2l conversion - what block is best?

[darrren]

Ive done a search and im getting a bit confused to be honest. I picked up my golf gti 8v today so its going into my lockup next weekend. My original plan was to strip it all down new rings etc but ive thought while its out i may aswell do the 2l conversion. Ive looked at many posts on the topic but im hearing different things, audi 80 engine block,mk3 golf gti engine block (8v or 16v im not sure?). Im wondering which engine block is the simples to use, im after anything that will work with the digifant managment to be hoenst. Thanks alot and ill be getting some pics of the car up shortly for a project thread.

[tech1889]

Just fit ABF from a mk3 its pretty much plug and play from the research ive done.. ive got one here for mine so i hope its easy 

[Diamond Hell]

If you're staying 8V then a 2E or other Golf3 short engine will see you right.

Keep the oil filter housing and alternator etc on it though, as the block is taller and thus your 1.8 stuff won't fit.

[darrren]

Keep the oil filter housing and alternator etc on it though, as the block is taller and thus your 1.8 stuff won't fit.

As in Keep the alternator etc off the mk3 engine?? What about engine mounts etc does it just fit straight in?? And what about timing it all up, ive found a guide on here how to time the engine with the ignition timing as some people have trouble but what about using the 2l bottom end will all this change?

[Wayne]

Keep the oil filter housing and alternator etc on it though, as the block is taller and thus your 1.8 stuff won't fit.

As in Keep the alternator etc off the mk3 engine?? What about engine mounts etc does it just fit straight in?? And what about timing it all up, ive found a guide on here how to time the engine with the ignition timing as some people have trouble but what about using the 2l bottom end will all this change?

Nope as DH said use a 2e.

[darrren]

so i can use the alternator and stuff off my difigant with the 2E?? And with regards to the timing i found a thread about sombody who had trouble getting the ignition timing correct until sombody posted the guide about the reving it to 3k etc. I think his problem was down to not being able to adjust the dizzy cap like you can on the mk2 or somthing?? Like you loosen the nut and turn it to get it timed correct,is the distributor on the mk3 adjustable like this?? As it could cause big problems getting the ignition timing correct, thanks alot for all the help. I know ive asked alot but id rather ask alot and get it right than not ask all my questions and make a pig of it. Especially as ill be puttin alot of money into the car over the next few years.

[darrren]

also using the 2e block, am i still going to be able to fit a 4-2-1 manifold onto it or will this be a problem?

[Wayne]

also using the 2e block, am i still going to be able to fit a 4-2-1 manifold onto it or will this be a problem?

 

Edit see below DH knows everything.

[Diamond Hell]

No Wayne, you are wrong.

He should keep the 2E alternator and belt set up - it uses a serpentine belt and self-tensions, so it better.  He will need to keep the PS pump and gubbins and the awful V belt for that, to go with the serpentine belt.

I seem to recall the bolt spacings on the 2E are quite different in a lot of respects, except for the engine mountings.

He will also need to keep the filter housing et al because the 2E is a TALL block and the bolt-spacings are different.

If I recall correctly, to use the original dizzi from the 1.8 he may well need an adaptor ring - I think some two-bit outfit called TSR might do them.

He will probably be able to run a 4-branch manifold, but the clearance above it might be a touch close due to the additional block height.

 

[Mew]

If I recall correctly, to use the original dizzi from the 1.8 he may well need an adaptor ring - I think some two-bit outfit called TSR might do them.

Going back a couple of years now, but I'm pretty sure if you're running digifant then you can use the 2E distributor, if you're running k-jet then you'll need an adapter ring to run the k-jet distrubutor (I think)