Few questions to decide on future plans

28th September 2014, 11:24

Abit of a long post....I've been trying to find a decent vtr locally but not been so lucky, found one that looks quite tidy on ebay but after sending the seller a few msgs and trying to call numbers supplied and finding out the numbers don't exist has started ringing alarm bells so I started to search again...

I have now found another vtr about 50 miles away which I'm hoping to get a last min bid on but also found a vts close by.

The vts us an unfinished project as a track toy but I will plan on putting it back on the road, I've messaged the seller and been told it will need a new cat as it has a decat fitted and also a full abs system as it's all been removed but it's possible the seller still has the abs ecu somewhere also will need the interior carpets, seats etc.

I've got a 1.1 mk1 (shed) so the interior is sorted as it's all a straight swap but can anyone tell me if the mk1 vts has the cat in the downpipe, under the car or in the rear box? I've just fitted a new one to the 1.1 so wondering if it's a possible swap?
Also in regards to the abs system, anyone have any ideas on a shopping list to refit the system so I can start looking at prices?

At the moment I'm trying to weigh up costs of buying a vtr/s or to do a conversion on my 1.1 but put off abit due to having the bare standard model, 3 stud wheels, drum rear brakes etc.

Ideally after a vtr for insurance reasons and as it will be used to take the kids out rather than playing but if I was to do the conversion it will be vts as I don't see the point doing so much work for an 8v as I'd probably end up wanting the 16v after all the work but as I say, at the moment it is weighing up costs while I watch a few cars.

28th September 2014, 12:36

The CAT is under the car directly after the downpipe.

28th September 2014, 12:47

Vts sounds like it will be agro tbh, forget it imo

28th September 2014, 13:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevo67

The CAT is under the car directly after the downpipe.

So interior and cat should be direct swap then unless the pipe sizes are different

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam

Vts sounds like it will be agro tbh, forget it imo

At the moment it's only weighing up options, would rather go buy a vtr seeing as the insurance will be abit cheaper than a vts and the cars not wanted for fun, I've always liked the vtr since owning one a long time ago and now got kids I can't really mess about in cars how I used to but trying to find a vtr nearby in a good condition isn't that easy. I don't mind doing the work to get the vts road legal or a conversion from 1.1 to 1.6 16v but it's all depending on price at the moment and knowing what the abs system list would be, I know it's pump, ecu, speed sensors but never had to remove or refit one in the past so not sure what else is needed.

2nd October 2014, 20:36

Just bump this back in. If I go ahead with the plans of engine conversion, I will be wanting a decent set of wheels once it's all finished but trying to find a set for 3 stud is shit! Anyone suggest the easiest way of converting to 4 stud? I've been told that the rear drums can be taken off the beam and that the fronts will be easier to replace the whole strut, I did wonder if it will just be easier changing the beam as well as the front struts, also with changing the hubs I'm guessing it will effect the drive shafts aswell?

3rd October 2014, 16:28

Also mate if your looking to buy a vtr to keep the insurance down and a VTS will be on the steep side, then how are you planning on insuring an engine conversion?

3rd October 2014, 16:57

I can afford to insure either but personally a vtr would be better seeing as it's not being used for fun or too much modifying seeing as 90% of the time my son is in the car with me so that extra bit of power in a vts won't get used so no point paying that extra cost for the vts unless its through the conversion. I've missed my vtr since writing it off 10 yrs ago so my decision was either to go back to bmw or vtr. I'll buy a vtr of its a straight buy of a whole car but if it's the conversion then will go vts seeing it won't be much difference in cost of parts. Only thing drawing towards the conversion over the car at the moment is how difficult it is to find a whole car in decent condition without travelling half the country to get it, now I realise how rare a decent car is compared to when I was 21 and that it's a lot easier to pick up everything for a conversion.