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21
Engine & Gearbox / Re: Engine swap advice
Last post by AndyBa -
Thanks Dave, yes I am surprised by your answer  :D
My thought process was that I'd be able to swap out the engine fairly promptly and not have the car off the road too long, but I guess if I increase the power then I need to fettle the brakes etc!
22
New Members Say Hi! / Re: Heater pipe work issue
Last post by scs -
I think the pipe you are asking about was fitted by vw years ago on a vehicle recall. The reason for it was that the heater matrix was prone to failing and hot water entered the footwell. There is a fix by fitting a mk3 matrix which is a direct replacement. Alternately just remove it and either fill the gap with a piece of pipe or replace the pipes altogether. On rereading it i note you have replaced the matrix so i would just remove the valve and either bodge the joint or replace the heater pipes.
23
New Members Say Hi! / Heater pipe work issue
Last post by DavidRS -
Hello, I am just trying to sort out my 1986 golf gti which I rally on HRCR events. There is a water leak under the bonnet from the heater return pipe. I note there is a second pipe linking the hot water in pipe to the hot water out pipe into the heater matrix ( I renewed this last year) which uses a smaller 6mm diameter hose. Does anyone know what this is for if I eliminate this pipe I get rid of my leak, I may just by pass the heater matrix for the summer. The problem part is a 3 way metal union I can’t see them listed anywhere …. Any suggestions appreciated.

David
24
Engine & Gearbox / Re: Engine swap advice
Last post by Monkey -
Problem is nowadays, any engine you swap in is going to be over 30 and feel almost just as tired.

Personally, I'd use the money getting your 1.8 rebuilt.
As long as the bores are good, a hone, fresh set of piston rings and a handful of other refresh bits should see it back to it's best.

First, you should get someone to do a leak down test. You may find you've got something like worn stem seals/guides and can get away with just a head rebuild.

I know I'm probably the last person to tell you not to swap out the engine, but if you want to get best bang for your buck, you may be better off keeping what you have.
27
Engine & Gearbox / Engine swap advice
Last post by AndyBa -
So my 1.8PB now has 193K on the clock and feels like it's in need of an engine "fettle"/swap. I'm tempted by a 2litre block but retaining a PB head and Digi injection. Which engine is the simpler swap? AGG, 2A, or another?? and how do you distingush them.
Noted a couple of Audi ACE/bubble engines for sale but they seem more of a faff having to move the oil filter, oil pick-up and sump.
Tried to search this site for such conversions but my searches aren't returning anything. TIA.
28
I.C.E & Electrical / Re: Electrical issue
Last post by Carlator -
I’d start by checking for a blown fuse or a loose relay, since those are the usual culprits on Mk2s. I once chased a weird intermittent fault and ended up using diagrams from fubox.net, which made it way easier to track down the right circuit. A quick wiggle test on the battery grounds and the fusebox connectors can also point you in the right direction.
30
Mk2 Golf/Jetta Sales / 1989 VW Golf Mk2 Syncro + 07K 2.5 Five Cylinder Haldex Conversion Project
Last post by 07ksyncro -
A genuinely  "uncommon"  opportunity that will not come along again. This is a complete, fully researched and largely receipted 07K five-cylinder Haldex AWD conversion project, based on a solid, running, driving genuine Mk2 Golf Syncro. Every major part has been sourced from the right specialists — this is not a box of random bits thrown together, it's a coherent, thought-through build ready for someone to finish.

The Car
1988 VW Golf Mk2 Syncro, silver with correct two-tone grey cladding, F-reg (1989). 5-door. Genuine Syncro — not a conversion. ~78,500 miles on the original VDO cluster. The bodywork is genuinely solid — sills, floors and arches are all clean and rust-free. The only blemish is minor door bottom blistering on the driver's door, completely typical for age. This is not a car hiding structural issues. Runs and drives. Period BBS-style cross-spoke alloys. Twin front auxiliary lights. Towbar fitted. Original plaid cloth interior in good condition. Syncro dash badge present.
MTS Technik Comfort coilover kit (MTSGWVW44-C) currently fitted. Original suspension retained and included — rears were collapsed hence the upgrade.

The Conversion Parts
Drivetrain

2008 VW Jetta 2.5L BGP code 07K five-cylinder engine (110kW/150hp) — correct engine for this swap
Audi TT Mk1 02M six-speed manual gearbox — bell housing already machined/shaved to accept the 07K
07K crankshaft pulley
07K oil filter housing with thermostat

Fabrication & Swap Hardware

Fabless Manufacturing Mk2 2.5L 07K Engine Swap Kit (MK2 factory K-frame / factory width / 4-bolt factory spindles) — the definitive kit for this conversion
Fabless Manufacturing Centre Rad Support Brace (07K)
Fabless Manufacturing MK3 VR6 fan shroud (for radiator)
Fabless Manufacturing MK7 gas pedal adapter (RHD)
Eurowise 07K Power Steering Conversion / AC Delete Bracket

Intake & Engine Dress
IE (Integrated Engineering) 2.5L 5-cylinder Performance Intake Manifold — black finish ($875 new)
IE 2.5L 5-cylinder Billet Valve Cover — raw finish ($495 new)
IE Billet Fuel Rail — black finish
IE Fuel Pressure Regulator Housing — black
IE Vacuum Pump Blockoff Plate

AWD System
DutchBuild Syncro rear beam modified to accept Gen 1 Haldex — professional specialist conversion
Audi TT 8N Mk1 Quattro Gen 1 Haldex rear differential — correct unit for this application
Genuine VW Mk2 Golf Syncro/Rallye rear trailing arms (wider track — correct for Syncro)
2x rear ABS reluctor rings

Suspension & Chassis
VW Mk2 front axle subframe/engine carrier
MK2 GTI steering knuckle + hub + bearing set
VW Golf wheel hub (Febi)
VW Golf wheel bearing kit (Febi)
Kinetix 305mm drilled and grooved front brake discs (4-stud, anti-corrosion coated)

Powerflex Heritage Bushing Kit — complete set specific to Mk2 4WD:
PFR85-260H Rear beam bushes
PFR85-262H Rear trailing arm bushes
PFR85-263-20H G60/Rallye rear ARB bushes
PFR85-264-20H Rear ARB bushes
PFF85-265H Front wishbone rear bushes
Front wishbone front bushes 30mm

Why This Build?
The 07K Haldex Syncro Mk2 is one of the most exciting sleeper builds possible — a completely stock-looking Mk2 Golf hiding a tuneable 150hp+ inline five-cylinder and permanent four-wheel drive. With the IE intake and a tune you're looking at 170-190hp in an 1,100kg car that looks entirely standard. There are very few of these in existence anywhere in the world. The Fabless kit, DutchBuild beam and IE parts alone represent well over £3,000 of specialist components that cannot simply be found on eBay.

Why Is It For Sale?
I'll be honest — I had every intention of building this car, and I think the parts list speaks for itself in terms of how seriously I was pursuing it. Every major component was carefully researched and sourced from the right specialists. Unfortunately a surprise baby means I simply no longer have the time or headspace to run a project car alongside new parent life. Something has to give, and it's not going to be the baby.

Asking £10,000 ONO for the complete package — car and all parts.
Parts will not be split at this price. If no serious interest in the bundle after a reasonable period, parts will be sold individually.
Swaps Considered

Open to interesting part-exchanges — something practical enough for new family life but with a bit of character. Must have Isofix. Happy to discuss top-up either way.
All major purchases are receipted. Viewing strongly encouraged — the car is exactly as shown and all parts are present.
Serious enquiries only. Located in South Gloucestershire.