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81 MK1 Rabbit VR6 Swap.
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76VwBug1600
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PostPosted: Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:00 pm    Post subject: 81 MK1 Rabbit VR6 Swap. Reply with quote

Well before i start my swap i would love to know how hard it is etc.
I Recently purchased a Mk2 1985 GTI that was rear ended that has all Mk3 running gear, Dash etc.

Not sure how bad or what is needed would like to know anything in advance.
If there is no feed back i guess i will start with some pictures for anyone else who needs help
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andymccauley
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 29, 2014 9:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

from what I understand there is a couple ways to do it.

1. Get a subframe from a mk3 VR6 and pretty much everything else that the car has. remove everything and notch a bunch of stuff out of the rabbit body and weld in the subframe, using the control arms and hubs, axles, and alot of other things and I remember reading something about a special strut or maybe even camber plates were needed to get the alignment right.

2. Buy some really expensive motor mounts and axles
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oasis
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I also highly suggest getting top drawer brakes. That much power and that much extra weight in a light Mk2 will need bad to the bone brakes for safety and so you don't have to replace them every 20-25k miles.

Everyone enjoys pics, especially with an ongoing tutorial. Start a thread dedicated to your entire project, not just this modification. Please. Wink
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76VwBug1600
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PostPosted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 1:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Its a step of work really the guy who owned the MK2 got smashed right after he swapped it all out of a mk3..

So im taking the mk3 parts in a mk2 and putting them in a mk1 lol


Ill upload pics soon of both the rigs
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1973 Super beetle with 26k Original miles.
1968 1600cc
1973 1641cc
1966 Rat-rod
1981 VrRabbit

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cub
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 7:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

They make a kit with the mounts...
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zuhaelter_82
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PostPosted: Thu Oct 02, 2014 10:10 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Save yourself all the headache and check this out...

http://eurowise.com/?p=4338
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andymccauley
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PostPosted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 9:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

zuhaelter_82 wrote:
Save yourself all the headache and check this out...

http://eurowise.com/?p=4338


YES #2 really expensive mounts and you will also need axles since you wont be using the hubs from the MK3

but if your going to just use all the "MK3" parts. This will require the MK3 hubs axles and everything north of the firewall too.
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Karmannut
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PostPosted: Sun Oct 05, 2014 6:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

here's a link to someone putting a vr6 in a mk1 Cabby
http://www.toplessrabbit.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=3167
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76VwBug1600
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PostPosted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

andymccauley wrote:
zuhaelter_82 wrote:
Save yourself all the headache and check this out...

http://eurowise.com/?p=4338


YES #2 really expensive mounts and you will also need axles since you wont be using the hubs from the MK3

but if your going to just use all the "MK3" parts. This will require the MK3 hubs axles and everything north of the firewall too.


I think thats how i plan on doing it pulling and unbolting sub frame seeing if there is a way to mock it up.

If not my buddy is gonna fab some brackets
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1976 Fuely Bug
1973 Super beetle with 26k Original miles.
1968 1600cc
1973 1641cc
1966 Rat-rod
1981 VrRabbit

Not Just our cars.. They are our best friends.
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TDI-Driver
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PostPosted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 2:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can only imagine the wiring mess!

I am parting out a 2000 Jetta VR6. Let me know, if you need any unusual parts.
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76VwBug1600
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PostPosted: Sat Dec 06, 2014 11:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

updating my post decided to go the EUROWISE way and buy the kit for the VR6. a month later it was delivered im not too happy about that, but they did toss some free tshirts so.. eh.. ill be updating pics as i go still need to remove the motor out of my mk2
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1976 Fuely Bug
1973 Super beetle with 26k Original miles.
1968 1600cc
1973 1641cc
1966 Rat-rod
1981 VrRabbit

Not Just our cars.. They are our best friends.
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ach60 Premium Member
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 11:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

76VwBug1600 wrote:
updating my post decided to go the EUROWISE way and buy the kit for the VR6. a month later it was delivered im not too happy about that, but they did toss some free tshirts so.. eh.. ill be updating pics as i go still need to remove the motor out of my mk2


Well, how'z it going?
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76VwBug1600
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 10:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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Tons of work for 1 person doing his first motor swap but its been a blast.
What is left...
Finish pulling all the electronics out of the Mk2 that has all Mk3 parts in it
Exhaust since it needs to be bent a bit more.
Clean diesel out of tank and put gas run new fuel lines
install eurowise axles ..

gonna end up removing all the carpet and seats out of the other car since its all black on grey time to get rid of the porno red 80s ugliness..

Hope you guys like it. hopefully i will have money to get new tires since 1 is flat maybe some nice wheels.
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1976 Fuely Bug
1973 Super beetle with 26k Original miles.
1968 1600cc
1973 1641cc
1966 Rat-rod
1981 VrRabbit

Not Just our cars.. They are our best friends.
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76VwBug1600
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PostPosted: Tue Jan 06, 2015 5:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sorry about the slacked updates its been snowing and i do not have a place to work on my car. As of right now all the dash and stuff is out getting ready to put all wiring in and modd the Exhaust
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1976 Fuely Bug
1973 Super beetle with 26k Original miles.
1968 1600cc
1973 1641cc
1966 Rat-rod
1981 VrRabbit

Not Just our cars.. They are our best friends.
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Bansheelos
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PostPosted: Mon May 04, 2015 1:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

76VwBug1600 wrote:
sorry about the slacked updates its been snowing and i do not have a place to work on my car. As of right now all the dash and stuff is out getting ready to put all wiring in and modd the Exhaust


Awesome work!!!
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81BlueBunny
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 10, 2015 12:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have any pics of the Eurowise kit installed? Been tossing this idea around and i am curious how it bolts up...
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76VwBug1600
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PostPosted: Tue Jul 28, 2015 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

81BlueBunny wrote:
Have any pics of the Eurowise kit installed? Been tossing this idea around and i am curious how it bolts up...


I can take a few if you wanna pm me.
Shes finished and fast.. The down side to all of their kits and stuff its kind of figure it out yourself.

Clutch kit i got realized after i didnt have to have it i could of used the hydraulic one off the 99 jetta i took it out of..

In my opinion so far if you have a full donor car its worth it..
If you don't seems like a too much cash.
Their harness stand alone is 400+ etc.
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1976 Fuely Bug
1973 Super beetle with 26k Original miles.
1968 1600cc
1973 1641cc
1966 Rat-rod
1981 VrRabbit

Not Just our cars.. They are our best friends.
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thesatanicmechanic
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 4:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

76VwBug1600 wrote:
updating my post decided to go the EUROWISE way and buy the kit for the VR6. a month later it was delivered im not too happy about that, but they did toss some free tshirts so.. eh.. ill be updating pics as i go still need to remove the motor out of my mk2


Curious what you didn't like about the kit.

It's a challenging swap, especially if your first.
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veedubman72
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PostPosted: Sat Aug 15, 2015 10:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I read it as he just didn't like the time he had to wait for it
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BIGMIKEY
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PostPosted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 4:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What I liked about all the Rabbits I owned was the nimble handling. Even the non GTI ones were a joy to drive. I am a life long autocrosser so I guess I would notice that. Does the VR6 swap add a lot of weight so it trashes the inherent handling? Is the VR6 swap just for drag racers?

Mike T
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