Mk1 GTi 1.8-16v track car rebuild.

Used to go like this -



Then it got a bit tatty -







So the engine came out -





Was a little grubby in there -



Decided to give it a clean -




A few tasty bits turned up







A few other bits were obtained -
G60 discs and callipers with some lovely machined calliper brackets



Heard Eibach had made a few new mk1 anti roll bar kits, grabbed one of them courtesy of Big Boys Toys.

Had a mk2 8v gearbox with a quaife in it lying around as do, some cabriolet 100mm drive shafts, thought they could mix in quite well.

While I was doing a bit of online shopping at compbrake saw these too -

 

And now things have gone a bit extreme































That was progress by Wednesday Evening

 

So that is where we are up too last night

Should be finished in the next 6-8 weeks!

Nic

 

you gotta love how solid mk1's are round the strut tops inner wings after all these years - mk2 scort would be like a teabag in that area.... vw got the rust treatment right

great work!

 

Looking forward to the rest of the rebuild Nic.

 

Thanks Guys.

Yes it's unbelievable that 30 year old steel can be in such great condition, it's almost like brand new steel. The bay is almost totally stripped now and the seam welding has been started as can be seen, not going to fully weld the chassis legs other wise the crumple zones will disappear entirely. Next step is either to start strengthening the bulkhead areas that need attention or to start stripping the interior down to bare metal.

If anyone can help I need 2 genuine front wings in as good condition as possible.

 

Good work.

The steering rack mounting seams are really useful, add as much strength there as you can.

The lower bulkhead seam can also be done across the inside when you get to that.

 

The latest work completed by Dave as below -





And from the email accompanying it, I'd sent Dave the pictures of the slick50 car to see whether he could do similar, but before that we had already agreed to keep the linkage bar and fit the bias box on the lhs.

Can't say fairer than that

Nic

 

Few more pictures, self explanatory really.

 

Why has it been mounted on an angle? just move it further to the left had side of the car.

 

Clearance to the Dizzy cap?

 

It's mounted at an angle to enable using original mounting points, the linkage bar obviously stays, these have been reinforced so it's basically the strongest and least flexible part of the bulk head. Angled away to give more clearance too the distributor as said and the header tank will be relocated too where the battery used to be.

Everyone has different ideas on how too mount components, fabricate mounts and reinforce weak areas, this seems to work for us and might possibly open up a few new ideas and debate.

 

Probably no use now you have it mounted but an Integrale 16v dizzy cap may offer some extra room.

 

glad to see you still got the mk1 nic , its looking good to , .i do miss them wpcc track days.you hoping to get out on track this year nic

 

Thanks for the tip on the integrale distributor, I may well try that anyway but yes clearance is sorted now.

Hi Paul, still got it, had it for around 11 years now I think, it was time for a rebuild now to make sure it was all good before it turned in to a basket case.

Some more update pictures for those interested















It's FIA spec FE45 40mm x 2mm wall CDS tube.

 

A bit of narrative for a change!

Trial fitted the seat, it's going to be built up properly with captive nuts welded in various locations to allow forward adjustment. Also had a look at mounting points for the new harness, I think we're going to weld in a harness bar above the strut brace/remove the strut brace and replace it with a harness bar/strut brace. It's going to be in satin black to match the cage.

Looked at the front mounting points of the cage, they don't 'look' right, rubs against the drivers side dash and presses hard against the passenger side, seems like a lot of tension on the legs, might need to cut in to the dash.

Had a set of mk2 genuine carbon fibre door cards, these are going to be cut down to use as mk1 door cards

Engine bay, going to cut the inner wing to give more air flow to the airbox which sits on the chassis leg, lots of pointless brackets going to be removed, will replace with the required brackets with neater fixings. Lots of little holes to weld up, they're going to be rust weak spots.

Engine mount, gearbox mount, brake callipers are going to be shot blasted and then repainted in either gloss or satin black, wishbones too, rear beam as well. New OE bushes to be used. Callipers are also going to be rebuilt with greased sliders, new seals etc.

A few other things I've forgotten, will add more text as I remember.







Needs a sill, gets rid of a lot of grot.

 

Weldtastic! Loving it very much! Good work that man!

 

Thanks guys, another 2 - 3 weeks of prep before it goes in the spray booth

 

Did you brace the steering rack mounts? Any chance of a pic of that area?