My True Blue Jetta Coupe (225hp Swap Project) by beetlevdubn

4 minute(s) of a 30 minute read

I didn't get a ton done this weekend, as my transmission is still at the shop getting put back together. I'm hopeful that it will be done tomorrow, and I can get the engine/trans installed into the car this week. Got the WRD trans mount back, so just waiting on the transmission. 

I'm going to install a new timing belt, water pump and roller/tensioner before I put the motor into the car, and swapping out to the stock cams as well (hopefully all next week). 

I did get the wheels mostly assembled (I got all four assembled, but only two are torqued down), need to torque the other two and seal them up with the Toyota gasket sealer, then off to get the tires mounted so I can see how they look on the car. 

Here are a couple progress pics: 

 

 

I also fit the headlights in preparation for the intercooler tubing mock up. After the engine gets installed, the headlights, radiator and IC need to all be in place so we know what we need to work around for the routing of everything. Nothing big, but still fun to do. 

9-24-2010

Well, I have been busier than a one-legged cowboy in an A$$ kickin' contest, so today is the first day in about a week that I have had any time that I could spend on the coupe. I was surprised though, as I got a bunch done in only about 2 hours worth of work.

I got the transmission back after the peloquin install, and installed it tonight onto the engine, and installed the engine in literally 30 minutes. Unfortunately, this install of the motor is just a trial so that we can fab up the FMIC and all tubing. Right now we are just using the stock rubber turbo inlet pipe, not sure if we are going to stick with that, but we'll see.

I went ahead and installed the wrinkle coated intake and valve cover just to close up the top end (still need to swap out the Eurospec cams with the stock 1.8T cams.


Here are a few pics of the WRD trans mount:


Dan Bubb's work of art passenger side mount:


Here is a look at the stock front mount, that you can see fits nicely. I just drilled out the threaded boss, and removed the boss completely. I was able to find a long stock starter bolt for the upper hole, and will install a nut to hold it on tomorrow. I need another long starter bolt from a 1.8T, but need to measure it first so I can look for it in the mk4 classifieds.


I used stock mk4 bolts wherever possible, just to keep the hardware as oem as possible.

The front mount will be poly, and the rear and sides are the H.D. Diesel mounts. I was hoping to avoid running the poly rear trans mount, but may need to do that eventually. I spoke to WRD about your mount situation, and they said that you should definitely call, talk to Brian, and they would be glad to hear about what happened. If needed, they could use your situation to improve their brackets.

They said that they have had zero issues/complaints with their mount brackets. I also talked with at least 3 other people running the WRD mount brackets in A1's with 1.8T's (not the hp numbers that you are running obviously), and they have had no problems at all. They were all running the rubber inserts as well.

Could you post pics of your mounts/brackets, I'd like to see how you are doing it without inserts, and see how you have reinforced yours to withstand your hp numbers?

The one thing I like about running these mounts like this, is the the angle of the engine is dead on, whereas I have seen a number of homemade brackets that look like they are plenty strong, but the motors have sat in strange positions. I didn't want to mess with that at all.