Which engine for a mk1

[SilverGTI]

Was just wondering what different engine conversions you can/can't fit into a mk1.

Is there a certain spec of Volwswagen based performance engine where they become just too big for the bay of a mk1 or can they all fit?? For example would an 20v T engine fit or even an R32 engine fit ok?

[DubFan]

The engines from the Mk2's fit nicely with only changing one engine mount (I think). The best budget engine swap being the Mk2 1.8 16v engine, easily available, and a quick swap. Obviously this also includes the 1.8 8v G60 engines.
The engines out of the Mk3 Golfs can fit fine, but require more work, eg subframes and mounts. But that can give you anything from the 2.0 8v to the 2.0 16v (150bhp) or the 2.8 VR6 (170bhp). But the VR is a heavy lump, so you need to take that into account. You'd probably also need to swap the running gear, axels and hubs and of course the brakes.
The 1.8 20v T engine will fit, but requires more work and costs more. You'll need to think about the running gear, and what gearbox and clutch to use to cope with the power.
A larger engine will also require you to beef up the suspension to deal with the weight, and better brakes to stop the thing.
There has been plenty written about these swaps on here by people with more knowledge than me.

[tomo320]

what car do you have to start with mate? as there are different routes you can go down...

[smc]

you might be better off sticking with a 4-cyl; would the heavier engines turn it into a GT (with ponderous handling) and would the turbo engine diminish the character of the car?

[SilverGTI]

Cheers for the info, just wanted a few things cleared up as I had a few random idea floating through my head. 

If I was ever gonna upgrade a mk1 to the max though I would start with a GTI slave car, i've noticed a few cheap spares or repairs on e-bay in the past few weeks. I guess this would be the best route as this model was probably designed to be capable of withstand more excessive forces and be easier to upgrade. I may be wrong though as I have no definite knowledge of mk1 yet.

At the moment i have a 1978 1.6 LS, she's in a bit of a sorry state at the mo but i'm gonna restore her as best I can, gonna leave her engine in too if I can get it to run 100% or close anyway, as this will keep her totally original.  But thinkin about what i've got ahead of me with this car got me thinking about what else could maybe be done in ways of modification if ever I decided to take that route. I came to my own conclusion that a GTI would probably be the best for any heavy modding.. But as i've said that is an uneducated guess.

Seriously thinking about it though, I think a 16v engine would be enough, considering how light the cars are, havin a V6 or a turbo would probably just be too much ( maybe  lol)

Oh yeah, just one more question. Why did the G60's get made from the 8v engine and not the 16v? My logic tells me otherwise, but i really haven't got a clue! 

[benmk1]

Correct me if I'm wrong but vw did do a 16V g60 but it was a very limited motorsport editions (so prob 500 or less) and they were all L hookers, of course. But these are about as easy to find as the end of a rainbow, or an ottenger!

[jv]

^ Even less than that matey, around 70!

You can build your own but it's not cheap or easy - instead, it's a challenge. See BBM for inspiration:

http://www.bahnbrenner.com/

Or for a bit of info:

http://www.orz-motorsport.com/16VG60%20engine.html