1.0 polo mods

[sparkybean]

Yo bruv, i need moar power innit. Wot bout a 8 inch zorst?

Hey fellas. I have a 1.0 mk2 polo which im more than happy with, its my first car and i love it to bits . However it isnt without its downfalls; mainly the 4-speed box. 70mph is 4500rpms, and this is a little painful on the motorway to say the least.

The obvious thing to do would be a gearbox change, are there any 5 speed or higher geared vw engines that would fit my car? What sort of price would i be looking at from a scrappie/used/new ect. Ideally something with a nice looonng 5th would be sweet.

Thanks.

Edited for speelign on Friday 6th November 19:10

Edited by sparkybean on Friday 6th November 19:16

[syncro.]

In the November Performance VW magazine there's an article about someone who dropped a 1.3l engine and box from either a mk2 or 3 Polo into a mk1. I think you're best bet is to do this, can't see a 1.3 being too expensive from a scrapper.

I'd be tempted to go bigger but I think this was the biggest engine fitted to the mk1, 2 & 3 so going for a bigger engine from the VW range may prove to be tricky and quite expensive. But if you're any good at welding you could squeeze a 1.8T in there... that would be fun!

ETA that engine an box was £75 from a '94 mk3

Edited by syncro. on Friday 6th November 19:27

[fatjon]

Or change the wheels to bigger ones. IIRC the polo has 13" rims. Bigger diameter less revs for same speed and you don't get covered in crap changing the gearbox that way.

[phumy]

fatjon said:

Or change the wheels to bigger ones. IIRC the polo has 13" rims. Bigger diameter less revs for same speed and you don't get covered in crap changing the gearbox that way.

Yes and your 0 - 60 goes from a mind-blowing 15 seconds to a skull-numbing 18.76, not only that the speedo will need to be recalibrated and you might struggle up hills

Just go and buy a 1.3 and have no hassle.

[garethj]

I've got a 1987 Polo 1.3 and even though it's a 5 speed, 5th is still pretty low! Most 1.3 engines are 55bhp so they don't have enough torque to pull a very high 5th, I think some later 1.3 engines were 70bhp so they might have a better gearbox?

Perhaps a Formule E box might be worth a look? Although top gear acceleration is dreadful.

Having said all this, I've never had a problem with monster revs on the old Polos, years ago I borrowed a 1.05 litre 4 speed for a 150 mile motorway jaunt and it was singing its heart out at 90mph all the way. The 1.3 seems to be the same, even at 5000revs the engine isn't harsh so I'm not concerned.

[Huff]

+1 on the little Polo 1.05l - lovely little engine that. Once did Edinburgh-Bath in 6hours 10mins one Christmas in the GF's, boot planted on the floor all the way. And it still bettered 40mpg!

Pulled the head on it after 150kmiles and you could still see honing marks in the cylinders. Damn shame we sold it, really.

[garethj]

[quote=HuffPulled the head on it after 150kmiles and you could still see honing marks in the cylinders. Damn shame we sold it, really.

[/quote]
Mine's got 135k and zips along just fine. A car from when VW made them well.....

[steveo3002]

a 5 speed box from any mk2/3 polo will bolt straight on ...you need the 5 speed mounts too , might also need the arb if yours is a early car

same with the engines really...a carbed 1300 from a mk2 is a straight swap , or swap in a injection engine from a mk3

the mk3 gt is the best power for your money , its multipoint inj too , you would need the engine loom and fuel pump set up etc

[davepoth]

One thing to bear in mind is that if you are young changing the engine will probably result in a quintupling of your insurance.