Poll250s VR Turbo

[poll250 0]

Well, where do I start? I've been a member of the forum for a few years, and have found the help I've received pretty astonishing to be fair. I started out with little mechanical knowledge, and have suprised myself by how much work I have been able to do myself. I've been meaning to post a Members thread for a while, and these 2 snow days have given me the perfect excuse to get one up!

 

Like most on here I always loved the look of Corrados when I was young. Once I left uni and got a proper job I quickly got bored of driving a 1.0 Toyota Starlet about and so ended up getting my self a nice looking '93 Moonlight Blue VR from the ever slimey TCS in Swadlincote. It was at the cheaper end of the VR scale but the top end of my price range at the time!

 

 

Unfortunately, after only 3 days of ownership someone smashed into the back of me and wrote it the heck off!

 

 

 

This turned out to be quite a godsend, as on further inspection it turned out the car had been written off previously and had a fair few problems lurking. After a couple of months of battling I got a good deal from the insurance company and got myself a shiny 'new' 'rado :)

 

 

After looking at a couple, I plumped for a completely standard '94 Aqua Blue VR with 120,00 on the clock. It had been well looked after and had a laminated folder full of old receipts and was in good nick. I took her straight home and nabbed some of the better parts from the written off rado- namely the 17" OZ alloys and lowered springs. This made it look so much better straight off the bat.

 

 

I think it was pretty plain saling for a while -it did the whole stalling at junctions thing for a while (cleaned MAF and ISV sorted that out), it sprang a coolant leak so replaced the thermostat housing and all the sensors and all was well again :) Happy times!

 

Somewhere along the way I bought some Weitec Hicon Coilovers from Gwerks, had the sump replaced after a nasty incident with an unfinished road and an exposed manhole cover, refurbed and fitted 312 front brakes and new discs, pads and bearings all round.

 

In April of this year I moved in with my GF, a few days later both front tyres had to be replaced, swiftly followed by the heater matrix going, the front wheel bearings making a horrible noise, the handbrake lever pulling out of the body, the windscreen wiper mech breaking and the heater matrix blowing.!

 

I continued to let things slide over the summer, I had very little spare money and just wasn't sure how much I wanted to plough into the 'Rado, especially as things seemed to be breaking on a near weekly basis! I guess when the clocks changing I wasn't outside as much, and so my mind went back the state of the car, the clutch had started slipping and gearbox mount was on it's last legs, not to mention the fact that no heating in winter is RUBBISH! So I made the decision to get the rado into the shape I'd always wanted.

 

I'll let the photos do the talking!

 

 

Heater Matrix replaced with dash in, on my parents driveway. Did it in the evenings over a week after work. Was the most annoying fiddly job I could imagine! Leaning over the engine undoing the nuts through the bulkhead was horrendous, as the bolts were just spinning when the nuts turned, plus it was a horrible position to stand in lol

 

Dash all back together hurrah! Spot the Grey carpets: YUK!

 

These were to be my next point of attack, Everything out!

 

At this stage I replaced all carpets with a nice black set and sprayed all the grey plastics black with some (read A LOT) of vinyl spray and a couple of layers of Lacquer.

 

 

With that done it was time to turn my attention to the seats, the grey cloth had seen better days and I hated looking at it, in my eyes it really let the car down, so, having seen KADVR6s threads re dyeing leathers I got in contact with him for some advice. Needless to say he was an absolute legend helping with all my queries, and within a couple of weeks I had a nice package from Furntiture Clinic turn up, as well as acquiring a set of Mk3 Colour Concept Recaros from Alex (Foster). I soon got to work with the various sponges and spray gun, making a good mess of our bathroom and some carpet (all sorted now!)

 

The fronts before:

 

After a couple of layers with a sponge:

 

Getting there:

 

Finished product:

 

Now a few pictures of them fitted :)

 

Before:

 

:gag: :cuckoo:

 

After:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm really happy with the way they look tbh, not having done this kind of thing before they turrned out pretty good. I've got a couple of areas to finish up, and the seats currently sit on Mk2 subframes so are a bit high. I've got my old bases knocking about so will hopefully work something out with them soon. Overall they're very nice and comfortable and hold you very well. 1000 times better than the old grey cloth in any case.

 

With this all done, my gearknob started to look a bit shabby and was fraying all over the shop, so after a bit of consultation with StueyB, I sorted myself a nice Audi S-line knob, which fit pretty well after a bit of stretching! Really happy with the look and feel of it.

 

 

I then turned my attention to the steering wheel and found myself a nice 320mm Momo Corse wheel at a good price. It feels good in the hand and is a really good size comapared to the standard wheel, makes getting in and out easier for a tall lad like me too so thats a bonus!

 

 

Last on the list of current interior mods was the dials and switches. Red LEDs in the switches and indicators made a huge difference, despite my feable attempts at soldering! and the DDI dials really bring the cabin into the 20th, if not 21st century! After a lot of fiddling I used a UV Blacklight tube off eBay to get the needles lit properly:

 

Drilled a couple of holes and slotted the UV tube in:

 

 

 

Finished article:

 

So that's just about where we stand today!

 

Replaced in total:

 

Thermostat housing and sensors

Clutch and Gearbox mount

R32 Wishbone bushes

Passat heater controls

Red Leds in dash

DDI dials + Reverse Mod

Blood red Colour Concept Recaros and rear bench

Uprated headlight Loom + Osram NightBreaker bulbs

New Fuel pump relay, Fuel Pump and sender.

BMC CDA

Replaced all grey plastics/carpets with black

Daves door lock mod

Film tinted red rears

320mm Momo Corse wheel

Lupo Aero Wipers

fully refrubed 312mm brake conversion

fully refurbed rear callipers, new discs, pads bearings

Weitec Rear ARB

Polybush rear beam

 

 

Immediate plans are to get these fitted:

 

 

with the help of some 10mm H+R hubcentric spacers that should be on there way soon :) Callipers are from the rear of a Boxster (thanks Mort) and look brand new, hoses are stainless Badger 5 jobbies and I plumped for carriers from a guy on eBay to fit my current 312 discs. (Look to be a good set) Really excited to get these on now :) Should be ample stopping power for me tbh. Might get some Red Porsche decals for them or just some Brembo ones, we'll see.

 

Also getting a modified O2J shift tower from Neal (87Jetta16V) which should tighten up my gearchange a fair old bit, as at the moment if feels horrendously worn out.

 

Then in the next couple of months I'll hopefully be putting in a reconditioned VR lump and 'box, if all goes to plan anyways ;) The engine has currently done 146k and doesnt sound its best anymore, so i think a refresh is in order, and I can't really afford a full rebuild myself or any 24V 'upgrade'. I would be very interested in any 'charger or Turbo setups going at a good price though :) :) :)

 

Quick shot from today:

 

 

So I guess that's it for now, just want to Thank anyone that's helped me over the last couple of years with all the niggly little problems I've had, none of my friends are that into VWs really so when something goes wrong, the forum is a real lifesaver! You've all been amazing, THANKS!

 

Any comments welcome, still very much a 'work in progress'

 

Thanks for reading,

Andy

[mrbeige 0]

Looks well fella, loving the red recaros and the OZ wheels really suit it. Good work that man :afro:

[KADVR6 0]

Hi Andy,

 

very good job on the seats mate 8) look well nice against the aqua blue, and i'm sure you will get your next engine sorted easily enough.

 

keep up the good work

 

karl

[The_Dude 0]

Looks nice there buddy! Very tidy and clean.

 

Do you know when the gearbox oil was last changed? Its well worth doing, it makes a huge difference.

[CorradoVR6-Turbo 0]

very nice ! the red suits it well! 8)

[8vMatt 1]

Looks nice there buddy! Very tidy and clean.

 

Do you know when the gearbox oil was last changed? Its well worth doing, it makes a huge difference.

 

I can agree with this totally, just done mine and its so so much better.

[Kempy 0]

very nice, I just sold a red momo :lol:

[poll250 0]

Cheers for the comments guys.

 

Really love the combination of Aqua Blue and red, works so well in my opinion. The car is so much nicer to be in and drive now, still a good bit to do yet though :)

 

I haven't changed the gearbox oil yet, it's on my list although I think the linkages themselves are pretty damn worn, as this clip Shows there's so much slop in the gearstick even when in gear:

 

 

Nothing seems to be broken, just a lot of worn plastic lol! I think the O2J linkage will sort it out no end, but will definitely do the oil too just to be sure!

 

I should really get some better quality photos up too, most of them were taken on my iPhone.

Andy

[foster 0]

Seriously andy that now looks spot on. Good work. I thought the seats may be a little high for you!

You got any plans for doorcards?

[poll250 0]

Seriously andy that now looks spot on. Good work. I thought the seats may be a little high for you!

You got any plans for doorcards?

 

Thanks Alex,

 

Sprayed my grey cards with black vinyl spray and they look a lot better, but I really should sort something better out! Was thinking about the Red ones Karl had up recently, but not sure if that would of been too much red in the cabin. Think they've sold now though anyway.

 

You still got your early cards?

 

How's the sale going? I reckon it'd be such a shame to let it go after you've done so much to it. Get rid of one of those Minis instead!

 

Andy

[Flexso 0]

I was just wonder, are those seat from a colour concept mk3 golf? Did you have to change the subframes to get them in?

[foster 0]

Seriously andy that now looks spot on. Good work. I thought the seats may be a little high for you!

You got any plans for doorcards?

 

Thanks Alex,

 

Sprayed my grey cards with black vinyl spray and they look a lot better, but I really should sort something better out! Was thinking about the Red ones Karl had up recently, but not sure if that would of been too much red in the cabin. Think they've sold now though anyway.

 

You still got your early cards?

 

How's the sale going? I reckon it'd be such a shame to let it go after you've done so much to it. Get rid of one of those Minis instead!

 

Andy

 

I'd go for black doorcards personally, just to break it up a bit. I've still got mine yeah.

We've just been given the completion date for our first house so to be honest my rado just isn't that important to me at the moment. Plus the amount of money to finish it as I have planned just wont be around once we move in. But We sold the silver mini so we're getting there!

Decided to get something boring to get me to work and back, then once we are settled in our house and maybe I've found a closer job I'll get something to have some fun with.

Im thinking an elise, 350z, Tvr T350(i wish) or a vr6 turbo project! Just need to start saving.

 

Keep on with yours though buddy its shaping up to be quite a car. Especially when you drop the supercharged r32 lump in :wink:

[poll250 0]

I was just wonder, are those seat from a colour concept mk3 golf? Did you have to change the subframes to get them in?

 

Sorry missed this, Yeah fronts are from a Mk3 Golf Colour Concept with MK2 subframes welded on. They fit on the runners ok but sit a couple of inches higher than standard Rado seats, so theres about 2 inches between my head and the roof! (I am 6'3 though...)

 

Once this snow finally melts I'm gonna get my old rado seat bases out and see if I can get something mashed together to make them sit lower. I was thinking I might be able to mount the red leather bolsters and centre base to the standard Corrado seat base, and then attach the mk3 back rest to the Corrado seat base. May just be wishful thinking though!

 

Andy

[StueyB 0]

Love the progress Andy and good work on the Audi gearknob, i feel like a started something now.

 

This shot cracks me up coz its almost identical to my effort:

 

 

and mine:

 

 

I'll give you a shout next time i'm in Oxford dude as i've got a few friends your way.

 

Also how did you get your alu rings to stick so well to the heater control surround, mine won't stay on.

[KADVR6 0]

hi andy,

 

i have found some corberau seat bases that may sort out you seating problem, i will get some pics for you later.

[poll250 0]

Also how did you get your alu rings to stick so well to the heater control surround, mine won't stay on.

 

Hey Stu,

 

Thanks for the compliments, the gearknob looks spot on and feels really good, so thanks for the inspiration on the one :) Let me know when you're in OX and we'll have to meet up, I live right in the centre.

 

With respect to the dials, I think I used some of my dads modelling glue on the inside, and just left it for about 10 mins to set, been fine for a couple of years now and I've had the heater front panel off a fair few times too!

 

 

hi andy,

 

i have found some corberau seat bases that may sort out you seating problem, i will get some pics for you later.

 

Cheers Karl, be interested to take a look at them for sure, getting a bit tired of brushing my head on the roof lol

[mk4po-low 0]

love the work you put into the seats mate, they came out lush! ive got mk3 recaros aswell which i fitted in my mk4 polo (the take the same frames as mk3 golfs) how did u swap the frames to the mk2 ones? and how did you retain the pockets on the seat bases?

[poll250 0]

So, after having my Brembos sitting about for 2 months, I decided to get on with fitting them today.

 

Everything was going well, fitted calipers ok, then the blasted hardline decided to shear itself on he passenger side. The annoying thing is, this happened 2 years ago when I did the 312 conversion so this hardline was only 2 years old! The 15 years old drivers side one was fine!

 

Still, not too much hassle, I'll get one made up tomorrow.

 

The really annoying thing was trying to put my wheels back on with the H+R spacers. Fading light and no disc retaining screw made for some angry words, and a Corrado left on axle stands with no wheels over night!

 

Could do with some really long bolts to put in the hub to aid lining everything up properly, how does everyone else do it?

 

Pics tomorrow hopefully!

[poll250 0]

One Lonely photo of the Brembos on! Feel a lot more powerful but think I need to rebleed them as I'm sure there's still some air in the system.

 

 

They look very stealthy at the moment, but think I might spray them red in the future :cuckoo:

 

In other news, selling my refurbed 312 setup in the for-sale section if anyone's looking.

 

Andy

[muppetlab 0]

Could do with some really long bolts to put in the hub to aid lining everything up properly, how does everyone else do it?

 

Did you get longer bolts for your spacers or were the spacers not wide enough to need them? I put 15mm hubcentrics on front of mine and needed longer wheel bolts.

[poll250 0]

Yeah I got some 10mm longer wheel bolts so everythings safe! Just struggled to get everything lined up properly as my disc securing screws are snapped. Ended up getting a long M14 wheel centering bolt from MetalNerd.com in the states.

 

Wheel changes should take a couple of mins instead of a couple of hours now! :D

 

Should have some exciting info to update with later mwahhahaha

[poll250 0]

Well, it was a busy weekend driving around the country in my mates van, went to see Karl in Brum then down to Rob in Northampton. Was fortunate to have a go out in Robs R32 Rado: Well, that was an experience- sounds amazing and just seemed so tight on the road, absolutely loved it! :D

 

Picked this badboy up, as well as 3 boxes of parts to go with it:

 

 

Also got a whole room piled up with parts ready to go on including:

 

Newly refurbed engine +box from Karl

Spare complete subframe, driveshafts, hubs etc to refurb

Devils Own Meth injection

AutoTech 262 cams

ARP Head and Rod Bolts

C2 8.5:1 Head spacer

BFI Stage 1 engine mount

O2J Shift box and tower

Mk4 rears + Hoses + new handbrake cables

 

+ A load of little gaskets and replacement bolts, fluids etc

 

Really, really want to get started on this now, but the stupid Volcanic Ash has held the Wavetrac diff GB shipment up, so who knows when that will arrive arghhhh.

 

In the meantime, I've just been going around the car replacing broken clips in the interior and eliminating every rattle I can find. Greased the window runners yesterday and they are now finally silent! The noise of rattley windows has been driving me crazy for months! The only cause of rattles left I think is the Poly rear beam bushes, will look into replacing with standard bushes soon.

 

Think I'll attack the MKIV rears this weekend as my abs has stopped working intermittently, hopefully a good clean of the rear cages will sort it out!

 

Will try and get some more pics up later.

[herisites 0]

Looking good dude! :clap: Glad you liked the trip out in my car, it was driving quite nice that day I'll admit, still does my head in though :lol:

 

Your car's going to be a beast when it's done! :luvlove:

[OllieVR6 0]

Oooh another turbo, sweet! I love turbo projects!

 

I'd be interested to know more about the rattles and how you found them and fixed them. Quite often I find I have a rattle that I can't locate let alone fix.

 

Also, the windows rattling, I didn't realise that a re-grease could fix that, could you provide some more info?

[mrbeige 0]

Oooh another turbo, sweet! I love turbo projects!

Tis actually a supercharger dude, although I'm sure you'll love a surpercharger thread too!! :nuts: :norty:

 

Looking forward to seeing this evolve. I expect plenty of progress pics etc ;)