-built 20 odd k ago 

[Organisys]

take a look over here mate www.mk2vr6.com

 

[dabill]

as with all these kind of things, the bigger the engine, the more it costs to get it fixed...

ask to see as many reciepts as he has, have a real good poke around the engine bay, check everything that you can when its cold, then fire her up and watch it right until its fully warmed up... check for any knocking, rattles, andthing sus basically, leaks or signs of leaks, ask as many quetions as you can about everything.

then take it for a spin, go steady in it and see how it pulls off, torque steer or fooked running gear? any knocking again might be signs of poor maintenence...

once you come back, pop the bonnet and again check for any leaks (he may well have given the engine a wipe before you turn up) and check the gaskets...

after that give all the tyres a good kicking and if it doesnt explode, buy it.

[Godzilla]

Thanks so far for the advice guys!

Hmmmm, the bigger the engine the more it costs to get fixed......a 2.9 V6 will cost £ amounts if it goes wrong!

[dabill]

you got that spot on!

tbh, if i were you, id hunt around for a 2ltr b/e for ur 16v and get some cams and polished head for it, will be faster than a 2.9 vr standard, weigh less and handle better. plus if it goes bang, not gonna cost the earth to fit as parts are cheaper than foreign prozzies.

[Godzilla]

parts are cheaper than foreign prozzies.

I love that phrase mate 

My fav' is   ' As much good as mudflaps on a tortoise! '

Hmmm, so a 2.0 16v with cams would be a better choice? 

[Jay]

Whats the difference between a MK 3 VR6 and a Corrado VR6?
Because let me tell thee...!!!! 

My friends MK3 VR6 limited edition is FKING ACE! The torque on it is lovely jubbly and the noise... oh the noise of the engine!!! OMFG! I want a MK2 VR6 (from a MK3) with Turbo + Supercharger 

Think my devil machine would drop those VauxBoys? 

[jammac]

parts are cheaper than foreign prozzies.

I love that phrase mate 

My fav' is   ' As much good as mudflaps on a tortoise! '

Hmmm, so a 2.0 16v with cams would be a better choice? 

i have two pet tortoises.... just for information they are pretty fast once they get going! faster than my 8v GTi anyway! 

[Godzilla]

Whats the difference between a MK 3 VR6 and a Corrado VR6?

The MK3 Golf is a 2.8 V6 churning out 174bhp. The Corrado is a 2.9 V6 churning out 190bhp.

[Leon R]

Yep, check for rattles from the head, the vr6 engines suffer around 100k if theyve had a hard life, and they  require extensive work. I'd find out where the corrado engine came out of, how many miles it did and why did it need a rebuild? You may be lucky and all the hard work has been done for you, or it may continue over to you.

Head gasket meant over heating at some point so its most likely an acillary bit failed like a coolant component, however find out if the head got skimmed, who did it, and what failed.

I'd also want to see the reciept of the engine conversion bill and who did it. Then check out if theyve ever been heard of! If you get the feeling the seller doesn't know his car or whats been done to it then walk away. A conversion like this should be done very well by a pro for safety and mechanical reasons, not cackhanded by his mate with his shoehorn and ky jelly trying to get the engine in.

MPG, yeah its bad! My friends standard VR tho wasn't that bad, 300miles to a tank if that means anything! But, the noise. As Jayton correctly pointed out, its the best! You will forget everything once you hear it!