87 325 vert

[mojorising]

Ok, so I started a thread in the M20 section asking a few questions about head rebuilds and the like but it started developing into my project thread so I thought I would just start one here. Here is the scoop, bought the car from a guy last October for $1500. Managed to drive it about 600 miles before the head gasket blew. Then I lost my job in December so the project stalled before it really got going. However, I am now gainfully employed again so let the project commence!

The Plan:
1. Rebuild the motor stock and get it road worthy again. I already have a MAF from Miller Performance.
2. Re-do interior so that I actually feel ok to sit in the seats, they are ROUGH!! Stock color is red (yuck) so I am going to be taking that out and doing black and orange. Mostly black with some orange highlights.
3. Upgrade suspension package, drop it a good inch or so.
4. Custom exterior, shave door handles and excess trim, stone guard etc. Custom front and rear bumpers.
5. M50 swap????

The head was a complete mess when I took it out but I just got it back today, take a look at the before and after pics.

[mojorising]

Some before and after photos along with the old cam. I'm thinking I will turn it into a lamp or something.

[red325i]

And another one of something else that came in this week...

[mojorising]

Ok, that last one was me on my bro's name. Forgot to logout his screen name, ha ha.

[vr2jetta]

Like night and day with that head! Looks great!

[vr2jetta]

My car had a lot of issues when I got it due to lack of upkeep from the PO, so I replaced a lot. The timing belt broke, thats why I got it so cheap.
I bought a new:
Head-
Decked, not that warped, but good insurance
valve guide seals
valve lapping
water pump
thermostat
timing belt
timing belt tensioner
fan clutch
coolant temp sensor
head gasket set (of course)
cap
rotor
plugs
fuel filter
fuel pressure regulator
intake boot
vacuum lines
fuel lines
oil change
cleaned all the ground locations and changed the big wire going from the unibody to the motor
a/c o-rings
air filter
cleaned idle control valve
cleaned throttle body
cleaned the air flow sensor
cleaned the main injector/temp sensor plug

still need:
plug wires
fuel pump
DME relay
fuel pump relay
throttle switches
a/c drier (a/c still doesnt work)

As far as a name, I usually drive mine and let the car tell me her name. I try to think of a girl I know/knew that is most like my car. My Vanagon is named Deb because its the biggest vehicle I have, so I thought of the most tolerable fat bitch name!

EDIT: clean as much of that stuff as you can to ensure the car run as good as possible. Most of it can be cleaned with throttle body or brake cleaner, but I used Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner on it all, just because it is electrical component friendly IMO. If it is gentle enough for a mass air flow sensor, it should be good for anything. It is about $9 a can but cheap insurance to be certain you dont damage a $100-$150 part. It works great too!

[mojorising]

Thanks for the info! Yeah the head turned out great, I am very happy with the results. I got it done at Battery and Ignition in Charlotte. It was only about 8 thou warped which was less than I thought it was going to be. My car actually came with a relatively new throttle body, not sure the story on the previous one. The PO was a little vague about what had actually been done to the car but when I mentioned it sounded like the rear end or CV was whining he got real defensive and telling me I didn't know anything about cars etc etc. That kinda worried me a little bit and as it turns out I was right to worry cause the engine had some serious problems that showed up about 600 miles later. Either way, I figured it would need some redoing when I purchased it, I just didn't think it was going to be so soon. I will definitely be in for a new cap and rotor, water pump, timing belt, plugs and some random bits like coolant hoses etc. I will post a detailed breakdown when I get it running again.

[vr2jetta]

when I mentioned it sounded like the rear end or CV was whining he got real defensive and telling me I didn't know anything about cars etc etc.

Yea, probably trying to hide something. I def. was not expecting all that work when I got the car but I guess it wasnt that bad, probably shouldve been done anyway. It is worth it when I'm getting it sideways going through turns, but all the body roll is screaming for suspension upgrades!! First things first though, get it running right, then the fun stuff......damnit.

[mojorising]

Project photos

Here are a few photos so that you all can see the scope of the project ahead of me.

[mojorising]

And a few more...

The doors are in pretty good shape but the seats are crappy as hell.

[mojorising]

Last batch...

yup

[vr2jetta]

Ewwww, your car is dirty. LOL! Pics of the whole car? While I had the head out of mine I went ahead and took a few minutes and cleaned up the engine bay. It doesnt look 'great' but it looks much better than it did when it was towed in my yard.

[ikkitousen]

wait WTF is with the ring???

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DAMN WTF!!!

[BTP325ic]

wait WTF is with the ring???

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DAMN WTF!!!

haha yeah were is that ring from ?

[thereisnoyun]

that is one rough vert. Even mine wasnt that bad. You got a hell alot of work cut out for you. I rip the carpet up first pronto and check the floors. Its a vert afterall.