2025 GRM Challenge Parking Lot Build - 1992 VW Corrado SLC

Hi everyone! Just wanted to finally jump here on the forums and introduce myself and my plans for next year! 

My name is Nick, I am the guy with the 01 Audi TT Quattro that has gone 3 years in a row to the challenge. This year I even added the track day afterwards, the car was probably on track for 2 plus hours of real track time, including a 45 minute stint, so was super thrilled with that! 

But I digress, the reason for this post is to announce my parking lot build for next year. I will have to save the long backstory and details for another post when not soo tired.

Long story short, the car is a 1992 Corrado SLC, has been converted to a 1.8t on megasquirt. Was bought with a bad cylinder head. (New cylinder head was included with the sale, as well as a trailer full of parts, and an entire parts car) 

I bought this bundle over x5 years ago, and have been waiting for the time to bring it and not only that, go for the full GR glory with a parking lot build! 

As someone who owns x5 of these things, I will say I am mentally prepared for the disaster to ensue. Thanks to the addition of a completely extra parts car and MULTIPLE sales on parts included. I am starting at 0$. 

I have been accumulating items for a while, and have the current rough list for the underbudget build. 

- Wilwood front brake calipers (uses stock front rotor) 

- Stainless lines

- New cylinder head (Included with sale) 

- Short throw shifter (With 02J shifter box) 

- Coilovers 

- Adjustable aftermarket rear sway bar

- Adjustable camber front strut top hats

- Control arms with Poly bushes 

- Roll cage

- New clutch kit and flywheel

- Carbon Fiber Hood 

- Ported and big wheel stocked ecotech turbo (appx. 350HP capable) 

There's quite a bit more I am sure I am forgetting, but looking forward to getting a plan together, and debating just how much to assemble in the back 40 of the Gateway Grand! 

Should be a fun time for sure! 

Oh no, not this... lol. You know I'm down.

Knowing the car model inside and out will be a HUGE plus. 

Edit-I'm excited. Thats a cool car

IN to get my hands dirty with PLB25

OMG as a Vdub nerd, this is a wonderful terrible idea.

I fully support this as a parking lot build, and here's why:

Back around 1989 or 90, GRM (which may still have been Auto-X at that point) put together something called the Council of Motorsports Clubs (CMC). It was like the United Nations of autocross. 

CMC hosted an event on or near Cape Cod to promote club racing (or something), as well as the new VW Corrado. There were some big name New England drivers there, including a few national champions. VW brought three new supercharged Corrados for us to drive. There was an autocross course, and the premise was that you got one shift (first to second) during your run.

By about the halfway point of the event, there was only one Corrado that was still operational. One had sideswiped a granite curb (driver error) and wrecked a wheel, tire and at least one corner of the suspension, and a second car went into Limp Home mode and wouldn't move at anything more than walking pace.

I was standing next to a very aggravated VW rep when a bunch of people started complaining about the cars, as well as the long wait between runs. He said, "Nobody can expect a car to hold up to something like this!" 

I think I said something to the effect of, "Maybe you shouldn't have brought your cars here if they weren't up to the task".

Then Chuck Noonan and I tried to figure out how hard it would be to mount one of the superchargers on my Civic.

So... long story short, I think that a Volkswagen Corrado would be the perfect choice for a parking lot build. Let's see what happens when GRM'er prep a car to do GRM things. 

This has the potential to be awesome.

Thanks everyone for the kind words! Super excited to get it done, just trying to plan how much work to try and accomplish in a 48 hour time period. In full transparency, part of me just wants to go "full send" and do it all. 

I know I will have Darkbuddha there for emotional support and to help. Honestly probably something i'll just get in the zone and fire it out. 

Oh, it's not really 48 hours.  You will get off and on help for about 14 hours based on my experience the last 2 years.

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

... from 26 different people, so the total person-hours may be in the hundreds.

Looks like fun--topic stickied!

I love the idea of a PLB with a year worth of planning behind it. 

Not sure what your goals are, but it's probably best to treat the build like a lego set. Have everything already machined, tested, painted, balanced and ready to assemble. 

In reply to CrustyRedXpress :

Agreed! I'll be showing up with everything all planned out and sorted

Is this the car that gets me to at least spectate? Checking calendar.

I can turn a wrench or two if I make it.