Rebuilding the 8v

[danj3000]

Right, i've taken the mk2 off the road now and am planning on restoring it to its former glory over the next year. I want to rebuild the engine but I am still undecided as to whether I do this with the stock 1.8l bottom end or 2.0l.

What I would like to know from people is what are the bits and pieces worth replacing when stripping the engine and rebuilding beyond the standard services parts and gaskets?

Also are there any uprated bits people would recommend putting on the engine? Bear in mind I want to retain the 8v character.

Cheers 

[jmsheahan]

Go for the 2.0 bottom end. If everything is in bits anyway and you are doing a full rebuild you may as well. Little more power, much more torque and just a more rewarding drive. Most of the parts swap straight over from the 1.8 block and you still retain the 8v revvyness.

Worth looking at a breathed on head, lightened flywheel and a fast road cam depending on your budget. Also consider a new clutch if you don't know the history.

If you have any specific questions I'll try and help as I've just done the 2.0 swap myself (no bottom end rebuild though).



Edit - also have a read through some of the 2.0 8v stickies (sorry for a link to another forum) http://clubgti.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=135 and also i.a.n.b's build thread (found this highly useful when researching) http://www.clubgti.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=141065

[danj3000]

Thanks for that jmsheahan. Over the last year I've compiled together another PB head and also mk3 dizzy needed for the 2.0l conversion. I'm guessing the 2.0l drives pretty much just like the standard 1.8l but with a little more grunt?

Reason i'm potentially deviating slightly from the 2.0l is a like the idea of keep things stock but then to be honest, where is the fun in that sometimes!!

[jmsheahan]

Thanks for that jmsheahan. Over the last year I've compiled together another PB head and also mk3 dizzy needed for the 2.0l conversion. I'm guessing the 2.0l drives pretty much just like the standard 1.8l but with a little more grunt?

Reason i'm potentially deviating slightly from the 2.0l is a like the idea of keep things stock but then to be honest, where is the fun in that sometimes!!

A fair point on originality however the 2.0 appealed to me due to the fact it still looks factory. Using a mk3 rocker cover freshens the look over the standard mk2 cover but other than that you'd barely know it was different.

Power wise pretty much yes. No real top end power gains over the PB but it pulls a lot better through the gears. Obviously 2nd and 3rd are the most fun however 5th is surprising- it just pulls and pulls from 70 onwards. Running a standard cam however a fast road cam would liven things up more.

[russ-vdub]

I stayed with the 1.8 bottom when i overhauled mine mainly due to know the engines history and I know how getting a 4 branch to fit can be tricky with the slightly tall 2.0 block, correct me if im wrong.

I pretty much took the whole thing to bits and replaced everything that wears like big end bearings etc etc, also got the crank, pistons and flywheel balanced up. Apparently one of pistions was 4grams heavier than the rest, random. I fitted a piper cam and pulley to head along with new stem seals, a port clean & polish and all the other seals. to be honest dont expect massive gains, just will get you back to standard power and a little more but it will run very smooth thru the gears.