Convert or Buy ?

[soggy1]

Hi guys,
I am a fairly new member but have always been into my polo’s.
I have a great condition mk3 polo GT with 32’000 on the clock and have had for about a year now but am looking to get something faster which for me is an easy choice (G40) but I don’t know if it would be cheaper to buy a G in nice condition or convert my GT which I have spent money on already and I know its in good nic.
Would like people’s opinion on my problem?
And will put some pics up of my GT at the weekend.

[Max]

2 ways of looking at it really chap:

On one side you could leave your GT as a low mileage minter and source a genuine G40.

Or convert your GT knowing that your shell is in great condition and find a decent engine to go with it.

Both ways won't be easy as G40s in mint condition are hard to come by but also finding a decent engine that you know hasn't been in several different cars with unknown mileage and history.

Cost wise it all depends really.

[Robin]

i'd G40 the GT

As you have a good shell find a G40 engine and rebuild it so you know that the engine is a good engine and then wack it in!

[hayesey]

yes if the current shell you have is truely a minter, no rust and nice and straight then I'd put a g40 engine into that. 

[breadman]

Yeah, I'm with Max and Paul on this.
If your current car is really good, just convert it with the G40 engine and transmission.
The newest of the mk3 Polo's are 15 years old now and finding a good solid shell is the most important thing IMO.
I might be in the minority, but having an original G40 isn't important to me. Apart from a hole drilled in the roof for the beesting aerial the shell is identical in every way to a normal Polo. Everything G40 specific is just bolt on. Personally, I'd far sooner start with a sound, rust free shell and then bolt the G specific parts on.
I'd be nice to see some pictures of your GT.
Cheers,
Richard.

[soggy1]

Thanks for the advice guys, gives me alot to think about and alot to spend.
Will put some pictures up of the GT by the weekend
Thanks again

[Fred]

Well i bought a Genisis G40 conversion of wich the shell was F**ked.(see Post,stress cracks)
Everything else is G40 specific.
I also have a Genisis 1Ltr Coupe wich all the relevant G40 stuff will be going into.
If i had your GT with such a low mileage then it would definatly stay that way.
It has to be said that good G40`s & GT`s are getting rare so keep it that way.
For me, My Genisis G40 Conversion will never be a Genuine G40 no matter what i
do to it.
So therefore i won`t try to make it so either.
I have a Genuine low mileage G40 lined up for me from a little old dear.
If money is an issue then sell the GT to fund a G40 coz then you could seek out a
Genuine G40 and Tart it up.
But all that said, I think its a shame that most G owners are hell bent on getting more
Horses from them helping to shorten there life span where for me it won`t be a Genuine
G40 so to me it don`t matter so much.
Keep your GT Genuine as it sounds like a show car and seek out a good MK3 Coupe shell
and the relevant G40 bits to go in it.
Regards, Fred.

[soggy1]

Ok since I last posted I have decided to convert my GT to a G40.
I have made a start, I have bought G40 front brake set up because I thought I could fit it straight away which I will be doing this weekend.
Could some1 who has done a conversion before or who has the info, list what is needed?

[hayesey]

bare minimum from a g40:

- complete engine with charger

- alternator (and mounting parts)

- intercooler and boost pipes

- oil feed and return pipes for charger

- throttle body

- g40  exhaust manifold, downpipe and exhaust.

- complete engine wiring loom

- g40 ecu

- g40 brakes (at least!)

nice to have:

- proper g40 gearbox (gt gear ratios are too short really)

- g40 clocks (slightly different red line and go up to 160mph)

- g40 steering arms (these have metal inner bushes instead of rubber)

- g40 track control arms (again, metal inner bushes)

- g40 suspension (slightly lower and stiffer although you might already have after market stuff anyway)


Presuming the g40 engine you get hold of has a g40 inlet manifold with it, I'd be tempted to use the one off your GT engine instead as it's a larger internal bore.  There's no need to change the fuel pumps, radiator or rear axle as GT ones are the same as G40.

I'd be very tempted to put a new clutch on too while you've got the engine and gearbox out. 

All in all this is about as easy as engine conversions get once you have all the parts in front of you.  Easily possible in a day if you have an engine crane.  But if you've never done things like this before then you'll prob want to plan for a weekend.

[soggy1]

Thanks for your help. Now time to sourse the parts, think i start with chasis parts that way i can add them as i go.
hopefully get it done in good time.