What year and model for ITB

J

Jack2002

New member
Hey guys, I am totally new here. I would like to build an ITB and have come to the conclusion the VW is the car. Can anyone give me a starting point on the Model and year that would be the best. I would also like to know where to start to get components such as suspension and engine parts. I have fabrication knowledge and equipment and stock car racing knowledge if that helps. I have been looking for a complete car but I may be too picky for that. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
God Bless
Jack2002
 
Jack,

First off, congrats on making a wise choice (to race a VW!!!
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Don't know what part of the country you're in. There are a couple of good VW shops in the East. One is Shine Racing Services in Ct. and the other is BSI Racing in Fla. Both are good shops, although, I do more business w/ BSI.

As far as what car to run, that depends. I run a Rabbit GTI, but I know guys that run Golf GTI's (A2 body, 8v) that are very fast. The Golf gives up 100# to the Rabbit, but gets an extra point and a half of compression and rear disc brakes. But the A1 chassis is probably the better handling of the two. And the Rabbit is seriously overweight! Should be spec'd ~100# lighter!!!

I'll do this before Kirk gets here, and suggest that you try and find an already built car. You may be picky, but plan on spending more money/time to do it yourself. If you're good w/ a welder and have experience building roll cages, and have access to the tools (bender, fish-mouth cutter, etc.) you may be ok. Most people I know don't have access to this stuff or the skill level to build a good cage.

You will get a wealth of good info on what works and what doesn't on either the A1 or the A2 from this site. Both cars have been raced for several years now, and are fairly well developed. I'm a big A1 fan, but if I were going to do it over again, I'd probably give the nod to the A2.

If you're in the Northeast (NY/NJ/PA area), shoot me an email at [email protected] if you want to come by and see my car to get some ideas.

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MARRS #25 ITB Rabbit GTI
 
I agree w/ Bill. A2 is more stiff w/ better weight balance and has more suspension travel. I don't know how things will shake out but I'd imagine an A2 with digifant engine management will be the way to go soon because the ECU can now be tampered with. Anybody got the inside scoop on what can be done with digifant?

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Rory

ITB Rabbit
 
I agree with Bildon. Digifant is the wave of the future for VW ITB drivers (at least until the Motronic Golf III gets reclassed). Everyone with access to California cars should grab up all of the 1990 (I think) "Digifant I" cars that used the hotwire sensor instead of the flapper airflow meter.

You Rabbit GTI ("dark-side") guys should all be trying to get the Convertible/Cabriolet listed with your GTIs so that you can use the same system. I don't think we Scirocco drivers have any hope left... All IMHO, of course, but I have been a lifelong fan of CIS so this is quite a turn for me.
 
>>Everyone with access to California cars should grab up all of the 1990 (I think) "Digifant I" cars that used the hotwire sensor instead of the flapper airflow meter.

Ohh Damn!!!!!! Now you've let the cat out of the bag! That was a secret!
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Bill Sulouff - Bildon Motorsport Volkswagen Racing Equipment
 
87.5 thru 92 Golf/Jettas are identical. They all are 10:1 Digifant. There are no "GTI" engines after 1987. All GTs, GTIs and 4 door grocery gettin' GLs are identical.

The only difference is a few badges and the gears.



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Bill Sulouff - Bildon Motorsport Volkswagen Racing Equipment
 
To clarify, there's no important difference between 8-valve GTIs and Golfs for each year from 88-92. There are slight year-to-year differences that don't matter much (mostly computer updates), and there is the California vs. 49-state Digifant airflow meter distinction for certain years.

IMHO, the ideal ITB candidate would be a base model Golf 2-door (if you can find one w/o sunroof, A/C can be removed more easily), made in Mexico (better fusebox than US), California Digifant I (hotwire sensor) car. I think the year is 1990 for the California hotwire sensor, but check the Bentley manual and compare visually with any prospect. I think the "GTI" did get the best close-ratio AUG gearbox, while many base Golfs did not.

Obviously, you could also build this car from scratch if you can source the right parts. If anyone knows of one of these California Digifant I cars for sale in or near NY or New England, please let me know
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