Engine Choice for a Fast Road Mk1 Golf?
Discussion
The time has come to try and get my Mk1 Golf project moving again and I need to decide what to do on the engine front. The car is intended to be a low key/cheap/low maintenance fun car that I can enjoy thrashing the nuts off. It will be mainly used on the road so I want it to remain reasonably tractable, and generally I like torquey engines. I am trying to choose between:
1) Tuned 8V engine, probably increased capacity - quite like the idea of the 2.1L TSR engine
2) 16V conversion. I know these are pretty straightforward on a Mk1 and can be tuned for mucho power but wonder if it might lack torque based on my memories of my old MK2 16V.
3) G60 conversion. Like the idea of this but wonder if this is getting a bit involved and away from my cheap/simple principle
Anyone got any thoughts / experience of any of the above in a Mk1? Pros and Cons of the different options. Pitfalls to be avoided etc. Thanks in advance!
Chris
1) Tuned 8V engine, probably increased capacity - quite like the idea of the 2.1L TSR engine
2) 16V conversion. I know these are pretty straightforward on a Mk1 and can be tuned for mucho power but wonder if it might lack torque based on my memories of my old MK2 16V.
3) G60 conversion. Like the idea of this but wonder if this is getting a bit involved and away from my cheap/simple principle
Anyone got any thoughts / experience of any of the above in a Mk1? Pros and Cons of the different options. Pitfalls to be avoided etc. Thanks in advance!
Chris
Thanks to all for the ideas/opinions. On balance I think I'll forget the G60 option, and as much as I'd like a 20V Turbo engine it's more expense and complexity than I am looking to get into with this project.
Therefore it's down to modding the 8V or dropping in a 16V lump and I'd say I'm probably leaning towards the latter based on the comments.
I'm wondering if buying sub £1k tatty early Mk2 16V donor car to get engine/gearbox/driveshafts and brakes all in one go is a sensible move?
Also, I know most Mk1 16V conversions relocate all the fuel injection gubbins to the offside of the engine bay but you can get a 16V Scirocco inlet manifold that keeps the metering unit etc in the standard Mk1 place. I quite fancy that option but know these manifolds are hard to come by. Anyone know how rare they really are and where is a good place to find one s/hand?
Chris
Therefore it's down to modding the 8V or dropping in a 16V lump and I'd say I'm probably leaning towards the latter based on the comments.
I'm wondering if buying sub £1k tatty early Mk2 16V donor car to get engine/gearbox/driveshafts and brakes all in one go is a sensible move?
Also, I know most Mk1 16V conversions relocate all the fuel injection gubbins to the offside of the engine bay but you can get a 16V Scirocco inlet manifold that keeps the metering unit etc in the standard Mk1 place. I quite fancy that option but know these manifolds are hard to come by. Anyone know how rare they really are and where is a good place to find one s/hand?
Chris
top fuel said:
for an extreme option have you considered a midmounted engine??
Like your thinking but not sure I'm up to doing that myself at home, not if I want to finish it this lifetime anyway!
top fuel said:
VR6 or 20v turbo??
Have read the VR6 in a Mk1 spoils the handling balance although the power would be nice. 20V turbo definitely tempting but still leaning towards a nice simple 16V conversion. Especially since I've been searching the web and it's looking like a can get a complete donor car for less than £500 or engine alone for even less.
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