Recommend cheap mods to improve your Mk2

Thought it would be interesting to put together a list of inexpensive, easy mods you can do to a Mk2 to make the driving experience more enjoyable. I'm thinking along the lines of less than 50 and only needs a socket set and other basic tools to fit.

My recommendations are:

1) Fitting a Mk3 weighted shift rod - Can buy them new for around 15 from the dealers or for about a fiver from the scrap yard, takes 2 minutes to change (just 2 "R" clips either end) and gives a nice feel to the gear change. Combined with a gear linkage repair kit from GSF (about 10) it will totally transform the gear change in your Mk2

2) Uprated headlamp loom & 100w bulbs - The materials cost around 15 and there is a guide how to make them here, or for around 35 you can buy one ready made. Combined with 100w bulbs you'll actually be able to see where you are driving at night.

 

make sure all your earths are nice and clean and rust free, when i changed my starter motor, i replaced the main battery lead as well, what a difference like driving a new car no hesitation anywhere in the rev range and the car flew.

Uprated spark plugs and leads.

Rubjonny's digi tuning guide works wonders on a 8v too!

 

acdc cd (found in any clearance sale) will add an instant 20bhp

 

Mk3 or mk4 rear brake calipers, can be had from around these prices from the scrap yard etc, mk4 calipers i would reccomend altho alitte more qork to fit. mk3 calipers are a straight swap i think. will give you a hand brake that atually can lock the wheels.

electric mirrors, useful just for the heated element in the glass so you can use them on the cold mornings, should be able to get a complete set from the scrap yard for around 50.

 

As above make sure your back calipers aren't siezed, that can slow em down

 

if it's an 8 valve a big fook off anchor to combat

"THE TORQUE!!" when braking

 

if its a 1.6
replace all vac hose and fit gti cam

 

DIY WUR Mod on a Kjet 16v, or a 16v WUR and Throttle Body on an 8v.

GTI Cam in a carb car, as already said!

Blue temp sender and vac hoses in a digi car, and some paraffin to soak the ISV

Check the gearbox oil before it blows up

Change the gear linkage bushes.

Adjust the back brakes on drum brake cars.

Uprated Headlight Loom, as said up top.

And a SERVICE!

 

intermittent wiper mod - get relay 99 from a mk3

 

mk3 stalks..bolt on for 90> cars

 

Got any more info on this? I've wondered for ages if you could do this.

Is there any benefits from this, other than looks?

 

no real benefits on the stalks tbh

 

the relay mod is very easy.

get relay 99 from a mk3 in a scrappy (free)

fit in place of current wiper relay

then simply push down for intermittent and then push up when the time interval you require has elapsed and then push down again

the relay will now operate for the time you have just set.

very easy and effective.

 

what would this do?

i might have a wur and throttle body off a 2lt audi

could i fit these to

a. a pb 8v?
b. a kr 16v (soon to be 2lt)

then put the 16v wur on the 8v

 

If your Mk2 is a Driver etc. without coolant level sensing, and your expansion tank is old and grotty, get a new one with the gti-style level probe and wire it in to the fusebox. Could give you an engine-saving early warning of a leak. Details of my fitment here.

 

a car that age is also bound to need new bushes. really recommend that

 

G.S.F. are doing a full polly bush kit for about 45 quid! everthing except top mounts as i remember.

Its the Prothane motion controll kit i think. Got it on mine and it seems good.

I'm just off out side to make some clamps and bolt a second anti roll bar to the front of the golf. If it works I'll post some details here.

 

yup. wishbone bushes

arb too, rear top mounts, kick ass stuff basically.

 

The second ARb's on, just need to tidy up my brackets so there's no sharp corners and get hold of some bolts not made of toffee.

It hangs a little low but then thats never been a problem before...

 

would that work well with a 1.8 carb too? say from a scirroco?

never mind I tihnk I found the answer