what sort of power can be had from an abf engine?

as above, I know there 150 standard what sort of mods are reqired to get this up and how up can it be taken?

Ditch the cat, run it on aftermarket management or K-jet (and set this up properly, using a wideband lambda and rolling road), port & polish the head and match the inlet manifold and exhaust manifold, and you're looking at a reliable 170bhp, maybe 180bhp.

have you got an abf in one of yours?
how much power does that give you?

Nope, but its not a million miles away….9A. The ABF has a slightly wider inlet tract and the greater rod length means its smoother, also its cams are as good as the KR's cams (I have these in mine).

I don't know what power mine produces these days, not had it rolling roaded. But it can do 1/4 mile in 14.15 secs.

is there any advantage in running on carbs?

riosingh said

is there any advantage in running on carbs?

Some people like the sound and the "old skool" feeling of it. In terms of performance, there's no advantage to be had over a well set up fuel injection system. How you arrive at a well set up FI, might end up costing more than carbs if you are not too canny. For example, if you ditched the VW ECU and went for an aftermarket ECU, then had to visit the rolling road 2-3 times to have it set up, the costs could mount up.

So how would you go about setting up an abf on mechanical injection?

edit…
I see need a labada sensor and rolling road.

if you want more than 170 easily, get the extra cash together a go 20vt route

I was having a similar conversation with someone today about this. Basically, to make more than 180bhp:

1. You'll need to run electronic FI, the K-Jet is apparently unable to deliver the required fuel for really high power levels.
2. Simplest route is to raise the rev limit. Obviously if you alter the rev limit you need to also balance/lighten the bottom end (more money). And a hotter cam will mean you will get the most out of the top end, although you'd sacrifice torque and driveability simply for ultimate power output.

I reckon 210-220bhp is achievable from an ABF, once "everything" barring forced induction, is done to it.

i recall many moons ago, mark evans (any one remember him?) pulling 188bhp from a 2.0 16v on standard cams! i'd say 160/170 from a standard 2.0 16v using a decent 4 branch and exhaust plus air filter, is not a stretch.
 then it's a case of money and or driveability. head flowing and cams give good yields, then it's on to fuel and ignition. use the abf digipants or aftermarket management or cane the card and go for throttle bodies and aftermarket management.

how much are abf's usually and does much work have to be carried out to put one in?

sorry for the threadjack.

To physically put abf in larger engined mk1 is easy. will bolt up to existing g/box and uses existing mountings. to get it running involves a bit more effort.

well what would be involved if i wanted to put one in with twin 45's and get it running?

how much power can be expected from it? whats the difference between it and a 9a?

paul_c said

The ABF has a slightly wider inlet tract and the greater rod length means its smoother, also its cams are as good as the KR's cams.