Josh B’s Silver GTi - MOT Passed!

[JoshB]

Hello,
I’ve just become the proud owner of a Silver 55 plate GTi.



It’s only had the one previous owner, who had it serviced at a VW main dealer for 14 years, and it’s done 72k miles, so my plan is to just look after it! No fancy modifications here I’m afraid...
But I’m hoping to slowly get it back to the condition it was in the day it left the factory, so plenty of restoration work.
Currently the air-con doesn’t work, so that needs sorting, and most of the switches have worn away so I’m going to replace those ASAP.
Then it’s just a case of going over all the parts and replacing everything that needs replacing to get it factory fresh!

First question, the cam belt and water pump were replaced in 2015 at 53k, do you think it’s ready for doing again?

[Clarkj93]

My 58 plate gti says change the cambelt every 80 or 120k in the log book but the previous owner to me changed it every 4/5 years and I do the same. I've heard lots of owners doing the same. It's only done 20 odd k since the last one but has its been about 6 years I would probably look to get it done by end of the year if it were me at the very least.

[JoshB]

I previously owned a Mk7 GTi and one thing I miss is the golf ball gear knob. I’m thinking of swapping the original for this.


Thoughts? I’d still keep the original locked away for the future.

[JoshB]

Quick job for today.

Before;


After;

[JoshB]

Had a spare hour this morning so once the the kids were at school. The dealer I bought the car from had a decent enough job on the outside but I don’t think the engine bay had ever been cleaned before!
Not a great job by any stretch but it looks better than it did before.

Before;


After;

[GVK]

Can't beat a reflex silver Mk5 although I maybe bias!


Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[LC5F]

Looks good
As your intention is to preserve - you are missing a cover on the intake, it just clips on: 1K0805965C

[JoshB]

Looks good
As your intention is to preserve - you are missing a cover on the intake, it just clips on: 1K0805965C

Cheers, I spotted it straight away but I didn’t know the part number. Thanks!

[JoshB]

So I found this...


So fitted this.


Definitely pulls stronger past 3k rpm now and the sucking noise has gone.
Win win!

[GVK]

Hopefully thats all the lack of power on the dyno was! 

[JoshB]

I know this is supposed to be a preservation of an original GTi, but the exhaust is knackered...
It was badly welded up to get it through the MOT but still has a blow and it’s only a matter of time before it falls off. Still, it’s not done bad for 16 years I suppose! I looked at an original part but VW want silly money, the cheap pattern parts off eBay are exactly that, but I didn’t want the noise/looks of a stainless aftermarket system.
I got in touch with a couple of custom exhaust fabricators and got quotes of £700-£900, which was about the same as an original VW exhaust.
A quick trawl on eBay and I found what seems to be the perfect fit.

It’s one of those Gravity ones. Cheap and cheerful, but the welds look spot on and it’s got a second resonator to hopefully keep it sounding original, and the tips are the same dimensions as the OE ones.
As I had a eBay voucher, it was only £300. Just wait for the rain to stop so I can get it fitted now.

[GVK]

I know this is supposed to be a preservation of an original GTi, but the exhaust is knackered...
It was badly welded up to get it through the MOT but still has a blow and it’s only a matter of time before it falls off. Still, it’s not done bad for 16 years I suppose! I looked at an original part but VW want silly money, the cheap pattern parts off eBay are exactly that, but I didn’t want the noise/looks of a stainless aftermarket system.
I got in touch with a couple of custom exhaust fabricators and got quotes of £700-£900, which was about the same as an original VW exhaust.
A quick trawl on eBay and I found what seems to be the perfect fit.

It’s one of those Gravity ones. Cheap and cheerful, but the welds look spot on and it’s got a second resonator to hopefully keep it sounding original, and the tips are the same dimensions as the OE ones.
As I had a eBay voucher, it was only £300. Just wait for the rain to stop so I can get it fitted now.

I have a resonated Milltek on mine and just cruising about it's quiet but with a nice note when you boot it.


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[JoshB]

One thing that’s been bugging me since I got the car was the state the grab handle and switches were in, so I’ve ordered new ones.




I didn’t realise the inside part of the grab handle was a separate piece though, so rubbed it down with some 400grit and repainted it. It’ll do the trick for now whilst I order a new one.


And finished.



I’ve done passenger side switch as well but I didn’t manage to do the fuel cap switch. Searched high and low but I couldn’t find my T30 bit! Literally the only one I can’t find...
I also retained the original mirror switch as I felt the Mk6 one is just a bit too bling. I’d have been more comfortable with just a chrome ring round the top...

In other news, I’ve ordered loads of new service bits so it’s going to have a full service soon.

[GVK]

Nice update, the light switch just twists and removes right? I'm fitting a boost gauge soon and need to remove the light switch to access the wiring.

[LC5F]

After market diverter and exhaust - be aware its a slippery slope from here!

Where did you source your Mk6 switches - are the tips metal or plastic metal?