Mk2 'Black Beastie'

Hi folks,

My intention over the next wee while is to start a thread and update with ongoing repairs/improvements and mods to my Mk 2 so I can pick up some guidance/hints/tips from all the peeps on here.

I'm willing and pretty able, but there is a vast amount of experience on here, it would be silly not to use what you guys know to aid me along.

Following purchase,
1) I have a new radiator to fit

2) Replaced the OEM BBS centre caps on the factory GTI wheels (with VW badged ones)

3) Stripped out factory speakers in anticipation of crimbo pressie ones and will rewire asap

4) Had a quote from the bodyshop for the worst of the panel issues.

5) Looking to sell the private reg (been quoted £500 return by online company) and use this towards bodyshop bill.

6) Exhaust to be inspected (its blowing a bit!)

7) Dodgy idle (intermittent high/low alternating). Will inspect the usual suspects i.e. earths, sticky throttle body, knackered sensors, vacuum hoses. Anything i've missed from that list?

I'll get some pics up soon, and let you know how things are going.

Radiator changed....yaaaay!

Radiator changed, but think the heater matrix is partially blocked. Heat only comes through well when engine is at higher revs, ie not idle. Any suggestions, or is a replacement matrix on the cards?

The big freeze and christmas has put any further tinkering on hold!!

Im the same bud need to be gettin on but its too cold ha ha

Hello once again everyone. Hope you all had a great new year etc. etc!!

Santa brought me some new speakers for the Jetta's rear shelf, so I thought I would do some general exploring when I had all the trim/door cards etc off. Took some photos. Just looking to get a general background of A20 GNT before I start any proper work on her in the spring/summer.

As I mentioned, speakers to go in the rear shelf. Also have some of the same ones coming for the stock door pods, so re-wired the lot ready to plonk new ones in. However, when removing the door cards, hit a little problem!!

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Some one had decided to glue the door card top to the trim in the door! Consequently cracked the trim and door card removing it, but hey, another job to add when I refurb her eventually!! It was glued all the way along the door. The door card took a beasting!

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Nasty!

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So, onto the rewiring. Well , all the dash trims have to come off to run the new ox free cables. And lo! Cables everywhere, masking tape everywhere, strange relays everywhere and defunct immobiliser switch!

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Think the wiring issues are all a throw back to previous owners. There is/was a Clifford alarm (no fob, not used) and an immobiliser (no longer functioning hence switch!) Again, more jobs to be addressed when I get around to a proper refurb!

The bodywork issues I had another look at. The tank neck is the most worrying after seeing the DirtyDubber resto thread (top thread, have a look!). Couple of other areas to be addressed as well. Nothing terminal (I hope!)

Tank neck
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Rear n/s sill
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Rear o/s sill
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Rear n/s door - this one annoyed me cos I didnt initially see it, and it means the door is fooked I think!!!
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So, lots of jobs to do. Got a quote from the bodyshop for the rear o/s sill, tank neck, rear quarter repair (theres a couple of dings)

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So, am looking to sell the private reg on her to fund some of the work!
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And then fit some wheels. I have always loved these old school Momo rims from years back. I want to eventually have black and blue colour scheme, so if i get these, the centre caps will get powder coated blue.
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But the also tracking these rude boys, which go with the paint on the car and I really like.
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What do you think?

Well, lots to consider, but I am in this for the long haul, and will be all the more rewarding when she is eventually finished. The more I check out the threads on here, the more I am inspired, so keep it up, people!!!

Ta ta for now!

cannot see photos. peter

Sorted now peter! Had a bit of a mare there for a bit!!

This sounds like its gonna be another cracking build thread buddy are thay Momo Arrows i see or just very similar i wanted a set of them on my 2nd Jet like you wouldent belive keep it up bud

They are Momo Ferrari 2. A mate of mine had them on his Renault 5 Turbo years ago and they looked awesome. loved them ever since. Thing is, they are 17's. Wasn't sure I wanted to go that big. The others are 16's.

Loving the momo's but also love the Rial's.

Some would disagree with me but always think 17" wheels look to big on MK2's and even MK3's but think the Momo's are very different and worth giving them a try.

Hello again everyone. Well, after being so busy, the Beastie's MOT finally came near the end of its useful life. After a quick trip to the local garage, i was pleasantly surprised by the few things that came up. She is now garaged, and getting the following:

1 - JOM Blueline coilovers
2 - Ritter drilled and grooved discs
3 - New front wheel bearings (well, whilst i'm down there anyway!)
4 - After taking off the existing ones, and realising how knackered they are, refurbed/new front calipers (painted blue to match coilovers and planned colour scheme).

So, off I went to Machine Mart for a trolley jack and axle stands as its been years since i have had to work on my own car properly. Off came the wheels, and this is what faced me.

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Didnt look ridiculous, but discs were worn, thin on one side etc, etc. You know how it is with older cars. And handily, there were some braided hoses under there as well! Bonus!

Taking off the allen bolts that secure the calipers was as usual, a pain in the t1ts! Only one came as it should have done, two rounded, and one sheared!!!

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Oh yeah, and some bright spark had ground down the disc securing screws, presumably as they had sheared/seized, so they got a spray of WD and will be tackled when I buy a die set, as i need one for the remainder of the caliper securing bolt anyway.
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Upon inspection, no wonder the brakes felt so shoddy. Half the disc on one side wasnt being used, and the other wasnt too much better. The pads were more or less static in the calipers/carriers. As the car has not done a lot of miles for the last number of years, i reckon as there was still meat left on them, nobody bothered to take a good look and change them.

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So, after I sort the calipers and probably get new dust guards, old ones very shoddy, the discs and pads will be replaced with these!! OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHH, SHINY!!

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Thats all for now folks, hopefully be back again soon, as she is off the road, and gives me an excuse to get cracking.

Definitely more pics to be added when the coilovers arrive!!

I have mk4 calipers for the rear, but need to get them stripped and refurb them, as they are red at the moment. Probably get the same discs for the back if they work out any good.

Cheers for reading. Comment and questions welcome.

Oh yeah, and some of the bushes look a bit worn, so tempted to get some poly ones whilst i'm at it.

I now have:

1) Coilovers
2) Blue polymer coated refurbed front calipers
3) New caliper and disc retaining screws.

Pics to follow!

And will fit them eventually!

Those rial wheels would look fit on a black jetta... get some pics up

Update:

Rear half smoked lights sold on here, M3 ones to come.

Parts purchased:

G60 front top mounts
Engraved front door handle inserts (to be fitted after bodywork sorted)
Crystal side indicators (as above)

Promise I will have some pics of all the new goodies up when I eventually have some time off work to start work on the beastie again!

Looking to sell some BBS RA's for £250 with excellent Toyo Proxes 4 195/50/15's if anyone interested? (Dirtydubbers have first refusal for Jettafans build!)

Pics are before cleaning up and with a light refurb of outer rim will be mint! Worst scuff pic included.

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