i have a p reg mk3 polo and I'm toying with the idea of doing an engine conversion as i personally think that my 1.4 8v engine is lacking quite a bit of 'oomph'

i really like my polo and dont want to change the car

I've never done a conversion before so this is all new to me

i will be on a tight budget so most of the work will be done at home

I'm looking at uprading the engine to a minimum of a 1.8 or 2.0 (unless turbo/supercharged ) a V6 would be fantastic!

does anybody know an engine that would be quite easily sourced that will fit with minimal costs and effort(as its my first conversion), which engines will fit(if any) with the same mountings and will i have to change my gearbox or any other parts?

I'm really excited about this project but i need some guidance.....

thanks in advance

:-D

Edited 17 April, 200818 yr by Andy0902

16v will fit and this is probably the easiest but the others below will give you a shit load more 'oomph' if your wanting more than the 16v's 100bhp then these are your other options:

1.8t has been done and is most popular IMO

vr6 would probs be too much of a ballache

and a 20vT would be loads of effort aswell.

Id say you will need to change the gearbox as the extra power will just shred the 8v box.

16v will fit and this is probably the easiest but the others below will give you a shit load more 'oomph' if your wanting more than the 16v's 100bhp then these are your other options:

1.8t has been done and is most popular IMO

vr6 would probs be too much of a ballache

and a 20vT would be loads of effort aswell.

Id say you will need to change the gearbox as the extra power will just shred the 8v box.

i really fancy the 1.8T seen a few for cheap on ebay

does anybody know what needs to be done to make this engine fit?

and what i will need....or just point me in the right direction

theres one with a 1.8T from an S3 in this months edition of PVW but it doesnt give much info on how it was done

An R32 on bike carbs would be quite easy,i should think.

16v will fit and this is probably the easiest but the others below will give you a shit load more 'oomph' if your wanting more than the 16v's 100bhp then these are your other options:

1.8t has been done and is most popular IMO

vr6 would probs be too much of a ballache

and a 20vT would be loads of effort aswell.

Id say you will need to change the gearbox as the extra power will just shred the 8v box.

1.8t IS the 20vT... And just as much work as fitting a VR6.

Both have been done before, and both are a bastard.

An R32 on bike carbs would be quite easy,i should think.

... i heard you can put them in the boot quite easily ...

i agree with mike , deffinatly

it going to cost alot mate if u put either 20vt , 1.8t , 225bhp TT lump , or even a ibiza cupra lump

i agree with mike , deffinatly

it going to cost alot mate if u put either 20vt , 1.8t , 225bhp TT lump , or even a ibiza cupra lump

probs not as much as buying an R32 though

i agree with mike , deffinatly

it going to cost alot mate if u put either 20vt , 1.8t , 225bhp TT lump , or even a ibiza cupra lump

:lol: could put a mk4 golf gti turbo engine in it. or the 5V turbo.

you will need a donor car, since you'll need the full loom/ecu. possibly cut and shut driveshafts or track width change, you'll need the clocks (so basically the whole dash too)

if you're

A: doing it 'at home'

and

B: its your first conversion

Then you'll really need to rule out the 20vT or the vr6, especially if you fancy getting a motor off ebay.

"does anybody know an engine that would be quite easily sourced that will fit with minimal costs and effort(as its my first conversion), which engines will fit(if any) with the same mountings and will i have to change my gearbox or any other parts?"

the only engines that fit that description are other mk4 engines.

i agree with mike , deffinatly

it going to cost alot mate if u put either 20vt , 1.8t , 225bhp TT lump , or even a ibiza cupra lump

you will need a donor car, since you'll need the full loom/ecu. possibly cut and shut driveshafts or track width change, you'll need the clocks (so basically the whole dash too)

i read in PVW that you have to have custom drivshafts made up...i think it shouldnt cost much as i have good friends who own fabrication shops

sounds silly....but does anybody know what i can make the driveshafts out of?

Edited 17 April, 200818 yr by Andy0902

anybody?

You would use the four original driveshafts, cut and shut to make two with the correct joints on each end. However, this is not recommended to do yourself, as they need to be perfectly balanced or they'll shake the car to bits.

You can get a pro custom set made up for £190.

The biggest problem you're going to have if you want to go for a 1.8T is the size of it compared to the polo engine bay. Custom engine mounts, custom pipe routing, etc etc. Then the electrics, I dont know if it would be possible to integrate the 1.8T ECU with things like original clocks, then you need to custom mount the 1.8T clocks... the list goes on and on and on...

If this is your first engine conversion do something 'simple' (I use that word gingerly) like a mk4 valver engine. You need experience before you go rushing into a big swap otherwise you're getting to end up paying someone alot more to finish the job you haven't been able to do properly.

Have a search on here, as there's plenty of information.

Other problem with a 1.8T is the extra weight you're putting in the front of the car, handling is going to suffer. You'll also need to upgrade suspension and brakes etc etc... Then think about getting the power down to the road...

If you really want a completely different engine, Id go for something like the lupo GTi, 1.6 16V; 125 standard, and tuneable with cams etc etc to 150-160. Or whack a turbo / supercharger on a 1.4 16V for 180 bhp or so... There's so many options you could go for...

There's quite a bit of info on tuning the small block VW engines on clublupo.

You would use the four original driveshafts, cut and shut to make two with the correct joints on each end. However, this is not recommended to do yourself, as they need to be perfectly balanced or they'll shake the car to bits.

You can get a pro custom set made up for £190.

The biggest problem you're going to have if you want to go for a 1.8T is the size of it compared to the polo engine bay. Custom engine mounts, custom pipe routing, etc etc. Then the electrics, I dont know if it would be possible to integrate the 1.8T ECU with things like original clocks, then you need to custom mount the 1.8T clocks... the list goes on and on and on...

If this is your first engine conversion do something 'simple' (I use that word gingerly) like a mk4 valver engine. You need experience before you go rushing into a big swap otherwise you're getting to end up paying someone alot more to finish the job you haven't been able to do properly.

Have a search on here, as there's plenty of information.

Other problem with a 1.8T is the extra weight you're putting in the front of the car, handling is going to suffer. You'll also need to upgrade suspension and brakes etc etc... Then think about getting the power down to the road...

If you really want a completely different engine, Id go for something like the lupo GTi, 1.6 16V; 125 standard, and tuneable with cams etc etc to 150-160. Or whack a turbo / supercharger on a 1.4 16V for 180 bhp or so... There's so many options you could go for...

There's quite a bit of info on tuning the small block VW engines on clublupo.

i never thought of lupo gti

that sounds very tempting...I'm not after massive power...i just want more power lol

p.s. can somebody confirm wether a 98 p reg is a mk3 or mk4?

technically its a mk3 but most people on here would call it a mk4, call it a 6n and you cant go wrong.

since its your first conversion id go for a 16v out of a 6n and then mess about with throttle bodies and stuff so you learn more about how everything on the engine actually works and you will then be able to fix it when it goes wrong

technically its a mk3 but most people on here would call it a mk4, call it a 6n and you cant go wrong.

since its your first conversion id go for a 16v out of a 6n and then mess about with throttle bodies and stuff so you learn more about how everything on the engine actually works and you will then be able to fix it when it goes wrong

everything and everybody says my car is mk4 but reading wikipedia that says its a mk3...so thanks for that

I've been looking into all kinds of engines for my swap and the one that most impressed me is the lupo engine, coupled together with that 6speed box i think its a winner, my dads an ex mechanic so i think together this could be a great project

I don't understand why you need custom driveshafts... Why can't you just use Mk2 Golf bits? Mk2 Golf wishbones are the same, so the track is the same, then use those driveshafts, and hubs...

I don't get why everyone is going on about custom this, custom that. All you should need to do "custom" is the engine/box mounts.

Can someone who's done the conversion expand on why everything has to be custom?

is the track width of a 6n really the same as mk2 golf?

if you can use mk2 golf hubs, can you then use the mk2 golf shocks? or are they the same as 6n too?

I'm gonna get on ETKA in a min and have a looksy.

On saying that I don't know if the track is the same or not... The wishbones are the exact same, but the subframe isn't so the track could well be narrower on the Polo.

The front end is pretty much the same, it's the rear that's different. Mk4 Polo and Mk2 Golf shocks will bolt on to each other, but the Mk4 stuff is a lot shorter than the Golf stuff.

If you don't need massive power to quench some pointless thirst for willy waving numbers to blurt out at the pub then you really don't need to look at 1.8T, 2.0 or V6 conversions.

You could start with a 1.4 16v AFH from a Polo 16v. Fit that to your car and enjoy 100bhp...from there you can do various things to it to raise the power passed 130...150 and maybe 160bhp.

You could fit a G40 engine. Anywhere from 120-160bhp without too much effort...160-200bhp available with some thought...more than enough for a Mk4 Polo.

The two options above I'd think would be the easiest/most cost effective ways to get more ponies under the hood of a Mk4 Polo.

The Lupo GTi engine is much and such the same as the Mk5 Polo GTi engine. The 6 speed gear box apparently presents a major issue. Totally different design and very difficult to fit. Mk5 Polo GTi gearboxes have quite a high failure rate and are best avoided. From what I've read over the last few weeks the Mk4 AFH is a much better engine than the 1.6 found in the Lupo/Polo GTi. I believe its down to the design of the valve train. Some of the internal components (pistons etc.) from a GTi can be fitted to the 1.4 AFH to make it a 1.6 AFH...which brings more scope for increased power.

Edited 17 April, 200818 yr by Tav

The best engine comes from the later block and 1.6 16V GTi internals (AVY engine), coupled to the earlier 1.4 16V (AFH engine) head. The later head uses roller rockers and hydraulic tappets which are supposed to limit at around 200bhp, it also has two timing belts, meaning the cam timing cannot be adjusted between the two easily. The earlier head uses one timing belt for better set-up, so twin verniers allow full set-up of the cams accurately, it also does not use the hydraulic tappets and roller rockers, making it stronger. However, the heads are not a straight swap, there is one or two small things need changing, but it can be done, and in-fact there is a guy (mitch, IIRC) over on clublupo doing just that right now.

The lupo 6 speed gearbox uses a hydraulic clutch; this can be swapped over, but apparently is not the easiest job in the world. As said, the polo GTi gearbox does not use the hydraulic clutch, but is supposed to have a higher failure rate; when all is said and done though, from what I can see and have read, they're actually the same box. One is hydraulic driven, one is standard; and the six speed just has an extra gear, and slightly shorter gear ratios because of this, however it is not a 'different' 'box per-say, it is actually the same design.

I'm in the middle of a 1.4 turbo project, which is now a 1.6 turbo as the internals are literally a bolt in/out as has been said. However, on standard internals you can tune the 1.6 16V to approx. 150 with cams etc. This is going to be testing the gearbox as it is... If you wanted to run to 180 or so you can easily add on nitrous which can be used on the track only, not constantly stressing the engine like a turbo would... I'm soon going to be running my engine N/A for this year and after the remap Ill have some figures of what can be got from them; I'm hoping 145 or so with the cams, and 175 with the nitrous... I'm starting to wonder whether all the extra hassle is really worth it for a turbo, and not that much extra power. Unless you run nitrous and turbo, but then you're looking at uprating internals as they wont handle much past 180ish (I say conservatively...)

One of the guys over on clublupo has been running a 1.4 supercharger with approx. 180 bhp for quite awhile with no problems, so maybe a bit more can be squeezed out, but then there goes reliability...

i just want to say that this thread and forum is awesome and sound advise has been given!

i think i was being a tad niave thinking i was going to do a 1.8T or even a VR6 for my first conversion

ill just do a bit of research into smaller 16V engines and ways i could tune it at a later stage.

i'd love to know about the drive shafts though on the golf mk2

which is the best 6n engine for potential tuning capabilities?

would a 6n2 GTI engine fit my 6n?

Edited 18 April, 200818 yr by Andy0902

Andy just like yourself i was considering a 1.8t conversion either the 225bhp AMU APX BAM engines out of a TT or the 150 brake outta the ibiza, like yourself i had a 1.4 8v polo but i had bad gearbox trouble and had to replace the box which was a hassle finding the same linkage etc. i went and bought a 1.4 16v 100bhp and with a few mods such as upgraded leads and spark plugs full stainless and 4 branch the 1.4 16v was impressive it was nippier than i ever imagined it to be. the gearbox in my 16v has went recently too i think its the bearings in the diff and is currently off the road so i was thinking of doing a conversion for more power but like yourself I've never done a conversion and people just think your nuts.

i have been researching it for weeks now and i just want my polo to stand out and be quick as polos aren't known around for being fast cars well the 6n especially. my dad is into his mrk 2 gtis with all the spares needed if you reqire any parts or mrk3 and 2 polos such as the coupe. if i can be of help to you.

I'm starting to have second thoughts over the conversion as it will be highly expensive. though if anyone could be any more help with tunning a 1.4 16v engine or what engine code is a 1997 1.4 16v engine cause i was told that the newer 1.4 16v engine 2000 onwards are better blocks to tune but i aint gonna spend the money on another 1.4 block when i have one and is is there really that much difference in the 1.6 gti engine cause i could just change the engine and keep my 4 branch and exhaust system and gearbox etc although the gear box is still limited to 128mph so it will really just be acceleration I'm changing cause i can already hit 128. plus i know there 125 standard but mine isnt far from the 120 mark and i dont wanna use or try teh 6n2 gearbox

It looks like I'm gonna have to get my gearbox refurbed and i may as well get the car ready again for the road again cqan anyone suggest decent bearings or that for the gearbox as vw's are poor and i want the gearbox to take a bit of abuse plus could i get much more outta my 1997 block as i would like to get a bit more outta it and keep the car sleeperish. I'm not a fan of turboing a small block but what sorta gains is there from supercharging or throttle bodies, carbs etc.

ill get a few images up of the motor soon

were would i source decent pistons etc or can any one give me a list of what i could change cause it would be very helpful to me thanks

Edited 21 October, 200817 yr by johnbrennan

alrite peeps i to have a 8v polo and want to do a conversion to but dont know what i want.lol same prob as you guys but iv been told ibza subframefits the mk4 and then you can put what ever you want but insurance i a prob i got branch manifold decat on mine but finking a 1.416v would my manifold fit