Changing the 1.8 carb engine for a 1.8 injection engine

[Mr Coat]

Hello everyone I'm new to the forum and new to the vw experience so I hope someone could give me a few tips on my next move...

Basically I have a F reg mk2 golf driver with a 1.8 8v engine in it its running on possibly the worst carb in the world and the engine itself is on its last legs as it was never looked after and the gearbox is in worst condition then the engine.

My plan is to buy a 1.8 injection engine with gearbox and plop it in my driver the advise I need is wether to get the 8v or 16v also seen as I'm planning on getting the engine from a donor car I'm wondering other then the engine and gearbox what else do I need? Like do I need any other engine mounts and if I go for the 16v will I need the radiator from the donor car or the hoses? I'm guessing there is a cpu involved with the injection engine so ill be needing that to...

I'll just add now that I am a classic car mechanic but the cars I work on are vw campervans and beetles with the occasional moggy 1000 or mg so working on a golf is slightly more advance then what I'm used to. Any help and opinions on which engine would be more reliable and any tips to make the whole process quicker.

Thanks in advance for the tips help and knowledge

[Sgt_Lemon]

Defo will need a fuel pump, depending on what engine you go for I would take everything from a donor car. But if you are getting a donor car why not just drive that. I would go for an abf engine from a mk3 instead or go down the 20vt route.

[Mr Coat]

I was thinking of getting a big fun engine for it but I'm saving that for when I do a fill overhaul of the body work and paint which will be a few years yet I wont be driving the donor car as I love my Gertrude too much and I've spent alot of time on its sills and chassis making it stronger then ever would the mk3 engine fit in there with no hassle or am I gonna have to fit new engine mount locations in the engine bay? The main reason I was going for a mk2 donor is because the snow is coming and we get a good couple of phone calls from our vw scrappy with mk2s and mk1s with rear end right offs (R.I.P) so I was gonna aim for a gti and take its engine and owt else I need in there its a daily user which in the past month of owning it I've done 1500 miles so I'm guessing an 8v will be better for me then a 16v or does the fuel consumption not really differ that much if I'm not heavy with the right foot 90% of the time? thanks for the reply and advise as its much appreciated

[Waspy]

Few points

1) If you are going to do an engine swap. Surely do it once and get it right?
2) It would be a lot easier to just buy a GTi, you are also then in a better place to upgrade to a bigger engine later. But I understand the attachment.
3) Get your mind sorted with what you want from the engine. Obviously you are changing due to a knackered engine, and if that was the only reason, I would say go 8v. But you then mentioned a bigger engine, so the 16v might be a better stop gap. Also depends on your driving style. A lot of people love the grunt of the 8v, while others enjoy the revvy style of the 16v.

If it's your daily I guess you need a fast turnaround. So that is something else to consider.

Having said all that, if you are relying on a rear end write off, you will probably need to go with whatever comes along haha, if any at all

[Mr Coat]

Cheers waspy I've had a think about it and I'm gonna go for the 8v engine as I enjoyed the way it drove before it all went tits up and spat its dummy out at me also due to the fact that I'm paid peanuts compared to most people so that would be the cheaper option and the quickest to fit, the big boy engine will come in a few years when I've got the money to do it properly along with paint and full bodywork, also when my insurence drops down to something I can cope with thanks for the advice lads ill deffinatley be coming back on here when I'm stuck again

[VW BUSH]

If you go for an 8v engine the 2.0 bottom end from a Mk3 (2E or AGG) with the PB head gives you good low end torque and with a bit of cash thrown at it will hit 130bhp.
ABF is the ultimate N/A engine in the Mk2 but because its so light the 2.0 bottom end will give you hours of fun.
You will not need the Hydro box for the 8v engine either so less work in the conversion, however all VW boxes through the 80's and  early 90's were built the same way and do let go once they have some miles under them. Its erroneous to say they are weak as I have never blown one up with less than 100k on it but stuffing an ABF or warm 8v through the old rod change without a rebuild will end in tears quickly.
A Mk3 can be had for under £300 complete and in working order so you will have everything to at least swap over.
What management you use will be the big question, all the Mk2 systems are old and hard to get hold of in good working order.
The Mk3 systems involve more work but will run the engine a lot better although this does not fit in well with the PB head on 2.0 block simplicity (loss of Scene points)