Mk1 rabbit in need of a heart

[electricalbox]

Decided with the new house/garage I needed a project to fill the garage and the wife "agreed".

Picked up a Mk1 Rabbit Cabriolet that was previously electric driven. It has stock trans sitting in it and the body is pretty clean. I'll be researching options for the swap but would love to go VR6 or even FSI.

Pictures of it at purchase:



Brought it home:

[electricalbox]

First task, drilling out bumper shocks and pushing them in.

Pre:


Post:

[slimadi]

Looks a clean one all most got one the other day but bidding went a bit to high for me

[electricalbox]

Looks a clean one all most got one the other day but bidding went a bit to high for me

Thanks it is quite clean, I got lucky for the price. Thinking of going 1.8t now for the swap from an audi A4.

[electricalbox]

No big updates except the paint is actually green (looks like BRG but can't confirm in the light).

Leaning towards 1.8t swap now.

[electricalbox]

So I picked up a mk4 golf for a great price thinking I would swap over everything but on the drive home I fell in love with the car. Hard decision to make because this motor would be awesome in the mk1.

[bithuizev]

No big updates except the paint is actually green

[electricalbox]

Heart acquired, 1.8T will be going in the mk1!

[electricalbox]

Once again, I fall in love with the potential donor car. I spent about 3 hours yesterday cleaning up the whole car and installed some new tires on the RXII wheels.

The car drives great and is surprisingly fast (this is my first 1.8T). I can't imagine how quick the mk1 will be seeing it is like 1,100 pounds lighter.

[DutchieSaxo]

Already love this mk1 engine swap!

To be honest; i'm a bit biased cause I'm also swapping an 1.8 in my mk1.
Sadly not a turbo; just a PB from mk2 gti; but still should be loads of fun.

Seems like you're got a very nice base and good start,

Love to see where this'll go, keep it up!

[electricalbox]

Thanks man!

I got a seat to replace the 32 year old seat.

[electricalbox]

I've been removing the pinstripe from the car with a heatgun, what a PITA!

I purchased some volk gr-n 2pc wheels. They are 15x6.5 et32 4x100 with 205/50/15 falkens on them. These wheels have to be one of the lightest wheels I've ever purchased.


I also purchased some Bilsteins with H&R springs.

[electricalbox]

Removed most of the pinstripe, pulled off the side trim, pulled off bumpers, made a mess of the garage.

[DutchieSaxo]

nice progress,
i actually liked the pinstripe on the car,

btw nice wheels, haven't seen those on a mk1 before.

[electricalbox]

nice progress,
i actually liked the pinstripe on the car,

btw nice wheels, haven't seen those on a mk1 before.

Thanks about the wheels, they normally are on Japanese cars. The stripe made the car too busy for me, removing it takes so much effort.

Front shocks and springs are on, I'm having a hard time removing the rear strut bolts, they will probably have to be cut out.