Mk3 Golf VR6 in ITS

[anthony1k]

Any opinions on how competitive the Mk3 Golf VR6 could be in ITS?
TIA

[dave parker]

While I am by no means an expert on Volkswagens, that car would probably do ok.
Until you had to race against a well prepared E36 BMW.

But it would be a fun project.

cheers
dave parker

[Sandro]

isn't a corrado a MK3 platform?

I believe Bildon was pretty succesful with their Corrado in ITS, not sure how the specs of the cars differ. Just going by eye, but the Corrado looks like it has a lower roof, which would be an advantage. Similar to a MK1 Rabbit and Scirocco

[Knestis]

I *think* that the Corrado actually is a MkI...

K

[anthony1k]

My understanding is that the Mk3 Golf VR6 is mechanically identical to the Corrado VR6. The GCR seems to suggest that also. From what I can find on the web, the Bildon Corrado had a successful but short-lived campaign. I think I'll drop them an email.

I don't have illusions that this car could beat the e36, all else being equal. I'm more interested in something that is rather low maintenance but could place well given the right conditions, like a very wet track.

[jlinfert]

I *think* that the Corrado actually is a MkI...

K
Nope, the 'rado is a Mk2 and actually shares common steering knuckles with a Mk3

[jlinfert]

Any opinions on how competitive the Mk3 Golf VR6 could be in ITS?
TIA
It's awfully nose heavy but with ECU's being free now I think it could be a decent car.
VW tends to leave a lot of untapped potential in their motors that good computer tuning will bring out.

[anthony1k]

Nope, the 'rado is a Mk2 and actually shares common steering knuckles with a Mk3
In the GCR the Corrado and the Mk3 look totally indentical. Can this be a mistake?

[jlinfert]

Nope the 'rado and Mk3 are very very similar even though the 'rado is a Mk2 it was kinda the prototype for the Mk3

[shwah]

Agreed.

The Corrados are a mix of A2 and A3 chassis (and of course those chassis are actually very similar). The GTI motor/brakes/trans are very similar, but different - trans is not the same for instance, though probably has same ratios.

The GTI would surely be easier to find spares for should you bend it. The Corrado probably has an edge on straight line handling. I think the GTI would be competitive, but require a decent tire budget.

[lateapex911]

Bildons Corrado was doing VERY well in Atlanta at the ARRCs, but suffered braking issues. It was a car with 3 (?) races on it. lot's of teething/development to go, presumably. Which bodes well for it's chances.

Looked cool too.

[Knestis]

...and probably sounded wicked.

K

[shwah]

If you have not watched thier videos, go do it now. The sound alone may justify building a good ITS VR6 car.

[CRallo]

...and probably sounded wicked.

K


If you have not watched thier videos, go do it now. The sound alone may justify building a good ITS VR6 car.

read my mind...

[Lael Cleland]

Ok, One note, O2A/02J/ect....Lets say cable shift, trans are all the same inside, 2nd gear sucks in all of them...Next VR6 spindles are VR6, MK2-3 5x100 bolt patern& funky angled balljiont....1990& up Mk2 GLi spindles & 4cyl mk3 are mostly interchangeable(abs)
I think the diffrence with coraddo's is more about VR6 vs. G60....I used to know more about it 10 years ago......I am forgetting MK1 stuff daily!!!Stupid MK6s are here!

[OTLimit]

STOP!! You guys are making me miss my Corrado.:( Have to say that of all of the cars we have owned since we have been married, this is the only one I miss. Not that it didn't have it's issues, but....it was a real cool car to drive.

We always thought the Corrado would be a kickass car to race, but sheet metal replacement would be almost impossible, and keeping front tires on the thing could cost you a fortune.

[Bill Miller]

Corrados are very cool cars to drive, and I'm with you Lesley, it's one of the few cars that I really do miss. And there's really nothing like the sound of a VR6 at full song, especially a well tuned one w/ an open intake and a free-flowing exhaust. I know a VR6 Mk III GTI is a very similar car, mechanically, but it's definitely no 'rado.

[lateapex911]

.......and keeping front tires on the thing could cost you a fortune.

WOuld that be much different than other high hp FWD ITS and ITR cars? Is it because the engine weighs more?

[Lael Cleland]

I usually have a broken corrado in my shop at all times.....I think the G60 was worse than the GLC....
Trans plant an R32 drive line STO!!!!!!!

[anthony1k]

I usually have a broken corrado in my shop at all times.....I think the G60 was worse than the GLC....
Trans plant an R32 drive line STO!!!!!!!

Any common problems with the VR6 motors? How well do they hold up with high miles? How about transmissions?

[OTLimit]

We had no problems with the motor itself, and believe me when I tell you that it got driven very hard for a street car when someone besides myself drove it. But I seem to remember that it ate spark plugs; had to use good ones, not just any off the shelf. Previous owner (as with many VWs) had hacked up the wiring to the point where it caused other issues, which is one of the reasons we ended up getting rid of it.

Loved the car, hated the insurance, hated knowing that if some moron hit me that the insurance company would total it.

[suki101]

The VR6 is pretty sought. One weak point would be the timing chain guides. Another would be the head gasket; if the car has been neglected they usually start to leak externally on the passenger side of the motor behind the serp. belt. The thermostat housing and related parts like the “crack pipe” can start to leak too if they are higher mileage. If you are looking at using a higher mileage motor I would do the following:

-Replace timing chains & guides (about $150 in parts)
-Inspect the water pump and replace if needed with a pump that has a metal impeller ($45-$50)
-Replace the thermostat housing and add an aluminum “crack pipe” ($130-$150 for a “total kit”)
-Inspect the oil pan & oil pump for damage & replace gasket

I would also replace the clutch and TO bearing. Motor mounts would be good too. There is one other item that might need attention. All VR6 cars have an electric after run/secondary water pump. Over time they leak and can be price, $150-$170 new. They can be bypassed and the car will still run fine. There are some thing I have left out I’m sure but if you have any questions feel free to let me know.


PS: VW Heater Cores will leak with age, luckly you can bypass it...

[Lael Cleland]

The VR6 is pretty sought. One weak point would be the timing chain guides. Another would be the head gasket; if the car has been neglected they usually start to leak externally on the passenger side of the motor behind the serp. belt. The thermostat housing and related parts like the “crack pipe” can start to leak too if they are higher mileage. If you are looking at using a higher mileage motor I would do the following:

-Replace timing chains & guides (about $150 in parts)
-Inspect the water pump and replace if needed with a pump that has a metal impeller ($45-$50)
-Replace the thermostat housing and add an aluminum “crack pipe” ($130-$150 for a “total kit”)
-Inspect the oil pan & oil pump for damage & replace gasket

I would also replace the clutch and TO bearing. Motor mounts would be good too. There is one other item that might need attention. All VR6 cars have an electric after run/secondary water pump. Over time they leak and can be price, $150-$170 new. They can be bypassed and the car will still run fine. There are some thing I have left out I’m sure but if you have any questions feel free to let me know.


PS: VW Heater Cores will leak with age, luckly you can bypass it...

Agreed! The trans has a weak 2nd gear, 3-4-5 are good....ya shouldnt need 2nd anyway...

[suki101]

Agreed! The trans has a weak 2nd gear, 3-4-5 are good....ya shouldnt need 2nd anyway...

True, 2nd gear syncro goes away......

Oh and from 1993 all VR6 cars have a secondary air injection pump, which can be easily deleted. Pre OBDII cars, 1992-95, have an EGR valve and idle stablizer valve too. Not really problem areas just an FYI.

[jungle]

I have probabally over 2500 lapping & Time Trial miles in my mkIII gti vr6. Never once did it give me any grief. I did go through a lot of wheel bearings though. You MUST have a very large oil cooler though and brake ducts. I love that car, however i don't think it is a good race car platform, there is just too much weight in front of the front axle. Most other cars in ITS aka the Integra type R is more competitive.