RedRado

End of May 11 and it's still with me - will try to put up some pics from today when I figure out the new system. ---------- Post added at 08:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ---------- Pat, Stan's right, just soap and water followed by a bit of meguairs gold class - thanks for the comment, the car is a slow work of progress.

Wow, that's a difficult one - faced with the same dilemma for a daily I plumped for a BMW 130i M Sport :luvlove: - 265 bhp, 60 in 6.1 and a limited 155mph after weighing up A3 3.2Q, R32 and Alfa GT 3.2. I too considered a Maserati 3200GT but was scared off by reports of unreliability and astronomic costs :cuckoo: , though I was tempted by a 968 but children are getting too big. Good luck with the decision process.

Tom, I don't but I want to start going - hopefully will meet up at the next. I will keep my eye out. Dave.

Tom, great to chat at Tatton yesterday, really like the look of your car as said yesterday - the RX's really set it off perfectly. Hope to meet up again and see how you're progressing. Dave.

More worryingly, why were you looking in the 'Boring Stuff' section?

David, I have no idea why they are different other than additional security but the silencer I removed and the Golf one are exactly the same size with the same input and output configuration. I am really pleased and the car now sound as it should.

Well, that confirms it - the 16v Mk2 Golf part fits with no welding. Just had to turn the right hand bracket on the car through 90 degrees and the whole thing fits fine. Photos below to show what was done - this is a cheap alternative to £150 (german ebay) or £260 (vw), box was about £70 new from GSF.

David, That's the plan, offer up the Golf item and do some hanger re-jigging but to do so I'll need to remove the old system so I was just looking for a view before I start the first cut because once its done I'm committed.

Cheers guys; David - I have tried several big suppliers and the pattern part is obsolete so unless I can find one in a depot somewhere I think I'm out of luck in the UK. Steveo - good call on german e bay £150 delivered. DB - sounds like your option is pretty quiet but I already have 2/3 of the system in mild steel sitting in my garage awaiting this part. I'd still be interested to hear if anyone has fitted the Mk 2 16v item as I have a brand new one one left over from my last 16v track car - any body tried this?

Steve, Thanks, I can source the G60 section in the UK but it deletes the first silencer for the 16v. I will have to consider this if nothing else turns up. Regards, Dave.

Thanks, that's an option I hadn't considered - I phoned a place in Chester who said they could make a mild steel link pipe if needed so will bear that in mind.

I've got an exhaust dilema on my early Rado - ideally, I want to keep it standard but having ordered a full replacement system the supplier can't provide me with the large rectangular silencer that sits infront of the rear beam as it is obsolete. I know it is a long shot but has anyone encountered this and tried to fit a mk2 16v GTI silencer in this position as it looks the same with a minor difference in hanger location on the box? Other than this, the only other options are: 1. Order a longlife part from VW (still listed but dealer will only know if there is stock when I order @ £257 plus VAT). 2. Bite the bullet and go stainless but I want a quiet one. Any advice would be welcomed. Regards, Dave.

Wow, that almost makes it look like they were separated at birth! I'll keep up the good wotr - fronts next.

Looking sweet - nice to see another early one in the North West. Looks much better on Polo GTi splits.

Just had a day fitting new OE suspension at the rear and cleaning up under the rear arches - it's slow progress but I'm getting there steadily.

Jonny, where did the MIMs end up? - they were always my favourite 90s rollers.

Mine's a right youth - 20 next month registered 17 May 1990. I will check plastics for manufacture date. I used to have the same car in 93 which was registered Feb 90, early no sunroof model. Good luck with the rebuild - I'm on the mild resto path with mine.

No problems Gareth - I've still got a few jobs to do but I'll bob over with it some time soon so you can have look.

You're right there but it could easily have gone to someone who who would have 'FKD' it up. I'm glad I found it and have been able to slowly bring it back to useable order having been sitting unused for nearly a year.

Yes Gareth - it is I. How long did you think it would last before I got bored? - I have 2 daughters and the garage is the only safe place.

Yes Gareth, its David!! Formerly known as 692 DPG to those who recognise the user from various VW forms of life ;) Dave you are a tease!! And also lacking forum manners by not explaining how you came across such a motor and also what youve done to it already to add to the fact it was so clean when you found it in that old barn ;) Ok Stan you caught me out! The story goes........... While off getting my Golf track car 4 wheel aligned for the Ring I went to a garage near home to enquire and while I was there the owner said 'Do you like VWs? I've got one out back if you're interested.' Obviously being a bit of a Dub fan I repiled 'Yes'. So when I saw the little old C with 44K on the clock needing a bit of TLC I had to take it home - well you would wouldn't you? So I raided my piggy bank, handed over £1200 of Her Maj's finest and set of gently cleaning and restoring. I had the bumpers painted to remove a few scuffs and a rust bubble on the tailgate sorted but other than that its clean - not a single bit of rust under the arches at all. Followed by getting the Sebrings refurbed at WRC in Preston and wrapping the in matching rubber. I know the boot thing is a bit an*l but living only 10 miles from Gareth its catching!! have I confessed enough Stan?

Finally cleaned up my new toy - my third Tornado red early C. Hoping to finish cleaning it up and get some miles under its wheel. Hope you like it.

I will dig out Andrew's number and see if he has any paperwork for the car - it would be good to build up parts of its previous life! Let you know soon. Dave.

I am really chuffed to see this car still going strong - I first came across it when I went to look at it in 1995 when it was for sale just outside Cambridge. We were so impressed with the way it put down the power with the GTI Engineering conversion that my friend Andrew bought it taking it to to live in Ipswich for a few years before moving on to a G60. The torque of that 2 litre valver is awesome. Hope it goes on for a good deal longer. Dave.