mk1 engine conversion

[mrjolly]

hi all, im normally posting in the audi forum but could do with a bit of specialist advice. we have a mk1 golf that has been fully restored (paint,de-clutter,uprated brakes and suspension etc) and we want a quick engine 200bhp ish and have pretty much decided on a 20v 1.8t conversion. does anyone have any advice on what engine to go for/ how to get around immobiliser issues on the ecu any major pitfalls. any advice would be appreciated
regards sid

[mr brightside]

i've never attempted this conversion personally but if you're going to do it yourself you'll need to be a pretty good auto electrician, other problems aside from making the engine fit will be things like getting the gear linkage to work correctly and getting driveshafts to fit. then there will be the smaller stuff like what's fouling what and how do i get that hose to there, all in all although it's been done many times by many people it's not straight forward at all. don't be put off though, if you have the know how and the skills you'll save a packet by not ending up with it on a trailer heading for Dubsport.

[mrjolly]

IVE GOT A CAN DO ATTITUDE MAN

PUTTING ENGINE IN HOLE - GOT ENGINEERING SHOP AND SPARE CAR TO TRY ALL IN
G BOX, DRIVE SHAFTS GOT
GOT 2 KNACKERED 1.8T ENGINES 1 WITH LOOM (EARLY) 1 LATER FBW TYPE, SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT BLOCK TO OLDER 1 FOR BITS AND TRIAL FITS ETC
NEED ADVICE ON BEST MANIFOLDS , TURBO, AND FITTING STD ECU TO WORK WITHOUT IMMOBILISER ETC
OR WHICH ENGINE IS BEST TO GET IN THE FIRST PLACE WITH THE LEAST STUFF TO CHANGE.
NEED TO BE DONE BEFORE SUMMER!!!

[Crasher]

Use the TT 225 engine, such as the BAM. On the one I am doing, I am getting around the immobiliser issue using an aftermarket ECU as the immobiliser isn’t the only problem. When fired up, the ECU gets upset if it can’t find the Haldex (recoding to 2wd cures this) and even more upset if it can’t find the ABS. The 225 engines turbo design makes the clearance issue to the bulkhead brake cross linkage less of an issue. If you use the rod change 020 box, you have to decide which is going to explode first, the clutch or the box.

This one is further complicated by the fact that I am also fitting ABS, power steering and air conditioning.

[mrjolly]

NICE ONE CRASH . YOURS IS LOOKING GOOD. DID YOU MAKE YOUR OWN MOUNTS OR BUY EM. NEED TO BE WHERE YOU ARE NOW

BET TT ENGINE STUFF IS EXPENSIVE TO GET IN THE FIRST PLACE.
CAN COPE WITH A LOWER POWER ENGINE TO START WITH BUT NEED TO HAVE THE RIGHT CONFIGURATION OF MANIFOLDS ECT .
THE CAR NEEDS TO BE DONE , THOUSANDS SPENT ALREADY . JUST NEEDS A 1.8T RUNNING SWEET UNDER THE BONNET....
WHICH EVER WAY YOU LOOK £1000S OF POUNDS
ITS JUST WHICH WAY TO GO.....
ITS HARDER THAN YOU THINK
ESPECIALY IF YOU DRINK..

[Crasher]

Well that was two years ago, it’s painted now and waiting for the customer to fund the next step which is a rolling shell.

The timing belt end engine mount I fabricated from scratch and it was hell working out the left lock, to tyre O/D at full compression of suspension clearance.

The box mounts were off the shelf unit’s bought from a company advertising in The Golf+.

1000's spent? Oh yeh, and many many more than you can imagine! If you think that is a fully restored shell with a full new rear floor for a Cabrio 13 gal tank, Golf 2 front floor tunnel, A/C install, power steering, electric tilt and slide roof, ABS, rear battery mounting (Lupo GTI battery box) and so much more work than you can possibly imagine plus a top quality repaint.

I can't begin to describe the work that has gone into this car, it has cost the customer a fortune so far, and it has cost me far far more! A labour of love is one way of describing it, a nemesis is another!

[mrjolly]

WOW . the customer who wants it all eh! 2 years ago....
i have been there though, i part ran a little garage with a guy and we took about 9 grand off a customer . on a 1991 escort cabby it was new built 1.8 blown engine with forged internals, custom turbo, omex management , custom water + boost hoses + exhaust , the biggest intercooler we could get+ bigger brakes etc . it soon mounts up..... proper sleeper though 340 bhp at just under a bar of boost and more torque steer than you could shake a stick at

got to do this one on a budget though. 75% there with car just need the engine now. i will try to post some pics as i go.
looks like there is a gap in the market for engine mounts.......
if im clever i may make a few , or at least a good drawing. seems to be a bit of a sticky wicket for a lot of people that timing belt side mount...
wonder how much they would sell for.....
cheers for update crash, let me know if you think of anything pertinent

[mrjolly]

hey hey, scored a a3 engine, loom,ecu,immobiliser ariel,clocks,keys etc from a 50,000 mile car for £750 delivered next wed.. agu engine code 150hp
but its a start.
will post some pics as we go .

[Karl]

have a butches on the mk1 oc www.vwgolfmk1.org.uk a few folks on there have 20v ones and theres a bit of a guide too.

a easier option is drop in a mk2 16v engine, with a little fettling these push 170odd quite nicely and are less complicated.

[mrjolly]

got an engine


so got a donor car got a a3 agu engine.
got a spare stripped block, gearbox.....
[ATTACH]

got it in the hole!! 2 hours!! that included messing with the new one.

used origional mk 1 one on timing belt end and 16v mounts for box .
had to remove origional mount from the car (timimg belt one) and flip it - move it weld back in .
so next job -- fit mounts to new engine, fit new 16v belt + tensioner mod belt cover to fit nice.. and chuck it in the hole

crash or anyone else with a bit of knowledgeif you see this do you know owt about getting round the immobiliser?
i have looked at pin outs and diagrams ets and wonder if i live up pin 19 on ecu will that work?