VW Golf GTI Mk2 16v '91 - just done 150k!

Hi All,

I've done a few jobs on the Mk2 recently so thought I'd post up some pics, some of the newer members of the site might not have seen it before and be interested?

I did have a thread on here once before so you might have seen some of these pics before, probably the ones when the car was last clean!

1991 Mk2 Golf GTI 1.8 16v, 5 door, late oak green model with big bumpers and standard BBS wheels.

I know everyone says big bumpers and BBS is too common but the way things are going while everyone else mods their cars if keep mine looking standard then it'll end up standing out. In any case, I am more interested in mechanical modifications.





When I bought the car in 2002 (mileage 109k I think) it was already very well specced and had factory fitted PAS, electric heated mirrors, rear headrests, leather steering wheel and rarest of the rare on a RHD Mk2 - air conditioning! It already had lowered suspension with an Eibach kit being fitted.

I was keen to retain all the original features and kept the car like this for a few years whilst completing the usual maintenance tasks, servicing, looking after replacing the brakes etc.

I took the car to Stealth Racing and had it set up on the rolling road there where after some fine tuning it produced 148bhp and 124lbsft which made it pretty quick for a standard car but it could always do with a bit more power... more later.

Unfortunately the head gasket failed at around 135,000 miles whilst visiting a friend in London, 250 miles away. The car got home ok with no damage and I undertook the repair in my garage... suppose it lasted pretty well really!



All was well again but I still hankered after a little more power so investigated a 2 litre engine to swap in last August. I got hold of a low mileage Audi 6A unit from an Audi 80 Sport which would fit with some minor modifications.

I fitted the engine along with a replacement lower mileage gearbox, solid front mount, all new rear mounts, belts, gaskets, clutch, water pump etc etc...

I used the KR cams in the new engine to liberate a bit more power, the engine is only rated as 136bhp in an Audi I think whereas my Golf 1.8 made 139bhp albeit with less torque.











Once I'd set up the timing and fuelling ok the car ran very well, if a little hot. The torque is certainly far stronger than with the old 1.8 engine and it pulls much harder than it used to, not sure on the power output not but probably more like 150 - 160bhp with equivalent torque figures.