V2 Otter (#20) Build Log -- 2018 GTI DSG

[Otter]

Hi everyone,


In the way of an introduction as well, just getting a build log started.


Deposit in and assigned #20.


I'm much more of a weekend warrior than anything. Comfortable wrenching and doing projects on cars (maintenance, changing brakes/pads/rotors/suspension components, installing electrical, etc) but I haven't undertaken as large of a project as the Goblin.


I sometimes joke that my hobby is collecting hobbies. I woodwork, weld, do some CNC machining, homebrew beer, sail, beekeep, and otherwise have about a dozen other things competing for my time.


Look forward to getting this process started and maybe even learning a thing or two from the community


To-do list:
[X] Deposit placed
[X] Obtain donor -- 2018 GTI (DSG trans) @ 90K miles, salvage titled -- 10/27/25
[X] Tell the wife about the new project.
[X] Begin disassembly of donor --10/30/25
[X] Engine / Trans out -- 11/1/25
[X] Misc parts (steering column, brake assy, etc) -- 12/23/25
[X] Dispose of leftovers -- 1/1/26
[?] Upgrade turbo (IS38?)
[ ] Replace Oil Pan

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

Welcome! Sounds like you have the background to take on a Goblin build, should be a piece of cake! But, it's about that third item on the list - looking for forgiveness, rater than permission?

 

[MeltedSolid]

I sometimes joke that my hobby is collecting hobbies. I woodwork, weld, do some CNC machining, homebrew beer, sail, beekeep, and otherwise have about a dozen other things competing for my time.

Oh man do I feel that. If people like us retired today, aside from running out of money, we'd have enough things to do to keep us overwhelmingly busy for the rest of our lives. Good luck with the build!

 

[aaronc7]

To-do list:
[X] Deposit placed
[ ] Obtain donor (looking at finding a satisfactory GTI)
[ ] Tell the wife about the new project.

That's the order that I went about it as well!

 

[Blizzard25]

We were supposed to tell our wives about the project?!

quickly adds to the list

 

[Otter]

She's actually quite tolerant of these things, getting to benefit from them.


I've been pricing out buying the parts separately (crate/used engine, transmission, etc) vs going with a used donor. Looks like a donor will be slightly cheaper, but there's also the time/dealing with the leftovers cost. Probably will continue to shop the used market for a bit, but if a nice deal isn't popping up by the time the chassis is ready, might just start buying individually.

 

[Otter]

Oh man do I feel that. If people like us retired today, aside from running out of money, we'd have enough things to do to keep us overwhelmingly busy for the rest of our lives. Good luck with the build!

Right? I just can't stand sitting still (too much). Usually almost always out doing something. Definitely would churn through money quick...

 

[Blizzard25]

She's actually quite tolerant of these things, getting to benefit from them.


I've been pricing out buying the parts separately (crate/used engine, transmission, etc) vs going with a used donor. Looks like a donor will be slightly cheaper, but there's also the time/dealing with the leftovers cost. Probably will continue to shop the used market for a bit, but if a nice deal isn't popping up by the time the chassis is ready, might just start buying individually.

I'm not far enough along in my build to definitively say one way or the other which way is best, but as it stands I'm hard leaning regretting that I purchased a donor and thinking I should have just bought everything outright. I think donors made a lot more sense for V1 because it reused so many more components, but from the current parts list there's just not that much to warrant purchasing a full car for the V2. Take that statement with a grain of salt because I'm still only in the disassembly phase, so my opinion could change.

 

[Otter]

I'm not far enough along in my build to definitively say one way or the other which way is best, but as it stands I'm hard leaning regretting that I purchased a donor and thinking I should have just bought everything outright. I think donors made a lot more sense for V1 because it reused so many more components, but from the current parts list there's just not that much to warrant purchasing a full car for the V2. Take that statement with a grain of salt because I'm still only in the disassembly phase, so my opinion could change.

I saw you had mentioned that in your thread, too. I think there's also the time cost of having to do the disassembly, etc, that might push me toward buying piecemeal. Aside from the engine, most components seem pretty cheap. And gives the chance to upgrade/swap bits as desired.

And I'm so jaded on selling stuff to the public (parts on Craigslist or whatever) that I'm not sure I would be motivated to try to remake some money back selling the leftovers.

 

[Otter]

Update: came across a decent looking donor in town for just shy of $3K. Salvage title with some side/rear body damage, but engine compartment is solid. 2019 GTI S, Auto (DSG) transmission, 90K miles.

My original intention was to buy a new long block and outfit that to save having to deal with tearing down a donor car. But, the price saving I think will be worth it... At a glance it was looking like about $4000 for a new block, probably 1-2k for the trans, and at least 2-3k for the rest of the bits (at best 7-10k). At least I'll have something to keep me busy through winter.

 

[Harvey16V2]

Please be aware there was an update to the Goblin V2 donor parts list dated 10-21-25.
Add the Brake Master Cylinder and the Brake Fluid Reservoir to the list.

 

[Otter]

Got the donor in the garage. Engine runs great and transmission shifts. Cracked radiator hose unfortunately. So begins the teardown...

 

[Otter]

Making moves... and messes.

 

[Otter]

Engine and Trans is out...
Just need to get the rest of the necessary parts out, then offload the rest and we'll have wife's parking spot back quick.

 

[Blizzard25]

Engine and Trans is out...
Just need to get the rest of the necessary parts out, then offload the rest and we'll have wife's parking spot back quick.
View attachment 54384
View attachment 54385

I'm happy to mail you some rust for your car, looks like you're missing some

 

[Otter]

I'm happy to mail you some rust for your car, looks like you're missing some

Oh thanks! You know, I was pretty bummed not to have to bust out any penetrating oil or the breaker bar...

 

[Otter]

I don't have many meaningful pictures, but have all my bits and pieces stripped from the GTI and the leftover chassis is gone. I'll do a couple of small upgrades (IS38, fuel pump, ...?) while everything is out. Otherwise just waiting to transition from tear down to build up!

 

[Otter]

I do have a picture of the fuel pump, to join in the comparison vs @Blizzard25 rusty mess

 

[aaronc7]

Awesome!

With IS38... stock fuel pumps will be OK if staying on pump gas, but if you want to run E85 you'll probably want a HPFP or upgrade the internals. Stock LPFP should be fine other than cases where you're really pushing the is38 to its limits.

That's a DQ250, right?

 

[Otter]

Awesome!

With IS38... stock fuel pumps will be OK if staying on pump gas, but if you want to run E85 you'll probably want a HPFP or upgrade the internals. Stock LPFP should be fine other than cases where you're really pushing the is38 to its limits.

That's a DQ250, right?

Yes, it is!

And regarding the fuel pumps, I might upgrade just to future proof. Though I imagine working on the Goblin will be easier access...