Found some info about the ABF engine

[snozan]

Sure i knew i could get some more hp easy but i never knew exactly why. Here is the answer and why i love the ABF

"What is an ABF 16V?

Back in 1992 when the 8v GTI was released in Europe the 112BHP didn't cut it, so VW's engine division was asked to design a 16v motor for the Mk3. After rolling out an 'old' 16v based engine at 130-140 BHP they were asked politely to go away and come back with a better design, as the competition of the time were all up around 150+ BHP (Vauxhall Astra GTE 16v & Ford Escort RS2000)
After a further couple of years the ABF was born, but was producing nearly 170 BHP. This did not please VW as the VR6 was only kicking out 174 BHP, so the ABF was choked by the ECU to produce 150BHP, but maximize the torque. Also the tax brackets / insurance brackets in Europe / UK were working against a 170BHP 16v'er...so it went on sale in about 1995 with 150 BHP / 135 lb-ft.

Thinking about this story, it makes sense, as a simple re-chip yields 170BHP and 160+ lb-ft....so it seems that the ABF was always designed to produce 170 BHP anyway...hence the large gains.

This engine was always developed to be the basis of VW & SEATs rally cars of the era, so it was designed to be tuned to 280BHP."

The ultimate VW engine 

[VW BUSH]

Sure i knew i could get some more hp easy but i never knew exactly why. Here is the answer and why i love the ABF

"What is an ABF 16V?

Back in 1992 when the 8v GTI was released in Europe the 112BHP didn't cut it, so VW's engine division was asked to design a 16v motor for the Mk3. After rolling out an 'old' 16v based engine at 130-140 BHP they were asked politely to go away and come back with a better design, as the competition of the time were all up around 150+ BHP (Vauxhall Astra GTE 16v & Ford Escort RS2000)
After a further couple of years the ABF was born, but was producing nearly 170 BHP. This did not please VW as the VR6 was only kicking out 174 BHP, so the ABF was choked by the ECU to produce 150BHP, but maximize the torque. Also the tax brackets / insurance brackets in Europe / UK were working against a 170BHP 16v'er...so it went on sale in about 1995 with 150 BHP / 135 lb-ft.

Thinking about this story, it makes sense, as a simple re-chip yields 170BHP and 160+ lb-ft....so it seems that the ABF was always designed to produce 170 BHP anyway...hence the large gains.

This engine was always developed to be the basis of VW & SEATs rally cars of the era, so it was designed to be tuned to 280BHP."

The ultimate VW engine 

That's the funniest thing i've heard all day

[snozan]

I've read something similar aswell on some other site, that only confirmed what i found out at the first place 

That the original ABF gain 170hp but Volkswagen didn't want to get too close to the power output of the vr6, on which they had spent soo much time and money developing.

If you have some other info that tells different please share  Since there isnt that much info about the engine itself. (why it was designed since VW had a 8v with 115hp and a big brother with 174hp. Makes no sense really to make a model that had 150hp, more then the reason i first posted).

[Wayne]

The old internet myth that has doing the rounds for years, no VW did not peg the ABF back and a remap will not get the 20bhp.

The VR6 was never marketed or badged as GTI but was aimed more at the BMW 3 series market, whilst the 8v and 16v were left to the hot hatch market.

The amount of times I read this old chestnut is bonkers, the ABF is one of the hardest engines to get more power from.

To get 170bhp is going to cost you a lot of money, if anything the VR6 is easier to get more power from.

[snozan]

Fair enough, i wasnt supose to get any extra anyway

But why is it so hard to get any info about the ABF?

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

DO the basics, get the engine to 165ish BHP, lighten the flywheel and change the FD.
It will drive like it’s got 200+ BHP but cost you a lot less.

[snozan]

DO the basics, get the engine to 165ish BHP, lighten the flywheel and change the FD.
It will drive like it’s got 200+ BHP but cost you a lot less.

Nah, i keep it stock If vr6 is so great and easy to get some extra power from  why isnt it used in rallycars? ABF was and are still used. Is it because ABF is the best engine VW ever made

[Foreveryoungaus16v]

Well I am happy with my Abf

[VW BUSH]

DO the basics, get the engine to 165ish BHP, lighten the flywheel and change the FD.
It will drive like it’s got 200+ BHP but cost you a lot less.

Nah, i keep it stock If vr6 is so great and easy to get some extra power from  why isnt it used in rallycars? ABF was and are still used. Is it because ABF is the best engine VW ever made

Obviously never owned Mk2 16v then

[snozan]

Nope But MK2 is a lighter car