MK4 Engine Swap

[Brocky]

I have a 2001 MK4 1.4 16 valve which failed the MOT on emissions, looked over the car and it has a knock from the engine around 2500 revs, the owner also informs me it uses a lot of oil so Im guessing its piston slap, my question is Im thinking of buying this from him and fitting another engine and was looking at a 1.8 non turbo, would this fit and what would I need to change / modify?

any advice would be apprieciated,

[Wayne]

It would fit but is a lot of work for so little gain, your going to need a donor car as that will be the only way to get all the parts you need.

I would start by checking your insurance.

[Toby]

also. fit a 1.8 turbo  well worth it!   

[Brocky]

If I was going down the turbo route Id rather buy one as theyre cheap as chips, just thought rather than replacing the 1.4 engine I could fit a 1.8 at the same cost.

[jamie1989]

It would prop cost the same as swapping a 1.8t in your car as a 1.8 N/A engine.
Imo I would either leave it where it is or put a 1.8t lump init. Its not cost effective to put a 1.8 N/A.
 

[Brocky]

OK thanks for that, I thought a turbo conversion would cost around the £600 mark to complete, will have to give this some more thought as a 1.4 engine on Fleabay is around the same price as a 1.8 engine, will more than likely put the car up on Fleabay and sell it as it wont really be worth the investment, with a full MOT a MK4 1.4 has got to be only worth around £1000, will have to sleep on it 

[Toby]

Find a replacement 1.4 engine. Swap half a day and them
Sell it on and buy a 1.8 or 1.8t


Simples

[Brocky]

Yes I think thats what I will do, buy a replacement 1.4 engine, sell my MK2 GTI and buy a really nice 1.8T 

[cullygti]

put a 1.8t in the mk2  and keep 

[Michael]

I was always told .....

Don't build a car you can buy!

If you factor up the suspension changes, the brakes, the looms...etc... It'd be far cheaper to sell that and buy a T in the first place.

Also there's an issue insuring a up spec'd car engine wise. Often easier and cheaper to insure the genuine article rather than a home build.

It'll also be worth less than the genuine article too when you come to sell it on. People always assume that corners might have been cut somewhere and would rather the real McCoy.