VW Golf Mk2 GTI 16v Engine advice....

[Tom16v]

Hello!

That's a long subject title....

I am doing a few minor alterations to my 20 year old 16v which I have owned for the past 11. I have replaced the bushes with poly ones, renewed shocks, uprated the front discs and pads, and about to embark on doing some work on the engine.

I want to use the car for doing 'solo' events and some mild track days. The car has 160K on the clock, the bodywork is immaculate and structurally sound (garaged nearly all its life), its a 2 door, there is no rust (no even on the brake pipes) and I have regularly done the oil/filters/plugs/etc. The cam belt has been done every 30K. It has a Lucas sports coil and Spitfire HT leads.

The question: I don't want to turn it into a 'mentalists car', just feel the engine could do with some maintenance to get the best out of it again with some mild tuning. I don't want Carbs or a fragile 250BHP car on £5K engine rebuild.

I am in Gloucestershire, so does anyone know of an engine rebuilders (reasonable prices!) or give me direction as to what 'mods' I could make?

Thanks,

Tom

[Tom16v]

Hello!

Thanks everyone for the sound advice. Challenge already look after the car in Cheltenham and they are always helpful. I want to make sure I have everything straight and know what I want to do, exactly, before embarking on the engine project.

I think the engine will need to have to have as much done as possible without taking it out! Thanks for the advice on the timing chains and the delicate timing issues as well as the warm air feed.

With the issue of cleaning the injectors, how would you go about that? Is it a petrol additive, or is it a removal job?

Thanks v much, and keep the advice coming. I shall keep everyone updated.

Tom

Edited by Tom16v on Sunday 8th March 18:37

[Tom16v]

Nobody You Know said:

Tom16v said:

Hello!


With the issue of cleaning the injectors, how would you go about that? Is it a petrol additive, or is it a removal job?

Edited by Tom16v on Sunday 8th March 18:37

You just unscrew the pipes and pop them out, you need special machine though to clean them that forces presurised cleaner through to clear any dirt and from the pressure gauge you can also see what pressure they are opening at (sometimes the spring can go soft and they open early). I got mine done a by a place with a rolling road up in the Northwest don't know any places down here.

Thanks for that advice. I have actaully bought a spare set of injectors from a car that had less miles on the clock. They have been sitting in the garage for a while, so I might run a test on those and the orignal ones and work out which ones are in the best shape. I shall do some homework on where to do it, or the machine to do it.

(I had a look at the cars you've had and they have been some nice cars you've had - I've had a Mk1 GTI 1.8, Corrado VR6 Storm, VW Bora PD TDI, my current drives are the Golf, a SEAT Altea FR TDI and a VW Transporter LWB!!!)

[Tom16v]

No worries Gompo! I've been going through all of these options in my head for a while. I am tending to stay with the lump already in it, as I have known it for 120K miles and it has never let me down. I just want to breathe a bit of life back into it and make sure I can afford it!!

Please keep adding to this thread as the information on 16v engines the better, in my opinion!!!!!

Cheers,

Tom

[Tom16v]

Thanks for more information! That's a nice Mk1 you've got there, with a good idea for the engine.

Compo - I've kept the car for so long that when I thought I might sell it I took it out for proper spin and then realised I shouldn't let it go!!! I've looked at other cars, including a Mk2 with a S3 engine, but it wasn't a very good install and was too much money. If you do look at a Mk2 with 1.8T make sure it is done properly, with everything working and tested. There are too many 'needs gauges plugging in' or 'needs rev counter sorting' or even 'needs an upgraded radiator'.....

Anyway, I want my car to remain fairly intact, so I shall keep taking the advice!

Thanks,

Tom

[Tom16v]

aka_kerrly said:

Where abouts in Gloucestershire are you? If you fancy a trip to Stroud id highly recommend having a word with Bill@ badger5 motorsport and with Dave @ the VW AUDI centre in Stonehouse or Dan @ TRD - turner racing developments also in Stroud

.........I ran a 160hp 2.0 16v using 9A + KR head and it was worlds apart from a standard 1.8KR.

dave

I think I am developing a bit of a shopping and task list. Thanks for all the information. I've been to the VW Audi centre in Stonehouse to have a look and talk about some stuff. They had some really interesting cars in there.

I am in Cheltenham, but often venture in to Stroud and Stonehouse. I think a chat to the contacts you have given me would be the place to start.

Thanks v much,

Tom

(nice exhaust manifold above BTW!!!!!!! it's not wrong to have feelings - just remember - 'inner voice / outer voice' OK? )