My 87 syncro build

[chillzombies]

So unfortunately the previous owner seems to have done quite a few upgrades that are nice such as stainless steel coolant pipes BUT they were installed with wire and these weird twist clamps I do not trust. How are these usually secured? I have P clamps but I’d liked secure them the OEM way if possible, if not I’ll throw P clamps on the pipes and hoses.

Also I ordered the BMS billet front control arms as they had a Black Friday sale so that’ll be a nice upgrade to fix my alignment issues.

[4Gears4Tires]

I used zip ties. Wires are probably fine too in terms of holding the pipes in place, but I don't like getting stabbed in the eye with a wire end while I'm looking under my van.
_________________
'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition

[MsTaboo]

[chillzombies]

[chillzombies]

It’s been a couple months since I’ve updated and that’s mainly bc it’s been cold and I’ve made zero progress since I don’t have a garage to work in sadly. Regardless I have some funds to purchase a mount kit and I need to figure out which engine I’ll be running. I want to do an ALH TDI as I’m very familiar but can’t help but think a 1.8t would be great as well. The 1.8t apparently doesn’t fit under the engine lid which I’m not a fan of. Wondering if a short runner intake manifold could remedy that or not.
Currently deciding on which big brake kit to purchase and I think I’ve landed on small car performance’s kit. I like the Wilwood kit but unsure if it’s really necessary. Seems like the girling kit should stop really good as well.

Went out to Vegas to see Dead and co at the sphere, saw this in the hotel parking lot amongst other vans and RV’s.

[chillzombies]

Ordered the front big brake kit and rear disc conversion from small car performance today.

I didn’t get the Wilwood kit as much as I wanted to, it would’ve been about double the cost which I’d rather buy the engine mount kit and an engine swap and get that going even tho wildwood’s would feel quite nice I’m sure. Found a set of Mercedes CLK wheels I’m hoping to pick up this week as these brakes require 16’s. Also found a 1.8t so I’m hopefully making that trip to pick that up soon.

[chillzombies]

Drove up to Massachusetts and grabbed this set of 4 Mercedes wheels, ordered a 5th off eBay when I got home. Ordered center caps and lug nuts from t3. Gonna have them powder coated bronze and then throw some 215/65/16 fallen wild peaks on them.

[chillzombies]

Due to multiple delays for one reason or another I’m finally picking the wheels up from powder coat today. Gonna to throw them on the van when I get them home. I also got the t3 center caps for them powder coated as well so should look nice.
Now that I finally have the 16’s, I’ll be able to install the small car big brake kit and rear disc conversion. Lots of work to be done this summer. Hoping for a bunch of camping trips this spring in upstate NY, so I gotta get cracking.

[chillzombies]

Picked up and installed the wheels after work. I like them, I think they’ll look even better after I have the van painted green. The ride was much smoother and quieter too.
Now that I finally have the 16’s on I can do the front big brake kit and that will much improve the braking/drivability of the van. Rear disc conversion after that and then I’ll do all the suspension work. Found my springs were a lot rustier than I thought so I’m going to just order a new set to be safe to install with the new bilstein b6 suspension.

[TomInAlaska]

Those wheels look fantastic!

And I've got the same tires and have been very happy with them.
_________________
'73 Super Beetle (formerly resto-mod/rally look with a healthy 1776, currently in another round of resto with a 1641)

'84 GL adventure van project [sold] (1.9L, 4speed) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=755844&highlight=

'86 Syncro tintop (2.0L Eurospec/ABA engine swap) https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=800194&highlight=

[4Gears4Tires]

That wheel color and wheels look awesome!
_________________
'87 Syncro Ferric Oxyhydroxide Superleggera Edition
'85 Westy Sciuridae Domus Edition

[chillzombies]

[chillzombies]

Finally had a day off where the weather cooperated. Pulled front brakes off to inspect, passenger side was metal on metal which I suspected from
The grinding that started just after buying the van. And the drivers side the pads just crumbled. I think this van was sitting a bit longer than I was told, which is whatever at this point just gotta roll with the rust, I mean punches. After pulling it apart I saw my disc shields crumbled so I ordered 2 new ones from small car performance. I also have 2 front axles on the way so I’ll sway those out too since I’m here. So this has become a full overhaul quickly. I have the burley control arms, new upper and lower ball joints, and new bearings. Trying to bang all this out at once so I don’t have to deal with it again for a little while at least.

[chillzombies]

Well before I install the new big brake kit from small car I wanted to paint the calipers so they don’t rust within a week. Found this nice dark green paint kit on Amazon and gave it a shot. Needless to say the colors not even close but at least the calipers won’t be rusty.

New front axles came in a few days ago, the new stainless dust shields came in yesterday. I didn’t love how rusty my lower control arms were so I ordered a new set from Gowesty. So now I’m just waiting for the new front lower control arms and then I’m going to try and install everything at once.

[dougnlina]

_________________
"Grover" a '87 Syncro Poptop 1.8T
"Olive" a '60 Ragtop Beetle (retired)