# 79' VW Rabbit V8 Project **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [April 21, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561 "2009-04-21T19:18:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![95dime](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/95dime/32/7514_2.png) [@95dime](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/95dime)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/21 "2009-04-22T16:54:51Z")
đź‘Ź thats an s10 front clip. my guess is your going small block. i like this already. ---
**Author:** ![Axis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/axis/32/5149_2.png) [@Axis](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Axis)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 4:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/22 "2009-04-22T16:58:59Z")
404 Firewall not found. I really do wish you luck with this. My friend has one with a touched by the hand of god 1.8t and he bought his in similar shape a few years ago. (with a firewall and floors though). This really should be interesting. :tup: ---
**Author:** ![91EscortBASS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91escortbass/32/5312_2.png) [@91EscortBASS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91EscortBASS)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 5:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/23 "2009-04-22T17:39:50Z")
Breath in… breath out… good luck with this one, I’ll have to come out every now and then to see the progress. ---
**Author:** ![DeusExMachina](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deusexmachina/32/5036_2.png) [@DeusExMachina](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DeusExMachina)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/24 "2009-04-22T19:24:03Z")
I never thought I’d say this, but: You should go back to the Escort project. ---
**Author:** ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/25 "2009-04-22T19:28:30Z")
Good god… ---
**Author:** ![Carbonfiberhooded](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carbonfiberhooded/32/7608_2.png) [@Carbonfiberhooded](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carbonfiberhooded)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 7:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/26 "2009-04-22T19:45:10Z")
I hope you got this free/ really cheap. That thing needs alotta $$ and time! Good luck though!! ---
**Author:** ![kellersvt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kellersvt/32/5364_2.png) [@kellersvt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/kellersvt)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 7:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/27 "2009-04-22T19:52:14Z")
[quote=“95dime,post:21,topic:66561"”] 👏 thats an s10 front clip. my guess is your going small block. i like this already. [/quote] You hit the nail on the head. I’m not a chevy guy but its going to get a 350 with a turbo 350 tranz. I bought the car with a motor and trany already in it but the deal was IF the motor and tranz goes to a friend of mine I would get the car dirt cheap. History: College kid’s final project was to build a race car. He knew someone with this rabbit(rust free at the time). Bought that and decided to go small block(teacher thought he was nuts). The chassis was shortened in the middle by 23" and the rear by another 15". Completely boxed and aligned. An amazing job I might add. Body is very solidly attached to the chassis(will have pics of that later). Comes with new adjustable coil over shocks in rear and all suspension components are bran spanken new. Surprisingly it wasn’t shortened in width. That is an uncut full 10 bolt GM axle in the rear and the tires line up perfectly, as seen below. ![http://i708.photobucket.com/albums/ww88/akellersvt/100_0056.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/4/a/4a996f69dbebc148949b8a7d4d0b0b7275eb4a75.jpeg) He had a good idea but did a couple things wrong. The rear leaf spring is still attached, cut, and welded together. That wont last very long at all. No way to prevent the axle from twisting either. The motor was set way too high and forward. Not enough weight centered on the car(would have been a dangerous ride). All in all, he did a very good job getting half way there. The car was drivable at one point in time and was put on a dyno. He finished college and ran out of time to finish it. Sat for a year and a half, then got kicked out of his parents house. That is when I got the phone call that it was for sale and for cheap. What was purchased so far; ## 79’ VW Rabbit Cabriolet(with title) 84’ VW Rabbit(parts car) Custom fit driveshaft 10 gallon fuel cell Steal braided lines and conectors for fuel tank A couple stearing colums Black leather seats(origional from car) Engine mounts 4 aluminum drag rims with decent tires Shift kit for a turbo 350 tranz Bunch of other crap that came with it too Total: $550 ---
**Author:** ![JDMSIR](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jdmsir/32/7376_2.png) [@JDMSIR](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JDMSIR)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/28 "2009-04-22T20:45:08Z")
Did you finish the escort yet? ---
**Author:** ![LXIFLYBY](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/lxiflyby/32/7399_2.png) [@LXIFLYBY](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LXIFLYBY)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/29 "2009-04-22T20:45:12Z")
you def need a cage with that setup and some kind of firewall. Other than that i wanna see this thing wheelie ---
**Author:** ![kellersvt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kellersvt/32/5364_2.png) [@kellersvt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/kellersvt)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 8:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/30 "2009-04-22T20:56:43Z")
> [@JDMSIR](#): > > Did you finish the escort yet? Its on the road right now. Runs great with loads of power over the 1.9. All the other stuff I wanted to do is going to have to wait. > [@LXIFLYBY](#): > > you def need a cage with that setup and some kind of firewall. Other than that i wanna see this thing wheelie Cage will come in due time. Fire wall will be fabbed up once I get the motor and trany in for mock up(hopefully this weekend). When the other motor was in the distributor was right under the windshield. I plan on moving the motor back about 6 inches and down 4. That way it will all fit under the hood and wont be such a squirlley ride. And about the wheelie thing, shouldn’t have a problem doing it . The car weighs 1300lbs as it sets. Maybe 2100lbs give or take when its done. First time the car lifts up i’m putting on wheelie bars. F that… ---
**Author:** ![9ONA3OOZX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/9ona3oozx/32/7242_2.png) [@9ONA3OOZX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/9ONA3OOZX)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/31 "2009-04-22T21:02:44Z")
> [@kellersvt](#): > > _ **Just light surface rust** _. Cameras at night make rust look real bad. The pics I’m going to post later make the rust look way worse then it is. :picard: ---
**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/32 "2009-04-22T21:09:49Z")
sweet fucking jesus dude, i srsly wish you the best of luck ---
**Author:** ![91MR2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91mr2/32/7217_2.png) [@91MR2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91MR2)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/33 "2009-04-22T21:11:38Z")
Haha, for real… ---
**Author:** ![02svtfocus](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/02svtfocus/32/7318_2.png) [@02svtfocus](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/02svtfocus)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/34 "2009-04-22T21:19:02Z")
Ever consider why you got “such a good deal”? I like the concept none the less. ---
**Author:** ![Karter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e480ec/32.png) [@Karter](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Karter)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/35 "2009-04-22T21:22:28Z")
this isnt that bad, a wirewheel on a drill and some paint will go a long way. head down to K+s or any other real racing shop and pick up an nhra rule book. It will cover all the basis youll need just to pass tech at the drag strips. It covers all the way back to 15 seconds I think, but I know there is rules for chassis cars ect, aswell as firewall rules ect ect. Dont get too far down with the comments, you dont need much more than a subframe a shell and a welder when building a small block car. We’ve built plenty. ---
**Author:** ![airhead](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/airhead/32/7471_2.png) [@airhead](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/airhead)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/36 "2009-04-22T21:33:44Z")
Damn. Best of luck to you, but I’ve seen people start with a lot worse. If you need parts, I have them- interior, exterior, etc. I’m also parting an '84 Cabby, so let me know. ---
**Author:** ![kellersvt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kellersvt/32/5364_2.png) [@kellersvt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/kellersvt)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/37 "2009-04-22T21:34:03Z")
Don’t plan on making this a competition drag car. More or less a weekend or test and tune night type of thing. Maybe cruise night, idk yet. Either way its going to be a crazy ride. My father inlaw is helping me out on this one. He’s got more experience with putting big motors in small cars. Datson 280Z with a 327. If the rust is really bothering you guys I’ll sand the damn thing and prime it. ---
**Author:** ![kellersvt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kellersvt/32/5364_2.png) [@kellersvt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/kellersvt)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/38 "2009-04-22T21:37:01Z")
> [@airhead](#): > > Damn. Best of luck to you, but I’ve seen people start with a lot worse. If you need parts, I have them- interior, exterior, etc. I’m also parting an '84 Cabby, so let me know. That blue car thats cut in half is the parts car. Bough it for $50 bucks for the interior and dash. The rear end may come in handy if I kiss the wall. Have no idea how this thing is going to react. Thanks anyways man. I’ll hit you up if I’m missing anything. Has anyone ever seen a video of a rabbit with a V8?? ---
**Author:** ![mindless](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mindless/32/7286_2.png) [@mindless](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mindless)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/39 "2009-04-22T21:37:46Z")
DUDE THIS IS FUCKING SWEETTTT. Please make this happen its alot of work but will deff be worth it in the end. Honestly if you are going to get serious with this as a drag car or something go with a 8.8 rear end for more strength out of back. ---
**Author:** ![turbociv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@turbociv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbociv)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561/40 "2009-04-22T21:52:33Z")
> [@mindless](#): > > DUDE THIS IS FUCKING SWEETTTT. Please make this happen its alot of work but will deff be worth it in the end. Honestly if you are going to get serious with this as a drag car or something go with a 8.8 rear end for more strength out of back. +1 dont listen to thwe haterz on this forum. This is what realy car guys do. They see a vision then make it happen. This thing will be sweet if you finish it. But it will def take alotta work. [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/79-vw-rabbit-v8-project/66561.md?page=3)