ABF vs KR vs 9A

Hello,

So i'm still contemplating which engine to go for to go into my 3dr series 2 tinny.

Originally i had my heart set on an ABF but recent discussions a couple of other comparable engines have been thrown into the works.

I've been offered a cheap KR (which has been seen running well) with a spare shell thats had the roof chopped off (perfect for cuttings for my project) as a good deal. Now i'm struggling to decide whether to go for it (at 139BHP), lose 10hp before i've done anything compared to the 150bhp the ABF has, or whether to be persistant and take the ABF route.

Either way i will be going for the twin weber management either 40's or 45's.

From my understanding the main advantage the ABF has over the KR engine (mk2 gti) or even the corrado 9A engine (2.0 but shorter block) is the fuel management, for which will be removed regardless for the webers.

Does anyone have any pro's or cons to the fitting of any of these engines (regrets and wishing they'd taken a different route)

At the mo i'm swaying towards the KR for the main fact that its cheaper so more money for other stuff, but nothing is yet in stone. (i could always chuck an ABF bottom end on at a later date)

Cheers in advance.

For me the abf, it has the extra cc, a superior conrod length to the 9a I believe, and it has the timing wheel/sensor. Although the extra height can have its own issues. Each to their own though.

had a kr with a 1.6 gti box in my mk1 convertible and it was great, never wanted for anything (except a taller 5th for cruising )

the 2.0 is great for the extra low down torque, but in a light shell you dont really miss it that much. I definitely prefer the extra torque the 2.0 gives in my mk2 golf. (I preferered the 2.0 8v even over the 1.8 16v that I've had in my MK2, but the abf beats them all!)