Mk1 advices

Hey guys. I would like to ask some questions. I would like to get an Mk1, with high performance engine. As i am new to the whole thing, i don't know much about it, all i know is that there are many possibilities. What would be the best choice?
I want a street legal car, but with as many hps as possible. And i'm also keen on v8 mk1, if anyone has done it yet, or knows the process, or if its legal at all? What would be the best choice? What would be the outcome in performance? Which one is more reliable?
I know there are 2 ways, -lot of hps with lots of modification and money
                                        -and fewer hps but less modification and little less money,, i would prefer the second one, mostly because of the mods.
What donor shall i use?
I would like to know both ways. Advantages, disadvantages. So if you could help me with some advice, i would be very thankful.

Hi Bedast!

20 valve turbo is probably the best way to go. You can get more horse power than the car needs (if you wish) out of one, the engines are modern, reliable, good economy (if you drive it that way!) and there's a lot of engines and parts about.

I'm not an expert on which is the best engine code to go for (I think AGU is one of the favourites?) but doners can be MK4 Golfs, Seats, Skoda etc etc Basically the whole VAG group.

There are kits available to 'plug and play' the engine, loom, ECU etc it's the easiest way to go. There should be plenty of threads on here about it and how-tos.

The choice I guess is if you want to buy or build yourself?

Cheers
Andy

Its going to cost you a whole lot more if your not handy with tools/welder.

Tbh, a v8 woldnt be all that difficult to do if you can weld/fabricate BUT would need an IVA to be road legal without a doubt, there is a few around!

I persoanlly if you dont know much yourself, read the projects section,  a few build threads to guage the ammount of work done/needed and what takes your fancy.

Well, im about to do it myself, with some help. I think thats the point, isn't it? And then its 100% sure that everything is done properly. 
Is it important to have a gti as a base, or it can be else?

Thank you very much. Well im not so far from the topic, and i have help, but i would like to do as much by myself as i can. I know its going to be a long journey, but it worth i think. Another thing is that i have seen many mk1s with almost just the engine under the bonnet, and im curious how they do that. Where do all the other things go? 

it doesnt have to be a gti no mate, if you go for a big engine then if you bought a 1.1/1.3 mk1, the engine mount would need moving, no big issue.

the 'shaved' bay is an art form but not overly difficult to keep things out of there, im doing it with my 16vt im building.

theres a few threads on here worth a read to get the jist of things, more you read the more youll pick up  

of course, theres always help to be had at any point  

Ur in.the right place for.help on.here mate, the ppl on this forum are epic for helping u get out of sticky situations, there's always someone on.here that will know or at least point u in the right direction on the answer u seek with summat, check out brads project buddy, (it's an epic one) it might even sway u to do a 16vT lol probly not yo the extent that brad is tho ha ha, but if ur a newbie then ur definitely in for a learning curve with the amount of stuff there is.to do in a project,

To start with make sure u get a nice straight shell that needs very little welding, that will save u a.lot of time   

anything is possible with fabrication. was a mk1 at a show recent which ran a v8, and a beetle dash

Thank you guys. Thats a lot of help. I think i am going to do a 1.8t. I hope i can get some good shell and engine somewhere. And im sure that if i get stucked, i know where to ask. Its the best place. I will upload some pics if i have found the lucky one