TDI engine conversion

Hi Folks,

I'm looking for a new project for the summer and i'm quite liking diesels at the moment. Love the monster torque.

Anyway, i was thinking of putting a TDI engine into a Mk1 so i've got a couple of questions!

Will an AHU engine from a mk3 fit on the mk1 GTI mounts? And will i need to fabricate a pair of drivshafts or are they the same lenght?


Thanks in advance.

the engine should mount up to the mk1 mounts the bolt holes should b there, as for drive shafts that depends on if u us the tdi's box, this is cable change by the way, also a tdi has a trasponder key so u will need engine loom ingnition barrel brain, and some cars carry a seperate immobilizer unit under the dash, u also have to fabricate a down pipe to miss the mk1 gearbox linkage, for this amount of work i'd rather stick a fast petrol engine in, but its your call!

Yes i'll be wanting to use the 02A box.

I've got the doner car, Golf 3 TDI P reg. So ive got the engine, box, ecu, ignition barrel, loom etc. I'll need to get some clocks but i figure i can get them from a diesel caddy. Not sure how easily they'll wire up though.

The main obstacles i can see will be the driveshafts and as you say the exhaust downpipe.

Will the TDI driveshafts fit the Mk1 when used with the 02A box? And will it mount up ok with this box?

Will the TDI driveshafts fit the Mk1 when used with the 02A box? And will it mount up ok with this box?

I would think so [ i have been looking in to a 020 TDi box for my 1800 petrol ,relaxed cruising speeds etc ] Still looking ! Thinking of building one from bits!
But of course with your diesel conversion you will have to be carefull with the gear ratios or you wiil be reving the nuts of it at top speed and lose any gains the Tdi would give you .

This is a conversion I'd love to do, followed by a veggie oil tank in the back. Go for it and keep us posted.

Check out veedubjoe on www.vwcaddy.com as he's just finished a TD, may be a TDi but not sure in his caddy but he may be able to answer some of your questions too.

yeha Thanks, i'll let you know how i get on. I've looked into various fuels for deisels, bio, veggie etc. There are a couple of companys out there that manufacture kits to convert your deisel to run on pure vegtable oil. Check out  HOME | greasecar

dub-ha8 Thanks for the info. I'll get in touch with him and see if he can give me any advice.

From what i gathered so far it's gonna be easier to use an 020 box as i think i will have to fabricate a mount to use the 02A. I'll just have to play around with the ratios.

TDI is totally different to the TD - quite a bit more work but as you have all the loom and leccy gubbins, you are halfway there.

Caddy clocks will be of no use to you.