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View Full Version : Need Help on Newly Aquired VR6 Project. 1st post too :)


Dubs4Life2006
08-01-2006, 07:53 PM
Hey everybody. (LONG POST BEWARE)

I recently got my hands on a VR6 Jetta glx with some work already done on the engine. Kid was over his head in credit card debt, so I got it prettttty cheap.

Now.... the bad news. I've got a leaky head gasket. Now I drove the car home from VT (about a 2hr 45min drive). I didn't really get on it due to the head issue, but I did test it a few times. It still seems to pull hard and you only get white smoke if you reallllly get on it. So I don't think the situation is all that bad. I ordered a new set of OEM gaskets from MJMautohaus with a swapped out MK4 12v head gasket to raise up the comp to approx 10.5. Plus, from what I understand, it's made out of better materials.

What I need is a GOOOD VW shop in the CNY area. I'm just outside of Utica, NY. I had Burkhart's (in Utica) do one of my Dub's (2.0 all motor on spray). The work was good.... but the prices charged were pretty steep.

I'm a little older and wiser now, so I'd like to find a shop in the near vicinity that can handle engine and body, do good work, and not completely kill me on price. Plus I'd rather give the business to someone that loves dubs like me!

The nice thing about the car is the 2 owners that had it before me kept an awesome receipt portfolio (which I'm still going through). So Ive got a reference point on what shop's have worked the motor and what's been done.

So far: Schrick 268's, CAI, 3" no cat. Race Header (can't tell what brand though still huntin' for that receipt), EIP chip and head (still have to call EIP to find out what chip and head options), clutch masters stg III clutch kit, Peloquin LSD, H&R race cup kit, Golf front end conversion, 4 bar rising rate FPR,.... and unless I find more receipts I think that's it.

From the history I got on the car, the first owner turbo'd it but didn't know how to tune it. So I'm guessing I'm in for some rebuiling before I can go boost again. But end result, I want a 300 whp daily driver :)

So any advice, shops, people to chat with, hookups, what ever... let me know! Oh, and THANKS in advance!

20vB5er
08-01-2006, 08:12 PM
get in touch with matt (customfabvw). he has a history with turbo'd VRs and does great work.

oh, and i have his cell number if you need it

Dubs4Life2006
08-03-2006, 09:42 AM
get in touch with matt (customfabvw). he has a history with turbo'd VRs and does great work.

oh, and i have his cell number if you need it


Thanks man. I'm gonna look him up and send him a PM. Do you know where he or his shop is located?

20vB5er
08-03-2006, 10:00 AM
his shop is just out past ESTA, just around on bull street.

http://www.estadrags.com/images/grafx/estamap.jpg

probably kind of a hike for you, but he quality work and good prices.

Dan McBoost
08-03-2006, 10:25 AM
You could call Salisbury. They do mostly all audi/vw:

http://www.salisburymotorcar.com/

CharkVR6
08-03-2006, 03:25 PM
I read your thread sorry to hear about the head gasket but, it sounds like you got a great deal on a great car. I have a 2000 VR6 and I love it. I'd still love it if all 4 wheels fell off! Anyways, I'm not sure of all the parts that your looking for and you are looking for a garage but, if you find out you need an oil pan let me know. It doesn't sound like you do but, I do have a brand new one in the box for an MKIV VR6.

Dubs4Life2006
08-03-2006, 07:26 PM
Thanks to all who have chipped in. All the info helps. Once the car is driveable, ie. no leaky headgasket, Matt's shop in Cicero is def. in my scope of close enough to home. especially if he has knowledge of boosted VR's. So def. thanks for that info.

As for dealing with the headgasket issue:

I ordered a 12v headgasket set with a swapped out MK4 head gasket. Now, I know going with the MK4 gasket raises my comp. which is the opposite of what I should be doing if I 'm going boost; but I figure until I'm ready to boost it, a little gain from raising the compression to 10.5 ish:1 can't hurt.

I'm also trying to seal the deal with this kid on the tex for a set of 12v oem pistons that look like they're in really good shape with only 58k on'em. He's goin 1.8t so he's parting his VR. He's lettin' them go for $55 bux. So I figure while I've got the head off, If these pistons look better than the ones in the block, might as well replace'em.

Since I have no clue what the condition of the internals are going to look like, does anyone here have any experience with problems caused by a bad head gasket? I mean I'm thinkin worst case I gotta replace pistons, rings.... is there anything else I should be prepared for?

Plus I came across a set of "gapless" rings for the 12v VR. Now I get the concept of the gapless ring (less blow by right?). I'm wonderin' if they would be worth the extra cash. Or should I just throw a new set of OEM rings in there?