Hi everyone, this is my first post on Aussiefrogs after a long time lurking. I figured I would kick off with a restoration thread. A few months ago I bought a 1987 205 GTI 1.9 for $1200 (209k) with hopes of restoring and improving it to replace my daily drive and maybe a track car once I get a company car.
It is in very average condition. The body is dead straight, with some dings and such as far as I know it has just been sitting for a long time in someones driveway so it hasnt copped any abuse. Suspension is in poor shape, I am going to replace the lot with new bushes, uprated shocks and a rear beam rebuild. Steering has a bit of play. The engine runs very well; starts every time with no smoke. It has a clicky sound which I suspect is either the lifters or injectors. Are these usually audibly clicky? Gearbox may need replacing with its linkages.
Before I do any major work I am still debating what to do with the engine. I am definitely going to upgrade the brakes from either the S16 or GTI6. I am not on a shoestring budget, but I want the money I spend to be close to the amount I can insure it for (3-4.5k). Eventually I want a 16v in it. If i can find a cheap/wrecked S16 or GTI6 I will take the brakes/engine/gearbox out and transplant them. I would love the XU10J4RS, with a 5speed, but I am worried about how hard they are to work on once they are in the car, not to mention the work that goes into fitting them in. I could also take the alloy Mi16 route but they are hard to find in respectable condition for a good price.
If anybody has any comments or recommendations I am open to suggestions. I expect i will be asking a lot more questions in the coming months.
Here are some pics of my baby looking a bit sad at the moment.
The previous owner decided it would be a good idea to put 206 seats in it, which did not go down well at all. They were the first things to be ripped out with the original seats put back in.
It is in very average condition. The body is dead straight, with some dings and such as far as I know it has just been sitting for a long time in someones driveway so it hasnt copped any abuse. Suspension is in poor shape, I am going to replace the lot with new bushes, uprated shocks and a rear beam rebuild. Steering has a bit of play. The engine runs very well; starts every time with no smoke. It has a clicky sound which I suspect is either the lifters or injectors. Are these usually audibly clicky? Gearbox may need replacing with its linkages.
Before I do any major work I am still debating what to do with the engine. I am definitely going to upgrade the brakes from either the S16 or GTI6. I am not on a shoestring budget, but I want the money I spend to be close to the amount I can insure it for (3-4.5k). Eventually I want a 16v in it. If i can find a cheap/wrecked S16 or GTI6 I will take the brakes/engine/gearbox out and transplant them. I would love the XU10J4RS, with a 5speed, but I am worried about how hard they are to work on once they are in the car, not to mention the work that goes into fitting them in. I could also take the alloy Mi16 route but they are hard to find in respectable condition for a good price.
If anybody has any comments or recommendations I am open to suggestions. I expect i will be asking a lot more questions in the coming months.
Here are some pics of my baby looking a bit sad at the moment.
The previous owner decided it would be a good idea to put 206 seats in it, which did not go down well at all. They were the first things to be ripped out with the original seats put back in.
I had a week off last week so I got to doing me some pugrades.
