Engine conversion dilemma

so while I'm in the process of restoring my s1 the engine is another area I would like to upgrade if possible, my dilemma is that I'm totally unsure which route to go, the way I see it I've three options.

ive bought a donor 6n polo with a sound low mileage 1.4 16v car is complete and I can take whatever I need to run it, if I go this route I would prefer to run the full injection system as I really don't want carbs of any sort, I'm a bit baffles when it comes to the different gearbox edit Im gonna have to run though

ive got a higher mileage Abf engine sitting that I could use but really like the thought of staying with the smaller type engine

and lastly stick with my 1.5 and stick a 5 speed in it to make it more motorway friendly for travelling to shows?( what gearbox)

any opinions are are more than welcome 

jamiep said

so while I'm in the process of restoring my s1 the engine is another area I would like to upgrade if possible, my dilemma is that I'm totally unsure which route to go, the way I see it I've three options.

ive bought a donor 6n polo with a sound low mileage 1.4 16v car is complete and I can take whatever I need to run it, if I go this route I would prefer to run the full injection system as I really don't want carbs of any sort, I'm a bit baffles when it comes to the different gearbox edit Im gonna have to run though

ive got a higher mileage Abf engine sitting that I could use but really like the thought of staying with the smaller type engine

and lastly stick with my 1.5 and stick a 5 speed in it to make it more motorway friendly for travelling to shows?( what gearbox)

any opinions are are more than welcome 

I have the 1.4 16v engine on bike carbs, my only regret are the carbs! I wish I'd gone full injection route and spent the extra time and money on wiring. I wanted to run the carbs, always loved how they perform, look and sound! However in reality, they're a headache and not a practical choice.

The 1.4 is about 100bhp without any tuning which is a fun amount, and it's a super revvy and quick engine for the size. Go with that!

I've got to admit I am more inclined to go with the  polo set up as I'm not fussed on bigger hp numbers just something that's nice and responsive to drive that I can happily and reliably cruise to shows in, 

What gearbox and exhaust manifold set up do you have on yours? 

I've got a 4-2-1 stainless exhaust manifold on the AFH engine that runs into a powerflow stainless exhaust system - the two weren't a direct match but I had a local fabricator connect them up as I fitted the engine.

It's currently running an 085 5 speed box from a polo - think it needed some work to the mount to make it fit but apart from that the engine and box goes in fairly easy - as it's a small block there's plenty of room to work around it too. Next on my list is to clean up the engine bay properly.

wiring wise its not too bad really, once you strip it back you have 3-4 wires to the fusebox to get the ecu powered up and run your old sensors and wirign for dash, wiper loom etc. convert it to use an electronic ignition mk1/2 coil and tci unit as its more reliable and the revo signal will drive your clocks

George would you mind taking a few pictures of the mounts if you have time just so I've got something to compare against? 

Rubjohnny,  I've got to admit I think I'm going to have to let someone else take care of the wiring for me because I really am not confident enough unless I was to be guided through step by step by someone which is a big ask. 

well i can help if you fancy a try, i have diagrams if you need them too

i have done one before but the customer wanted the whole polo fusebox and loom converted to suit the mk1. but he wanted engine loom converted to run on carbs so kinda the opposite of what you want

I'm taking the golf to work in the morning so I'll snap you a couple of pictures!

rubjonny said

well i can help if you fancy a try, i have diagrams if you need them too

i have done one before but the customer wanted the whole polo fusebox and loom converted to suit the mk1. but he wanted engine loom converted to run on carbs so kinda the opposite of what you want

If it's not too much trouble for you then I might just take you up on the offer it will be a little while before I'm ready so will drop you a line nearer the time if that's cool.

georgeyv said

I'm taking the golf to work in the morning so I'll snap you a couple of pictures!

That would be great really appreciate it.

some pictures for you!
 
(thought i'd already posted this but had replied to the wrong thread with it!! oops!)

gearbox mount



front engine mount



drivers side engine mount (with alternator)

Thanks very much for taking the time to do that mate, all helps.

Rubjonny are there any bits i can be sourcing while i get the rest of the car sorted i.e. different fuse box etc mine has the ceramic s1 original in place.?

yeah i would recommend the ceramic box goes in the bin if possible, rubbish units those are. you could go for the ce1 blade from later mk1 then its pretty much drop in and go, or if you fancy more of a challenge a ce2 fusebox from a later mk2 or mk3.  if you find an early polo these use the same ce2 fusebox so the loom will plug right in, just need to strip it to tweak the routing and a couple mods for better fit to the mk1.

If your car was a 1500 before, it is set up for a big block. Your RH engine mount would need removing and rewelding in the small block position if you want to run the polo engine - the opposite to what everybody else does.

So I'm decided I'm definetly going down the 1400 16v route, as I said in my first post I've got the complete polo to remove anything I need so what do I need to steal from the polo to make this conversion easier? Driveshafts etc?? 

Also gearbox wise what Am I looking at getting a hold of and the code ? 

Just to ressurect an old thread, I'm just about at the stage of test fitting engines etc so I need some convincing which route I go down with the wee 16v 

Do I leave as standard and run on the standard ecu etc, if I do is there someone who can help step by step get me through this.

Or do I go down bike carb route and take an element of wiring hassle out of the picture but give myself a different headache with setup of carbs etc? 

Any thoughts would be appreciated 

entirely up to you, if it was me id go for the full management. its not too hard to wire up once you have it stripped down and the relevant pins ID on the loom, same as doing an abf or g60 wiring loom

rubjonny said

entirely up to you, if it was me id go for the full management. its not too hard to wire up once you have it stripped down and the relevant pins ID on the loom, same as doing an abf or g60 wiring loom

Yeah I'm pretty convinced it's the right way to go especially considering how I plan to use it once it's finished, are you able to help with a bit of step by step once I get closer to the time?  I'm just waiting on a later mk1 fuse box arriving then I will haul the 16v out the donor car.

No problem

Holy thread revival batman!

 Finally got round to pulling the engine from the donor car, so down to things I need/don't need I've obviously got all the engine side of the loom stripped out alongside the engine but what else do I need to be stripping from the polo?