some advice please

I just bought a 83 gti, i just want to know what the best n/a motor would be.  I already posted this once but no one is  replying.  Thanks for the help guys, since im a newb

Whats a n/a motor?

Dj Ev said

Whats a n/a motor?

non turbo or super charged

Best? 3.2l VR6 from an R32, modified with a decat, wild cams, port & polished head and 6-2-1 manifold, custom exhaust system, chipped, running with some octane boosting fuel additive all the time!

Would that fit in a mk1 :dontknow:

Dj Ev said

Would that fit in a mk1 :dontknow:

I think so, I think the VR6 is the largest capacity motor which would physically fit. People have put V8s in but they 'converted' the car to in-line engine and rear wheel drive, this requires lots of changes to the bulkhead and intrusion into the interior.

aren't VR6's too heavy and ruin the Mk1 handling?

can be done though, there was an orange VR6 from USA in performance VW a couple of months ago, looked very nice, and over 300Bhp  8O

PhillTMK1GTI said

aren't VR6's too heavy and ruin the Mk1 handling?

can be done though, there was an orange VR6 from USA in performance VW a couple of months ago, looked very nice, and over 300Bhp  8O

Yeah, the handling is compromised with the VR6 up front, even with a decent suspension set up. I wouldn't mind seeing a Mk1 with the new Golf 1.4 SC/T 170bhp engine in it. Powerful and light with good tuning potential.

Pablo16v said

PhillTMK1GTI said

aren't VR6's too heavy and ruin the Mk1 handling?

can be done though, there was an orange VR6 from USA in performance VW a couple of months ago, looked very nice, and over 300Bhp  8O

Yeah, the handling is compromised with the VR6 up front, even with a decent suspension set up. I wouldn't mind seeing a Mk1 with the new Golf 1.4 SC/T 170bhp engine in it. Powerful and light with good tuning potential.

I think it depends what you want the car to be like once done. For drag racing, then VR6 with an auto transmission, or some type of launch control, is going to be the best (fastest) solution. For road use, then you will also want to keep the weight down at the front too, so you're limited to 4 cylinder engines, which means less capacity, which means less potential power. Since the original question said normally aspirated, then that counts the G60 and 1.8T conversions out. So you're left with:

Tuning original DX 1.8 8V
1.8 16V
2.0 8V engine transplant
2.0 16V engine transplant

In this scenario, I think I'd be tempted with a fully-rebuilt 1.8 16V but bored out to 2.1, or something.

Does nobody remember Peachy?  The first Mk1 VR6 conversion in the UK.

My choice of VAG engine would be a 6a 2.0 Audi block with a KR 16v worked cylinder head, high lift cams, Mk3 2.0 16v inlet manifold and injectors running on Megasquirt and this will give you the best part of 200bhp.

My choice of best normally aspirated engine to fit in the bay would be a Honda V-TEC - there is NOTHING to touch them!

Also consider Fiat/Lancia Twin Cam, Vauxhall 2.0 16v Red Top or Citron/Pug 2.0 16v 180 engines.

I remember Peachy, but only vaguely. I also remember that twin engine 2x VR6 car.

I'd be interested to know the specifics of how you go about an engine swap from a different maker. Assuming you'd have to get a custom bellhousing, would that push the width too wide to then fit? What about clutch mechanisms? Engine mounts -all custom fabricated?