Tuning an 1.8 GTI DX engine
Posted
#1331646
(In Topic #162793)
Settling In
I'd like to tune my own engine. Can anyone point me to a good 'how to' source?
Regards,
Ivan
Posted
Settling In
Regards,
Ivan
Posted
Local Hero
It's a bit "How long is a piece of string?"
You could just put a K &N in or you could build a full blown 2 Litre 16V supercharged etc etc
Depends on your budget, what you want out of it and how much you can or want to do yourself.
JMR who advertise down the left of this page are the ones you should speak to.
Most people go straight for an engine conversion as it normally works out cheaper in relation to extra bhp per £.
There's an article on engine conversions listed down the left hand side of the home page as well.
Posted
Settling In
I didn't make myself clear. I mean tuning as in just getting my standard engine running as good as it can regards timing, fuel/air supply etc.
Regards,
Ivan
Posted
Local Hero
Once all this is in good condition and if the car is new to you check the timing marks for the cam belt (its easy for it to be a tooth out and still drivable)
Then move to engine timing forget using a timing light I can never get the car to run at there best with using one, advance the timing by turning the dissy (I think clockwise) untill the engine pinks under load when driving (try to find a hill or drive at 30mph in 5th and press the accelerator about 1/2 way) then back the timing off a little till it stops pinking (turning dissy anticlockwise) you will need a empty road to do this as its a lot of stopping the car getting out a 13mm spanner and losening the clamp then turing the dissy then driving again etc….
Once the timing is set you will need to set the mixture but you will need a CO2 meter to get the best set up, if you don't have one its best to take it to a frendly garage to see if they can set the mixture.
I brought a Gunson gastester from ebay which is what I use, I tried a Gunson colour tune but it was still not right when I checked it with a CO2 tester.
There is few for sale at the moment…
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GUNSON-GAS-TESTER-/190884428374?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2c71993a56
If your old plugs look the right colour I would not mess with the fuel mixture with out the CO2 tester or maybe look at your old MOT as they would of tested the emisions and might of given you a print out of what the CO2 was, you are looking for between 0.5-1.5%.
Also run the car on super unleaded, I find it runs best on the stuff.
There might be other things you might what to check, braded vacuum hoses are in good conditon and not spilt at the ends, check the vacuum advance is working in the dissy.
A haynes Manual gives you alot of info on doing these things, I found I need a Mk2 Scirocco manual (1982-1990) for the DX engine and a Mk1 Golf manual for the body work etc.
1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
Posted
Settling In
That's what I was looking for. I shall get going on your advice.
Regards,
Ivan
Posted
Settling In
Posted
MOTY 2013
if you use quality fuel you can usually dial in a few more degrees of advance
this threead has lots of tips on checkign over the kjet system, just ignore the 16v specific bits. the later kjet cars use the cold throttle enrichment system as well:
http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=25972
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
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My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
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Posted
Local Hero
I find my car runs better on super unleaded then standard unleaded.
1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
Posted
MOTY 2013
if you use higher quality fuel you can add a bit more, comes down to overall health of the engien really
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
VAG Documents & Downloads
You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
VAG Documents & Downloads
You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)
Posted
Settling In
Posted
Settling In
My car (1991 Cabby GTI DX engine) has developed a slight misfire since this morning, and I know that the HT leads are corroded, and so are the bit where they plug in. I had a look myself on VW heritage for decent HT leads and a cap, but I am not quite sure which one to get.
I will take a photo tomorrow when it is bright outside, unless someone knows the answer already .
Posted
Local Hero
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-GOLF-Mk1-1-8-HT-Leads-Ignition-Cables-Set-84-to-93-Bosch-803998031-VOLKSWAGEN/232464544425?epid=1949112671&hash=item361ff772a9:g:UvQAAOSw~l1Z7rUs
Bosch or Beru dissy cap and rotor arm are also what I'm using.
Bosch spark plugs as well.
https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf+Cabriolet_1.8_1989/p/car-parts/regular-service/car-service-parts/spark-plugs/?408330010&1&d474aada81a341b2b530705f536fb89d782adb5a&000301
1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.
Posted
MOTY 2013
AVS Car Parts - [The VW - Audi - Seat - Skoda Parts Specialist]
as above bosch or beru make for cap/arm/leads/plugs is all I ever use
AVs havent put mk1 cabrio back on their website yet but 91 cabrio will be equivalent to post-84 mk2 golf with EV engine code (so use the EV rotor arm, and use the 84-90 dizzy cap)
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
VAG Documents & Downloads
You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
VAG Documents & Downloads
You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)
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