Author Topic: Help! I need somebody. Help! Not just anybody. (Read 4776 times)

billwill88 · « **on:** March 15, 2007, 08:14:11 pm »

-the beatles
Hey guys I am officially a new member here but have been following the forums and gathering a bunch of usefull information from here. You guys seem to know a lot about the vw diesel engines and I need your help. I am currently searching for a car. I am looking into buying a 1980 diesel rabbit form a kid up in PA. What I need to know is what type/ size engine/ power does the car have? Also I am planning on at some point doing the conversion to turbo. Would this engine be "turboable" and what specific manifolds form which engine model(s) would I need. I know the general VW GTD forum user is pretty knowledgeable and appreciate all your help guys.
Thanks!

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3087433

PS: Here is a link so you may have pictures of the car. The kid said he has hd trouble getting the car up to 70mph. Is this really how slow the NA's are? Also what differences would this have vs. for example an '82 1.6NA diesel rabbit?

duffer · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2007, 10:05:09 pm »

When I was younger, so much younger than today-ay,
I didn't need anybody's help in any way
But now I'm diesel-less, I'm not so self-assured
Hopin' with this little car my problems will be cured
Help me get my feet back off the ground
'Cause I'm surely sick and tired of walking 'rou-ound
Help me hear that awesome diesel sound
Won't you please, please help me...?

Sorry. Just got carried away, there, for a minute.

Don't know anything about the Rabbit, except
that it rhymes with habit. Which is what you'll
surely develop, if you buy this little gem.

Good luck with your purchase.

745 turbogreasel · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2007, 11:51:35 pm »

best to go with a turbo motor., the have oil squirters, and probably won't cost any more than buying the turbo hardware a peice at a time.

I had an NA Fox over 100 MPH, but it took awhile to get there.

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2007, 03:47:07 am »

you can turbo an n/a with out any issues, ask any one who has done it... well witht he acception of 11mm head motors, they don't take kindly to turbos, but they have enough issues with out a turbo lol. and also if you would just go with an aftermarket turbo and manifold then use a gaser intake with out a throttle body, and then slap on a turbo injector pump you'll be far ahead of anyone with a factory td setup. also, i dunno if were talking about how fast our cars have gone, but my td jetta has been over 100 and it didn't take long to get there and i didn't max it out lol

jtanguay · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2007, 05:09:01 am »

if the price is right go for it!

that rabbit would make an awesome base for a nice TD swap. Trev0rbr is right about the TD engine... doesn't take that long to get up to speed, and is much more economical than pretty much all cars out there today.

jimfoo · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2007, 05:20:28 am »

Quote from: 745 turbogreasel

best to go with a turbo motor., the have oil squirters, and probably won't cost any more than buying the turbo hardware a peice at a time.

I had an NA Fox over 100 MPH, but it took awhile to get there.

You reminded me of riding in my friends NA Rabbit years ago. We got it up to 100, but it took most of the 2 mile long hill, and it slowed down considerably when I tried holding the door open. :wink: This was also at 8000' elevation, so less air.

jtanguay · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2007, 05:22:22 am »

Quote from: "jimfoo"

Quote from: "745 turbogreasel"
best to go with a turbo motor., the have oil squirters, and probably won't cost any more than buying the turbo hardware a peice at a time.

I had an NA Fox over 100 MPH, but it took awhile to get there.

You reminded me of riding in my friends NA Rabbit years ago. We got it up to 100, but it took most of the 2 mile long hill, and it slowed down considerably when I tried holding the door open. :wink: This was also at 8000' elevation, so less air.

:? tried holding the door open at 100 mph what??? :lol: craaazy

billwill88 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2007, 08:54:45 am »

ok so does anyone know for sure which engine is in the rabbit i posted in the link?
thanks

mvptrukin · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2007, 11:36:03 am »

Looking at the picture of the engine it is the non turbo NA( normally aspirated). It is tuff to push a 1.6NA above 70 mph. If you don't know much about rabbits beware. The pictures show no rust around strut towers but make sure to look very close, it is a very expensive repair and has put many rabbits in the graveyard. The rust in the picture around the "A" pillar , fender and the windshield is a bad sign also but at least the body parts are available and can be done by a good bodyman. With those kind of body repairs IMHO ,although sweet looking in some respects, $4000 is tooo high! If you can find the rabbit with the best body shell then put your money into a 1.6TD.

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2007, 11:42:15 am »

my advice is only to focus on the condition of the body. everything else unbolts easily. start with a clean (hopefully original paint body) and anything that is undesirable beyond that can be changed.

have fun and good luck in the purchase.

hipifreq · « **Reply #10 on:** March 16, 2007, 11:43:30 am »

If that's a 1980 Rabbit it's got the ancient 1.5L na in it. Definitely a candidate for swapping out for a 1.6 TD.

The list price is $4k! :shock:

Doesn't sound like its worth it to me. For that kind of money you should be able to get a decent 1.6TD. Now, if you're REALLY into the older bunnies like some people are into Bugs, then it might be worth getting. Be totally sure that the nasty rust spot in front of the driver door isn't into the windshield. That would be a mess to clear up.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #11 on:** March 16, 2007, 12:59:06 pm »

I know why he is selling it for 4k... black interior (rare) mint, black german dash (uber rare) H&Rs. Completely not worth it though.

At best $1000 with that kind of rust. He is hoping for an ebay style sale

Take blacktie's advice and get a car with a solid body, everything else is easy to swap out, body work is not.

billwill88 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 16, 2007, 01:09:34 pm »

ok...

jtanguay · « **Reply #13 on:** March 16, 2007, 01:47:50 pm »

lol this post should probably be in a different area... but oh well

the seller probably has about $4000 invested in this vehicle... i think he will get what he wants for it too, if he waits long enough (just need to find the right buyer)

RabbitJockey · « **Reply #14 on:** March 16, 2007, 04:33:25 pm »

Quote from: burn_your_money

I know why he is selling it for 4k... black interior (rare) mint, black german dash (uber rare) H&Rs. Completely not worth it though.

At best $1000 with that kind of rust. He is hoping for an ebay style sale

Take blacktie's advice and get a car with a solid body, everything else is easy to swap out, body work is not.

amen.