# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![neonglh](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neonglh/32/4951_2.png) [@neonglh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neonglh)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2008, 10:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/81 "2008-01-30T10:38:39Z")
Looking good! ---
**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:** [February 6, 2008, 6:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/82 "2008-02-06T06:33:38Z")
Finished putting everything together last night. I just need to tighten one axle nut, bleed front brakes and put some trans fluid in. Then just wheels and it should be able to come out of the garage finally. I snapped two new pics of the dirvers side. Not much diff that before, just all together. ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8793-7/DSCF2983.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8793-7/DSCF2983.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8796-7/DSCF2985.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8796-7/DSCF2985.jpg) Dan ---
**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2008, 6:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/83 "2008-02-06T06:34:59Z")
damn, that work looks awesome, commendable work :tup: ---
**Author:** ![white\_mk\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e495f1/32.png) [@white\_mk\_2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/white_mk_2)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 10:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/84 "2008-02-10T10:32:33Z")
Very nice work! Looks great. Who did your powdercoating? ---
**Author:** ![Mike93](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike93/32/7325_2.png) [@Mike93](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mike93)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 10:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/85 "2008-02-10T10:45:42Z")
Great work man! Love reading up on projects like these:) What kind of paint did you use for the wheel wells? ---
**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:** [February 10, 2008, 11:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/86 "2008-02-10T11:34:15Z")
powdercoating was done by Modern Coating in Palmyra (notice im from Macedon, ok near Rochester ;)) The paint in the wheel wells is just some duplicolor truck bed liner in a spray bom. I usually get it at walmart of all places. Dan ---
**Author:** ![white\_mk\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e495f1/32.png) [@white\_mk\_2](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/white_mk_2)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2008, 12:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/87 "2008-02-10T12:51:55Z")
> [@juicedz4](#): > > powdercoating was done by Modern Coating in Palmyra (notice im from Macedon, ok near Rochester ;)) Thanks. Yes, I noticed but sometimes you have to drive a bit to get services worth paying for 🙂 I had a very unsatisfactory experience with a local PC place (Powder Systems) and would like to avoid a repeat. Your parts look great, though it’s hard to tell from a pic. ---
**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:** [February 10, 2008, 1:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/88 "2008-02-10T13:12:51Z")
i hope with all the work that you are putting into it, that it isnt going to be driven in the winter? 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:** [February 11, 2008, 6:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/89 "2008-02-11T06:00:22Z")
^^^ hell no. Dan ---
**Author:** ![Quattro\_Krant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ac91a4/32.png) [@Quattro\_Krant](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Quattro_Krant)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 7:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/90 "2008-02-12T07:49:57Z")
Very nice work Dan. I picked up a 97 Cabriolet for my slut GF last spring, she loves it, I’m sure your wife will love her’s. Did you clean up the engine any or is that for another time? ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/91 "2008-02-12T08:00:09Z")
> [@Quattro Krant](#): > > Very nice work Dan. I picked up a 97 Cabriolet for my slut GF last spring, she loves it, I’m sure your wife will love her’s. Did you clean up the engine any or is that for another time? lol @ slut GF ---
**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:** [February 12, 2008, 8:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/92 "2008-02-12T08:24:22Z")
^^ haha ya So far nothing motor wise. I just wanted to get it safe and looking nice for now. My plan is to do some sort of motor swap next winter. Then Ill clean up and paint the engine compart etc. Im thinking an ABA maybee with a simple turbo setup and MS. 10psi should put down about 200ish hp. Be pretty fun little ride. dan ---
**Author:** ![Quattro\_Krant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ac91a4/32.png) [@Quattro\_Krant](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Quattro_Krant)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 8:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/93 "2008-02-12T08:58:15Z")
> [@juicedz4](#): > > ^^ haha ya > > So far nothing motor wise. I just wanted to get it safe and looking nice for now. My plan is to do some sort of motor swap next winter. Then Ill clean up and paint the engine compart etc. > > Im thinking an ABA maybee with a simple turbo setup and MS. 10psi should put down about 200ish hp. Be pretty fun little ride. > > dan Yeah, the old ABA is a stout engine. She also has a 96 Golf Gl and I was driving it a bit ago, timing belt broke, towed it home, threw on a new one, and she fired right up, no bent valves or anything. Then, Saturday night, the tensioner for the timing belt froze, and the belt shredded. Towed it home, put a new belt on with a new tensioner and it fired up with no issues. The only reason why I didn’t do a tensioner when it went the first time was not knowing if the engine had 6 bent valves or not. 9 times out of 10 a 2L ABA will be fine after breaking a timing belt. With 10psi it would make a nice power upgrade in the cabby. ---
**Author:** ![Jeller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bc8723/32.png) [@Jeller](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jeller)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 9:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/94 "2008-02-12T09:19:19Z")
> [@newman](#): > > lol @ slut GF Its even funnier when he says it to her face :lol: 🤣 Very nice project :tup: powdercoating looks great. Whom are you using? Jeller ---
**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:** [February 12, 2008, 9:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/95 "2008-02-12T09:30:03Z")
Modern Coating in Palmyra (ya, i live on the OTHER side of Rochester). Dan ---
**Author:** ![fbrendan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d26b3c/32.png) [@fbrendan](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/fbrendan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 9:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/96 "2008-02-12T09:43:48Z")
wow :tup: :tup: ---
**Author:** ![Quattro\_Krant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ac91a4/32.png) [@Quattro\_Krant](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Quattro_Krant)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 10:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/97 "2008-02-12T10:08:02Z")
> [@Jeller](#): > > Its even funnier when he says it to her face :lol: 🤣 > > Very nice project :tup: powdercoating looks great. Whom are you using? > > Jeller Hey, what can I say. After 7 years together, I have to do something to get a reaction out of her. Yes, the PC looks nice. At first I was thinking that they powder coated the whole knuckle including where the wheel bearing gets pressed in, that would be no bueno, they did a nice job keeping that bare. ---
**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:** [February 15, 2008, 9:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/98 "2008-02-15T09:29:06Z")
so the car is on the ground now, has been for a few days. But the starter seems to not work anymore. I think I must have broken the 15 yr old “seal” when I removed it. So for now its going to sit until I can find/buy a replacement (hopefully next week ish). For now its back to trying to get the cavy ready. 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:** [August 21, 2008, 10:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/99 "2008-08-21T10:59:39Z")
Been a long time since I updated this at all, so here we go. I pulled the motor and trans out in APRIL since there was realy no way the car could be ready to drive this summer. Plus picking up the Audi meant my wife didnt have to commute in the Suburban anymore. I also picked up a 2.0 16V locally for $250. Currently the plan is to swap that in but running on MS to keep it reliable, simple and super clean. (I think I may be shaving alot of the extra crap in the engine bay and doing a nice wire tuck etc). ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8805-7/DSCF3245.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/8805-7/DSCF3245.jpg) A few pics of the super dirty engine bay. Would have been near impossible to get this cleaned up with the motor and trans in anyway… damn thing. ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9015-8/DSCF3260.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9015-8/DSCF3260.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9019-8/DSCF3261.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9019-8/DSCF3261.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9022-8/DSCF3262.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9022-8/DSCF3262.jpg) And finally some of it cleaned up a little. I pressure washed it on monday as I had the PW out already. Its def better, but a far cry from being able to paint it. ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9037-8/DSCF3526.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9037-8/DSCF3526.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9040-8/DSCF3527.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9040-8/DSCF3527.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9046-8/DSCF3530.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9046-8/DSCF3530.jpg) ![http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9049-8/DSCF3531.jpg](http://www.clubhousecustoms.com/gallery2/d/9049-8/DSCF3531.jpg) Ok, that is probably about all until the fall. ☹ Dan ---
**Author:** ![Quattro\_Krant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/ac91a4/32.png) [@Quattro\_Krant](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Quattro_Krant)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 11:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206/100 "2008-08-21T11:49:27Z")
Getting there. Everything you have done looks good man [Previous page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206.md?page=4) [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/vw-cabriolet-project-for-the-wifey/38206.md?page=6)