New and need help!!!

Hello everyone, i'm new but not to mk1's, this is my 4th.   Although i love the thing and i've had it for 12 months now my little 1300 driver is terminally ill. :cry:  The engine is on the way out and i want to replace it. I don't want the fastest golf in the country but i've always fancied a 16-valve. Problem being cost, what the cheapest and least hassle to fit? So i don't come out of the garage feeling abused, i don't mind if its a standard 1.8 if it will slot straight in but i've heard they won't??? :dontknow:  

Big blocks wont fit because engine mounts are different. Cheapest would be a donor 80's polo engine (1.3). Which is a straight swap. I've seen 16v 1.4 engines for sale in the past starting around the ?350 mark but I think it would be a hassle to fit and wire. Look for a 1.3 and fit a good secondhand weber plus fit a decent exhaust system. Check out specialist vw garage and web shops. As sometimes they have ex project engines that there selling of cheap.

:? cheers, i'll look into that, how much work is a 1.6 or 1.8 gti engine into a driver? just thinking there will be even more of those lying around, and i've been told by my mechanic they're alot more reliable so theres less risk?  :dontknow:

For most people it works out cheaper and easier to buy and insure a GTi rather than modify a small block carb model. I would certainly check your insurance as a first step.

To fit a GTi engine (properly) you will have to fit :
- GTi fuel tank
- GTi high pressure fuel lines
- GTi fuel pump and accumulator
- modify engine and rear wiring harness for FI parts (pump and relay, cold start valve, warm up regulator, oil temp gauge)
- uprated GTi brakes
- front and rear anti roll bars
- GTi shorter front springs
- GTi wider wheels/tyres
- GTi front spoiler
- fuel injection metering head with injector lines and filter
- larger GTi radiator
- GTi gearbox
- GTi right hand engine mount

And exhaust

Wow, didn't realise it was that big a job. I'll prob have a look for a reconditioned engine for mine then, or a polo job. Thanks for that. I'll go on a hunt for a gti in the new year. :mrgreen: