mk2 Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Kinda misleading title, but trying to keep it short. i want to fit a 3L steering wheel and front 'grille' / indicators to my SDI. I was looking for a Gti wheel, but they're hens teeth because my poverty spec wheel is very rough. I also have a small crack in my front grille that has been annoying me for ages. Anyone know if the stock 3L steering wheel and airbag assembly (basically a complete stering wheel ) is a straight swap to a regular SDI? Same spline? Same mounting back boss? Same airbag connection? Same clearance to steering column housing? Same question for the front grille and indicators. Does that go straight on? Are the indicator mounts the same? Are the light bulb sockets/connections the same? Do the little plastic locating tabs fit and are they in the same positions...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Wheel yes, grille no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Loop Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 (edited) For the grill you'll need the whole bumper. To fit the bumper you'll need the front wings (or work on yours) as the shape is not the same... Edited November 15, 2018 by Blue Loop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Curvy corners like the gti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2 Posted November 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Can't you just fill the indicator holes then use a 3L grille? Never seen one for real, so might be a dumb question... wings are different. Amazing. Material yes (ali instead of steel i think?), but shape...?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 GTi wings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Loop Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Aluminium indeed. Here you see the shape difference better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2 Posted November 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Ok, i get it. Not noticed the subtle difference at the join between the wing and the bumper before. Seems like too much work for the mo to change everything. I do like the 3L front grille though. I'll swap just the steering wheel assembly then. I might get a couple from germany. Can you believe they only go for about 15 euros plus 12 euros shipping. I don't get why in germany they scrap what we'd generally class as reasonably good nick motors. I mean come on, surface rust on a rear beam or springs, and light corrosion on brake lines and drive shafts... that isn't dangerous. A slightly worn door hinge. Stuck electric windows? TUV failures? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Loop Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Get a whole 3L and use it there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2 Posted November 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Yeah there's one in N germany right now 88k km. drives perfectly. they just want rid of for 300 euros. No TUV. Corrosion on drive shafts, rear beam, exhaust and coils. Yeah. Big deal... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Loop Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Probably a working one with a TüV will be around the same price as that one +making it roadworthy. Less hassle too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Just get a Spanish one. I'm in on a 3l wheel if you're offering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2 Posted November 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 Ok, I'll get a few and split the shipping costs... what else is worth thinking about? just bought a german passenger seat fabric, as mine was getting a bit tatty (driver's seat here). (30 euros) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 15, 2018 Report Share Posted November 15, 2018 I'm in on that. I regularly have access to Spanish stuff but they're all pretty standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Loop Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 9 hours ago, Rich said: Just get a Spanish one. They're quite expensive in Spain... doubt you'll find a 3L (not broken) for less than 3.000€ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skezza Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 Wonder how hard it would be to fit a 3L engine to an SDI :-\ @Rich, did you say you were going to have a punt at this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 Why would you fit one to an SDI? TDI would be easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj1 Posted November 16, 2018 Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 3 hours ago, Rich said: Why would you fit one to an SDI? TDI would be easier. And superior 😋 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2 Posted November 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2018 The tdi and 3L are pretty similar aren't they? Have never played with a 1.2... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skezza Posted November 19, 2018 Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 On 11/16/2018 at 1:04 PM, cj1 said: And superior 😋 In what regard other than the rear discs (I assume TDi's have rear discs)? Very similar car mostly, and all the donor parts will have to be replaced on both regardless unless I'm missing something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 19, 2018 Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 Discs are only on GTi and sport petrol models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skezza Posted November 19, 2018 Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 1 hour ago, Rich said: Discs are only on GTi and sport petrol models. So really, it's just about being a bit easier on the TDi and if you get a nice newer model with the sports seats you have that too. Be interesting to see the crazy economy figures you could get. Surely talking upwards of 80MPG? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 19, 2018 Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 The TDI is just cooler and has 256 up front. Better image too. Seats are negligible as you would change for the 3l ones if available. I wouldn't bother doing any of it, I would just buy a golf MK3 ecomatic and use that, maybe take it on a diet. The ecomatic seems to be the 3l of its time, many features were carried on to the 3l. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2 Posted November 19, 2018 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 Have you ever worked on one? I've never ever seen one.... Been reading about how they cut out while cruising. unusual, but still, for an early 90s car, they managed 75+mpg. impressive. By the way @Rich, I'm now getting silly quotes for 3L steering wheels. Like 190 euros! A month ago there was a thing on german TV how everyone now wants 3L wheels on their polos and mk2s. How annoying. I'll wait for the frenzy to die down then have another go. I know someone in Slovakia- they might know a source for 3L bits. Courier costs are the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 19, 2018 Report Share Posted November 19, 2018 I've got a load of specific ecomatic parts from finding one in a scrappy. No idea if they work but I got a comprehensive amount of stuff so I'm fairly confident I could convert a regular SDI mk3 over to digiswing with the electronic pas and vacuum etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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