Digifant in a 91 GTI, what's the easiest engine to put in?

[desgy]

Right, tried to read lots of things on here, and i'm still a bit confused so i thought i'd ask the question direct.

Decided my 8v digifant is too slow (my bora 130 tdi, will make it look silly) so i want it to go faster.
Got a stainless exhaust and air filter, now want a lot more.
I know anything will fit with enough money, not the money aspect that worries me too much, more the fact that i'm not too bad with the spanners and wiring so i could do it myself, not being tight but i seem to live so far from anyone that i would trust to do the job and you get sooooo much satisfaction from doing something like this yourself!


So is it 2.0 bottom end or 2.0 16V, VR6 (heavy, i know) or 1.8 Turbo or even a chipped TDI.

Please help, plus it would probably help a lot of others too.

[dubslug]

i have just fitted a 2e bottom end out of a 94 mk 3 golf, the car definatly pulls through the gears now, dont know abt top end power as im still bedding it in, but do urself a favour if u do it urself use the parts of ur car not a spare one u having laying around like i did, i had no end of problems due to bits not working, was a fairly simple swap in the end though

[knobby]

dubslug.. how did u get the engine out in the end.. i know there are three ways of doing it..

1. Lift it out from the top with a hoist... (Why do this with a mk2 golf why u can take the whole front off

2. Take the front off. Undo engine mounts and front sub frame, drive shafts off and wheel it out on a trolley jack.

3. Take front off. Under front sub frame, then the frame behind the engine the one holding the wishbones on, then just lift the car away like a wheel barrow away from the engine.

Which one???

Cheers

Knobby!

[hachi-roku]

I was always under the impression that the G60 lump was a fairly easy fit 

Are you sure your existing enging is running ok?, just that I felt mine was very sluggish (though I had come from a 200bhp+ Nissan Turbo) until the timing was sorted, felt a lot more punchy

just a thought

[dubslug]

i took front off then used an engine hoist on mine, guy next door had it spare so was easy for me

[takethefifth]

1.8T all the way! Seems to be where the smart money is.....  Flowed head, uprated turbo, flowed manifold, chip... 

Second engine in the back? 

And finally - Nitrous!

J.

[knobby]

1.8T ummmm.. ok if you can get the power to the road...

I wanted to fit a G60 lump, but car isnt ready for that yet.. So went for 2L bottom end.  Remember the more power u put in the better brakes etc u have to give the car also.

in my opinion.. Nitrous is for boy racers.. not for a classic mk2 Golf.

tt5th - Any lowering springs in the pipeline?

Cheers

Knobby!

[desgy]

Thanks for the advice, heard the 1.8T is very hard work, (wiring, immobilsers and cable gearboxes).
Was told by someone that the 2.0 16V was just a drop in, even the wiring would fit?

Car has been rolling roaded (before i had it) at 125bhp. Kind of thinking, if it's running right, i'm gonna need more than a 2.0 bottom end.

[knobby]

What sort of power and performance do you want from it?  How much do you want to spend?

Knobby!

[takethefifth]

Knobby - Haha! Yes but i really have no idea how much i can lower on 17's.  35mm should be ok? To be honest i want your wheels!!  Am thinking to get down to 15's but need to make it fat!

And apologies, my comments weren't really about the easiest engine to fit, i just got inspired after a trip to york raceway with a beautiful green golf mk1  - dubweiser i think.... Oh and the polo g40 with a mid mounted 1.8t (again i think!)  Both 4 wheel drive i think though. Really not sure how they got the power down but my they were fast!