Not easy I'd suspect

For some time now I've been planning on extending my garage into a workshop and getting myself a nice little track car. Long story short, should be hopefully getting started on this in the next few months. The idea is to get a GTI-6 and strip it out. I'd like to do as much work as possible myself, I'm cursed with my Dad's way of thinking that I'd rather spend money I don't have on equipment and do a job badly myself rather than pay someone else to do it - even if that means spending £100 on a tool to do a job that a garage would've charged me £20 to do.

Now, a question for the mechanics amongst you - realistically, how much of this work would I be able to do myself? I've never stripped down an engine myself but I'm more than capable of wielding a spanner when I need to and changing alternators, pipes, interior stuff etc etc. I know a decent amount of theory on the internals but just haven't had the chance to play. Essentially it seems as long as you're willing to get your hands dirty most tasks are simply a case of taking everything apart then putting it back to where you found it.

However I'm aware that engine internals are a whole different ball game - in fact it's one of the appeals of the '6 that it's a relatively simple engine so my chances of failure are somewhat lower.

Would those of you who know these cars say it's a do-able job if you're sensible? Or is it a case of if you haven't spent years blowing up engines then don't even bother, because something WILL go wrong? I'm all up for breaking stuff, it's a track car not my road car so any issues aren't going to be the end of the world.

I'd just be interested in people's opinions really so I can start getting rough ideas of what I could do with the car, what jobs I'd need to outsource, etc.

Same goes for welding actually - I've done some arc welding before which was effective but messy, I'm sure I'd improve with practise mind. I've never done MIG welding but would also be interested to know what people's opinions are on learning to do that. If I can convince my dad he needs lots of metal stuff I might be able to get him to go halves on some welding kit

Sorry for the relatively pointless post, I've just been reading through every thread in the projects section and I've gone and gotten myself all worked up...

Cheers in advance people.
O.

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As long as you have patience and time and don't rush things it's all easy. Get the head skimmed regardless, and a bit of plastiguage if you're properly stripping engine to check what size big end bearings you need and you'll be fine

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Seat Leon Cupra FR / 306 GTI6 / Breaking 205 GTI6 / Caterham 7 / Mercedes Sprinter 311CDI LWB

Sold: Fisher Fury - Laguna DCI Estate - P1 306 XSI - E30 BMW 325i Baur Convertible - Daihatsu Fourtack - Suzuki GSXR600 - 205 Rallye

It not too hard to do but very time consuming, you will need patience and attention to detail. Mig welding is hard to do nicely on cars. The metal is thin and access is often hard. Practise on scrap metal not straight onto your car

Ive been up for this for sometime - and now ive got my own place maybe I could have a crack

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Team Peugeot Sport 308 Gti�

Black T'99 Gti - may she rest in peace - written off in a shunt on the A329m

Hi people

Thanks for your comments, that's given me a bit more confidence in myself - I appreciate what you're all saying about the patience required also. I'm always prepared for lots of getting hands dirty and breaking stuff.

Deepak - yes I've been reading your thread in detail and learned some very handy hints!

I also found out there's a college down the road that does evening classes in welding, so that might be worth doing. Much as I'd love to be able to do much of the work myself I'd never feel comfortable say welding in a roll cage without any idea if I was doing it right or not!

Cheers again for the advice people, just need to build the workshop now...

O.

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I seem to remember than an totally un-skimmed head has about 22 thousands of an inch clearance at full valve extension (don't remember where that piece of knowledge came from though!).

Just make sure you know how much is taken off each time it's skimmed (the machinist should be able to tell you)

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Trackday, trackday, trackday

It's yet to be proven whether it's useful information or not! I could be talking utter rubbish.

And cheers on the video - i'm looking forward to getting the old girl back out at Anglesey in a couple of weeks!

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Trackday, trackday, trackday

Have a search for TDC in thread titles to give you an idea on the valve-piston clearances. The head can't be skimmed much at all.

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Nothing to see here

Either way it looks like irritatingly I might have to apply some kind of skill rather than just repeat trial and error

Cheers for the input people.

O.

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