Redfox

Great work and very nice looking car indeed. Cheers, Redfox ;)

Time for an update; First of all, I took a close look at the leather I had made for the backrests, and decided that it wasen't good enough, so had to ask Recaro to make another set in a more fine grained leather. Finally they made it today. Here I am ready to reassemble the drivers seat, after having the new leather put on correctly. The thing is, that no matter how it's made, there will be a few wringles. So, to get rid of these, there are two things to do. 1. to wait, and time will expand and contract the material to make it sit smooth. 2. to use a special wet hot steam iron. Not your home version, but an iron that sprays a lot of very hot steam on to the leather, which then contracts. Works quite well: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73818[/ATTACH] Here I am massaging the leather plus mingleling the foam underneath to make the seams sit correctly in the premade channels. Looks so much better, when this is done: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73819[/ATTACH] Here I am looking at the lesser wringles, and work a bit more on them again. Take your time to do this repeatedly: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73820[/ATTACH] Here I am showing the nearly put on cover. The thing is to slide the plastic rails most down between the pillow and the side support together. Then put on the metal wire onto the hooks. And only then you push on the similar wire on to the same hooks for the outer cover. Otherwise it's not possible: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73821[/ATTACH] Okay, this underside is finished, just need a bit of cleaning: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73822[/ATTACH] Then I added on the side covers, the three little holding pins for that lover cover on each side, then I add the frame for the tilt button, and finally the buttons themselves, plus headrest. Mind: when taking off the head rests, just press a bit below theblack round plastic fixing for each head rest metal guide, so the sprring inside the backrest relesease the headrest. You can take them off to inspect them as I did, but normally not needed: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73823[/ATTACH] Then I vacumed the carpets, and then lubed the seat rails with a bit of VW special white sunroof grease ;) And installed the seats. Remembering the wires ;) [ATTACH=CONFIG]73824[/ATTACH] Here's another: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73825[/ATTACH] When looking at the wringles at the lower part of the backrest, remember, that time and a bit more hot steam will seat it propperly. So, what's it like compared to the standard Corrado Recaro seat? Well, I have made this project, because the backrest side support on the standard Recaro Corrado seat is not good enough. It's made for people that is bigger (horizontally) than me. So my idea was to use only the original Corrado Recaro seat, and change the backrest side support piece of foam, for one from a Golf 2 Edition One or similar, like used on many other cars. Then add new leather to that. Then I also refreshed the seat base side support with new foam and leather, since it was split and tatty. Did I manage to get better support? Well, yes sure! More than expected. The seat now is very deep and hugs you completely and in the same time is not too soft (like it hard), and retain all the Corrado Recaro functions as it still is the correct seat. A minor but very big difference from looks to function. I will rate this the single most important mod to my Corrado yet, as I took a spin in the Corrado, and I can push it harder through the corners. The side support back rest foam is not only bigger, but also thicker, so it clamps your torso into the position. More cornering speed = more fun ;) The seats now have: - original looks - electric backrest level - electric seat base level - electric heated backrest - electric heated seatbase - inflatable lumbar support (from bmw) - bigger and tighter side support Definately worth the hassle! Cheers, Redfox ;)

I'm up for two sets. as well. Redfox.

Hi Chris, Yeah, I know that. Mine was the same, until it broke completely a couple of days ago. What i found out by looking at it last Summer was, that there are 3 mech. assemblies on each side, a front, a middle and a rear one. And I noticed that when the sliding does not work or jams, and people get their roof paint destroyed, it's sometimes because the rear mech on eother one or both sides does not engage propperly. There is an arm, like a small hook, with a small rubber ring at it's rear, that have to engage a clutch. If this does not happen, the roof cannot slide. or at least slides badly. I think I took a few shots of it last Summer in my thread: http://the-corrado.net/showthread.php?57481-The-Rising&p=942267#post942267 Maybe you want to have a look at that. I hope for good weather in the weekend, so I can take out the whole sunroof mech asone unit, and I will report back in my thread what I have found and if this or that helped. btw. sometimes the little rubber ring I mentioned is either lost or have to be turned a bit, to make it slide again propperly. But that is a temporary soloution. You will have to install a new part. Also, there is a black sliding plastic part (the front one) on each side, that can break a thin leg. This also blocks the sunroof. I will report back and take som snapshots of the offending parts of the mech. Cheers, Redfox. Does anyone know the specific grease that vw uses for the sunroof? Maybea number, so I can order it?

What happened ti mine is that out of the 6 mechanical part sets that vw sell, the left side middle one etka page 182-20, part 26, part no. 1H0 898 014A for left side, broke off the tip. And on the inner side of thet betal tip is the wire... So, the wirepull/push works, but the mech does not follow, and the sunroof closes at the right side, but get's stuck in a very nasty angle on the left side. So don't do that. What you can do to drive (in the rain), while you get the part, is to wind it back (with electrical button) a bit at a time, followed by gently pushing with a small screwdriver on the tap in the middle of the metal part from which the tip broke off. Repeat that a few times, and the sunroof closes just fine. I tried to glue it, to weld it etc, but it broke right off again, so new parts is a must. It appears that a Mk. 1 Octavia mech may, just may, fit. I did not try that yet, as new parts is now in my hand ;) Hope it helps when it happens to you guys. Cheers, Redfox.

A long time ago, but I feel that I could kick in a comment on this for future use. Mine just broke down in the same menner. What happened ti mine is that out of the 6 mechanical part sets that vw sell, the left side middle one etka page 182-20, part 26, part no. 1H0 898 014A for left side, broke off the tip. And on the inner side of thet betal tip is the wire... So, the wirepull/push works, but the mech does not follow, and the sunroof closes at the right side, but get's stuck in a very nasty angle on the left side. So don't do that. What you can do to drive (in the rain), while you get the part, is to wind it back (with electrical button) a bit at a time, followed by gently pushing with a small screwdriver on the tap in the middle of the metal part from which the tip broke off. Repeat that a few times, and the sunroof closes just fine. I tried to glue it, to weld it etc, but it broke right off again, so new parts is a must. It appears that a Mk. 1 Octavia mech may, just may, fit. I did not try that yet, as new parts is now in my hand ;) Hope it helps when it happens to you guys. Cheers, Redfox.

Hi all, While driving today, I was moving (opening ) the sunroof, and heard a loud "dang". Sunroof can open, but not close. It can only close at the right side. So off with the sunroof, and I can see a broken metalpart (see picture). [ATTACH=CONFIG]73487[/ATTACH] I looked at Etka, but cannot determine what part it is. And neither "Classic parts" nor Arz ( see:http://www.arz-tuning.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p4875_Reperatursatz-fuer-Fuehrung-Stahlschiebedach-vorne-links-Corrado-Passat-35i.html) seems to have that part, or maybe I am mistaken? What do you guys do? And if there is someone who have this part, I am willing to pay sick overprice to get it. Eventually the whole kit or the whole sunroof mech complete. Maybe it's time for someone with a lathe etc, to produce a bunch of these? For example, is it possible to weld or something else to the old broken part? Cheers, Redfox ;)

Aahhh! First drive this year. Along the coast on a sunny afternoon, with nothing particular to do, other than enjoying accelerations and decelerations and brake in and accelerate out and shift up and shift down and and and... MMmmmm ;) Darn, it's a good driving machine! Not made for transportation, but fun ;) Cheers, Redfox ;)

Hi, I'll take the alternator cover, if you want to mail it to me in Denmark, please. Do you also have the special signal giver with double connector to send the signal to the extra oil pressure gauge? Cheers, Redfox.

I think the Scirocco Mk. III is plain ugly. But on the other hand, it's far nicer than the boring boring boring last three generations of the Golf. I'll prefer the Scirocco Mk. III over the Golf any day. If that would happen, I'd sell the Sciroco Mk. III and get a Corrado ;) I'd never waste money on a Scirocco, and I'll not support vw by buying another vw car with their present über lousy spare part policy. No way. Crap I'd say. On the other hand, I'm pretty satisfied with my present Corrado, and every time I go to the local vw dealer to get spares for my Corrado, every time they say: no, sorry sir, that is not available any more, but you've got a very nice Corrado, sir. Cheers, Redfox ;)

Nice Corrado and good luck with it. Looking at the pic, it seems as if your Corrado raches the sidemirror on the womans car, and that is a good thing ;) Cheers, Redfox.

We're many who follow your thread ;) No comments doesn't mean that it doesn't get read. Good build ! Anyway, this should bring some good horses. What model charger do yo have? early, middle or late? Also the late head is ported and so is inlet and exhaust manifolds. Maybe to get these unless you do that too? Cheers, Redfox (G60)

Thanks, but I would like to know more on how I can avoid leather that does not sit tight enough when installing. Cheers, Redfox.

If nothing else, then for a set of wheels, a golfbag or a mountainbike ;) Cheers, Redfox.

Electric Corrado Recaro's did not have lumbar support at any time. Since I missed it, I bought two bmw Recaro's and stole the inflatable lumbar support from them. Very easy, as it's just a rubber pillow, a tube and a blower. Just lift the back rest pillow slightly, and push the rubber pillow in behind. Voila, there you got it. Eventually look at my build thread: http://the-corrado.net/showthread.php?57481-The-Rising/page15 (page 15). You can also see it in action at my little video here: Hope this helps. It's very nice and infinitely adjustable. Great if one drives for longer trip, or have back problems for example. Cheers, Redfox.

I've never seen the pickup truck, but only the mini-van. Would be nice to see the pick up truck. And then there's the cabriolet, of course. Nice. Cheers, Redfox.

Design-wise no, but Oettinger et al made some serious parts for Corrado's, like cylinderheads, cam covers, inlet manifolds and Recaro leather stuff as far as I remember. Cheers, Redfox.

Not exactly what I would call a nice mod. Reminds me that I prefer older VW from newer ones. Corrado is an example of old good design. Newe Passat is a truly shiny example of new bad design... Cheers, Redfox.

Car is so clean, that mobilephone pics looks good ;) Cheers, Redfox.

And that is why a Corrado with no side protection looks more sporty, except from the Flash Red one, that looks like it's missing contrast and even looks a bit tall. So like you, DriverVR6, I won't remove my side protectors. Nice car and nice pics ;) Cheers, Redfox. ups: I misplaced teh comment. So, it should be connected to the comment on red and side stribes.

A small update, I finally got to install the correct original rear door gas struts. Originally I recieved two different ones, but quickly was sent another correct all black one. New ball joints and stainless hardware plus new rubbers makes it all look fine and work as intended. Nice not to have the rear door falling down on your head ;) Package of goodies ;) [ATTACH=CONFIG]73050[/ATTACH] Installing new parts: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73051[/ATTACH] Most non-original struts are one step only, so they hit top positioning hard. Not great. The original ones. lifts swiftly and then softens down before having opened door fully. Now, I am getting a bit further with my seat project. I finally got to get the new leather for the front Recaros. As I do not like the original small and slim support (american market crap), I bought two Recaros from a bmw, which have the same upper support foam as a Golf 2 Edition One. I delivered the stuff to Recaro here in my home country and they sewed up some new leather for me to install. The problems are now knocking on my garagedoor... I asked them to make it tight and to use very fine grain leather. Not so, I received a set og less fine grained leather, but I know that as you install them, and they sit really tight, the graining will be a lot less (visible). So I cannot judge beforehand. Her I am unsoldering the seat heating wires: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73052[/ATTACH] Next, is the motor for adjusting the backrest, which is not on the new foam: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73053[/ATTACH] so I measured the old one up and it looks like this: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73054[/ATTACH] After this is test fitment: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73055[/ATTACH] So, it fit's fine and here is a real comparison between the two, plus the new foam is harder and fatter, so I will sit more tugged in firmly between the sides: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73056[/ATTACH] Next, is pulling new leather over the backrest, apart from remembering the small support discs for the headrest. More easy to do it now: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73059[/ATTACH] So, , here's a shot of the problems so far, grainy leather from stomach, not back, and not tight, and not able to tighten it up, because inside is too loose near top of sides. I got so ****ed, that I left the crap on the spot, and went to build a new carbon mountainbike ;) : [ATTACH=CONFIG]73060[/ATTACH] Next problem is a bit off line here and there, as tops where head rests are put on, seems a bit loose. Next, the backside seems a bit loose too, and the part where the sides go from thin to fat, are wrinkling. I know that this demands training to sit correctly, and I am insisting on doing this myself. So I tried, and it came up with this. Note, that it's not finished, as I did not yet install the backrest pillow itself, so much my be different yet: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73061[/ATTACH] If anyone can help on this, PLEASE help!!! Next, I got this: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73062[/ATTACH] As I took it apart, I saw that the foam was shot, so I installed new foam and original leather from VW: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73063[/ATTACH] There are stil a few wingles I have to rub out, but it's minus 13 degrees celsius, and lot's og snow, so I can ahrdly work in the garage, and the leather and foam is really stiff in these temps. Finally, I glued the supporting flaps back onto the seamframe: [ATTACH=CONFIG]73064[/ATTACH] That's all for now. More's coming. And if someone can help me with god advice on the leather covers for the back rests, plese please do ;) Cheers, Redfox ;)

So, I've changed the ignition rotor cover and rotor plus 4 new spark plugs Bosch W6DP0. Before I ran NGK Iridium Power. That, together with a complete 2½" cat back now pushes 186 Hp and 234 Nm on my otherwise standard engine. More smooth and a bit more willing ;) Happy days ;) Cheers, Redfox.

Hi everyone, I am about to put on a set of new leather on the base of my drivers seat. Since it's original Karmann Recaro parts, I would like to know how I can avoid all the wrinkles in the seating surface as per picture? Any ideas? [ATTACH=CONFIG]72177[/ATTACH] Cheers, Redfox.

Oh look mum what the cat brought in. A delayed Christmas present, A box from Volkswagen full of nonexistent obsolete parts: [ATTACH=CONFIG]72175[/ATTACH] And this obsolete set of fresh black leather and cushions: [ATTACH=CONFIG]72176[/ATTACH] Every single part I have ordered from a local VW dealer, who every single time said to me: "No, no and no, cannot be ordered any mre. Does not exist". So, aparently these parts do not exist ;) Can't really do the seats yet, as I expect some leathersmith to finish up a special job for the seats as well. More asap, but it's too cold to really do something in the garage these days, so will have to wait for better weather. I do have a question though: How am I supposed to take out the wrinkles on the seat cover part? Or does it stretch itself away when installed? Cheers, Redfox.

Yes, it does have the later one with the little wheel. I did not have any when I bought the car, and since mine is a 1991 pre facelifted, it should have the old style then, I suppose. So I managed to find s totalled VR6 some 350 kilometers from my home, and all the way back. Drove there and bought the badge ;) You know, an excuse for some fast driving and a lunch under the sky ;) Now I saw a Corrado with early inside door handles, and covered in black leather originally from factory. I am really really wanting those, but where ever I've asked, it's a no no. Maybe some day? If you ever stumble over a set, please just buy them, and I'll post you some money for the expense and trouble right away ;) They look SO nice. This is how they look like. Only fit the early door handles: [ATTACH=CONFIG]72064[/ATTACH] Just ordered some new foam for the Recaros from Germany. Hope to see them here soon. I discovered that the drivers side down, and upper side was shot beyond repair. I got a few other bits and bobs in the same time, so I am getting all excited, ha ha ;) Winter is soon over, and I am kind of in a bit of a hurry with a lot of projects for the Corrado, to be ready in time for some across Europe fast touring. And the 25'the anniversary in Schlesvig/Holstein of course !! Cheers, Redfox. [ATTACH=CONFIG]72052[/ATTACH] Lower picture are the later facelifted ones. I believe.