I'm about 80% through the 01M to 02M swap using this kit. Here's some random lesson's learned that some may find useful.
Great service from Ryan, as everyone says
Fast shipping
Great packaging
DHL is pretty terrible in the US midatlantic. They delayed delivery 3 times, then put it as "out for delivery" on a Friday before changing their mind and waiting till Monday night. Anyway.. not at all Ryan's fault, but plan for delays to be safe.
I received the wrong shifter linkage, which I didn't realize until I had it installed and tried to connect it. Ryan is already sending out a replacement, so while I lost a few hours of work, I'm satisfied that he's taking care of it for me in a timely manner.
Get the bentley manual. If you don't want to buy it, there is at least one PDF version of it floating around on the forums. Either way, I highly recommend the digital version for the ability to use Search.
I printed the swap PDF that Ryan links to on this thread and split it into sections, and stapled them. This made it easier to compartmentalize what I was doing where.
I bought some magnetic work trays on Amazon and had one in each area I was working, so that I could keep hardware and the correct sockets in the right place, and not lose any of them. Under the hood, under the exhaust, on the door frame, and one near each front wheel well.
I wish I had ordered the parts a week earlier, and had taken a half-day to go through each relevant section of the bentley to check what I have against what I need. I spent a lot of time looking at parts thinking "what is this for" during the few days I had help from my brother to get the work done. If I had spent an hour at the kitchen counter with the box of clutch parts from Ryan and the bentley, i could've saved 3 hours in the shop when I was tired and running out of time.
I got the DMF Sachs clutch kit as well. Highly recommend. The throw-out bearing (release bearing) on the 02M looked pretty bad, so I'm glad I had a new one to put in. The clutch kit does NOT include a clutch alignment tool. Guys with more experience than me said I must have one, but turns out you don't really have to have it for this clutch. Still, though; they are a couple of bucks, so order one if you have the time.
Mine went into a mk4 jetta wagon, which would be the same as a golf. The trick to get the 02M in was to place the trans on the trans lift on it's side, so that the bulge on the driver-facing side of the trans is facing up. In this position, the trans will want to lean back, away from the motor. I put a 2x4 on the stand to level the trans. Slowly raise the trans stand while pushing the bulge toward the driver. This will shift the weight onto, and allow you to clear, the control arm. From there, get it horizontal again.. this won't be too hard, most of the weight is now on the control arm. Also, pull the 2x4 spacer out, so the trans sits mostly in-line with the motor.
I have the electrical work done, but no battery power yet, so I've got my fingers crossed on that front for now.
Thanks to all the work by BOERTJE and the contributors to that swap guide.. it was a HUUUUUUGE help.
