Getting into the diesel game

[GTIguy]

IIght so i ran across a seemingly good deal on a 83 rabbit diesel and just trying to get a feel for what im in for. It has 118,000 miles and everything is working, 1.6l, heat and ac work. The only thing he could say was wrong was the headliner is saggy. The man im buying it from is the original owner and has kept up with everything, the body is straight with NO RUST!!! Just trying to figure out whats out their as far as turbo set ups, exhaust, tuning and or other power adders. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jacob

[pinky]

turbo setup from a TD... not much for power adders, tho, as the td is still pretty sluggish.

if you decide against it let me know.. i may want to pick this up.

[GTIguy]

i deff think im going to pick it up this friday already spoke to the man and hes going to wait till next weekend so i can drive it home. Just thinking about Turbo set up, turbo back exhaust, coilovers, wheels, and single round headlight set up and calling it a day.

[phill0046]

Do it. Finding a rabbit in good condition with an OG owner is a rare find, and they can go to 400,000 easy

[GTIguy]

im gona go get it this friday, im just trying to figure out how much effort putting a turbo set up on that motor will be. From what i can gather the only things i would need aside from the turbo kit itsself is the new filter housing, and some assorted vacume lines. Also mabey when the clutch is on it way out going ahead and swaping a 5 speed tranny. Found a salvage yard in elm city with three diesel rabbits, a diesel caddy and a diesel jetta so im sure i can find everything i need. Supsension and wheels will be the first things to go on the car, so ive got some time to sort everything out.

[NC.:R32]

Might want to check this out

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Spearco-Turbo-Diesel-kit-VW-Jetta-Rabbit-mk1-mk2-1-6-NR_W0QQitemZ140377148065QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_ Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item20af214aa1

[JessaBug]

If you are doing this, I would check out the Mk1 section of VW Vortex. Pretty good resource and a lot of info on doing TD setups on NA mk1 diesels.

I haven't driven an NA diesel before, but I've heard stories. We have a factory TD Jetta and while it won't win any races, it is far peppier than I ever imagined.

Welcome to the MK1 diesels! =)

[Vampire Cockroach]

Might want to check this out

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Spearco-Turbo-Diesel-kit-VW-Jetta-Rabbit-mk1-mk2-1-6-NR_W0QQitemZ140377148065QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_ Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item20af214aa1

awesome! never knew spearco ever made stuff like that.

[wolfsburged]

vwdiesel.net check it out

[GTIguy]

Might want to check this out

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Spearco-Turbo-Diesel-kit-VW-Jetta-Rabbit-mk1-mk2-1-6-NR_W0QQitemZ140377148065QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_ Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item20af214aa1
Good find, found some turbos set ups last night. Yeah ive been keeping my eye on ebay
If you are doing this, I would check out the Mk1 section of VW Vortex. Pretty good resource and a lot of info on doing TD setups on NA mk1 diesels.

I haven't driven an NA diesel before, but I've heard stories. We have a factory TD Jetta and while it won't win any races, it is far peppier than I ever imagined.

Welcome to the MK1 diesels! =)
Thanks, i hope i have much better luck with these than i have had with my 16v. Yeah not much for power but a ton of fun. Great build thread by the way.
awesome! never knew spearco ever made stuff like that.
Me either
vwdiesel.net check it out
Will do hopefully they have more stuff for NA deisels

[GTIguy]

Well its over just as soon as it had begun. Spoke to the man who was supposed to be holding the car for me till friday. Well long story short is its gone.........what a prick. Im just taking this as a chance to go ahead and get a turbo diesel to start with.

[JessaBug]

Sounds like a very similar story to one that we experienced last summer...Friend of ours was on the way to get it an hour away and he sold it out from under us.

Sorry you got burned like that. There are plenty of Mk1 diesels out there that need a home. I'm sure you'll find one again.

[GTIguy]

I hope so, found some stuff that looks promising. Ill keep everyone updated.

[wolf_walker]

Much as I love, and have and have had for years, VW diesels. You really can get pretty near the MPG (especially considering fuel cost gas/diesel) and more power for less money with a good 8v gasser. My Scirocco averaged, not steady cruising at 55, averaged, 38mpg for a year of daily driving, and bone stock was as fast or faster than a stock PD TDI.
Which is itself faster than a TD IDI will be unless you abuse it with boost fuel and timing.
I'd really like to MegaSquirt an ABA in an A1 chassis with a good geared 5spd
and see where it went, but I'm drowning in projects as it is.

Not that I don't like diesels, I have two, but just saying.
I drive em because I like quirky personality-filled machines, am never in a hurry, and like that they last a long time
and are very consistent with fewer systems to go out of wack. I do not like how they behave on modern fuel though.
Anyone that didn't have one ten years ago is lucky they don't know what they are missing on ULSD.

There is a sweet tan early 4dr Rabbit on the FS section here now. There was a $1500 Caddy on Raleigh craigslist
last week. And I know the yard in Elm City you speak of. They used to have 50 or more 80's VW's, crushed most of them sadly.

[wolf_walker]

Also, here. http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1632800337.html