Mk1 1.8GTi or KR 16v? Into Mk1 Caddy 1.6D Shell...

Hi,

Recently had a Corrado KR 16v that I completely stripped and bought a bare shell Caddy to put it all into. Now, while looking for parts for the conversion I've bought a Mk1 Cabrio GTi with low mileage as a breaker that I can strip.

It's got me thinking, why bother going KR and getting a new manifold etc and take the gearbox, shafts, linkages etc off the Cabrio when it would be much much easier to just swap everything over from the GTi and swap it in?

What are the advantages of a KR over a 1.8 GTi, without the obvious 8v difference?

The GTi has a lot less miles, will be easier to do as it's all ready to go and in a Mk1 already, and I have a Mk1 GTi aswell for reference.

The KR has had a lot spent on the block so that's why I initially wanted to use it.

Is the KR a lot better as an engine, I know the old argument of 8v Vs 16v but anyone simply help me?

Without going into 8V vs 16V etc etc, then its not really possible to answer the question properly. That's the difference - one is a 16V engine and one is an 8V engine. The 16V needs a few more bits and bobs (= more money) to get going, such as a conversion manifold; the 8V doesn't need these, or if it does, there's the Mk1 Golf to take it from which makes life easy for you.

Either way, you'll have to think carefully about how/where you upgrade the brakes and chassis. That cart axle at the back can't be the best for a potentially 140bhp motor. Yes, the americans kept on fitting them, but then they don't have many corners there.

Either engine conversion is quite achievable and it seems you have most of the parts already, and there's nothing much wrong with either choice. The only thing might be, if you fit the 8V, you will always wonder what the 16V would have been like.

Have you obtained insurance quotes for both scenarios?