right i no that there are plently of u about G owners.iv read alot of good stuff about them and how quick they are.

i just wondered what the performace figurs actually are?

standard and tuned.

and what sort of stuff do u get off the lights in one? (I'm wanting one in a couple of years)

o last question how do they compare to g60's?

cheers

Not bad for a 1.3l, easilied tuned aswell.

G's are great little motors.

I don't think there is much else out there to compare with them & with a little tweaking can embarrass alot of more expensive cars.

A comparison against G60's......they both PIMP hard!!!!!

fookin awsome little cars, pull like hell.....performance is mad from a 1.3...ultimate street sleaper

would i have one??.....No, seem to be too unreliable after you start tinkering with them

^^^ yep!!

But to be honest mines mildly tuned to circa 145bhp (est) and Its not let me down once.It does cost a bit to keep them happy tho as they get older and bits need doing.

bang-for-buck

Most are around 130 ish bhp.

a few grand gets you towards the better side of 180bhp

cant argue with that

G40's are quality, i had mine with an eaton on it (mini cooper supercharger) with 189bhp with standard block, crank, rods, pistons, cam and exhaust manifold which just goes to show how much abuse the engines can take!!

G40 superchargers can give up to just over a bar of boost on a 1272cc if in good condition on a 65mm pulley when ported which will give you somewhere between 145-175bhp depending on the spec/condition of the rest of engine set up, 1341cc engines can hit around 190bhp with all the toys fitted

Things to remember are that the gearbox and supercharger will need a rebuild at around 100k miles to be on the safe side, especially if you are planning on upping power and torque output. I would not recommend fitting a smaller pulley to a charger with unknown history as it is just not worth the risk of killing it.

Fair sized smile for the money... when it works

brilliant cars

dont forget though that some G40's are now having over £5k spent on engine rebuilds to get large amount of power

THERE FUCKING ACE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James, I think you have to understand the real reasons for owning a G40 before actually parting with any money.

I see from your avatar you own a mk4 1.4 Polo. Not much wrong with that, but they are just another small hatchback with lame performance, being pretty average at most things including normal running costs (unless you have a gearbox muncher like so many). You may enjoy owning this car, but fun they ain't.

A G40 is another ball game. You have to remember that they are basically a very old and simple design shopping car with a new set of clothes (well new in 1991) to make them look smart. Compared to a more modern car the ride isn't all that, the handling or more accurately the roadholding isn't much to write home about, the brakes are poor and they have virtually no luxuries such as electric windows, PAS etc. It doesn't sound like they have much going for them, and TBH they don't.

BUT, and its a big BUT, they are fun mainly because of their shortcomings. G40 performance is very good due to them being light, and they can be made very, very quick indeed with the right mods. The handling and brakes can be sorted too, but it all costs money. They generally cost a lot to maintain, particularly in comparison with other cars of the era ie Golf GTi etc.

You have to really want one to warrant buying one IMO. If you go out in one and come back thinking "wow thats really fast" and so on thats all well and good. But is that what you want all the time? Can you live without the comfort, reliability, luxuries and toys of a modern car just for the buzz? Thats why many people have them as a second car.

Fantastic laugh on a track day or at the Pod, great for a blast at the weekend etc. For every day use I'd sooner something else.

Just my opinion.

A G40 is another ball game. You have to remember that they are basically a very old and simple design shopping car with a new set of clothes (well new in 1991) to make them look smart. Compared to a more modern car the ride isn't all that, the handling or more accurately the roadholding isn't much to write home about, the brakes are poor and they have virtually no luxuries such as electric windows, PAS etc. It doesn't sound like they have much going for them, and TBH they don't.

Agreed. I bought mine for the engine, i dont go out in my car to cruise round with the windows down and my soundsystem going, i haven't had a headunit in a car for too long now, which is possibly why i now own a G40

Basically i revell in the mechanical quikyness of the engine, i know it's going to be high maintenance, but this is something i will enjoy (in between swearing), i cant help but tinker. If i wanted a "turn the key and go" car i'd drive something newer and better handling with a better chassis.. but this brings us to..

BUT, and its a big BUT, they are fun mainly because of their shortcomings. G40 performance is very good due to them being light.

Which makes the same power seem more alive, want a white knuckle ride?.. get a mk3 polo

Edited 27 December, 200718 yr by randombadger69

Ever since i went in a friends G40 a few years ago i wanted one!

Now i have one and i love it.

James, I think you have to understand the real reasons for owning a G40 before actually parting with any money.

I see from your avatar you own a mk4 1.4 Polo. Not much wrong with that, but they are just another small hatchback with lame performance, being pretty average at most things including normal running costs (unless you have a gearbox muncher like so many). You may enjoy owning this car, but fun they ain't.

A G40 is another ball game. You have to remember that they are basically a very old and simple design shopping car with a new set of clothes (well new in 1991) to make them look smart. Compared to a more modern car the ride isn't all that, the handling or more accurately the roadholding isn't much to write home about, the brakes are poor and they have virtually no luxuries such as electric windows, PAS etc. It doesn't sound like they have much going for them, and TBH they don't.

BUT, and its a big BUT, they are fun mainly because of their shortcomings. G40 performance is very good due to them being light, and they can be made very, very quick indeed with the right mods. The handling and brakes can be sorted too, but it all costs money. They generally cost a lot to maintain, particularly in comparison with other cars of the era ie Golf GTi etc.

You have to really want one to warrant buying one IMO. If you go out in one and come back thinking "wow thats really fast" and so on thats all well and good. But is that what you want all the time? Can you live without the comfort, reliability, luxuries and toys of a modern car just for the buzz? Thats why many people have them as a second car.

Fantastic laugh on a track day or at the Pod, great for a blast at the weekend etc. For every day use I'd sooner something else.

Just my opinion.

I think these are wise words

Definately wise words!

They're amusing but old cars, that can go reasonably swiftly for not a lot of cash - but were far from perfect even when new.

Not a good base for a drag racer or track toy - much cheaper cars to start with, but won't necessarily be as amusing as beating someone in an old shopping car!

wise words my only addittion would be...

consider the g40 next to the renault 5 turbo

a similar idea in general...good performancein a little hatch back...

the r5t is faster i dont care what anyone says...

BUT the G40 is FAST, 150times as reliable(in my experience) and doesnt have the chavvy persona which the r5t;s often get labled with...

the r5t wasmade for fun and was a great attempt from renault but the G40 was made with great quality (german engineering) and one which has been kept standard and looked after will still run reliably and rapid at 150k

but i am biased i own a g40 but have ad very bad experiences with other cars and this has NEVER let me down ONCE....

Any comments of fuel economy? I drive nearly 40 miles a day to work and back.. lol

on boost or off boost thats the Q?!?!?!

Off boost i cant believe how many miles it'l do

on boost its still good...

think only a very decent turbo diesel engine will offer the same sorta performance for the same mpg return ish.....

Any comments of fuel economy? I drive nearly 40 miles a day to work and back.. lol

I drive exactly 40 miles to work and back and i use my g40 as my daily driver. a full tank costs me £33 and i can get 255 miles out of that depending how i drive!

I put in £30 for the weeks fuel usually.

200 miles a week certainly builds up the milage but I'm not bothered as i keep it maintained, just passed 144k

I get about 30mpg from mine, it's around 150bhp.

If you can live without the luxuries they're big fun, and yes you do get a lot of POWER for the money, but bang for buck I'm not so sure.

They're majorly hit by scene tax, so as someone has already said, you pay over the odds for what is essentially an early '90s hatch with no extras or luxuries. This has never bothered me though.

But as far as bang for buck performance is concerned, if you spend a relatively small amount getting it over the 150bhp mark you then end up spending the same again getting that much power to work on the road. So, point to point bang for buck isn't fantastic.

But even stock it'll make you smile, the handling's an acquired taste though. :)

The handling as standard doesn't match up to many modern cars, but saying that I don't think it is as bad as some people say. Definately better than the lower spec. Mk3 Polo's (the uprated suspension components do help, as do vented brakes).

I was out in the GT yesterday with 7 other cars including a 106 Rallye, EK9 Type R and a Impreza Type R. Now these cars are all miles better in almost every way but, in the real world with everyone wearing their 'reasonably sensible' hat, I could just about keep up. I think I was working twice as hard as anyone else (just to keep them in sight) and I was probably much closer to the limits of the car. It was bloody good fun though.

Now with new suspension, subframe, replaced bushes (remember a lot of these cars are driving about on 15 year old suspension, how can that be good?) and some other chassis mods I have no doubt in my mind that the car would be more than a match for the 106 Rallye (what I see as a car to compare to, rather than some of high performance cars people always compare G40's too...it really isn't an Impreza killer) and probably keep with the EK9 as well...remember we're talking 'sensible' hat driving here, it might be a different story on the track or driving at ten tenths.

There is a really good car in there...it just takes some time, money, thought and elbow grease to tease it out. Personally I think the engine is one of the best I've ever used. Great power delivery across the rev range and the perfect match to the weight of the body. I'd be quite happy to have one with standard power...but I think 140-50 bhp would be more my thing...more power?...well...could be fun but I think for me it'd be taking the piss.

So sort the handling, fit some bigger/better brakes, de-restrict the engine and a few other tweeks and you'll have something that's worth shouting about.

If you want central locking, electric windows, a good stereo and an alarm you can buy and fit these. Air con is a no go though so they always steam up in winter and can roast your balls of in summer....small price to pay.

I also love how they look. Sensibly lowered on standard BBS wheels I think the Coupe is a genuinly awesome looking car. 40mpg + is do-able with a light foot and copious amounts of off boost driving.

Blah blah blah...

Now for some videos....

G40 w/ full blend charger and a 68mm and chip. It has a powerflow exhaust at the standard bore (makes a good note) and that's about it...power? No idea but might be between 120 and 130bhp? Maybe a few more? All cars are our friends except the Ford Escort, thankfully. All videos at Crail 1/4 mile.

G40 vs. Escort 2.0 16v:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26iCU7qDsz8

G40 vs. Honda Civic VTi (160-170bhp? Our friends, nice car):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H08ixjS9rbA

G40 vs. 850R (250bhp):

Just to show it doesn't always win here is the G40 getting it's ass handed to it by a very nice Corsa.

G40 vs. Corsa 2.0 16v w/ throttle bodies (200+ bhp belongs to one of the guys on our local VW forum, fast w/ N.O.S)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsbTcLVDRII

Edited 27 December, 200718 yr by Tav

Its a bit like pringles tho once you start modifying it. Once you pop you cant stop. I keep getting to a point with mine and thinking that will do. Then I think well if I just spend another £££££ it will be even better. in the end I've spent way to much money on mine and I still cant drive it at the moment lol.

some vids here in portugal from a friend of mine

ITR

so as u can see, G40 is a real pocket rocket, incredible performance for money

btw, my G40 on youtube

better engine sound, there is not :-D

Edited 28 December, 200718 yr by oc_nightmare

wise points here lads.

and i still want one, butimight be tempted by a G60. G of some kind tho