Install a turbo on a mk1 Gti 1.8

Hi after much searching and patience i managed to buy a mk1 golf driver1.3 3 door which was fully converted into a Gti 1.8 by the previous owner. Now i am not an expert in these matters so just a little about the car and what was done.

Tsr piper cam
Ported and polished head
4 branch manifold
Complete stainless steel supersprint exhaust
Pulls extremely well in all gears and sometimes feels like i could do with a 6th gear. The engine what ever has been done is extremely fast reving.

As i am new to this i purchased a turbo last night and just wondering if this is a straight forward conversion or do i need to get many other bits and bobs. Anyway here is a pic of the turbo

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150671256162?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648

Hope that link works, pls tell me what your thoughts and ideas are and if any1 has done this before.


Am i wasting my time or can this be done?
Thanks in advance

It can be done, used to be a company doing this when the cars were current, but i think with the introduction of the 1.8 turbo engine from vw you are just making hard work for your self trying to do this.

(How) are you going to alter the fuelling, ignition timing and compression ratio?

"abfmk1" said

It can be done, used to be a company doing this when the cars were current, but i think with the introduction of the 1.8 turbo engine from vw you are just making hard work for your self trying to do this.[/

Is it too much of a job or too costly, obviously i can to do this so i figure a garage might be able to? :dontknow:

paul_c said

(How) are you going to alter the fuelling, ignition timing and compression ratio?

 :? thats my reason for posting on here, i thought maybe 1 of the pro's on here might be able to shed some light on this conversion, i am being silly, i just figured it might be simple but obviously not. I am based in East Yorks, any recommendations of someone nearby or maybe further on, don't just want to sit with the turbo now that its purchased, thanks for the info so far much appreciated

The best hope would be to get the make/model of the turbo and post it here, to see if its the right one for a Mk1 1.8 engine, ie its more or less the right size. Its a long shot but it might be the same one that a turbo technics conversion is, for example.

Then its a case of someone with a GTI turbo car being able to guide you on what other custom parts they came with. For example, the 3 things I've already mentioned.

If you want to work it all out yourself, then I think you'll struggle, or have to do it by trial and error, and in doing so at the least you'll never quite achieve the promised power, and at worst could damage pistons/block if the fuelling or ignition are too far off at high power.

Sounds good i will list the info when the turbo is delivered and hopefully that will shed some light on whether its a go or not.Cheers for the sounds advice
(the joys of owning a mk1 golf)

Ok i received the turbo today and the plate on the turbo has this info

KK3 Turbo
038 253 014C V710
JA 7100 14843 00339
BV 39 A-0022

Does any1 know if this is a petrol or diesel turbo?? as 2 people seem to think its not a petrol turbo

Isn't the KK3 one of the std 1.8T Turbos, or am I thinking of the KO3?

Christ, I admire the lunacy of buying a random Turbo without doing research first…fair play to you if you go for it.

Firstly, what you have bought only forms part of the picture….that is not a 'turbo conversion' in itself.  So no, it will not be 'straight forward'  (Ie, fit parts off shelf and forget).  

Aside from the turbo hardware side of things you will want to convert the engine to Electronic (ECU) controlled Injection and ideally ignition.  Not impossible by any means, and has been done.  I'd scout the CGTI forums for more information on that side of things.

Personally, I'd say it's not a conversion worth spending money on.  Once you've factored on ECU, Fueling and ignition systems you may as well just have gone for a standard 1.8T engine which is designed to take it from factory and will crank out similar power before even tuning it.

Either way it seems like a whole load of hassle when the 1.8T is a common drop-in these days…and you current set up sounds sweet!

I do also understand that sometime it's not about the economics or logic it's because you 'want to', so fair play if you do go for i

Ok i am getting the picture now, maybe just do a 1.8t drop in as opposed to this which now seems so much hassle. Looks like i will leave the engine like it is for now and later look at some mods or changes.
Good advice all the way that's why i love this site
cheers

their is a lot more 2 it than just bolting it on  not that im saying it cant be done   but is also expensive i will do a quick list of things i can think of you would need a new exhaust manifold and a new downpipe fabricating to the rest of the exhaust system a bigger fuel pump the inlet manifold would need re fabricating to take the boost pipes from the turbo [which means re-designing the whole inlet manifold to create a nice flow of unburnt gases]   then their is the engine internals most turbo cars have forged internals like pistons if thewir not and you run a lot of boost you will just fry the pistons thenj you need a plug and play engine management system

i think the best way would be to buy a damaged 20vt and get a mega-squirt ecu or emrald and put all that in can be done for less than a grand id say but dont take my word on that cos cash soon goes lol

forgot to add an intercooler and loads of silicone hoses a universal front mount would do prob loads more i forgot about if you need to know anything else message me

You've bought it now - You might as well see it through!

If you can find an old Volvo turbo K-Jet fuelling system, you might be able to go down that route, rather than expensive ECU.
There was one on ebay a few weeks ago and I was sorely tempted to grab it "just in case" lol!

Still need to think about internals though, depending on how much boost that thing will generate.

AL_Mk1 said

You've bought it now - You might as well see it through!

If you can find an old Volvo turbo K-Jet fuelling system, you might be able to go down that route, rather than expensive ECU.
There was one on ebay a few weeks ago and I was sorely tempted to grab it "just in case" lol!

Still need to think about internals though, depending on how much boost that thing will generate.

are you talking about the fueling system off a b18ft engine if not which engine just for future refrence

Ok i am going to give this turbo a miss now and keep a look out for a 1.8t or 20vt. I jumped the gun a little so thats me done with this turbo.

I did mention though that i was told that this was a diesel turbo so can any1 confirm this by looking at the pictures and the info i supplied above?

vdu8mod said

Ok i am going to give this turbo a miss now and keep a look out for a 1.8t or 20vt. I jumped the gun a little so thats me done with this turbo.

I did mention though that i was told that this was a diesel turbo so can any1 confirm this by looking at the pictures and the info i supplied above?

Your turbo is from a 2002-2007 Polo with the ASZ engine. 1.9 tdi i believe.

Thanks mate, i have now got a refund after all the advice that this route will be very costly so i am returning it and will look at other means in the near future. Just had a look though as this setup on ebay is selling for around £300 +.
Again thanks for all the great advice