Hello All

[Lee]

just registered and thought I would say hi

I currently run a Rev2 turbo, been quite active on the uk owners club and known as Uglee over there.
I had a Mk1 for 2 years and loved the flickability and drive of the car, only dissappointment was the go. Hence the turbo, that has the go, but not the driveability. The Mk 1.5 idea has always been in the back of my mind and does make great sense. This thought has lied dormant until a small chance of an exchange for my turbo for a guys Mk1 supercharger has stirred things up! Liked the idea of a supercharger but I don't think it would be ever get close to a Mk1.5 no matter what I did with the engine bar very expensive mods!

Ideally look towards end of next summer before starting any project (gotta learn to weld too!), but just starting my research and deciding what my options are, and if anyone has any pointers it would be appreciated, I'm stuck around 2 options as potentially I have the perfect donor car sat outside. Also being in the RAF we have a motor club here that has all the facilities I need

1: Sell the Mk2 complete, with money then buy Mk1 and donor engine or
2 Use My Mr2 as Donor for a Mk1 I could pick up somewhere, then strip the Mk2 for bits and sell on ebay etc

I'm not sure as the car is in really great condition and the engine is a peach. So I'm stuck wanting the good engine out of mine but been loathed to break up a very good condition Mk2:?

Great forum with some very helpful people, hope to see you all sometime (maybe with a 1.5 in tow!)

[superchargedsam]

Hiya Lee, I have a MK1 charger and think its brilliant to drive and handles like a dream and has enough power to have lots of fun, but I also have a GT4 205 with a snarling 320bhp engine in which is very very quick indeed but I just dont like driving it as its not that much fun as its a big car so just like your thinking I decided I needed the best of both worlds and am currently learning to weld and reading about bodywork etc. Picking up an engine isnt too bad and finding a MK1 is very easy and cheap these days and best bet is to find a decent car with a blown engine as you wont need that anyway ! Best of luck with whatever you decide to do !

Where abouts you from then ?

[Lee]

I'm based at RAF Kinloss near Inverness, so prob one of the most northerly members!:shock:

I think that would prob be the best plan really. I still love my Mk2 and I think it would be a real shame to break up a perfectly good car. Looking towards selling it in Spring next year. If I sell I could be looking at a realistic budget of around ?4k for a 1.5 project. Would this be achievable?

I was a time served engineer before I signed up so I'm no stranger to working with metals and spannering etc, think my biggest problem will be sorting the electrics

We have some great facilities up here (hydraulic ramps, welding kit, air tools etc) and I have waaaay too much free time, so something like this could be just up my street and eventually I get the car I always wanted.

My old Mk1 would have been a perfect car for the conversion as it was rock solid. If only I had known what I know now](*,)
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a341/leewa79/CIMG0012.jpg

Hmmm wonder if I could track it down?

[Paul Woods]

hi lee,best advice i can give and im sure the rest will agree is to read,then read some more,study everything until you awake from your sleep shouting mk1 turbo! thats 90% of the swap,it will go so much more smoothly with the right prep and research.....dont sweat the wiring,ive got that well and truly covered.

As for your dilemma,i personally wouldnt break up a good car,better to sell that on for its full value and hunt down a rear clip...on the other hand you do know the engine you have got.....mmm tricky one,i think only you can decide that one bud...one things for sure,any help you need is right here,a wealth of knowledge among the members,welcome aboard!

[Lee]

Thanks fellas, will do as much research as lack of that in the past has come back to haunt me #-o , so gradually learn from my errors!

No doubt I'll have a few questions along the way.

Thanks again!

[MegatronUK]

The other tip I can give is don't rush in to getting your mk1 base car... there are tons out there and you really want the best, most solid, base to work from.

[podge]

hi lee welcome to the club mate as the rest have said any help you need is here mate so enjoy your stay and hope you decide on the 1.5 route all the best podge

[nik]

hi lee..
you do have a dilemma but heres my 2pence..a car is just a car..if you can sell the parts from your mk2 to pay for your 1.5 then thats a good thing..you wont have the stress of finding a tubby engine and you wont be worrying the first time you turn the key as to whether the engine is a bad one..
i used to hang on to the cars ive owned thinking "yeah but its sooo nice and clean i couldnt possibly" but then i thought lifes too short to worry about a car that youll probably only own for another year or two..
i know what i would do but thats just my philosophy..
as to the wiring..like paul says its all here if you need help..you should come to jae next year with a fat notebook and go over the 1.5s that will be there..i reckon you could have it sorted after a weekend of wiring research..
anyway..enough of my babble..welcome to the club..
nik

[adamh]

welcome :smile: im sure you'll be flying :shock: through a swap in due course.

[Lee]

Thanks for the advice fellas, gives me something to think about for next year. Also got to the point where Mk2's are actually worth more in pieces than as a whole:-(

But alas it could give life to a tired Mk1 and give it the oomph it deserves!:-)

More I think about it I find myself grinning at the prospect of seeing jaws drop when a standard looking wee Mk1 annihalates mr supra or evo at the drag strip!

Must be quite a smug feeling!:-)

[nik]

Must be quite a smug feeling!:-)

i havent felt as smug since i was a teenager..:-\"

[Paff]

Welcome Lee, I'm sure you will make the right decision. If you get the chance see if you can get a go in someones 1.5, you will come back from the little trip with a big smile that just won't go away and your decision made for you.