What's the best suited power in a mk1 gti ?

Thinking aloud here all !! .  I own a standard mk1 campaign that requires tlc , it's  solid and complete , matching numbers and Hpi  clear . How ever I'm thinking of getting a 1.8 turbo conversion as I'm keen on the idea of classic and modern ( ish) ! Combination .  Are there any alternative ideas ? Can the standard running gear be simply upgraded ? A few people have said sell it and buy one already done but I'm not convinced as I've not seen many for sale lately !  And back to the title what power is best suited for a mk1 golf ? Thanks all 👍

When you say requires TLC, solid and complete so the body work is good and the engine and running gear is shot and worn out?

The standard engine is a reliable and economical unit when maintained properly and I would say more reliable than a modern unit with all these computers and sensors that always seem to go wrong…

I still use my DX engine Golf as a daily drive and in the 240,000 miles and 24 years I've owned it, it's never broken down at the side of the road or on a trailer unlike several newer VWs my wife has had over the years…
Just because an engine is newer does not make it more reliable than an older design.  

Hi , engine runs with low miles , I was thinking aloud to see what options are best and what kind of power best suits the mk1 ?  Your correct regards reliability on old vw's and credit to you and yours for the period owned and miles 👍

If its solid and complete with a low mileage running engine I'd leave well alone. It's your choice but you could sink £1,000s and £1,000s into ruining a sought after classic. If you are going to do lots of work start with a rough one that errr… needs lots of work? Or keep the Campaign as a weekend/holiday car and get a (now fantastically cheap) 20v Turbo A3/TT to scare yourself with?

Sensible advice, but a mk1 with a powerfull engine will scare you more than the other cars mentioned i think..

• Yes good advice , like most I  only have the option of 1 car to play with ! And agree to much power in a mk1 can be daft ( sort of😆) . So is there a sweet spot regards power to weight ratio for a mk1 ?

I think a nicely tuned abf engine is a perfect petrol engine for a Mk1 golf. You don't really need a blower or a turbo in my opinion. And cheaper. 

What can you get out of a good abf engine, 170+ with the right mods?

Then spend the change that you would have blown on fitting a turbo'd engine, on an lsd for the box and some brake and sus upgrades. 



 

yo said

• Yes good advice , like most I  only have the option of 1 car to play with ! And agree to much power in a mk1 can be daft ( sort of😆) . So is there a sweet spot regards power to weight ratio for a mk1 ?

I like that  (sort of) made me smile

All golfs should be small block .

They weigh less so the handlings far better.

So i'd say a 1400 16v from a 2000ish polo is the way forward. Add bike carbs and a 'zorst and 150bhp is yours for mere pennies.  

Lots of revs and no torque, gotta love thrashing a mk1  

Ian

Only thing I would say
Think carefully I made bad  choice I fitted 2,0 abf in my cabrio running at 197BHP
It's to much power
it's not nice drive as to much power unless like tyre smoke
Car just goes we're it wants when power down
50mph 5 gear still wheel spins
Impossible drive in wet
Spoiled the car

I can't tell you how it performs as I've not built it up yet alone put in the car, but I've got a fully balanced, oversize pistons (original vw oversize, not 1900), flowed head, piper mild road cam, and Audi throttle body. The aim being a little more go without radical changes. The block work, plus all the shells, rings, gaskets etc was £700 (I had the pistons!) Head and cam bought 2nd hand on a full engine for £350 (including a gear box!) throttle body £30. Allegedly the exhaust manifold is pretty decent so I'm not going 4 branch (maybe in future). So I reckon I've got about £1100 in the engine. Sure a full swap for a 2.0 would have been cheaper but I want to keep it as original as I can.
May end up with  vernier pulley on it, but I'll deal with that once it's all finished…..

Ok so 200bhp in a mk1 is a bit of a handful ? From what I've read would about 140 -160 bhp be about right for a Mk1 ? Would be interested Paceman with how yours turns out all the best with it and keep me posted . 👍

 I have a 1.8t in my mk1 (bam with a hybrid turbo ) running emerald ecu with  3 maps 1= 240bhp low boost 2=302bhp high boost an 3 is the same as 2 but the boost comes on slower .it's quite  nippy an if you have a bit of throttle control it's fine but disrespect the pedal an she likes a dance 😂

G60 in mine , not sure on hp. 68mm pulley , exhaust upgrade etc. crazy fast with no turbo lag. Can’t say it’s uncontrollable but it  will spin the wheels in all the gears if that’s what you’re into. Sounds great too Had 280bhp soarer Tt which I sold soon as I had the golf on the road . The golf would leave it for dead. Would love a drive in a turbo golf to compare I’ve also heard Abf is great too and there easily got and not too expensive. Track day which would be the weapon of choice?Answers on a post card.


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Same as gafo, I had a g60 in the cabby I've recently sold.
It was addictive and fast , around 200bhp and sounded ace but the whole point of that car was for it to be a bit of a laugh and it delivered.
Theres an oettinger 8v in my red mk1,not as fast, approx 150bhp but that car is my baby and I drive it like an old lady so its got more than enough grunt.

The ideal amount of power for you really depends on how you use the car.  
16v kr makes a good fun all rounder for daily/weekend toy/trackday thrasher

Cheers all , the replys have all been great and really interesting . Going to get it sorted to original spec first , hence the thinking  ahead and gathering  all options . Regards the Oettinger what bhp and torque was standard ? And what was done to the 8v engine ?