Can you not get close to 200bhp on a 16v by having a mk3 2ltr bottom end with kr head and cams and a four branch manifold i was told this would give around 180bhp on its own when i was looking into it? and im sure this could be done for under a grand??
Depends on what you call close, I was on about 195 plus BHP as close.
Initial gains are fairly easy with bolt on parts, but once you have done those it becomes harder and more expensive to go further.
I have read differing reports about the kr heads and cams. Some say they are better, but most say the abf head and cams are better suited. Depends whether you are running Kjet or Digi I suppose as to which head you will stick on.
Search for Ess Three's post on tuning the abf, he has listed his modifications and backed them up with dyno runs at most stages to see what works and what doesn't. From memory he is at the "close" to 200bhp stage.
Paul