The '79 Golf TD project definition

The project itself, is to take a 1979 Volkswagen Mk1 Golf, and build it into a competition show car, and competition road rally car. It started out as a 1979 Rabbit L (later known as the GTD) with a 1500cc Naturally Aspirated Diesel engine. All original scirrocco interior, in fair condition.

Current Stats


1979 VolksWagen Rabbit L Diesel

Dimensions-
Length: 3.945m/155.3in
Width: 1.61m/63.4in
Height: 1.41m/55.5in
Wheelbase: 2.4m/94.5in
Ground Clearence: 0.122m/4.8in

Weights-
kerb weight: 771kg/1700lbs

Engine-
Type: I-4, water cooled, SOHC, Diesel
Displacement: 1600cc/97.6 cu in
Output: no idea any more
Torque: not a damn clue

Modifications-
Suspension: Bilstein Struts (rally kit)
Intakes Filters: Vibrant, K&N
Body, Lights: Custom
Rally Fog Lights: Razor
Cold Air Intake: 4" Custom
Fuel pump: Bosch, technically stock, except for the timing screw.
Exhaust: 2.5" with turbo muffler

Original Statistics

1979 VolksWagen Rabbit L Diesel

Dimensions-
Length: 3.945m/155.3in
Width: 1.61m/63.4in
Height: 1.41m/55.5in
Wheelbase: 2.4m/94.5in
Ground Clearence: 0.122m/4.8in

Weights-
kerb weight: 830kg/1830lbs

Engine-
Type: I-4, water cooled, SOHC, Diesel
Bore: 76.5mm
Stroke: 80mm
Displacement: 1471cc/89.8cu in
Output: 50 bhp @ 5000rpm
Torque: 56.5 lbf ft @ 3000 rpm

The Project So Far....

Since the project is on a beer budget, little can be done in a short amount of time. Since the project started the 1.5L engine was pulled, and replaced with a true blue 1600cc Diesel. With a little bit of tweaking to the fuel pump, and a custom made cold air intake, I estimate power to be about 90 horses. This is quite a step up from the original engine. Other major changes include body lightening. By removing almost all of the unnessacary to function parts of the interior and exterior, weight has been dropped by roughly 100lbs. putting the kerb weight somewhere around 1700lbs, much lighter than most modern automobiles.
To make the car more visually appealling, and street legal, I have gone through and replaced all the old marker lights with custom made lights. Fabricated by...me. Since the car doesn't have bumpers anymore, it was nessacary to mount new front blinkers. Actually, this came to my benefit. I've put beehive truck lights, with handmade mounting plates, in the holes where the bumpers used to be mounted. Leaving it with a smoother overall look in the front.

Since I hate soft suspensions, and even worse despise high riding SUV's, I've put in a set of motorsport struts made by Bilstein. They are set as low as they will go and as tight as they can be, for reliable handling with less roll than most streetcars.

That about raps up the rig so far. I'll added more sections to this as I do the work.

Parts Wishlist

Short shift kit
6th gear kit
sway bars, front top/bottom, rear top
turbo kit and custom head gasket for lowered compression
water injection
propane injection

Twin 4" cold air intakes

More Pictures

Just a peek at what the project is all about, check out the photo gallery for more in depth photos of the Turbo Diesel project, and other diesel hotrods.