GTI MK3

[GTI3Driver]

Hey, I just signed up for the forum after coming around here alot. I am the webdesigner/coder that did the other pages of the site minues the forum. Well I finally decided to sign for the forum becasue I just picked up a MK3 GTI. It is a black 1996 and it is sadly not a VR6. I plan on rims, front bumper, lip kit, and some interior work. I'm looking on getting 18" rims. The stock tire and rim combo is 195/60/14. I used a wheel calculator from online and it says that a tire and rim combo of 195/35/18 would almost be the same exact fit as the stock wheels. I have been looking around alot of the forums and it seems ppl are not going with 18" rims and going with only like 15"s. Is there a clearence problem with the 18's or something that is the reason ppl arnt going with them, or are they not "MK3 Style"?
Also I am looking into getting this bumper:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/CrazyPhantom/golf.jpg
but I cant find where I would be able to purchase it. If anyone knows let me know. I plan on changing the black interior to tan interior with new tan racing seats.

This is what I have planned so far and in future I am hoping to do a VR6 engine swap.

Let me know,
Thanks,
Joe

[SlickShift]

Welcome to the forum! I good place to check on tire/wheel filament is tirerack.com. They're usually pretty good when it come to recommending the correct size. The bumper isn't bad, I'm not a fan of chrome mesh though.

I'm not too familiar with MK3's, but is the 4 banger a turbo or no? On the new Golfs/GTI, it's usually better to get the 4 cylinder since it's turbo ed and you can do so much more.

[///Mental]

Hey, I just signed up for the forum after coming around here alot. I am the webdesigner/coder that did the other pages of the site minues the forum. Well I finally decided to sign for the forum becasue I just picked up a MK3 GTI. It is a black 1996 and it is sadly not a VR6. I plan on rims, front bumper, lip kit, and some interior work. I'm looking on getting 18" rims. The stock tire and rim combo is 195/60/14. I used a wheel calculator from online and it says that a tire and rim combo of 195/35/18 would almost be the same exact fit as the stock wheels. I have been looking around alot of the forums and it seems ppl are not going with 18" rims and going with only like 15"s. Is there a clearence problem with the 18's or something that is the reason ppl arnt going with them, or are they not "MK3 Style"?
Also I am looking into getting this bumper:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v230/CrazyPhantom/golf.jpg
but I cant find where I would be able to purchase it. If anyone knows let me know. I plan on changing the black interior to tan interior with new tan racing seats.

This is what I have planned so far and in future I am hoping to do a VR6 engine swap.

Let me know,
Thanks,
Joe

Nice choice in mirrors :clap:

[SlickShift]

That's not his car :) And is the guy in the background snorting coke?

[GTI3Driver]

And is the guy in the background snorting coke?

That is what I thought?

Chrome mesh would prolly be black powder coated instead of chrome.

[FactorX]

... You'd get a LOT more bang for buck with a bigger turbo than the VR6...

The VR is a really robust engine, but in order to get decent power out of it you gotta drop some serious coin on a turbo or supercharger...

Sounds like you're enjoying it! Good luck!

[kelso]

anyone else notice the stretched rubber on those wheels....oh lawd! definately not likeing the chrome mesh but the bumper looks alright. and the vr6....well that just sounds like sex!im a big fan of that motor honestly but i dunno if i would do a swap. and i think 18's are a bit big id go with 17 maximum maybe 16's but prolly 17.

[GTI3Driver]

Do you guys suggest I turbo the current 2.0 engine that is in there or go a head with a VR6 engine swap?

[FactorX]

oooh.... 2.sl0w.....

1.8t conversion!

[///Mental]

why would a 2.0 be slower than a 1.8? cant you turbo the 2.0?

[FactorX]

The old 2.0 is a totally different animal than the 1.8t or 2.0t FSI...

Regardless of which route you take, look at all the available options... add forced induction to your current engine... VR6 swap... 1.8t Swap... how much power do you want to make? if you want more than 300hp... the VR6 will be necessary... if 250 is your max top range... the 1.8t... if less than that... turbo the 2.0.

[mk4jetta]

1.8t swap is a complicated swap on a mk3 golf/jetta. a vr6 swap is fairly easily as the vr was a factory motor option on the a3 platform. would not even waste money on a 2.0 turbo setup... i would stick to a vr swap...good power and lots of torque. remember...mk3's are lighter than mk4's and especially lighter than the beast mk5's. the key to FAST....is power to weight ratio...200 hp in a mk5 could be equal to 176 hp(stock hp on 12v vr6) in a mk3. go vr and think about turbo vr...400 wheel hp could be in your grasp very easily.

[TheDarkSide]

Welcome! I say the bumper is fine. Just paint the mesh black :dunno:

[LDadrenaline]

turboing ftween!