# VW Cabriolet Project for the wifey **URL:** \ **Category:** Builds\ **Created:** [November 5, 2007, 10:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206 "2007-11-05T10:46:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![juicedz4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/juicedz4/32/5051_2.png) [@juicedz4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/juicedz4)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 10:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/1 "2007-11-05T10:46:59Z")
Picked this up in Feb for $650 for a project car for the wife. Finally brought it home yesterday to gut the disgusting fn carpet and interior and get the clutch swapped out. I managed to get almost all of the interior out minus the door panels and dash (which will probably stay in anyway) and the trans yesterday after a really late start. So far the car seems to be rust free minus the one big blister on the drivers rear quarter. I was pretty nervous about the rear floor and spare tire well as the top was less than water tight. However, I have yet to see any rust inside, phew. Here are a few higlights. ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8424-7/DSCF2642.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8424-7/DSCF2642.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8434-7/DSCF2645.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8434-7/DSCF2645.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8428-7/DSCF2643.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8428-7/DSCF2643.jpg) Apparently cleaning EVER wasnt one of hte previous owners strong points. ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8471-2/PICT1654_sized.jpeg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8471-2/PICT1654_sized.jpeg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8476-7/DSCF2646.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8476-7/DSCF2646.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8479-7/DSCF2647.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8479-7/DSCF2647.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8485-7/DSCF2649.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8485-7/DSCF2649.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8497-7/DSCF2653.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8497-7/DSCF2653.jpg) After pulling the carpets and vacuuming up what wasnt stuck to the floor from all the fn pine sap. Im guessing there is still $1.53 in change stuck down there. ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8522-7/DSCF2661.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8522-7/DSCF2661.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8519-7/DSCF2659.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8519-7/DSCF2659.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8512-7/DSCF2655.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8512-7/DSCF2655.jpg) The exceptionally maintained motor and wheels (yes that is like 5 years of rusty brake dust on an aluminum wheel). ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8640-7/DSCF2664.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8640-7/DSCF2664.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8644-7/DSCF2666.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8644-7/DSCF2666.jpg) Siqq brakes ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8647-7/DSCF2668.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8647-7/DSCF2668.jpg) And the super clean trans, complete with what looks like bubble gum sealing the fn speedo cable ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8653-7/DSCF2671.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8653-7/DSCF2671.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8659-7/DSCF2672.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8659-7/DSCF2672.jpg) And my sweatshirt pwnage ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8662-7/DSCF2675.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8662-7/DSCF2675.jpg) Im hoping to clean up the trans and get the clutch swapped tonight. More to come. Dan ---
**Author:** ![Haenszel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e68b1a/32.png) [@Haenszel](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Haenszel)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 10:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/2 "2007-11-05T10:49:00Z")
That looks like the roof has been leaking for some time… notice any leaks/puddling? – does teh car run? ---
**Author:** ![juicedz4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/juicedz4/32/5051_2.png) [@juicedz4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/juicedz4)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 10:56am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/3 "2007-11-05T10:56:02Z")
well its been in my buddies barn, which is a little damp, hence some of the green stuff. There are no really wet spots and no rust inside. The car runs great. Its been parked since march when I got it. Yesterday I hopped in, turned it over for like 5 sec and it fired right up, didnt even need to charge the battery! I actually drove it a mile to my house sitting on a brick and board with the top down hah. Dan ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 11:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/4 "2007-11-05T11:24:03Z")
LOL that’s great. I love seeing teardowns, keep it coming :tup: ---
**Author:** ![juicedz4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/juicedz4/32/5051_2.png) [@juicedz4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/juicedz4)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 11:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/5 "2007-11-05T11:35:25Z")
Ok , this just in, apparently that bubble gum is factory… who knew. Dan ---
**Author:** ![dubbin91](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@dubbin91](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dubbin91)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 4:36pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/6 "2007-11-05T16:36:49Z")
i got ABD racing upper front and rear stress bars for that thing somewhere if interested. ---
**Author:** ![juicedz4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/juicedz4/32/5051_2.png) [@juicedz4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/juicedz4)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 4:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/7 "2007-11-05T16:46:56Z")
perhaps, PM me pics and a price… ---
**Author:** ![reliant\_turbo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/reliant_turbo/32/7189_2.png) [@reliant\_turbo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/reliant_turbo)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/8 "2007-11-05T20:28:03Z")
uh oh, dan with another project! hehe you work faster than i do lol. Brian ---
**Author:** ![juicedz4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/juicedz4/32/5051_2.png) [@juicedz4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/juicedz4)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2007, 8:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/9 "2007-11-05T20:51:34Z")
well cavy is far from done, but its just so late in the year and I have a few issues to work out yet, I just pulled the plug for this season. I thought a week or three away would do me some good, so I pulled this out of storage. Dan ---
**Author:** ![dubbin91](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@dubbin91](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dubbin91)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2007, 1:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/10 "2007-11-06T13:52:46Z")
price cheap, just need to find them ---
**Author:** ![Shrives](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shrives/32/7250_2.png) [@Shrives](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shrives)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2007, 2:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/11 "2007-11-06T14:09:16Z")
looks like you have quite a bit ahead of you, lookin good though I really like that green on the cabbys too :tup: I should really update my thread too ---
**Author:** ![juicedz4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/juicedz4/32/5051_2.png) [@juicedz4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/juicedz4)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2007, 2:18pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/12 "2007-11-06T14:18:49Z")
dubbin91: Cheap is right up my alley. Let me know when you find them Ill take em for sure. Ya, its gonna be a bit of work. The interior, aside from redying the seats, should be pretty simple. Ill probably do a nice system in this since its for my wife and she has been “systemless” for a few years now. I want to pull the motor SO BAD, to get all that gunk out of hte engine compartment and clean up the motor some, but thatll just snowball into who knows what. Long term Id like to strip this down to the unibody and get everything super sweet on it… but I need my barn built first 😛 Dan ---
**Author:** ![juicedz4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/juicedz4/32/5051_2.png) [@juicedz4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/juicedz4)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2007, 9:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/13 "2007-11-13T21:52:17Z")
Didnt get much done last week as my wife was away and I was on monster watch for three days. I did manage to get the trans degreased and “desanded”. I swear someone smeared it in grease and rolled it in a sandbox. Its not perfect, but I can work on and touch it without getting filthy. ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8711-7/DSCF2682.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8711-7/DSCF2682.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8714-7/DSCF2683.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8714-7/DSCF2683.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8717-7/DSCF2685.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8717-7/DSCF2685.jpg) Then tonight I got the flywheel, clutch and pressure plate off. The damn clutch like “poured” out. All that on the floor is JUST from the clutch. Anyway, the clutch is pretty toasty it seems. I need to see about resurfacing the flywheel and/or just getting a lightened one. ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8665-7/DSCF2686.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8665-7/DSCF2686.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8668-7/DSCF2687.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8668-7/DSCF2687.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8671-7/DSCF2689.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8671-7/DSCF2689.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8680-7/DSCF2694.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8680-7/DSCF2694.jpg) I also managed to get the new rear main seal in, and the new pressure plate mounted and torqued. I still need to do the throwout bearing etc in the trans but I ran out of time. ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8695-7/DSCF2696.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8695-7/DSCF2696.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8702-7/DSCF2699.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8702-7/DSCF2699.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8705-7/DSCF2700.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8705-7/DSCF2700.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8708-7/DSCF2701.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8708-7/DSCF2701.jpg) I need to order the parts to rebuild the shift linkage. I figure now is the time while I can actualy get to it all. And for $18 it cant hurt. Dan ---
**Author:** ![reliant\_turbo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/reliant_turbo/32/7189_2.png) [@reliant\_turbo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/reliant_turbo)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2007, 8:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/14 "2007-11-14T08:50:15Z")
vw clutches are so wierd. 🙂 i remember seeing that when i did the clutch on a golf that i sold to a dude. his wife roasted it after i sold it to him so i went over and helped him change it. Brian ---
**Author:** ![black\_vengeance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@black\_vengeance](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/black_vengeance)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2007, 9:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/15 "2007-11-14T09:32:05Z")
If you do take the flywheel to get it machined, be absolutely sure that they machine the pressure plate contact surface(the small lip) the same amount as the clutch contact surface. ---
**Author:** ![VertZ24](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vertz24/32/5169_2.png) [@VertZ24](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/VertZ24)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/16 "2007-12-04T19:12:30Z")
For good cheap machining, go to Meade Machine in Clyde, worth the drive. Looking good, you are ambitious! Vdubs are just plain weird design. ---
**Author:** ![kansei](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/kansei/32/3107_2.png) [@kansei](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/kansei)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2007, 7:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/17 "2007-12-04T19:38:45Z")
_subscribin to this_ I love those cabriolets --first manual transmission car I ever drove 🙂 Looks nice with the painted bumpers and fender/side trim. My buddies didn’t have that, but it was new enough (1991 I think) to have an airbag. undeniably slow but so much fun to take through the revs driving around with the top down. _listens to “pink moon” by Nick Drake even though it’s from the commercial for the gen after that_ ---
**Author:** ![fbrendan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@fbrendan](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fbrendan)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/18 "2007-12-04T19:39:42Z")
could be hot. :tup: :tup: ---
**Author:** ![juicedz4](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/juicedz4/32/5051_2.png) [@juicedz4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/juicedz4)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2007, 8:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/19 "2007-12-04T20:07:34Z")
I got the flywheel back last wed, just havent had time to put it in yet. Someone from a certain machine shop did it on the side for me for 55 bux. Not bad for a stepped flywheel with one pin. Im hoping to get it back in soonish. Seems like every nite since I got it back has been crazy busy. I did manage to get the shifter rebuild kit 95% installed. I just need to do the last two shoulder bushings under the shifter itself (probably once hte trans is all back in). Dan ---
**Author:** ![escgt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/escgt/32/7512_2.png) [@escgt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/escgt)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2007, 7:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/20 "2007-12-05T07:23:14Z")
that one cool project you got there, the trans came out clean [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206.md?page=2)