July 7-06
Well this weekend the front end is getting overhauled. I'm going to be putting in new control arm bushings, ball joints and tie-rods. As well I'm thinking about lowering the front suspension about an inch, figure as after all the other work it will need an alignment, I might as well take care of the springs too. Next weekend I'll tackle installing all new rear brakes and if I can upgrade to braided steel lines. At the end of July she'll be getting a brand spanking new gas tank, finally I'll be able to fill her up! I'm still looking to replace the front seats with ones with better lateral support, and later install a short throw shift kit, upper and lower strut bars for both the front and back.

Update July 11-06
Just found a great deal on brand new control arms with bushings and ball joints already installed. So on they go this weekend, and seeing on how I'm pretty much replacing the entire front end I've decided to do the bearings as well. I've heard from a number of Rocco owners that they get eaten up pretty fast so while I'm doing the rest I figure I should do them too.

Update July 17-06
Well the deal wasn't quite as good as it seemed, the bolts used to assemble the ball joints where low grade (5) and when I went to torque them up they all stripped out. So of to Brafasco to get new bolts. But other than that all the new parts went on without any major hitches and the now the cars rides much better.

Update August 8-06
Well back from 2 weeks vacation, spent the first week finishing off the body work and painting, then the drivers door got mashed in! and I lost the drivers side half shaft. Luckly it failed on a low speed turn and the exstent of the damamge was limited to the shaft and a couple of the shifter links. So it's off to Frisco's for another door and any other assorted parts I need.

Update August22-06
Well got the door, it's all primered and installed just waiting on final paint. But that will have to wait another month or so as I need to replace both front wheel bearings. I never did get to them when doing the struts a ball joints and they are starting to making enough noise to drown out my stereo!

Update November 1st-06

Just got my self a nice new suspension system, Neuspeed Red racing coils and Tokico blue struts and shocks. So if all goes well by the end of the weekend she'll be riding and handling much better! New pics coming soon.

Update Jan 4, 07

Suspension is on, firm but one hell of a ride. Handles better than ever, now need to replace the sway bars. Added a Sparco upper front strut bar and am awaiting a lower Neuspeed strut bar. Finally picked up a short throw shift kit, can you say sweet! 25,45 or 65% reduction. Currently have it on the 45% setting until I get used to it then up to 65%. Also just intalled a new catback exhaust, the old one got ripped off when a dump truck hit a construction cone and threw it under the car at speed. Now it's 2 inch from the cat back, I'm waiting on delivery of a header and cam from Vortex and will be purchasing a magnaflow cat to that it all breath's better. I'm currently looking for a used 1.8 8v motor that I can rebuild and add a Callaway Turbo set-up to.

Update Jan 15/07

Just picked up a OEM 16v body kit. Needs some very minor repairs and then paint. Think I'll wait for the spring before installing.

Update Feb 21/07

Well I now have a 4-1 shorty header, 270 Hydro cam and a Audi 5000 TB. Should be interesting to see how she feels after all of these parts are intalled. I also picked up another intake manifold so that I can port it to match the new TB, that way I'm not off the road for more than a couple days. I'll be back with the seat-of-your-pants results soon.

Update March 12/07

Decided not to go with the Audi TB and instead picked up a 16v one. I've also grabbed a larger 16v dual fan rad. So now all I'm waiting for is some warmer temps so that I can start installing all these parts. When that happens we'll get some more pics up.

Update April 9/07

Well the weather has not warmed up yet, but I was forced to install the 16v rad this weekend as the one in the car desided to spew itself all over the road. SO in went the new larger dual fan rad and while I was at it I also installed a Eurosport lower strut bar. I also got a great deal on a tri-Y Autotech race header that I've installed, so the other header is now up for sale!

May 5/07

Spent the majority of the weekend installing the 16v body kit. Looks awesome, and will look even better after I blend it in. I don't want it to look like an add on. I'll get some pics up of it soon, and continue to put up more as I go along.

June 27/07

Well after much debate I have decided to go ahead and do an engine swap. My current 1.8 8v has started to tick when cold, and the idle is getting rougher and rougher. I could just go get a valve job and continue to build up this motor. But I've found a great deal on a G60 Supercharged motor, so forced induction here I come.

July 4th 07

It would seem that the ticking sound is from one of my hydraulic cam followers bleeding down whenthe oil is thick and cold, and the idle looks like it is from a vacuum leak around my EGR valve. So I'm going to fix these two items and keep the car on the road until the fall. Then during the winter I'll do the engine swap. It will be a rather large job as I want to weld up all the seams in the engine bay, rebuild the manual steering rack, install all new brake lines and if I can find it upgrade to either 16v front and rear or G60 brakes. As well from the investigating I've done there are some modifications that need to be done to frame on the passenger side to get the G-ladder super charger and it's drive belt to fit. As well the plumbing for the intercooler will take some figuring out. If anyone has done this with a Scirocco before I'd appreciate any advise that you may have. As always more pics to come!

Update August 28th /07

Well I finally picked up the new motor and ahve started disassembly. I fired the G-lader off to KK for a rebuild, and now its clean, paint and replace gasket time. I'll get some picks up in a couple weeks to show progress. I've also picked up a Stage 4 chip, Rally port, adjustable FPR which will go on the motor after breakin is done.

Update Sept 21 /07

Got the G-Lader back from KK, stage 2 port and polish, engine is all cleaned up with new gaskets and seals, a fresh coat of paint and is read for the swap. I've re-dress the electrical harness and am now just sourcing out intercooler boast tubes for the custom install. SO if all goes to plan the swap will start in 1 more week! I'll be taking lots of pics and getting them up here as fast as I can.