Best platform for TDI Engine?
Discussion
So I've had my mark 1 Fabia vRS for three and half years now as my DD and I'm keen to swap it for something else as I want something lighter (kerb weight is 1315kg) and with better traction. Grip is important to me as I want to up the power but currently can't as I struggle to put the power down. I could fit a LSD and remove a ton of stuff except I did that already.
The engine has had a fair amount of work to improve it and I'm happy with the amount of power (~220 BHP) vs. economy (~52mpg during my ownership calculated using fill to brim method) so I want to keep the engine and move it to a new car. I'm told that anything with the infamous Audi 1.8T lump is a reasonably straight swap, anything with a 1.9TDI lump would also be easy to swap my upgraded parts over to, so anything in that ilk is prefered. Anything requiring lots of work is going to be a no no.
I thought about a Mark 1 TT as that has a ton more grip but that is a fair amount heavier.
The engine has had a fair amount of work to improve it and I'm happy with the amount of power (~220 BHP) vs. economy (~52mpg during my ownership calculated using fill to brim method) so I want to keep the engine and move it to a new car. I'm told that anything with the infamous Audi 1.8T lump is a reasonably straight swap, anything with a 1.9TDI lump would also be easy to swap my upgraded parts over to, so anything in that ilk is prefered. Anything requiring lots of work is going to be a no no.
I thought about a Mark 1 TT as that has a ton more grip but that is a fair amount heavier.
I'd love the seven/westie but it wouldn't work as my DD. Elise is as close as I'd want to get with that style of car (and would take over a MGF or MR2) but I've heard that the TDI is too heavy and really compromises the car, I think the 1.8T is ~50kg heavier than the 1.8 rover and the TDI is another ~50g heavier still?
Which rear wheel VW would take the TDI? Old style Beatle? Wouldn't it do wheelies everywhere?
I thought about the 3L Lupo as that is 830kg (not sure if that is kerb or dry weight) and I know that will take the 1.9 TDI as it has been done several times. Obviously traction is going to be worse on the Lupo, thats the only thing stopping me TBH.
Would a Mark 2 golf with 4 wheel drive take the TDI? Mark 2 is meant to top out at 1245kg.
Which rear wheel VW would take the TDI? Old style Beatle? Wouldn't it do wheelies everywhere?
I thought about the 3L Lupo as that is 830kg (not sure if that is kerb or dry weight) and I know that will take the 1.9 TDI as it has been done several times. Obviously traction is going to be worse on the Lupo, thats the only thing stopping me TBH.
Would a Mark 2 golf with 4 wheel drive take the TDI? Mark 2 is meant to top out at 1245kg.
The fabia is already porky when it comes to weight over the front wheels, something like 66% of its weight is over the front, and I'm still struggling for grip. I guess bigger wheels is my only option.
Show me something faster that will cost me ~£5k to change and come close to the running costs including fuel. Service and MoT on the fabia is about £140 every 10k, insurance is reasonable considering all the mods declared, tax is £130, and I've achieved 52mpg over my ownership of the car.
I'd expect the Lupo 3l to increase the MPG a bit as its lighter and increase the performance from 167bhp/ton to well over 200bhp/ton before I consider replacing injectors to push the map to 260bhp giving me at least 260bhp/ton.
Show me something faster that will cost me ~£5k to change and come close to the running costs including fuel. Service and MoT on the fabia is about £140 every 10k, insurance is reasonable considering all the mods declared, tax is £130, and I've achieved 52mpg over my ownership of the car.
I'd expect the Lupo 3l to increase the MPG a bit as its lighter and increase the performance from 167bhp/ton to well over 200bhp/ton before I consider replacing injectors to push the map to 260bhp giving me at least 260bhp/ton.
Its possible to wheel spin it in the wet in a straight line without touching the clutch. Its quite easy for it to lose grip when cornering hard as well. I'm not exceeding the speed limit here but I am getting to it rather rapidly.
The suspension is stock but refreshed with new springs, dampers and a fair chunk of the bushes last year.
The tyres aren't performance ones, they were chosen as they had good rating for life span and MPG, I agree that an upgrade to ones rated for better grip would help. Width of the tyre is an issue with standard arches/liners, I'm going to have to get the liners removed and the arches rolled, not sure that'll buy me more than an 1" or so of width though.
I'd like to downsize the wheels from the 17"s to 16"s as a larger sidewall would help but I doubt I'll fit them over the brakes.
The suspension is stock but refreshed with new springs, dampers and a fair chunk of the bushes last year.
The tyres aren't performance ones, they were chosen as they had good rating for life span and MPG, I agree that an upgrade to ones rated for better grip would help. Width of the tyre is an issue with standard arches/liners, I'm going to have to get the liners removed and the arches rolled, not sure that'll buy me more than an 1" or so of width though.
I'd like to downsize the wheels from the 17"s to 16"s as a larger sidewall would help but I doubt I'll fit them over the brakes.
I've got a fabia vrs too! I love mine but also want something lighter to chuck around a bit. So im just gonna buy a cheap mx5 soon to have some fun in summer with. And keep the fabia for the daily slog and overtaking lorry fun. But for you, you could buy a cheap used caterham style unfinished kit off ebay and buy a £500 DD, all that toque in a half tonne car would be hilarious fun!! Bit tricky to fit the engine though......
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