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Layla, the 1986 GLI Wolfsburg "pirelli"

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Tylers_mk2

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Hey guys, how's it going, names Tyler. I've been wanting to pick up a Volkswagen for a really long time but I have never owned a water cooled one. Fast forward to last Saturday and a totally original mk2 gli wolfsburg with leather and p slots popped up for 600 bucks so i figured it was worth a look but i didn't have high hopes. Happy to say i was totally wrong, and i took it home for 550, slapped an alternator in it and drove it 200 problem free miles this week. I have to say, i am a HOOKED. This is hands down the most fun car that i have ever driven, and I cant wait to clean it up and make a really fun daily. Car is totally original with new tires and CIS fuel lines, and has 186k on the clock. the MFA works (sorta) and it definitely needs a new ISV.

ON TO THE PICS

Headed home.


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#2 ·
awesome score man! assuming you the bottle cap is just a place holder wheel?

Had the same thing happen to me last November. checked out a simply clean mk2 not expecting much. It turned out to be a very original carat with all the carat goodies intact..of course I had to have it too. And like you say...such a blast to drive!
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Thanks man! Yea, unfortunately the last p slot was no where to be found:( not sure how I like the p slots though. I totally see the appeal, but not really my thing, so I've been kinda toying with the idea of throwing them up on Seattle Craigslist for trade and seeing what it brings.

Ultimately I'd like to do a cup kit, BBM strut bars, aba bottom end with the cis head until I can find a nice 9a 16v head and go from there, but the very very first major modification is going to be getting rid of the slush box. It rattles sometimes and I think the teeth have been touching somewhere. The wiring is all there, but SUUUUUPER brittle so I need to address that for sure as well. Not sure if I'll just order a swap harness or order a couple of rolls of sxl 16ga and 14ga and try it myself. I really like the usrt front crossmember too, just because it opens up just about every engine swap possible and alot of space. I like the idea of a vr6, but the aba seems much easier and with boost and/or a 16v head plenty capable and sort of.... right? If that makes sense. I also need a new grill and core support, i don't believe it's ever been wrecked, but all the plastic tabs and adjusters are gone. But all in all, not a bad daily/weekend toy for finishing school on my gi Bill, and I have a jeep tj to drive for anytime this is getting worked on. I can't stop looking at parts and tinkering and driving the thing haha
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Today i got the jetta jacked up to try and figure out the wheel wobble i have been experiencing, Seems like everything is in need of a good refresh. The strut moved up and down a good inch plus in the cup, so i figure that is a big part of it.
plan on ordering:
complete A-arms with r32 bushings and ball-joints from BBM
new hubs
new brakes -maybe these are pretty decent still
new bearings
new tie rods
the Mk3 struts bushing/bearing upgrade - still trying to figure out exactly what parts i need?
poly steering rack bushings
sway bar end-links

Am I forgetting anything? I should probably do the CVs while I am in there, but I am hoping to do either an 020 or 02A swap in the near future, and i would rather not pay twice, how ever if the 100mm axles interchange between the auto and the manual then i may as well.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Well, time to resurrect a dead thread. Shortly after my last post, my auto bit the dust and the jetta went down for the last year. Ive slowly swapped to a manual, lightened flywheel and new cv axles. finally got it together and the cis e went haywire, but not before a glorious 20 second test drive lol.
As it sits, it's gotta wait a few weeks till I can buy a full carb kit (weber 32/36) and figure ignition out. Goal is to cut as much of the engine harness out as I can at this point. And just finally drive the bastard haha.

Full disclosure, I've had many aircooled cars and old vehicles in general. I know the drawbacks of going to a carb lol
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#14 ·
Interesting, I looked at that exact same car last year but decided to pass on it. That missing wheel and the condition of the others, along with the pretty rough seats (I think those are specific to that car only) kinda derailed my excitement. I'm assuming it's the same car based on the pics, price and your location. You get it up here a little north of Ferndale from a guy named Ken and his son? I was all excited to find an all OG Pirelli edition but was just a little too rough for me. Cool car though, good luck with it.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
I bought it Bellingham from a younger guy and his partner. It was wierd, body is in incredible shape rust wise. The car was originally from beverly hills. I didn't know enough about mk2s looking back though, and they wiring harness engine side was screwed. It ran great for a few thousand though. I'll never swap another auto thats for sure.

So far I replaced:
lightened flywheel
Clutch
A arms with r32 bushings
Ball joints
Tie rods
Brakes
Strut mounts
Tires
Rims
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Not too much has changed, it has sat for about a year. I had pulled the engine and auto transmission and swapped to a manual. What a PITA lol. After the install I got to test drive it for a few blocks before the cis e started to nuts and it died. Out of money and patience it sat.

The original wiring harness was shot so I decided to go with microsquirt and control the engine side totally standalone and leave the interior side harness alone. I cut out the old harness, and started dropping wires where they go to get a general game plan going. Fuel pump wiring is my number one concern/hurdle right now, as well as picking a suitable 12v power source that has power both cranking and in the run position. I. Think I'll use terminal 15 on the ignition switch.
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#19 ·
That is a cool car... My first MK2 and 2nd VW ever was an 86 Jetta that was the same color/interior. I just found out this year the grey leather interior was 86 "Pirelli Edition" only. Mine had a Digi 2 8v swapped in, and clearly had A LOT of work done to it. I miss that car a lot. one of the best cars I have ever owned despite the rusted trunk (was a MN car). Best $800 I have ever spent. That included a new clutch from the mechanic in Mankato MN who I bought it from.
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Got it to start on microsquirt! However my timing marks on my lightened flywheel are off or I installed it backwards? Not sure as it was a year ago and I remember the dowels were lined up. When at tdc the timing tool lugs, the 6 btdc diamond and tdc mark are waaaaaaaaaay off. But at tdc verified with a compression gauge there's a little notch on my flywheel that's aligned (Pic included) I initially thought was a Nick in the bolt recess, but no where else has a nick. Any thoughts?
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Tylers_mk2
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