oneohtwo

Engine is ready at so need to go and pick it up! Exciting times. In the meantime I've been making some progress on tidying bits and pieces up. Finished the battery tray recently: To: Got rid of all the dirt, bits of old wax and dealt with all the rust. Not a perfect job, not going to bother flattening it or anything as it's just the battery tray, but a lot nicer than it was and something that has always bugged me so pretty happy.

Ah I meant the part number for the V5 starter motor - like the idea of having a bit more oomph to start. Will definitely give QX a go for the alternator though, thanks for the tip. Noticed you'd used Amos motors for some bits, never heard of them before but might give them a shout as been struggling to source a replacement radiator support.

Cheers, for the info and apologies for hijacking the thread - think I'll give the V5 starter a go, and get the alternator refurbed. Typically the dealers were no help, reckoned the part number from the link above was for a 1990 golf, not the V5 and as I didn't have a Mk IV reg that was that. Put the Bosch part number into a few other places though and they seem to be readily available for not ridiculous dollar: https://www.motor-doctor.co.uk/products/1157162-starter https://www.autodoc.co.uk/bosch/1157162?search=BOSCH%20Starter%20%20(0%20986%20017%20000) Interestingly both say it fits a Corrado.

Hi fella, understand you're keeping the rado. Good to hear! Always wonder if I am doing the right thing keeping hold when a regular sells up... Anyway, was just wondering how you've got on with the JP Starter Motor? Noticed you had it in your parts list at the beginning of the thread. I was looking at replacing mine (it used to make a screeching noise on startup and I discovered on removal the brass collar around the shaft had broken in two - the two may be related) and can only really see the JP option from VW heritage for reasonable money. Their site lists it as "good quality" rather than "top quality" so was unsure... but on the other hand they don't tend to list anything really poor and options are limited!

Still on the lookout for one of these, if anyone can assist?

I'm posting them from my onedrive account. I have a Windows phone which automatically uploads all my photos to onedrive, and then that gives me the option to generate html code to embed into the post with the img tags. Works quite well.

Spent a couple of long evenings re-wrapping the entire wiring loom in the engine bay: Looks an absolute mess but hopefully will look smart once it's all back in. Although already noticed some ends of the tape coming off which isn't great. used a Tesa tape which seemed good quality so bit disappointing. Have wrapped those bits with extra again so hopefully holds. Also been de-rusting some of the battery tray on the right of the photo, I have to say very impressed with the Bilt Hamber Deox Gel - A rust remover that actually seems to work. Had a big spot under the lip at the back that I couldn't sand off, so shoved some under, left it for a day, and it's just shiny metal there now. Was genuinely surprised!

Ah cheers, how much are you looking for? Would you be able to upload a couple of pictures as well? ta

I pm'd you but the forum is a bit wonky at the moment, so not sure it went through. With the Corrados do you have a VR6 lower radiator support member in reasonable condition? I can deal with surface rust, but anything that needs cutting and repairing would be the same as my current one. Thanks,

Slight hiccup in the project. I've set about trying to tidy up the engine bay, dealing with a bit of rust here and there and generally smartening. Came to the rad support, and had a plan to deal with a large bulge of rust that had formed in the middle of the upper and lower sections. It's been there since I had the car, so not a great surprise. Plan was to cut it out and effect a small repair... unfortunately, it was rather larger than hoped. Cut most of it out but it still keeps going and it's in a difficult area to repair that is probably beyond the resources I have at my disposal. So I have decided just to replace the whole member. It was that horrible layered flaky stuff that just keeps growing, that was only going to get worse so I don't have any regrets about removing it, but struggling to find a replacement part!

Looking for a VR6 rad support in reasonable condition. Mine had a massive chunk of rust in the middle, which I had hoped to cut out and weld in a new piece, but having cut some of it out it just goes too far.

Ah nice, they rang me not too long ago so it seemed progress was going well. Hopefully won't be too long now! Currently just doing some tidying of the engine bay, sorting some rust under the battery tray and the rad support and just general cleaning. Had the oil pump apart and all looked in decent condition, no scoring marks so that's good. I've gone for the 263s as well, looking forward to seeing the difference! Did have a look to see if there were other little tweeks here and there that might be worth playing with, but it does seem like the 263s are the only thing that makes a difference.

I'd be happy to pay as well. Some of the suggestions above about having part free access and another part members, and a tie up with Corrado Club GB sound quite reasonable to my mind. It's such a valuable resource. Have to say I don't fully understand how everyone has transferred to facebook. Whenever I've looked at the pages there's nothing on there!

2k paint is a two part paint and contains a hardener so if you're going down the airgun route you may need to mix it yourself which may be one of the reasons it's not recommended. The other, and it's possibly more likely to be this, is the fumes/spray mist is nasty stuff that you do not want to breathe in. The HSE recommends air-fed breathing apparatus for spray booths. As far as I am aware there are no particular issues with drying and spraying. I have used it in aerosol form (so didn't have to mix) and didn't have any issues, and it left a good finish. It is popular for clear coat because it can be harder wearing than a single part paint. I did the spraying outdoors with a breathing mask (albeit I wasn't aware of the 2k at the time) so that probably lessened the fumes as opposed to being stuck in a spray booth. Biggest issue I had was getting a good blend. The bit I did was on the A-pillar but still got a bit of halo effect at the top. Not really noticeable and far better than before when the paint was peeling, but it is there.

To be honest, this might well settle it, thanks. The main reason was to reduce bay temps (with coating/wrapping) so that would be counter productive. Out of interest, which 6 branch did you have? Cheers for the link, might give them a shout, but as above probably gonna knock the idea on the head.

Anyone know of any half decent exhaust manifolds knocking about currently? Obviously Supersprint, but they are a bit silly money. I know the Raceland efforts were popular not too long ago, but they appear to be defunct. Wasn't after any performance gains, and I can't imagine you'd get any, but my reasons were two-fold: - bit of weight reduction as the stock one is quite a weighty lump of iron - I was thinking of ceramic coating, or at least wrapping it, to reduce the temp under the bonnet a touch. It would always get mega hot in there, and could feel it coming into the cabin Now, there are plenty of ebay specials about but I am a bit reluctant about those for obvious reasons. There are some branded ones about TA Technix, Direnza and OBX. Ultimately all look pretty similar, apparently knock offs of the Supersprint. OBX seem to have two types, 1 that appears to match the stock manifold closely with a relatively short 6 section and long 2, as well as the Supersprint type... TA Technix https://www.amazon.co.uk/TA-Technix-EVOFÄVR6-Technix-EVOFÄVR6-Compartments-Manifold/dp/B00DKWF47Y Direnza: https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/350700275892?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3Dd8facee2c94347aa976c3d7ed6ccb59b%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D4%26rkt%3D7%26sd%3D333021301998%26itm%3D350700275892%26pg%3D2385738 OBX: https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/173675648921?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3Dc3c460a5c1ef4c1f908558a09cf2d355%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D113828876834%26itm%3D173675648921%26pg%3D2385738 https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/183690270894?rt=nc&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20160908110712%26meid%3D2ecd80d0e454444d8cbbab56a8e964f0%26pid%3D100677%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D173675648921%26itm%3D183690270894%26pg%3D2385738 But I have also found these: https://races-shop.com/golf/88046-exhaust-manifold-stainless-steel-vw-corrado-vw-passat-vw-vento-vw-golf-fmvwfk05.html From a company called Friedrich Motorsport which do seem reasonable, manufacture in their own factory, and they look a bit better quality. Anyone got any experience of the above, or alternatives? I rather suspect I am best off keeping my money in my wallet, but it seems like a nice idea!

Right, so it's out! Found a fair amount of debris in the sump including a couple of bits of plastic. No idea where they've come from... So will probably open up the oil pump and just make sure everything is all ok. Have started tidying up the engine bay, gonna re-wrap all the wiring, give everything a solid clean and repaint the battery tray. Only downside is I managed to break the lower timing chain cover... just the bit in the corner. It was stuck on a rusted peg and wouldn't budge, gave it a bit of brute force and it snapped around the edge. It's a tiny bit just around the edge, but pretty annoying having to replace bits unnecessarily. Anyway, taking it up to Stealth on Monday. Quite excited!

Good thinking. I do have the Bentley manual so could probably find out from there, but I have tried to avoid delving into the wiring diagrams so far.

Hmmm, no. To be honest it might be alright, and I may have to live with it if there's not a viable new one. The insulating material has cracked off where the wire goes in, so the connector plate is free and the wire has pulled out a bit. Thinking about it I could potentially glue the plate back into place with epoxy resin, then cover the bare wire with electrical tape.

Right, eventually got an answer from VW about the part... and no surprises that it is obsolete, came as part of the whole ABS pump unit apparently. The question now though is, does anyone know anywhere a replacement might be found?! It seems a pretty obscure part so searching is tricky!

No, no BMWs! I think I should be able to borrow a car to run them up in so that should sort that. Seems preferable to go there in person whilst they inspect the bits... it's almost a pilgrimage!

Spoke to Vince and he didn't seem overly concerned with the damage to the head as long as there is a seal around it. He says they've come across it plenty of times, and was generally caused by a combination of the old G11 coolant/anti-freeze and the quality of alloy used in the head not getting along. Reckoned they'd be able to refurb that fine. Also said if the honing had worn the only real solution would be re-boring, which is as suspected, and that just re-honing in their experience wasn't worth the trouble. Also reckoned it was unlikely to cause issues further down the line, and they've never experienced issues with re-bored engines. So all in all, I think I'll go down that route. Keeps the original engine in the bay which is a major plus for me. Money I wasn't really expecting to spend, but there we go... but worth doing it right. Just have to sort a way to get it up to Stealth now!

Thanks for the advice all. The Cabmasters are old Ford stock apparently, spoke to the guy yesterday, intended for the Galaxy/Sharan - not sure what code they are. Price is also now £1k which is a bit less palatable than the £700-800 that I am sure it was when Jim got his. With the need to strip it down and give it a once over as well, I think I may rule out that option unless all else fails. Don't like the sound of putting a "Ford" engine in the Corrado either! Agree, some expert advice is needed, think I will give Vince a call. Sadly I am nowhere near Stealth (London) so difficult to take it along in person, but hopefully he'll be able to give a steer from the photos. This is the same for me as well, so would be my preferred option if it is practical!