DX Engine Capabilities

Hi Everyone,

I'm one that's always loved the idea of having a turbo'd or supercharged MK1. But have just bought a MK1 GTI Campaign that needs a little work to make it look great. So have come to the conclusion that a show standard, standard MK1 GTI is a great prospect and also probably a better investment long term, but as always I'm after a tad more than the 112bhp it first came with!

So my question is (having looked a bit and not finding much) how far can you take the 1.8 GTI DX engine? Looking at renewing the bottom end (shells seals etc) - possibly getting it balanced and the head port/ polished, new cam - essentially the best it can be. Just as an idea of the power I can aim for and or the experiences you have had with doing one like that.

Thanks for looking

Adam.

hi mate see my thread on here titled 8v turbo technics helllllp its looking like someone has turbo'd a standard dx engine so all my info and greif is on there hope this with shed some light on turboing it

Hi Adam

Good to hear you want to keep your find standard.

I'm all for it and these cars properly set up will deliver adequate performance, whilst retaining their original qualities and without having to uprate tyres, brakes and suspension components.

This is my personal view and I'm sure others will have their own interpretaions!

My car has been completely rebuilt including the engine. However it was in such good condition at 109,000K that only the following parts were replaced for my peace of mind as I use it daily:

Cambelt
Piston Rings
Valves Stem Oil Seals
Valve Guides
Oil Pump
Gaskets as appropriate

All work was done by Ian at WagenWheels

It only has a K&N panel filter and a Jetex mild steel exhaust.

At VW Action last year it returned a sub 16 second 1/4 mile and it pulls like a train and will go to 5500RPM in 5th with the needle having long gone off the end of the Speedo! Not that I've ever tried it of course and would ever condone this action.

Food for thought!

Cheers

Peter

Hi Adam,

I'm doing a resto at current on 83 Gti and want to do similar with my engine. I rebuilt it about 15 years ago after it threw a shell, and it is now running OEM oversize pistons (there was significant scoring on two of the bores) so I think it's capacity is just over 1800cc as opposed to the 1780 cc of an original engine. At the time I did the build I didn't have any spare cash to do any balancing or the like, but after a Gbox failure I took the car off the road and have been very very very slowly restoring it (currently awaiting a spray job).
What I will be doing is re-placing all the gaskets and seals on the engine as it has been sat for so long and will take the opportunity to get it balanced. I'll probably replace the injectors as well. I'm toying with having the head ported and a mild cam fitted but that will add another 400 notes to the build.
I remember reading on a another forum that it would be possible to get about 120bhp out of the DX engine with a ported head, mild cam, manifold, early MKII throttle body, and 16v warm up regulator - but all those things add up, and for not much gain.
I think I'll concentrate on getting the bottom end balanced, and make sure the fueling is spot on. I always liked the way the std engine performed.
Be very interested to know what you decide to do…

Jason

The above power claim is about right. Generally, the route to more power from the DX is to make it rev higher - which means balancing the bottom end, and also doesn't do anything for the power low down (indeed, too hot a cam will make it worse in part-throttle etc). Great for headline power figures and track days but day-to-day driving, not so important.

Turbocharging is a different kettle of fish, effectively its like a capacity increase but with the benefit of the (1.8 ) capacity at low end/part throttle, so it shouldn't hurt fuel consumption too much. Supercharging is similar but the fact that its driven all the time means its like a capacity increase all the time, ie slightly worse fuel economy.

Engine conversions are a bit of a step up from tweaking the existing engine but can work out cost-effective.

Do the 2 ltr conversion, dosnt massively increase power (3 bhp) but makes for a torquey civilised drive and is one of the easier conversions.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replys, at the moment I'm inclined to keep it fully standard and seeing how it goes, because at the moment I agree with you paceman - I love how it performs - even with 187k on the clock it still pulls and gets peoples heads turning…. In Barnsley anyway :p. I may look for more power in a G60 later on after looking at too many videos on youtube and the apparent warp-speed it produces, and reading an article in a VW mag about a german fella having a G60 blueprinted/ balanced and rebuild gettig an avg. of 250BHP from it, but not sure that you would want 140MPH + speeds in a MK1. But first impressions though, its going to replace my Ford as my daily, compared to the Golf both being a 1.8 well its a slouch but probably weighing in at 500-600 kg more better MPG as well !

Also just joined as a full member

Cheers

Adam