1.8t vs retrofit turbo

[madsb]

I'm curious as to why people seem more inclined to retrofit the 1.8 engine rather than just going with a turbo on the 16v (or the 8v for that sake).. 16v turbo would certainly be faster than the 1.8t.. Which is faster to fit anyway? Would a turbo on 16v require new gearbox and clutch?

[tshirt2k]

1.8t is the easy route.

Turbo choice reflects power as with all turbos but low down torque and spool is usually better on the 2L.

[madsb]

... read your project thread btw. Did you get it remapped yet?

[Wayne]

16v turbo would certainly be faster than the 1.8t

Not a chance remapped 1.8t would still be quicker plus have more torque, also worth remembering that it was designed from the start to be turbocharged so will be stronger.

You could even start with a BAM lump which is 225bhp standard then a remap would see around 260bhp.

Which is faster to fit anyway? Would a turbo on 16v require new gearbox and clutch?

1.8t is a lot easier, 16v Turbo is a major engineering project.

[tshirt2k]

16v turbo would certainly be faster than the 1.8t

Not a chance remapped 1.8t would still be quicker plus have more torque, also worth remembering that it was designed from the start to be turbocharged so will be stronger.

You could even start with a BAM lump which is 225bhp standard then a remap would see around 260bhp.

Which is faster to fit anyway? Would a turbo on 16v require new gearbox and clutch?

1.8t is a lot easier, 16v Turbo is a major engineering project.

It depends on turbo choice as with any turbo car. As I said.

I know of a few 250-300hp ABF turbos that aren't what you'd call slow.

The 1.8t isnt as strong at all. Rods will probably bend easier than the ABFs. 2E rods are even stronger.

Newer Vw engines tend to have cost cutting exercises done on them. Many standard 1.8t have had the rods bent.

[Ess_Three]

Not a chance remapped 1.8t would still be quicker plus have more torque, also worth remembering that it was designed from the start to be turbocharged so will be stronger.

You could even start with a BAM lump which is 225bhp standard then a remap would see around 260bhp.

Err...1.8 A4 engine?
Non turbo...no torque...utter pig of a thing?

ABF is incredibly strong internally...and even an old school turbo will give a good 300 BHP output on an ABF...more than you get on ANY 1.8T using a VAG fitted turbo.

[Ess_Three]

The 1.8t isnt as strong at all. Rods will probably bend easier than the ABFs. 2E rods are even stronger.

Newer Vw engines tend to have cost cutting exercises done on them. Many standard 1.8t have had the rods bent.

 

There is much internet myth concerning the strength of 1.8T rods...
It was reported by many tuners that the torque limit on a 1.8T (even the stronger 210/225 based 1.8Ts) was around 280 lb-ft...
Then 300 lb-ft
I remember a certain tuner almost passing out when I told him I had been running 315-330+ lb-ft for 2 years with no issues. AMK engine, standard K04, and when I lost track of the car at 7 years old, it was still making 315 lb-ft + on the original turbo, head gasket and rods.

Maybe luck of the draw?

[Wayne]

ABF is incredibly strong internally...and even an old school turbo will give a good 300 BHP output on an ABF...more than you get on ANY 1.8T using a VAG fitted turbo.

Fully respect that Glen but I think it is still easier to fit a 1.8t than to turbo the ABF, by the time you factor in all work involved.

As a guess fitting a 1.8t may even work out cheaper.

Horses for courses really, I loved my 1.8t vRS even more so with the remap.

[tshirt2k]

ABF is incredibly strong internally...and even an old school turbo will give a good 300 BHP output on an ABF...more than you get on ANY 1.8T using a VAG fitted turbo.

Fully respect that Glen but I think it is still easier to fit a 1.8t than to turbo the ABF, by the time you factor in all work involved.

As a guess fitting a 1.8t may even work out cheaper.

Horses for courses really, I loved my 1.8t vRS even more so with the remap.

As i said in my 1st post.

1.8t is the easy route.

And possibly cheaper, depending how well you do it

But you then went on to say how a 1.8t was stronger and more powerful. Which isn't necessarily true.

Glen, Could be internet hype. And i agree its the luck of te draw. But speaking to certain people who have managed to compare the two engines through strip down, point to the lack of "meatiness" of the 06A type engine when compared to the ABF type.

But this always starts debates.

[F17BAD]

Id put my 18T against any ABF Turbo that iv seen 

That Said, Russ prob has the only ABF i have ever loved coz i know he has done it all right.

My S3 lump is fully forged, Audi RS2 Turbo, MTM Manifolds, bigger injectors, RS2 External waste gate etc. iv also fully rebuilt it, Russ (Tshirt) knows what mine has and has always helped with imput and got involved loads with the build, tbh he is a legend )


1.8t rods bend, they are stronger in the AMK/BAM but still bend, thats why i put forged ones in mine

also standard manifold to turbo is so restrictive, can lead to heat build up so bad it cracks the head.

its luck of draw but if you want big power and reliability u need to  spend ££££

Most Folks throw a 18T in coz its more simple than the ABF turbo Route..Seen folks do some real cheap shoddy conversions but IMO this just leads to issues later.

Spent an absolute fortune on mine... and thats with me doing all the work..