Red Top 16v

Hi as any one done a red top 2l 16v in to a mark 1 running bike carbs ??? As i have a red top was going to drop it in one of my mini's but since i had my GTI was thinking why not .150bhp in a Astra gte standard so carb's and cam's would give you at least 200bhp ,with no major wireing and no ecu.

no ecu? how you going to control spark? engine mounts? gearbox? driveshafts?

Early red tops run a dizzy with a cossy cast head which took the the nova/astra black cap dizzy  that was a stand alone unit ie coil and coil pack so no crank or rev pick ups a mod used years ago was to fit a black cap dizzy to them to do away with the rev limiter .As for the drive shafts mix and match /cut and weld ,engine mounts would be the easy part , old saying if you cant buy them make them….. as for box i would run a Vauxhall box prob f13 diesel box and flywheel

90% sure its been done before so its definitely possible. Its going to need more tasks than a regular engine conversion. Basically:

- Custom standalone ECU (or carbs)
- Custom exhaust manifold and possibly system
- Use the gearbox which matches the engine
- Custom driveshafts with Vaux fitting on inner, and VW on the outer
- Make your own radiator mounts and find/fit one which is a good match in size and pipe layout
- Custom mount gearchange lever
- Customise clutch control if needs be
- Might need to remodel the chassis legs, if there's too little width (the Mk1 engine bay is quite narrow)

Note that wiring will include matching instrumentation eg rev counter, oil pressure, oil temp, coolant temp. For example you could fit VW sensors into the aftermarket engine, or use all aftermarket stuff.

Radiator is a little awkward because the VW Mk1 Golf rad is shorter (less tall) than most others. There seems to be a standard height of them which 95% are. Exceptions are VWs of the era (so, Mk2 Golf, 90s Passats too but not Corrado or Mk3 Golf), Vaux Corsa, maybe others too.

In fact, the above is a guide which suits fitting ANY engine into a Mk1 Golf (assuming FWD and transverse).

good points will have to take a good look when i dig her out  cant see there being a prob with clearance but will take a tape with me .They go in a cosa /nova which as a  smaller  wheel base .Off on hols Sat so will have a look when get back so watch this space…..