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Tuning an 1.8 GTI DX engine

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Hello,

I'd like to tune my own engine. Can anyone point me to a good 'how to' source?

Regards,

Ivan

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No takers??? Nobody on this site has done, or knows someone that has done a 'how to' on tuning a DX engine??? I'm not asking out of laziness, it's just that when I type in a search for this, I get a million hits!

Regards,

Ivan

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Tuning as in more power or tuning as in more efficiency?

It's a bit "How long is a piece of string?"

You could just put a K &N in or you could build a full blown 2 Litre 16V supercharged etc etc

Depends on your budget, what you want out of it and how much you can  or want to do yourself.

JMR who advertise down the left of this page are the ones you should speak to.

Most people go straight for an engine conversion as it normally works out cheaper in relation to extra bhp per £.

There's an article on engine conversions listed down the left hand side of the home page as well.

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Hi Yomp,

I didn't make myself clear. I mean tuning as in just getting my standard engine running as good as it can regards timing, fuel/air supply etc.

Regards,

Ivan

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To get it running best I would service the engine, oil, new oil filter, new air filter, plugs, HT leads, rotor arm, dissy cap.
Once all this is in good condition and if the car is new to you check the timing marks for the cam belt (its easy for it to be a tooth out and still drivable)
Then move to engine timing forget using a timing light I can never get the car to run at there best with using one, advance the timing by turning the dissy (I think clockwise) untill the engine pinks under load when driving (try to find a hill or drive at 30mph in 5th and press the accelerator about 1/2 way) then back the timing off a little till it stops pinking (turning dissy anticlockwise) you will need a empty road to do this as its a lot of stopping the car getting out a 13mm spanner and losening the clamp then turing the dissy then driving again etc….
Once the timing is set you will need to set the mixture but you will need a CO2 meter to get the best set up, if you don't have one its best to take it to a frendly garage to see if they can set the mixture.
I brought a Gunson gastester from ebay which is what I use, I tried a Gunson colour tune but it was still not right when I checked it with a CO2 tester.
There is few for sale at the moment…
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GUNSON-GAS-TESTER-/190884428374?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item2c71993a56

If your old plugs look the right colour I would not mess with the fuel mixture with out the CO2 tester or maybe look at your old MOT as they would of tested the emisions and might of given you a print out of what the CO2 was, you are looking for between 0.5-1.5%.

Also run the car on super unleaded, I find it runs best on the stuff.

There might be other things you might what to check, braded vacuum hoses are in good conditon and not spilt at the ends, check the vacuum advance is working in the dissy.
A haynes Manual gives you alot of info on doing these things, I found I need a Mk2 Scirocco manual (1982-1990) for the DX engine and a Mk1 Golf manual for the body work etc.

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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Cheers 'mark1gls',

That's what I was looking for. I shall get going on your advice.

Regards,

Ivan

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Whats the best way of setting the timing on Mk1 Golf Gti Cab 1990? Thanks :)

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ignition timing on 1.8 kjet gti engine is easy, its set at idle with dizzy vac line disconnected and plugged. stock is 6 degrees btdc, there is a marker on the flywheel which makes it easy look for the big diamond. have to unscrew the large bung to see it. alternatively get a timing light with advance wheel and use the crank pulley TDC marker

if you use quality fuel you can usually dial in a few more degrees of advance :)

this threead has lots of tips on checkign over the kjet system, just ignore the 16v specific bits. the later kjet cars use the cold throttle enrichment system as well:
http://www.vwgolfmk2.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=25972

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:

VAG Documents & Downloads

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Best to use super unleaded fuel if setting the timing as above.
I find my car runs better on super unleaded then standard unleaded.

1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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aye kjet should ONLY be run on super even at standard timings, if you want to run it on 95rod fuel you'll have to retard the ignition.

if you use higher quality fuel you can add a bit more, comes down to overall health of the engien really

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:

VAG Documents & Downloads

You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)

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I need help on this me, tried setting timing, but just cant get it bang on!! Still choking up under pressure, like she has no power, but she sounds tight and sound nice other than the timing!!

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Right, I am didding up this old thread now as well.

My car (1991 Cabby GTI DX engine) has developed a slight misfire since this morning, and I know that the HT leads are corroded, and so are the bit where they plug in. I had a look myself on VW heritage for decent HT leads and a cap, but I am not quite sure which one to get.

I will take a photo tomorrow when it is bright outside, unless someone knows the answer already :).

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1988 Mk1 Golf GTi Cabriolet 1.8cc DX, K-jet. Daily drive. 317,000 miles and counting
1978 Mk1 Scirocco GLS 1.6cc FR, Webber carb. Weekend toy.

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also:
AVS Car Parts - [The VW - Audi - Seat - Skoda Parts Specialist]

as above bosch or beru make for cap/arm/leads/plugs is all I ever use

AVs havent put mk1 cabrio back on their website yet but 91 cabrio will be equivalent to post-84 mk2 golf with EV engine code (so use the  EV rotor arm, and use the 84-90 dizzy cap)

Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.



My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:

VAG Documents & Downloads

You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)
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