2.0 16v Conversion

[Andy Mc]

I'm maybe considering doing this next year but before I do, I have a few questions that I'm hoping people out there will be able to answer...

1, The average price of an engine seems to be around ?350, is it a case of simply take the existing 1.8 lump out and put the 2.0 lump in its place using the same mounts...?? Can my existing gear box be used aswell as my current mainifold (TSR 4 branch stainless)...?

2, I really don't understand car electrics, what and how much work is involved in wiring up the 2.0 to work in a mk2...??

3, Final question, how many man hours (roughly) for a compentent mechanic would it take to complete this installation...?

All answers to this would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers....!!

[Judderi]

Are talking about taking the 2.0 16v from a mk3?

[Andy Mc]

Yes I am which looks like the same you've had done to your motor, although some Passat's we're fitted with the same engine (am I right...??)

[DubFan]

You don't say which Mk2 you're planning to put it in.

If you already have a 1.8 16v, then I'd weigh up if it's really worth changing the engine as apposed to doing some quality engine mods to get more power out of the original engine.
Factory spec has the 1.8 16v at 138bhp and the 2.0 16v at 150bhp. So a few mods could get the 1.8 up to the same power as the 2.0 engine.

The mk3 2.0 16v engine is a complex (well to me anyway) beast with an ecu controlling it all which makes it slightly more prone to going wrong.
And from my experience owning a Mk3 16v and a Mk2 16v, I prefer the Mk2's engine. It's simpler, more raw, less to go wrong. Mind you I had quite a troublesome Mk3 (breakdowns, stalling, new custom cat conv, new dizzy, new clutch.....) and not all Mk3s will be like that.

If you're starting with a non-GTI mk2, you'll probably also need to get new engine mounts, new brakes and such.
A mk3 engine will need it's own wiring loom, I don't think you can use a mk2 loom with it, and I'm not sure whether you can use the same pedal box either.
You'd also have to think about the gearbox and clutch. If you have an old and worn mk2 gearbox and clutch you probably don't want to run a newer mk3 engine through it.
If you can get a 2.0 16v engine with gearbox and clutch for ?500 or less that's good, but you'll then need a couple of days of mechanic's time to do the conversion, assuming no problems. (My usual garage recently charged a mate of mine ?800 for a straight like-for-like engine swap when his engine blew up and that's including the engine for a V8 landrover)

My thoughts are, if you can get a good engine cheap and get the job done easily/cheaply but done well, then go for it. But if you already have a decent 1.8 16v then I'd spend the money modding/tuning that instead.

[doopydug]

I got my 9a engine from a passat and it was a straight swap - mechanic said it couldn't have been easier!

I was charged about ?500 labour but that included new belts, tappets etc!

[Judderi]

I had a mk2 with the mk3 abf conversion already done (sig pic-now sold). And now ive bought an origional 16v but with a passat 9A bottom end (which makes it a 2 litre) and to be honest i like the origional 16v with a 9A. My reasons are because although the ABF is very very fast top end it has no bottom end power. And the origional 16v with a 9A bottom end is very very fast and torqy bottom end but not as quick top end due to the gearbox. To be honest the 9A brings a bigger smile to my face as it tears up the tarmac beating anything off the line (except motorbikes). Plus as far as i have heard its a hell of a lot easier to do! I know an engine conversion sounds good but in my opinion not really worth it! Hope this helps and hasnt confused you.

[Andy Mc]

Cheers for all the responses guys....!!

I've had some mods done to my existing 1.8 lump (see my sig) but at the moment shes putting out less power then before. I've had her on the rollers and they couldn't sort it and blamed the head for being over ported (it took 4hrs and over ?200 for them to tell me this), but the were'nt vw specialist and really didn't know much about my engine. I've also been told that its a timing issue but I think the best thing I can do it stick it in with someone who specialises in dubs and see what they say. I've spent so much money and to have a motor that putting out less then before is a bit dis-heartening hense why I'm maybe thinking bout the conversion and cutting my losses. But before I do this I need a rough price, which you guys have given me. Failing that I could always speak to my bank and see if they are willing to lend me some money for a tt 225 conversion....!!

[VeeDubGTI16v]

take it to stealth everyone says they are the daddies for setting up 2.0l 16vs

[DubFan]

The 1.8turbo conversion is getting quite popular because the engine is versatile (tune it right up to 300bhp or more if you like) and because it can be sourced from a wide variety of cars (Seats, Skodas, VW and Audi).

I think Dizzy's conversion was ?5000 or so, but you do have to work out what you want. And if you've already paid for lots of mods, it might be worth getting a Dub tuning specialist to find out what's happening with that first.

[Andy Mc]

Yup, I'll be taking it to Stealth racing early next year and see what they say before deciding what to do.

Yesterday there was an A4 1.8T (150) and an A3 1.8T (180) down my local scrappy with the engines, loom etc still in the cars. Designadubs are not too far away from me and they charge around about ?5000 all in which I think includes the engine.