engine swops for a mk1 - drivers review?!?

i am thinking like as most people, no doubt, along the line of an engine swop for my mk1 (cabby).

i have read many a build thread, but i have never found what any one thinKs after they have done it.

for example, if you have a 1.8t, how do you find running costs or maintance etc.
or if your running a TDI - agian whats it like months down the line?!? is it worth the swop

im looking for a reliable engine that will return good mpg as i want to use it to go from bristol to devon, maybe twice a month for the weekend and will carry surf and camp gear.

i am hoping this will give me - and maybe others a better idea of what engine to use if they are planning to swop for what ever purpose.

cheers

jay

hi mate,

I have a 20vt AGU in my cabby.   It is awesome.  Made the car lots of fun, low boost for cruising and high boost for ripping. Simple as that, mine is 240BHP and it gets good mpg when I want it too.  I drove from Newcaste to Edinburgh recently and used a quarter of a tank, that was on low boost running 102 Ron that I bought in Adenau, Germany.  I was cruising all the way, staying out of boost as my diff was wrecked and I was just trying to get it home.  020 gearbox's and the nurburgring dont match!  02A with 02J shifter and 02J shift tower fitted now tho!
My missus is from Cheltenham and I drive it down there from Edinburgh, its a tank down and a tank back. Same as her punto 1.2 8v. Thats me having a bit of fun too.

To be honest mpg is greatly dependent on how you drive but I would change nothing, its fantastic.  Do it right tho first time tho, get a good box and shifter mech also fit hydro clutch, wish I'd done that first time round!

The AGU is a great engine, strong and economical.  Get it done.

Cheers, JJ

thanks for the advise.

i have a 1.8t mk4 atm. running 220.

and i love it, was thinking about going that way. but dont know wether to go diesel.

when you economical what mpg are you getting mine does about 30 mpg if im careful that sound average.

have only  had it a few months so not really done any long trips so have yet to really test the mpg. its just i go cornwal way 2 times a month at least in the summer and want to use the cabby. so thats what has pulled me away from the 1.8t.

my girlfriend is lso at cheltenham for uni. so in a few weeks ill be going down so will see then.

do you find that the 1.8t make the steering heavy or have you fitted the power steering etc.

cheers jay