MK2 Golf VR6 2.8

[Keyo 47]

Hi Guys,

 

Has anyone owned or driven a MK2 golf modified 2.8 AAA engine.

 

How does the car drive with a heavier engine block, does it feel fast.

 

Do most people that have converted them withdraw the information from DVLA and Insurance companies because I like to be on the ball with insurance myself.

 

Are there insurance companies that are happy to insure an engine swap MK2 golf.

 

Thank You.

[vw rule 19]

Hello there,

 

have a read of this forum thread from Pistonheads.com it's got a lot of information regarding the MK2 Golf VR6 conversion.

 

Link below:

 

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=86&t=1222215

 

Si

[Keyo 47]

Hello there,

 

have a read of this forum thread from Pistonheads.com it's got a lot of information regarding the MK2 Golf VR6 conversion.

 

Link below:

 

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=86&t=1222215

 

Si

 

Great Si thanks for the link Ill have a good read of that.

 

Cheers.

[vw rule 19]

Hi Guys,

 

Has anyone owned or driven a MK2 golf modified 2.8 AAA engine.

 

How does the car drive with a heavier engine block, does it feel fast.

 

Do most people that have converted them withdraw the information from DVLA and Insurance companies because I like to be on the ball with insurance myself.

 

Are there insurance companies that are happy to insure an engine swap MK2 golf.

 

Thank You.

 

I'd be inclined to tell your insurance company because if you were involved in a traffic incident, and someone had to come out from your insurance to assess the damage, and see the MK2 Golf isn't standard then your insurance could be void, as in their eyes you've made the cars performance jump from a 4cyl with 115BHP or 139BHP up to a 6cyl with 178 BHP.

 

Yes you can tell your insurance of any none standard modification from factory you've added, but I believe what they really care about are any modifications that enhances the cars performance, so an engine change would be spotted if they knew what they were looking for. But if you had the car looking say, standard but had the engine re-mapped, different cams fitted, forged pistons fitted, increased the fuel pressure, you'd more than likely get away with it, because no one can see anything has been changed.

 

Your best bet is phone around first before you start your VR6 project and get different quotes, other than that you'll have to go to a insurance company that specializes in modified cars.

 

Some insurers won't touch kit cars or modified cars or high performance cars.

 

Si

[vw rule 19]

That's a really good price £174 for comprehensive insurance for a VR6 modified Golf, to be honest the Golf chassis should be able to take the extra BHP as the Corrado partly came from the MK2 Golf.

 

I did a Silverstone track day in a Ferrari 360 roughly about 2 years ago, I was chatting to the instructor in the old pit lane just before we set off, anyway he asked what car do I drive so at the time had my old MK3 Polo, plus said I've also got a Corrado, he replied the MK2 Golf chassis is one of the best VW ever made,

and told me is why the Corrado handles so well

as VW used a great foundation in using the MK2 Golf. Also said the VR6 is one hell of an engine, and mentioned about the KR 16v that in it's time was one of the best engines they used in the MK2 Golf.

 

Sounds like the Golf you're getting has been done well from what you've mentioned / listed above.

 

Si

[swiftkid 1]

Few of my mates have owned and built mk2 vr6's in the past, yes they are fast but had mixed opinions of handling. My mate said his handled really well and I don't even think it was wide track, they do spin the wheels pretty easily but that's to be expected really when you don't have 10 tonnes of bonnet weight like the corrado.

 

Regards insurance, 100% declare everything, some companies insure it like you are insuring the mk3 whilst others just declare it as modifications and uprated BHP I think.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about getting parts, if you can find a reg number from the original engine or 1 from the same era you just need know when to use which number plate. You quickly learn whats original and whats not!

[Dox 22]

Looks like an obd1 dizzy engine to me?

[Keyo 47]

Looks like an obd1 dizzy engine to me?

 

 

Spot on Dox it is so, I imagine the OBd2 option would be more favourable/power gains but perhaps the OBD1 was an easier install.

 

The implanted engine number is AAA code 2792 cc - 175BHP. Came off a J reg MK3 Golf Vr6, with 90K on the clock.

 

Would of been nice if it was a 2.9 Corrado engine.

 

I have managed to get the seller to go back to Jam sports who did the install and produce a formal document of the engine change so I can send it with the V5 to the DVLA so fully on board .

 

I would have opted for a clean 16V but a good one is asking 10 k, even seen them for 15k, and I couldn't justify that sort of money, could probably easily spend another 3k on them getting them up to scratch. I suppose the bonus is the Golf sounds immense with the headers and six pot. To be fair what I'm paying for the car is the amount that the seller paid for the VR6 Engine and auxiliaries and the garage to install it. Jam sport charged him 2.5k + Vat

 

Question.

 

The golf is H registration plate 1991, it does not have a cat fitted at present, it has headers and a straight pipe. Does it require a cat fitted by law or did they come out of the factory without a Cat.

 

Thanks

Edited June 10, 2019 by Keyo

[Keyo 47]

Few of my mates have owned and built mk2 vr6's in the past, yes they are fast but had mixed opinions of handling. My mate said his handled really well and I don't even think it was wide track, they do spin the wheels pretty easily but that's to be expected really when you don't have 10 tonnes of bonnet weight like the corrado.

 

Regards insurance, 100% declare everything, some companies insure it like you are insuring the mk3 whilst others just declare it as modifications and uprated BHP I think.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about getting parts, if you can find a reg number from the original engine or 1 from the same era you just need know when to use which number plate. You quickly learn whats original and whats not!

 

Thanks for the advice swiftkid I have declared the mods.

 

Thankfully I also have the original registration plate of the donor car. MK3 Golf VR6

[Keyo 47]

One thing that did make me chuckle is after reading the VR6 conversion forum a couple of posts said they got hold of a Rado VR6 for donor snd decided to keep it and sell on the the MK2 golf. :thumbleft:

[_Matt_ 26]

Some of the posters on that pistonhead thread make my chuckle.

 

I like the mk2, if you get it, it would be great to hear how it compares to the Corrado. Are you not tempted by a 16v (or 8v) instead with a VR6 already on the drive? I'm interested in the 8v (for it's simplicity) or the 16v for it's great 4-pot noise. Although I'd happily have a VR6 in every car I own as well so can see the appeal :)

[ger040 2]

Keyo 10k for a 16v Mk2 Golf? that is madness at the moment as there is plenty of cars out there although a lot are sorn and tucked away

 

i have 2 at present but one is just a shell

 

To drive the cars i find they are totally different but thats maybe just the engine g60 v 16v

 

i find the biggest difference is build quality and noise - corrado has far better build quality!

 

i had a chat a while ago with a vr6 mk2 owner and he found the car nose heavy but loved the power and noise - dont know if it was wide tracked though

[Keyo 47]

Hi Ger,

 

I promise you not look on ebay , for an original well looked 16V they are asking 8k and above. 8V are somewhat cheaper.

 

Unfortunately mine is not a wide track conversion as it it's on its original sub frames and the mounts were modded. Not sure I would want the wheels sticking out though on the wide track option.

 

N'Ireland seems to be the place to pick up a VAG classic at a reasonable price.

 

They are asking between 20-25 for a MK2 Rallye.

[Dox 22]

MOT pre 1992 doesn’t need a cat, so tell them the engine is 1991 and it has to meet non cat specs only.

[seanl82 23]

Look at classic policies. Not sure you'd get below what you already have but you'll get far more options. As long as you declare all mods, are over 25 and keep limited mileage below 6k, benchmark is around £200 with guaranteed value. Don't bother with comparison sites, it's just seen as an old, high performance/modified car.

[Keyo 47]

Update.

 

Have pulled out of the purchase , after reading through all the new rules with engine swap just sounds like a grey area and I don't want to get stuck with a car that may or may not be able to be registered down to the individual DVLA member of staff that gets the paperwork. If I had commissioned the engine swap myself I could of followed it step by step to insure it would get registered but that is not the case.

 

Back to the drawing board , best to go for a stock engine MK2 Golf I believe.

If anyone knows someone that has a 16v for sale big bumper could they kindly let me know.

 

Cheers.

Edited June 10, 2019 by Keyo

[_Matt_ 26]

Probs wise move.. although not sure what the price was of the golf vr6 but assume bodywork was sound... you could convert it back to stock if you think it could be a valuable car in stock form.

[Keyo 47]

Probs wise move.. although not sure what the price was of the golf vr6 but assume bodywork was sound... you could convert it back to stock if you think it could be a valuable car in stock form.

 

Body work looked pretty good to be honest but I just thought about everything in general and looked at Jam sport(carried out the conversion) which are not a VAG specialist like Stealth , and I just don't want to spend my hard earned money on something I'm not 100 percent sure about . It was an 8V and you can pick a stock one of them for quite a lot cheaper then a 16V so wouldn't be worth it. Also would rather a Bilstein shock and springs set up or stock then a cheap coil over brand .

 

Would rather find an honest one like my Rado that had a stock block with a good service history and providence.

[ger040 2]

Hi Ger,

 

I promise you not look on ebay , for an original well looked 16V they are asking 8k and above. 8V are somewhat cheaper.

 

Unfortunately mine is not a wide track conversion as it it's on its original sub frames and the mounts were modded. Not sure I would want the wheels sticking out though on the wide track option.

 

N'Ireland seems to be the place to pick up a VAG classic at a reasonable price.

 

They are asking between 20-25 for a MK2 Rallye.

 

Dont know about that but 10k for a 16v!!!

 

Some of the prices quoted especially on ebay i wonder do the actually sell for the prices quoted

[Keyo 47]

Some are been advertised for top money and have listed on the sale, oh by the way the roof is sagging, one of the wings is damaged, the MFA is bleeding,on coil overs that cost £100 off ebay , it's a bit of a joke to be honest .

[fendervg 29]

I had a 1990 8v GTI 3-door, with the PB Digifant engine for over 10 years, and loved it - it was a cracking car to drive, and the low down torque made it perfect for a daily. It didn't have power steering, which was a but of a pain, but I retrofitted that a couple of years before I sold it on.

 

The VR is a completely different car, if based on the same chassis - it feels much more modern and comfortable and more planted. It has wide track for a reason, so a good PAS set up and wide track conversion would be needed to get the most out of a Mk2 running a VR6 - you can always fit G60 arches to make it look a bit better.

 

The Corrado is much, much easier to drive at speed and on long journeys (a true GT car), both both handle really well on back roads and twistys.

 

Having worked on both and had the interior out of both, the build quality and attention to detail was definitely better on the Corrado, but it was built in a dedicated factory by Karmann as a premium car. Mk2s were built in lots of different factories and probably vary more in quality, but then some Corrados do as well. Not sure, but maybe all GTIs were built in Wolfsburg?

 

If it was me I'd stick with the 8v or 16v in the Golf to keep the original character of the cars.

[Geeba 0]

 

If it was me I'd stick with the 8v or 16v in the Golf to keep the original character of the cars.

 

This!

 

I've had a few MK2's - put 1.9 and 2.0 blocks in them.. heads,valve, cams etc they absolutely fly - my favourite was the 1900, a squarer engine, loved reving.. all setup brake and suspension wise - absolutely no problem hanging with MK3 VR's ;)

[Keyo 47]

I had a 1990 8v GTI 3-door, with the PB Digifant engine for over 10 years, and loved it - it was a cracking car to drive, and the low down torque made it perfect for a daily. It didn't have power steering, which was a but of a pain, but I retrofitted that a couple of years before I sold it on.

 

The VR is a completely different car, if based on the same chassis - it feels much more modern and comfortable and more planted. It has wide track for a reason, so a good PAS set up and wide track conversion would be needed to get the most out of a Mk2 running a VR6 - you can always fit G60 arches to make it look a bit better.

 

The Corrado is much, much easier to drive at speed and on long journeys (a true GT car), both both handle really well on back roads and twistys.

 

Having worked on both and had the interior out of both, the build quality and attention to detail was definitely better on the Corrado, but it was built in a dedicated factory by Karmann as a premium car. Mk2s were built in lots of different factories and probably vary more in quality, but then some Corrados do as well. Not sure, but maybe all GTIs were built in Wolfsburg?

 

If it was me I'd stick with the 8v or 16v in the Golf to keep the original character of the cars.

 

I'am becoming open minded to a 8v now as they seem to be a lot better value, but owned a 16v back in the early 90s, it was runout model, had the rainbow interior and if I remember correctly something like a black edition, can't remember .

[Dox 22]

My 90 8V came alive with a ported head, exhaust and AmD (then of Oxford) chip, 128 BHP sounds puny by todays standards, but its one car I wished I'd never sold.