Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT Paul_VR6's Cramped Double & Big Single Shop Thread

[Paul_VR6]

First off, many thanks for all those who have contributed to this forum. Lots of inspiration abound especially from the more "space challenged" members. Personally like to thank Jack, dubber, woody, Xander and Rick on their garages as those are or will be the main sources of blatant copying.

Secondly, what I am working with is a typical suburban two car garage 24'w 20'd. I have worked on and raced VWs for the better part of 20 years and am trying to make this space finally "useable" after being here five years.

I need space to work on my 92 Corrado race car (in my spare time, ha) as well as store it, our van, kids bikes, etc when I am not actively working. So it needs to be a double when I need it and a single when I need the spare. Double duty. Or more!

Challenges include "stuff" from four kids (18mos to 9yo) and other things that need to be "quickly" accessed by my wife.

The interior is finished and doesn't have enough electrical and no insulation. Not sure how best to tackle other then ripping all the drywall out. Need more and better storage and to move some things around. Need to add ladder access to attic for more storage. Etc, etc.

Pics





Hopefully sharing the mess will be motivational. Any of you ocd-ers are welcome to help!!

I have already started clearing things out today. Hopefully some "quick wins" today while my wife is out with the older two!

Hope you all enjoy the journey with me!

 

[dubber]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Thanks for the shout out. Sweet project ride. I'm buckling in for the ride. Stay motivated and keep busy! GL!

 

[JCQuick]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Cool I'm in may I ask whats your location and what type of racing do you do? welcome to the GJ btw

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Thanks guys!

Oxford, Pa right on the md and del borders basically.

The car will be used for drag racing. Big goals, no time and no money. We will see

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

While demoing the old shelves, one gave up the ghost prematurely.



Glad it didn't do it 10mins earlier with all my wheels on it! Stopped for the day. Next time I will push the car out.

 

[JCQuick]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

While demoing the old shelves, one gave up the ghost prematurely.



Glad it didn't do it 10mins earlier with all my wheels on it! Stopped for the day. Next time I will push the car out.

I had that happen to shelves just like that in my attached. they had been up for years. It also happened on the day of my moms funeral and I had said something bad I swear it was her. But any way I just made sure I put the strap ties to the studs problem solved

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Quite odd as these ones the stays just go into wallboard. Now upon closer inspection, looks like the wallboard was pulling off the studs. Pulled about 2" out, yikes. Wonder if it was even fastened to the wall. Already had to pull and replace that lower piece as you can see in the pic. This wall will be the "kids wall" eventually so I will throw up a new piece before paint and whatever storage system I come up with for this wall.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Chipping away. New wheel storage. Need to add a crossbar to one, these are not made for tiny wheels and huge tires.



Probably could have made them, but they went up fast this way.

Next up... wiring for the welders.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Well got this one almost done in my way too small space. Still pining for a 28x35 in the back 40...





Lots of work travel eating my time up.

 

[55cadillacking]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Glad to see you started a thread, Paul. I'll be watching with keen interest. Glad you got your wheel storage sorted. Those white wire shelves looked sus.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Yeah its much better now! Got all but one set of street tires/wheels gone and those are in the shed. Just the fancy ones I need and a spare slick set up in the garage ones now.

Building the car has made a huuuge mess and I passed on doing dedicated wiring for the welders for the short term. Dryer outlet will let me max the little tig out so I can live for a bit.

 

[awdblazer]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

would love to see more pics of your rado

 

[dubber]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

That rado is looking beastly! Way to go.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Most of the pics I have of the car are pretty random. I have some work to do over the next few weeks where it will head back out. Here are a few random shots

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Vid of the second start

https://vimeo.com/177392117

 

[duwem]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

What are the details on the VR? Don't see many built up naturally aspirated. Love the way those engines sound.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

There aren't many na builds because they are frustrating. The engines take well to boost so most go that way. Makes sense just not my style.

This one is a 3.6l out of an 06 Passat with a lot of custom stuff hanging off of it to delete the direct injection and go back to regular efi. Its a purpose built drag car so has a cage, cell, etc. I do engine management electronics on the side to that part of the build is to show whats possible so there is a lot going on there. Some wacky stuff like egt for every cyl, pressure controlled fuel system, coolant temp controlled electric water pump that are more "cool" than completely necessary.

Goal with this car is to be the quickest watercooled na vw. We will see.

 

[duwem]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Any idea what the current record is for watercooled NA VW? Does "street legal" apply?

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

10.71 set by Nate Romero a long, long time ago in a very light Corrado with a 2L 20v engine that made about 100-150hp less than this one will.

Not street legal but not far off other than the windows, signals, brake lights, wipers, heat, insurance... I could easily tag it as a classic though and drive it.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Hah, I haven't been to the GJ in a while, and I saw something "VR6" before it loaded another page.. I was like Whaaat? and hit back to come here.

I recognize your name/company from the vortex

 

[dubber]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

There aren't many na builds because they are frustrating. The engines take well to boost so most go that way. Makes sense just not my style.

This one is a 3.6l out of an 06 Passat with a lot of custom stuff hanging off of it to delete the direct injection and go back to regular efi. Its a purpose built drag car so has a cage, cell, etc. I do engine management electronics on the side to that part of the build is to show whats possible so there is a lot going on there. Some wacky stuff like egt for every cyl, pressure controlled fuel system, coolant temp controlled electric water pump that are more "cool" than completely necessary.

Goal with this car is to be the quickest watercooled na vw. We will see.

I have a buddy who will be swapping the same engine into a rado soon. Might relay some questions if it comes to it.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Dubber keep me posted I would be happy to field any questions. The mechanical aspects are pretty straightforward.

Some small updates. I haven't had much time since the summer due to work and things were left in shambles from the sprint to get the car finished for waterfest. Things have sat pretty much since then and the leaves from the yard had taken over. Time for a purge and cleaning. Luckily the older three kids pitched in to help.

Assembled a strongman shelf in split position and thats helping with storage a bit. Still need another 1ksqft but this will do for the moment. Hopefully make some progress over the winter on the car after I add some much needed lighting.

 

[Morio]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Nice work and I love the corrado!! Keep it up!

 

[Aroberson77]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Sweet car. If you keep chipping away at it, the garage will start to come to life

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Not much of an update but the yearly sprint to make the car race ready is on. You can see how I find additional shelter.



Runs pretty ok and holds fluids.

Tuner seems a bit inexperienced, but kids are good with technology right?

 

[dubcanuck1]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

Not much of an update but the yearly sprint to make the car race ready is on. You can see how I find additional shelter.



Runs pretty ok and holds fluids.

Tuner seems a bit inexperienced, but kids are good with technology right?

Space confined. Tell me about it

If your garage has a taller ceiling, maybe consider something like what I built. It frees up the ground level for overhead storage

 

[BoilermakerFan]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double "and" Big Single Shop Thread

<snip>

The interior is finished and doesn't have enough electrical and no insulation. Not sure how best to tackle other then ripping all the drywall out. Need more and better storage and to move some things around. Need to add ladder access to attic for more storage. Etc, etc.

Great looking car. I used to have a 2000 Jetta GLX VR6 and a 2004 A4 2.0T UltraSport. Unfortunately my A4 was a slushbox or I would have found a way to keep it.

WRT to insulation and adding receptacle outlets, it's really not to hard to fish wiring, especially since it sounds like you have access through the attic.

Cut small access holes next to a stud at the ceiling and about 9" above the outlet box so you can staple the Romex to the studs. When you go to cut out the access hole, put a drywall screw in the center so you can hold it before the final cut frees the piece. Keep it and mark which hole it fits. Then you just add a couple of strips of 3/8" plywood inside to make a lathe to anchor the plug to. Attach each plywood strip to the finished wall at each end with a drywall screw, then center the plug and screw it to the plywood lathe (you end up with 4 to 7 screws per strip depending on the size of the plug you cut out). I put a little drywall mud in the saw kerf gap, then pressed in a thin strip of fiber tape with mud on one edge into the "crack" of the saw kerf gap while the mud was wet and wrapped it all the way around the opening, overlapping the fiber tape ends about an inch. Once that was dry I trimmed any proud fiber tape just below the wall face, mudded over the gap again, filled in the drywall screw holes, and skim coated the entire area with a wide drywall knife. I sanded the whole area, applied a couple coats of primer/sealer, then painted. I did this on plaster walls 17 years ago when I rewired my house. The patches never cracked even after a moderate earthquake years later. You cannot tell where I cut into the walls or ceilings and I had holes everywhere.

For insulation, do the same thing but the access holes can be smaller, about 4" square, then blow in the cellulose or fiberglass loose fiber insulation. I think you need about 3 evenly spaced holes to properly fill each cavity, some machines can fill each cavity with just 2 holes (just ask at the store or check the insulation manufacturer's web site). One of the holes is right at the top of the wall. You can cut all of the access holes one weekend if you label each one, then rent the blower when you buy the insulation and get it done in a day on another weekend. Then put the plug from the access hole back in and patch/prime/paint.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

I like those high shelves, was considering pallet racking on the one back wall.

Insulation I was thinking just cutting out all the drywall would be easier, there is blocking in the wall due to the height so I can't just topfill. It would be a lot of holes!

Still considering doing a bump out on the back just for some work space just no time at the moment. Story of life I guess!

 

[BoilermakerFan]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

I would rather patch a lot of small holes with one hand behind my back while standing on my opposite leg than redo all of my drywall, but if you like hanging, taping, mudding, and sanding drywall... I personally hate hanging and finishing drywall.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &amp;quot;and&amp;quot; Big Single Shop Thread

Quite true! Though I doubt I could do any of it without both legs or hands.

 

[Mpower5266]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

Wow great thread, I cant wait to see it progress.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

My other project is my tow rig. I picked up a home built but solid trailer about two years ago and am slowly getting it worthy of longer hauls.

Fresh paint this week





Battery mount fabbed



Winch installed (somewhat)



I just put on four new brakes and am re-doing all the wiring, brake away box, new connector, wd hitch, toolbox... maybe add an electric jack now that I have the battery... should pull the little car just fine with our van. At least until I launch the transmission!

 

[racestatus]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

love the rado!! I wanted one for a while but never got it before I left the vw world. will you be going to nj tracks with this?

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

Yes plan is to debut the car (and anything that doesn't work) at Waterfest at etown on the 16th of July

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

Almost ready to race

 

[dubber]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

Nice trailer. Good luck with the prep for Waterfest. Fun show that has been way too long since i've been back. I was playing in my buddies Rado yesterday afternoon. Helping him clean it up and strip the previous owner's aftermarket stereo.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

Prep is still going on, locked the motor up testing last weekend. Got a motor Tues was in the car Wed and I am thrashing to finish.

The garage is such a disaster I need to take a pic when I get the car out. Reminds me of what an er looks like on a bad day, just the automotive version.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

Well didn't make it but figured out a big ignition issue with the car. Next race Aug 20 and I plan to be ready!

Waiting...

 

[Mancino]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

Nice to see the VW fans on this site. I visited your thread just because "VR6" was in the title. Lol.

I've had so many different Corrado's over the years, along with dozens of other VW's....I always wanted a Brombeer Corrado, but never got one. All that's left of my collection is a 16v GTI in need of a motor swap, and a Sportruck.

 

[Paul_VR6]

Re: Paul_VR6's Cramped Double &quot;and&quot; Big Single Shop Thread

Thanks for the nice words. I have had a lot of vws but only my second Corrado. My favorite part about this one is that it emptied of most of the standard issues.