2.8L V2 12v VR6 valve cover open

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In case anyone here was interested in what these somewhat funky VR6 engines look like...here you go. Really just a narrow-angle V6 so one head but VR is a cool term short in German - stands for "Vee-Reihenmotor", combining elements of both V-engines and inline engines. This is my son's '98 GTI with a 2.8L 12v VR. Later versions went to 24v. They have a unique sound similar to Chewbacca yelling. He's getting ready for some top-end work. Cams are done. Chains have been done before by the looks of it which is a classic VR6 issue. Looks good for 210K miles.
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In case anyone here was interested in what these somewhat funky VR6 engines look like...here you go. Really just a narrow-angle V6 so one head but VR is a cool term short in German - stands for "Vee-Reihenmotor", combining elements of both V-engines and inline engines. This is my son's '98 GTI with a 2.8L 12v VR. Later versions went to 24v. They have a unique sound similar to Chewbacca yelling. He's getting ready for some top-end work. Cams are done. Chains have been done before by the looks of it which is a classic VR6 issue. Looks good for 210K miles.
View attachment 291767
Aw sweet! There were a couple of Golf R32s parked near where I used to work. They have a very unique sound, but never quite figured out why. They have a definite "Chewbacca " burble.
 
One of my favorite cars when new. Originally had the four cylinder with a supercharger if I am not mistaken - and then they went to the VR6. Nice cars. Remember them sitting on the showroom floor new - would go into the dealer to pick of parts to repair my now wife then GF’s Jetta (1987) and sister’s Golf (1988). Fun cars for that time, slow but fun. The Golf and Jetta had those pull out radios because that was a theft risk back then. Memory lane . . . .
 
VRs were indeed one of the coolest engines, loved my MkIII GTI for it. Until I had to work on it. Had their own set of quirky problems, but the exhaust note made all that go away. Incidentally, that comes from the resonance of the exhaust pulses 1-3 & 4-6 (look at the "separate" exhaust manifold in TiGeo's pic) when they merged downstream. If you're addicted, go to the next Wookies in the Woods.
 
One of my favorite cars when new. Originally had the four cylinder with a supercharger if I am not mistaken - and then they went to the VR6. Nice cars. Remember them sitting on the showroom floor new - would go into the dealer to pick of parts to repair my now wife then GF’s Jetta (1987) and sister’s Golf (1988). Fun cars for that time, slow but fun. The Golf and Jetta had those pull out radios because that was a theft risk back then. Memory lane . . . .
You're thinking of the Corrado. This is a GTI.
 
VRs were indeed one of the coolest engines, loved my MkIII GTI for it. Until I had to work on it. Had their own set of quirky problems, but the exhaust note made all that go away. Incidentally, that comes from the resonance of the exhaust pulses 1-3 & 4-6 (look at the "separate" exhaust manifold in TiGeo's pic) when they merged downstream. If you're addicted, go to the next Wookies in the Woods.
Went a few years ago in my Grandpa Wookie....W8 wagon. Same type of exhaust note just deeper.

 
I had a 91 GTI that I swapped a 12v VR6 into. Bosal header, cat delete and Tectonics muffler. The sounds that thing made on a dyno at 7200 rpm were incredible.
All you needed were either Ronal or BBS wheels to set off the whole thing. Was it a pain to swap with the electronics etc?
 
All you needed were either Ronal or BBS wheels to set off the whole thing. Was it a pain to swap with the electronics etc?
I used the original 15 '' BBS 2pc wheels. The swap was pretty much plug and play. The electronics back then were pretty much all shared between platforms . These swaps were common. The engine and ECU were from a Passat . Corrado transmission and brakes. The engine was fun but threw off the balance from the extra 100 pounds of weight compared to the 16 valve.
 
In case anyone here was interested in what these somewhat funky VR6 engines look like...here you go. Really just a narrow-angle V6 so one head but VR is a cool term short in German - stands for "Vee-Reihenmotor", combining elements of both V-engines and inline engines. This is my son's '98 GTI with a 2.8L 12v VR. Later versions went to 24v. They have a unique sound similar to Chewbacca yelling. He's getting ready for some top-end work. Cams are done. Chains have been done before by the looks of it which is a classic VR6 issue. Looks good for 210K miles.
View attachment 291767
I can hear her singing as I close my eyes.
 
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