Cam shafts

Hi there, I drive a 1989 Golf mk2 1.6 carb.

I'm interested in upgrading my 1.6's standard camshaft to the standard camshaft from a 1.8 GTI, I understand that this will slightly improve performance but on a different forum I was told I will need to adjust the cam myself. Before I could read up on it more that forum has died (PVW) and will hopefully be back up!

I understand that the engine is running hydraulic tappets and will mean it won't need to be tuned or some reason I'm not too sure about.

Anyone have experience in this at all?

I've currently got a weber 32/34 carb so a camshaft and cylinder head are the upgrades to come up next. Both quite cheap and managable with my limited experience and haynes manual.

Thanks for your time!

You don't want a MK1 Golf cam as they have different tappets!

As for putting a MK2 GTI(digifant) cam in, it's nonsense mate. The was an article in one of the VW mags a little while ago and someone from C & R Performance said there was little difference on a rolling road!

Best option is to put a 2.0 bottom end on it if you're after more ummph with a small budget

hi john, depends on how much you wanna spend mate,  the cam from a mk2 gti will fit your car but you wont benefit that much mate and wont suit the engine, your gearbox is quite long legged (if standard) try and get yourself a good gti box (lose a bit on motorway (revving) but gain thru the gears) a short 2.0 bottom end, 1800 head and then stick weber on set it all up (timing, mixture). you will never get same clout as a fuel injected engine 2.0 engine but it wont be far behind a stock gti but very easy to maintain and NEVER break down and wont cost you much as parts galore especially if you already have weber carb. the price of a performance cam will cost you a long way towards this little lot. if you get stuck mate i have all the stuff here to do it but its also available on ebay.
good luck,
paul
p.s the cam will only go in one way mate but i wouldnt bother
p.p.s dont listen to me im drunk most of the time, but happy

Sounds like a plan if i have a bit of spare cash from saving up for a mk1.

Where would I get a 2litre bottom end from? A mk3 GTI?

2.0 bottom ends can come off MK3 GTIs, Passats, Ventos, Audi 80, Audi Coupes etc etc Here are some of the engine codes you can look for 2E, ADY, AGG, ABK but the best block would be the hard to find 3A. The 3A is the same height as the 1.8 so it wouldn't cause any clearance problems.

Great info MrV, you from PVW by any chance with the name Mr V Wagen?

My money is so short and space so tight that it looks as though getting a mk1 as a project is going to be impossible   so upgrading the driver seems like the best bet for the time being!