Caddy side project

[Solfella]

Did no one notice i mentioned a new project above?
Anyway, i found it locally for a good price. Its been off the road for 18 years. Just my thing. Proper barn find. I always fancied one.
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Is that a 944? Nice!

[Tractor Dave]

Yes. 1984 2.5 lux.

[fish]

Cool cars. A friend of mine engine swapped his to a Volvo red block 8V turbo. With a stand alone ecu and a slightly bigger turbo. Left it at just over 300 whp. Really fun car!

[Tractor Dave]

Nice. I see folks in the states put v8 blocks in there.

[John.]

Did no one notice i mentioned a new project above?
Anyway, i found it locally for a good price. Its been off the road for 18 years. Just my thing. Proper barn find. I always fancied one.
2026-09-11_13-13-54_767.jpg

I was at a car meet a few weeks ago and there was a 944, it was lovely. I'm sure you'll do it proud Dave, what nick are the seats in ?

[johne]

I've got some experience with these. Mechanicals are bullet proof, Audi originated gearbox. Rot is the real challenge, sills, lower front wings and rear floorpan suspension mounts. If your's has avoided those problems, you'll be fine. Happy to help if I can, PM me.

[Tractor Dave]

Back to the caddy.
New rear main seal, fly wheel and clutch.
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[Tractor Dave]

Then gearbox mounted. I had to cut a couple of the bolts as the five speed box is thinner.
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[Tractor Dave]

Then I lowered the car onto the engine to a point then put it back on the crane and lifted it up the last bit. Its quite a tight fit but not too bad..
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[Tractor Dave]

I put some weight in the back as now its a bit front heavy.
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[Tractor Dave]

I'm not keen on the threaded spacers Epytec supp!y with their kit for the rear mount. I couldn't get them tight so made up some stainless bushes.
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[Tractor Dave]

On to the gear change.
2026-09-14_11-52-01_913.jpg I had to trim the opening a little.
2026-09-14_14-21-11_075.jpg But it fits well.
2026-09-14_15-02-25_123.jpg 2026-09-14_16-58-27_792.jpg But I'm a bit worried about proximity of cables to the downpipe.
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[Tractor Dave]

I will have to wrap the downpipe.2026-09-14_19-31-47_721.jpg

[ottawa coupe]

Looks great! Usually there's a heatshield in the tunnel and the cables go behind it. Is the no shield in a mk1? Is that the oe downpipe? Maybe it should be tweaked such that it is further away from the cables, i certainly agree it's pretty close!

Another project already? You're worse than me!

[Tractor Dave]

I don't have a heat shield. I can make something. It's a custom downpipe. Mk4 Golf tdi doesn't work. I will see if i can tweak it.
Yes, I am a sucker for a new project.