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3
Members' Cars / Re: G135EPB 8v GTI
Last post by ianmac86 -
25th September 2026, Bicester Motion
I booked another trackday! This one was at Bicester Motion through Oli's Secret Trackdays. It's only a small track and was just the afternoon session. They ran it anti clockwise for the first few hours and then swapped it round to clockwise. It was a low numbers day, around 20 cars I think, so there was plenty of track time to be had.

Me, Dan (20v), Woz (20v) and Tom (abf) had all booked on, along with a fella called Tan in an Oak Green 3.2, so there were five Mk2s between us. There was also a Mk1 there which was very similarly matched to my car, which made for some good fun on track.

I managed to get some tuition from Oli. He started by saying "you can drive" 😏 but then followed it up with plenty of advice, which I tried to take on board for the rest of the day.
https://youtu.be/ZIggkDVICp0?is=M6kHjUHO3x7nFL9d
It wasn't a problem free afternoon. I think pretty much all of us had an issue of some sort, but we all managed to drive home in one piece, which is the main thing!

Mine came away with a couple of jobs. The front subframe is very crusty whichbi already knew about, so I've got a powder coated Mk3 subframe and a new old stock mount lined up to replace it. The rear exhaust hanger has snapped the stud, so that needs welding back on and the speedo stopped working. I'm assuming the speedo cable has either broken or come detached.
Dan's heater matrix blew up and he also lost his fans. Woz somehow managed to lose two of the three bolts holding his gearbox bracket on. The final bolt then sheared off and took a chunk of the gearbox casing with it for good measure 😳

So not exactly a trouble free trackday, but plenty of track time, laughs and all the cars made it home under their own steam. By old VW trackday standards, I'd probably call that a success! Definitely recommend Oli's Secret Trackdays and will book through him again in future.

Oh yeah, the photographer was class 👌🏻








4
Members' Cars / J858KLY 20vt Project
Last post by ianmac86 -
Bought this recently as a bit of a project, with the idea of building a 20 valve. That decision was made considerably easier by the fact it came with a BAM engine!


The car itself is a five door Driver, originally a 1.6 auto. The previous owner had already started the conversion and had basically stripped the car right back. The original engine and gearbox were removed, along with the dash, interior, looms, sound deadening, dash and even seat belts! The engine had been mounted in the engine bay on the correct mounts, but that was about as far as the conversion had got.

So what I've really bought is a big Mk2 Golf jigsaw puzzle that somebody else has started. Most of the parts that were removed have since been given to me, so hopefully the majority of it is there to put back together, although I'm sure I'll find plenty missing along the way.

Condition wise, it seems to be a pretty solid shell in the places that matter. The rear turrets look good, the fuel filler area looks good and the rest of the underside seems reasonably solid for a Mk2. Which is the main reason I went for this car. I had plenty of pictures and videos sent over before buying it and although it's certainly not perfect, it didn't appear to be hiding thousands of pounds worth of welding.

There are still a few bits to sort. It needs a jacking point repairing, a patch on the sill and a small repair around the tailgate plinth. Cosmetically it desperately needs a good clean and polish, so it'll be interesting to see how well it comes back up. I've got no plans to make it perfect cosmetically though. I want something I can use and enjoy without worrying too much about it.




The engine is a BAM 1.8T 20V, believed to have done around 115k from a TT. It apparently comes with a decent amount of service history, which I'm still waiting to get hold of being maintained by an Audi specialistin High Wycombe.

As I bought it, the main useful bits were:
• BAM 1.8T 20V engine
• 02A CGY Corrado gearbox
• Russell Swann converted BAM CE2 loom
• BAM ECU
• Mk3 VR6 fuel tank


There was no clutch or flywheel and the engine had essentially just been mounted in place (i assume for tranaportation), so there's still plenty to do before it i can think about turbing the key.

I've started collecting parts for it and so far I've got:
• G60 flywheel
• Sachs VR6 clutch
• Strengthened clutch arm
• Hydraulic clutch setup from a mk4
• Mk3 subframe and ABF rear engine bracket
• Sytec uprated fuel pump setup
• Oversized K04 TIP
• 600 x 300 x 76 intercooler
• boost pipework
• G60 front brake setup
• SEAT Ibiza stubby brake master cylinder
• INA timing belt and water pump kit
• Non AC auxiliary belt setup
• Trackslag 3 inch K04 downpipe
• Trackslag full 3 inch exhaust
The converted CE2 loom was done by Russell Swann, which is a good starting point. The ECU has just come back from Adlai Phillip for the immobiliser removal and the necessary deletes.

I'm sure theres still a fairly long list of little bits to find and work out along the way, as well as putting the interior, dash and wiring back together. I know there will be plenty of things I've not even realised I'm missing yet!

For now the plan sounds pretty simple. Get it running, driving, MOT'd and road legal as a 20VT Mk2 and then see what I think of it.

I'm not completely sure what I'll do with it if i even complete it. I might keep it as a road car and daily it, turn it into more of a track car, sell it once it's finished, or possibly transplant the 20VT setup into my red Mk2. I still love the ABF in that car though, so I'm in no rush to pull apart something that already works.

For now this one can be the project. Put the jigsaw back together, get it running and see where it goes from there 🙂
6
Mk2 Parts for Sale & Breaking / Re: Mk2 16v Golf & Jetta Parts For Sale
Last post by nadabsardar -
Hi James, is the 16v stuff still available? The thread's been quiet for a while, so I wasn't sure. I'm mainly after a 16v head or inlet manifold, and I'd like to know whether the cam and timing gear are included or already gone. I can pay postage or collect if that's easier. Cheers
7
Bodywork & Paintwork / Re: Paint work
Last post by scs -
Hi, a garage local to me in East Devon. What also you have to think about is humidity if the air is not dry you get a effect called micro blister which causes the paint to bubble after time as moisture is trapped under the new paint.
9
Bodywork & Paintwork / Re: Paint work
Last post by scs -
I know friends that painted there cars they never turned out well. The equipment they had was just not good enough. It also needs a lot of skill. I recently paid £1300 to have half the side of my car painted I am well pleased with the result.
10
Bodywork & Paintwork / Paint work
Last post by MDitch -
Hi,

Does anyone on here paint cars on their drive or in their garage to a reasonable standard? I am looking at options around having my mk2 paint matched to the standard factory paint of Monza blue paint. The front wings and doors are still factory paint but at some point the rear end and roof have been painted a dark blue and its not a good finish.
I cant afford a full show standard respray but would love it to at least all be the same colour and look decent.

If anyone can comment on here or send me a PM I would love to have a discussion.

Many Thanks

Michael