more power

hi,i have a 1.8 carb auto clipper cabrio .how can i get some more power with out spending to much money?i wanna swap for a different engine and manual box eventually,but just wanna get some more out of what ive got for now.
cheers

put the money into cosmetic mods, or into a new engine fund. imo its just not really worth it if you want to swap the engine anyway!
if you're desperate though a GTI cam & k-jet 1.8 8v dizzy, plus a GTI 6 bolt manifold and downpipe would see you close to GTI power.  If you stick with 8v power the manifold & downpipe at least can be retained on the new engine!

cheers john.sounds like a load of hassle for not a lot!lol
what would you say the easiest engine conversion is considering i dont have a lot of knowledge and will have to get someone to do it for me?also will it be a straight swap with a manual box apart from obviously the pedels.
cheers,andy

2.0 8v is probably the easiest as all the bits you need can be had off the shelf. for a manual swap you need pedal box, steerring rack, gerboxc mount brackets and linkage from the gearstick all the way to the bits on the box itself, all from a MK1 1.5-1.8 5 speed car obv.

1.8/2.0 16v is almost the same amount of work, just you need to buy/make a 16v MK1 conversion manifold & downpipe or 4 branch, again these can be had off the shelf or made yourself