ABV-VR6

Absolutely, we have to focus on positive things right now. Life's hard and upside down like it's never been before. I could talk a long time about this but probably better to keep the forum without, it's nice to have an escape place right now! I'm happy for you, you're about to close in on your dream/ideal Corrado and that's a big accomplishment. It's not an easy project car, lots of work and thoughts and perseverance and money involved so good for you mate. One day I'll feel that way, one day ha haa! Cheers!

The mk3 fiber head gasket is prone to failures. I guess that's why VW went metal on the next generation even though it's somewhat the same engine. Anyways, it's pretty much the same cost, direct bolt on and peace of mind. I'm going for it!

Thanks mate for the details. I guess it's confusing because your reservoir is on the opposite side of mine. My reservoir sits on top of the ABS apparatus. Probably because of the RHD steering column, needed more space? Yes, i guess with MOT it's a different ball game! I have no problem that I k ow of with the ABS, I just thought while the engine was out that it would be a good time to remove it before I have problems with it in the future. Seems like it's a common thing... Maybe I'll just leave as is... Keep us posted! What's the ETA on the car mate?

Oh that's good to know! And ya, that Bremen is too hot now, I'll wait a couple of years or when the US dollar falls!

Looking promising Keyo! Can't wait to see once done and I'm sure you too! I would definitely like to hear about the breaking procedure. Sorry to hear about the topran oil cooler and thanks to let us know. I'll be replacing mine so I won't go for that one for sure! Although I'm debating if I should install a mocal instead. Looking at the pictures, you have ABS deleted. I was looking into parts this week to do the conversion and both my parts supplier here can't get the reservoir and booster brake. Only parts I found were master cylinder and proportioning valve... Anyways are you pleased with the conversion? Cheers mate

Imagine how much it would worth now, £1500 ha! Mine has the standard ones I think, and like every one they are both cracked! Got replacement lens for them though. I knew I would get some fisherman to talk with my reel analogy! Yes Daiwa in japan, very nice stuff as well!

Oh ya, both those units a very nice indeed! Good choice, I do like best the one you got stolen, sorry! I didn't thought people were still stealing that kind of thing, seriously! Alright time for me to get back into my engine bay cleaning! Cheers

I agree with you fendervg, I like to keep things simple too with sound system. I like the sound of the engine too much to crank the music anyways. I think what you've done of bang on. I have bought a set of infinity kappa 6-1/2 combo with twitters for my truck that I can't install because my doors are too thin. I was thinking of installing them on the Corrado but it's way too big for it. On another note, that's about the comment from ger040 about blaupunkt. In my previous mk2 16v, I went all out with blaupunkt to keep it somewhat oem/era. I had problems with the stereo unit, problem with the speakers. All I had was problems to be honest, disappointing. I've been told that with blaupunkt its better to buy the top of the line or nothing... Hell, they sell blaupunkt at Walmart now, pretty much all they sell... So next unit for the Corrado will be the blaupunkt Bremen sqr46 when it drops in price ha ha. Cheers

Yeah looks fantastic and oem. I figured about that amount of time, if you want to do it right that's what is involved time wise. I will be curious to hear from you how much of a better sound quality you get. Did you do something up front as well? BTW, thanks for the write up on the handles as well, Im sure I'll have to do this in the future... Cheers mate

Wow you did a fine job fitting these mate! I know the mk2 is just compressed wood with carpet wrapped around it... How long did it took you to do the modification? Cheers

Nice work! I was going to suggest scrubbing with a white 3M pad but you got it out already! Are you installing a mk4 metal head gasket?

Woohoo I'm in the club! You know, I never seen a strip like this on any AAA we have here, just the standard DOHC 2.8 engraved. And yes, I'm sure there a part number underneath the strip but it would be a sacrilege to remove it just to check it out.

Here, I think it's poured in concrete now lol. And yes I agree with the parallel you made with the exclusive Storm edition in the UK it's in the same line if thoughts... Cheers mate

I cannot see any sticker on the block but it's covered with thick oil and on a stand right now. When I start cleaning it up I'll pay attention to that. I can see more writing behind the crank pulley but can't read it all... That ABV is engraved on the block so I think it's safe to say it's legit. Anyways, other people have my cover and in the same fashion so it's not like I'm the only one in the world who has it...

Yep I agree with you. Another proof, here's a picture of the official Japanese paperwork

That's on the block

Oh absolutely, they are particular and they like exclusivity/special things. Very cool you've been there! My wife is half Japanese. I'm so glad I can finally help with something because it's always you guys that are helping me out with my project!

Alright mates, I'll try to shed some lights on this! So my car is a 1995 2.9L VR6 from Japan. The "VR6 2.9 band or strip whatever it's called" is definitely looking OEM. The cover itself looking at it from underneath you can see the embossed DOHC 2.8 and the part number on the cover correspond to that as well. The strip/band was glued right over the DOHC 2.8. I think we were not looking at the right part making the search for the cover. VW didn't do a special cover but looks like they made a special band or strip with the 2.9 for the Japanese market. I would have to unglued it from the cover to get the part number and I don't feel like doing that sorry! This is not the first time I see different things made OEM just for the Japanese market. I have a friend with a G60 from Japan and he has an OEM CAT switch with a red light on the dash. Only Japan got this, it's coming on if the catalytic converter gets too hot which tells you it's failing. Or look at my rubber strip under my bonnet, Japan only. I think some modifications made by VW for the Japanese market were for different regulation Japan has. Like the CAT switch or my bonnet trim which probably bring more air under the bonnet to cool it down for their climate. In the case of that 2.9L trim/band I think it was purely esthetic and to appeal more to their market... In comparison, I don't know if there's fly fisherman on the forum but I have a Hardy Bouglé fly reel. Hardy is the bench standard worldwide for the reel and it's made in England. They have been making that model the same way for almost 120 years. But yet, for the Japanese market they made a special run of them that were very elegant, refined and different. So rare almost no one knows about them. I think only 200 were made like 18 years ago. For some reason the Japanese market gets special things like green tea KitKat lol. Hope this help! Cheers PS: If someone wants to exchange their Schrick for my cover, I'll do it ha ha haa!

Thanks mate! Yeah, it takes ages but it's worth it. I can't imagine installing a cleaned up engine back in a dirty bay! For small stuff I'm using tooth brush and 3M white pads. I'll steal a few wooden nail sticks 😉 Love that blue color by the way! Cheers!

Yes I did persevered! Spent all my evening on it lol. Was worth it and it's nice to see all those pictures you took but also seeing other people doing the same thing as you do is encouraging, inspiring and in my case teach me a lot too. Like you i moved to a rural area with my family. Went from a busy city "Vancouver" to a small island in the Pacific. It's very basic here and lot of farms as well which I like. I do my quadding rides at the farm up the street too! I bought a Honda foreman 500 more of a work quad. I need it for moving firewood, my main source of heat in the winter. So ya, I was thinking getting the boy who's 8 maybe a 90cc or 125. Then the wife and I would have more space as well! Cheers mate

Ouff I just spent hours reading your entire post! Man, what a difference... That car is coming from far and you did a lot of work on it, good job and I'll keep look at your progress. I can't believe you've managed to do this with two kids! Mon son is one year older that yours and funny thing is today I was tempted to buy one of thos little quad for him. So that made me laugh when I saw that pictures of yours. We went for a ride today on mine, so much fun! Cheers

Good job! It's looking so clean. I'm working at this right now, sure is time consuming! I hope to get it as clean as you did. Keep it up!

That's too bad for the rust spot but nothing you can't fix I'll say! Looking at your pictures with wiring, like you I got worried lol. It's not my best competence either! I love the engine paint job you've done. Next week I'm going to start that part and I can't wait. Cheers

Very very nice work Sean! I just read the last two pages and I'm inspired. Tonight I'm going to read all of it! Keep up the good work! Cheers

Thanks good to know, thanks for sharing your experience. I was starting to consider this option but now I'll keep it to Mk3 DE. Cheers!