Dream Project Car

Every petrol heads will have their one dream project car to be done by themselves from scrap......How about me????????

BROOOOOO!!!!!!!! GOLF GTI MK2 BRUHHHHHHHHHH💓💓💓

Im gonna share some tuning issues that can be done to make the 90s junk scrap into a 1000 horses of pure muscle😋😋

The Mk2 Golf is a bona fide legend and a rapidly appreciating everyday classic. But of course there’s lots you can do to make it even better. Here’s a guide to some of the best budget upgrades…

Even if you’re on a shoestring, you can make a Golf Mk2 into a highly rewarding road car for very little outlay. The key, of course, is to start with a sound example and get it running properly before you embark on the modifying route. It might be that once you’ve given it a thorough service and tidy up, you might decide to keep it totally stock. And we’ve no problem with that because we like originality…

On the other hand, if you’re freshening up a tired car with a long list of things wrong with it, it’s just as easy and almost as cheap to fit upgraded parts rather than the originals.

Suspension

That’s precisely why it’s wise to spend your first bit of hard earned on the chassis and suspension – and that might simply mean a four-wheel laser alignment to ensure the geometry’s spot on. Beyond that, the lowering kit with stiffer sports springs and shorter stroke sports shocks here is the way to go. Prices start at just over £400 for the whole kaboodle. Don’t go too mad – dropping the car by around 40mm all round will be enough to improve stance and improve handling. Add to that a Polybush suspension bush kit  and Eibach anti-roll bar kit  you’ll have already transformed your car from a placid family friendly hatch into a lithe road toy.

Engine

There’s lots of little things you can do for not much money to make a Mk2 instantly a tad pokier. Try a panel filter/induction kit to liberate a few more horses, while a tuned bigger bore exhaust – such as a Jetex 2.5in system – will not only make your Mk2 sound throatier, but also make it a bit more responsive. Getting a little bit more serious, cylinder head work (flowed and skimmed with porting and polishing) and a high lift cam will also work wonders. Swat up on the best, most efficient combinations – but in some instances up to 20bhp can be unleashed. With a budget of just over a grand, go for a 2.0-litre 9A 16v lump from the Corrado/Passat. Alternatively, the Audi 3A 8v (bubble block) and Mk3 Passat 2E/AGG 2.0 8v are also popular choices and don’t involve too much electrical jiggery-pokery, especially if we’re talking about pre-’89 Central Electric 1 (CE1) cars.

Wheels

For those counting their pennies, swapping the Golf’s original rims for something a bit more interesting will instantly make a Mk2 look better. BBS are the Holy Grail, of course, but there’s lots of less expensive options out there such as these beautifully retro looking Rotas. 7x16in rims will look great and 8x15s will also look great with G60 arches. Go much wider and you’ll need to carry out arch surgery to make them fit, and be careful with offsets to prevent the risk of chafing on the suspension struts.

Brakes

Of course the sky’s the limit when it comes to Mk2 Golf stoppers, but if you’re limited on cash start by switching to vented, grooved or drilled discs and uprated pads. There’s a huge amount of choice from the likes of Black Diamond. And if those original flexible hydraulic hoses are shot, why not fit a set of braided stainless steel replacements for a better pedal feel. Meanwhile, to get round the perennial problem of seized rear Mk2 brake calipers, why not carry out a drum to disc conversion at the rear. You can buy a kit here which uses Mk4 Golf bits for just £201.