Mk2 GTI 16v Oak Green Project

Hi Guys

My friend Matt and I are nearing the end of our rebuild / restoration of a 1991 Mk2 16v 5 door in Oak Green.

I bought the car in November after seeing it advertised as a non- runner on Gumtree.

It was amazingly original, but had been sitting for about 18 months as the previous owner had problems with the immobiliser. It has an amazing history file, including the original bill of sale (15k in 1991).

So I bought it - in the dark, when it was raining and the guy didn't have the keys so I couldn't see the interior. But it's a gem

Boy, it was tough moving it as the brakes were seized on, but we managed it, and trailered it 80 miles from Carnoustie to Edinburgh.



The work then commenced - new calipers, discs, pads, brake pipes, shocks and a "new" period stereo. Oh, and replacing the single lights grille with a double headlight grille, and refurbing the BBS RAs and getting new Toyo tyres.

I also got the original supplying garage, Specialist Cars of Aberdeen, to make up a new set of number plates. It still sported the original dealer plates, but they were looking a bit worn. It involved a drive to Aberdeen, but it was worth it as a finishing touch. As was getting a Fischer cassette holder

It was an amazing experience firstly getting it started and then getting it MOTd. We eventually tracked it down to a blown Hall sensor.



The original intention was to return the car to completely original as new condition, but we got a bit carried away.

The first purchase was an Audi ACE engine. This was swiftly followed by purchasing ABF camshafts and a ported and polished KR head (from member Chris M). I also bought all new ancilliaries such as pumps, belts, gaskets, filters etc.

The engine was looking good, but we thought it would look even better if we repainted it in Hemi Orange.



The classifieds then threw a curve ball when I saw a Mk2 8v with a TSR Silverstone 2.1 unit fitted. That was some car.



I have now sold that car, but we have swapped over the Koni adjustable dampers and springs it came with, and will shortly swap across the Brembos it came with (and added some Mk 4 rear callipers it came with).

The Brembos threw up a problem in that the BBS RAs wouldn't fit over them, so I went on the hunt for some 16 inch wheels.

As luck would have it, member Jonk710 was selling his Borbet Bs which I bought. I just got them back from being refurbished by Coatech in Carnoustie and they look superb. I wholeheartedly recommend Coatech. I have used them in the past and they have always done a great job.

Before the refurb:



After:



So, we are getting there

All that needs to be done now is:

- get my flywheel lightened (from a spare 16v engine and gearbox I bought just in case);
- fit the engine (and maybe carbs), and the Magnex exhaust and manifold I got;
- sort out an LSD;
- get some G60 arches and roll the arches a bit;
- fit the Brembos and some spacers; and
- get the car resprayed in Oak Green to freshen it up.

I can't wait for it to be finished!

 

Looking good so far, loving the engine colour!
Also loving the Borbets
I'll be watching this build and looking forward to the finished product

 

looking good, best of luck with the rest of the work.

by the way is this the same car that was in VW Driver mag?

 

Good spot! It was in the GTI edition.

 

Those Borbets looks so good without the centres!
Cars looking nice!

 

Ahhhhhh - getting there.

Just about to put the Brembos and fabled Mk4 rear calipers on, and then we can install the engine - which is now balanced - and the flywheel has been lightened.

Then the car will be resprayed in Oak Green and I will fit new bumpers and new arches for that finishing touch.



It's been exhausting



We have also made good use of Matt's bead blaster.

Before:



After - retaining the Hemi Orange theme:



Oh, I came across this old Borbet advert in a 1990 car magazine last night. I'm King of the Catwalk with those wheels : )



You can see the contrast between the BBS RAs and the Borbet Bs in this shot. The car is on axle stands - that's not the suspension:





And I have obtained a suitably retro head unit:

 

they look very nice
The Borbet's are awesome

 

looks very nice mate.. love the borbets..

 

Would kill for an oak green mk2! loving the project mate, keep it up

 

I had been wondering where the work on this one had got to. It dose not look from the photos that a full re-spray is needed?

But approve of the unusual orange for the block

I like your Jaguar by the way

 

That's the engine all ready to go in now, it just needs plugs and oil.

I'm getting excited!

 

Love checking out the mk2 threads....keep up the good work & uploading the pics!

 

Almost on the road now.

And some Borbet B centre caps have arrived - cheers V6 Otto. I think they set the wheels off better than the A centre caps.

In fact, I think they look so good it's almost a shame to put them on the car - like precious jewels or something

 

It's all coming together

 

Good stuff.

Those centre caps are the sort of thing I'd likewise be afraid to actually run on the car.

 

Cheers! Can't wait to see your motor either!

It's cleaning up well, amazing it's a 22 year old car. It all came out no problem. About to put the new subframe in.

 

Lovely!

Reminds me of my old one, that was a '91 5 door oak green 16v. I did a few modifications to it in a similar theme, 6A block, P&P'd KR head and manifold, lightened flywheel, bigger front brakes etc. It was great, here's a pic...




Keep up the good work!

 

Cheers!

I remember your car coming up in a Google image search and it acted as an inspiration for me to get the car and get it looking like that. Hopefully soon!

 

I have just managed to procure an AVX gearbox. Should make for spirited progress : )

 

The AVX gearbox is looking good. Got some G60 arches too - pics to follow.