16v engine, is it worth it

[Craigwilson]

So I've been offered a 16v lump and loom to go with and I was wanting some opinions on the 16v engine? I'm only 17 and I've never drove a 16v before but I have 2 8vs.

1. Can you put a 16v head on an 8v block ?

2. Is the 16v better, what's it like to drive compared to an 8v and what's the power difference like ?

[Sgt_Lemon]

It would be massively cheaper on insurance to buy a 16v. Any engine conversion will have ridiculous insurance prices even if the engine is a standard one from that car line.

[The Mighty Elvi]

Yes and yes. 16v is better than the poor man's 8v. When you turn 18 you'll be a man with a man's car. 

And before you newbies start... here it is.

THE GRAPH.

[Craigwilson]

So if I get the 16v head and loom for free sent it away to get work done I can bolt it onto my block ? And oh yes ill be damn sure to tell my insurance company..........

And the 16v revs to 7k does it not? Will my block handle this ?

[VW BUSH]

Is it a KR (or 9a) lump or a 2.0 ABF lump from a Mk3?
In either case a Mk2 16v is the dogs dangleys, the 2.0 ABF is even danglier.
Best golf ever is a Mk2 16v (in Atlas Grey of course).

Probs cost you an arm and a leg to insure and more if you convert one to a 16v but hey while you dont have a mortgage or 15 kids live your life and have a fun car, life get tedious very quickly

[The Mighty Elvi]

So if I get the 16v head and loom for free sent it away to get work done I can bolt it onto my block ? And oh yes ill be damn sure to tell my insurance company..........

And the 16v revs to 7k does it not? Will my block handle this ?

As well as the loom you'll need the metering unit and other gubbins etc...

Revs all the way. The WHOOSH comes in at 4.5K and keeps going.

[Craigwilson]

The insurance can go take a flying **** to themselves ill do what i want no one will know.
If I'm getting the lot for free but I'd rather just do the head and loom rather than take the whole engine out.
Wasn't sure if the bearings and bolts in the 8v block would handle it but if you say so
What happens if I do bigger valves and cam it ?

[clipperjay]

Another thing to consider is the electrical wiring if you have an older 8v splicing up loom to fuse box might need tweaking.  if its a 90 above all is good plug and play.
16v all the way lol.

[Craigwilson]

Yeah mine is 91 on an H, looking forward to this conversion now, how big of a job actually is it

[Craigwilson]

Apparently this conversion doesn't wrk well because it lowers the compression, is this true ?