Got a MK2 Golf (1.6 8v) to play with and was wondering if there are any experts on them here.

Wouldn't say I'm an expert on them, but I used to own a GTI 16 valver.

What do you want to know?

I know a bit about them too, by no means an expert though.

Have a look on here-VZi at Volkszone, the UK's largest VW aircooled community , browse the 'H20' section for hints and tips about your Golf , or register (free) and ask any specific questions you have , theres a wealth of VW experts registered on that site , HTH!

Cheers guys.

Mainly thinking of what upgrades are worth doing etc - it will get used for sprinting eventually.

Thinking suspension and brake upgrades then engine tweaking.

First major tweak is to turn it into a manual.

I have a 1.6 8valve mk2 golf driver lurking in my garage, and its also an automatic like yours. Club GTI Forums - For GTI Nutters By GTI Nutters has a wealth of information and a reliable search option, but remember its club GTI, so whenever a question is asked about a 1600 they get all hoity toity and mainly recommend just buying a GTI. There is a lot of 1600 info on there though, you've just got to weed it out.

As for mods that I can tell you about, the favourite is the replacement carb kit that weber do to replace the troublesome standard pierburg.

An 8v GTI camshaft fits straight in (timing will need to be adjusted).

An 8v GTI exhaust will bolt on (you'll need to change the manifold to a GTI one to do this though).

An 8v GTI digifant cylinder head can be fitted as it has bigger valves, the injector ports are easily blocked using pennies and bolting the injector holders down on top of them apparently (i'll know for myself sometime soon).

Ventilated discs from a 8v GTI bolt straight on, or even bigger ones from a 16v too if you swap afew more bits over (like callipers and wheel bearing housings).

The rear axle from a GTI will give you rear disc brakes instead of drums (there is a brake pressure requlator attached to this also).

All GTI's have a front anti roll bar which can be fitted to lower models.

A standard GTI oil cooler can be retrofitted.

If you fit a set of GTI clocks you'll have a working rev counter just by swapping it over, with a little wiring and a few sensors the onboard computer can be made to work too.

Any GTI tuning parts available for suspension and brakes can also be fitted, a GTI is not radically different from the other cars.

If your going auto / man your just as well getting a 1.8t and doing it all at once, 150bhp ones are dirt cheap from breakers. Or even better a bashed donner car.

If your going auto / man your just as well getting a 1.8t and doing it all at once, 150bhp ones are dirt cheap from breakers. Or even better a bashed donner car.

Thing is the engine is mint so don't really want to lose that - going to get a donor for the gearbox and stuff.

Do you mean a mk2 1.8 motor??? Not a modern mk4 turbo unit. The new 1.8turbo engines are quite a hassle to fit to a mk2 (but popular non the less) especially to a carburettor car as none of the injection wiring is there. The 1800 block from an 8valve mk2 gti or carb will bolt straight on.

Suspension wise I upgraded to the following:-

1. Boge Turbo gas shockers & lowered springs (-25mm). The 16V was already 10mm lower than standard 8V models.

2. G60 front top mounts.

3. Polyurethane bushes front & rear.

4. Rear ARB.

The handling was improved VASTLY & track days were much fun!

If you do convert to manual gearbox, I can recommend a short shift kit with weighted rod.

I think the 280mm G60 discs & calipers will fit straight on(not 100% sure though).