At the moment i have a 1.3spi mk3 but have been thinking about getting a GT engine for it, but is it worth it? by the time iv brought the bits i need & want would it be a better option to sell the spi & buy a GT? half of me wants to do the conversion because iv spent quite abit of time on the car's bodywork & a few mechanical things, & the other half is telling me to buy a decent GT which is going to come with all the interior, badges ect.

Would like peoples opinions & experience on this please :-)

Conversion will always cost you more than selling up and buying a new car. It's upto you how much sentimental value you have, or whether you would like another project to start on.

buy a GT, there mint! and your rite cheaper 2 buy one and you get the badges, interiour e.t.c........

Bu a GT, i did the conversion and whilst its easy to convert it to the GT injection mine didnt run right again, for all a GT will cost you now youd be aswell, the only difference would be the insurance. If its much more might be worth just doing the conversion and getting a written of GT, the interior can all be done in an afternoon too.

Conversion will always cost you more than selling up and buying a new car. It's upto you how much sentimental value you have, or whether you would like another project to start on.

i strongly disagree, you can get a gt for about 500 min, but a conversion for 250 max..

if you have spent a bit on a cl's bodywork why sell that for peanuts and buy a tatty gt.

I think my best option is to get a written off GT but then I have the problem of getting rid of the shell.

I think my best option is to get a written off GT but then I have the problem of getting rid of the shell.

i got a written off gt done the conversion stuck the old engine in the boot took everything off it left it on some old wheels because i had the rear beam aswell and my local scrap yard still took the shell away for me for free.

i got a written off gt done the conversion stuck the old engine in the boot took everything off it left it on some old wheels because i had the rear beam aswell and my local scrap yard still took the shell away for me for free.

Cheers mate, suppose they get money for the metal afterall, how easy is it to find a written off GT with a good engine & interior though?

Conversion will always cost you more than selling up and buying a new car. It's upto you how much sentimental value you have, or whether you would like another project to start on.

Dunno like.

Mitch made his Lupo to GTI spec for less than a Lupo GTI costs and Rich is currently doing the same.

If you know what your doing you can take your car and a crash damaged GT and put it in your car for cheap.

I reckon you could get full GT running gear for about £150-200, Interior for about £60, badges for about £20, rear axle for about £35.

If you can do the conversion yourself or know someoen who can help it will save a lot of money. Its not actually has hard as you'd imagine. Early Volkswagens are so easy to work on, everything makes sense on them!

i got a written off gt done the conversion stuck the old engine in the boot took everything off it left it on some old wheels because i had the rear beam aswell and my local scrap yard still took the shell away for me for free.

Cheers mate, suppose they get money for the metal afterall, how easy is it to find a written off GT with a good engine & interior though?

Not that hard.

Best way to get rido fthe shell is hire a massive grinder, chop it up and put it in the boot of your car and take it to the tip, lol.

Conversion will always cost you more than selling up and buying a new car. It's upto you how much sentimental value you have, or whether you would like another project to start on.

Dunno like.

Mitch made his Lupo to GTI spec for less than a Lupo GTI costs and Rich is currently doing the same.

If you know what your doing you can take your car and a crash damaged GT and put it in your car for cheap.

I reckon you could get full GT running gear for about £150-200, Interior for about £60, badges for about £20, rear axle for about £35.

If you can do the conversion yourself or know someoen who can help it will save a lot of money. Its not actually has hard as you'd imagine. Early Volkswagens are so easy to work on, everything makes sense on them!

Yeah i did some pricing up last night & it works out better to convert, i will be doing all the work my self as well so that will keep the cost down. Is it possible to lift the engine out and in without a pulley or crane? What sort of weight are they or is that a no chancer? Still got to see with Directline think of conversions yet though, I'm 18 but have 3 years NCB so they might be okay.

u can hire an engine crane for for nothing from any good tool hire place!

Don't need an engine crane. Disconnect the engine, and instead of lifting it up, undo engine mounts and gearbox and drop it out the bottom onto a piece of wood/trolley... Lift the body up and remove engine from the front. Move new engine into position and lower the body again.

Conversion will be cheaper than buying one... If you bougth a GT you'd spend more money making that look how you want, and if you already like your shell then its pointless starting again.

Cheers for the replies, all the comments have helped me make a decision which is to go for the conversion. I'm sure i will find a way to get the engine in... cant be that hard surely