Where to do an engine swap GTD to GTI? I don't want to just trade my GTD>>GTI.

[fredgroves]

Looks like the answer might be this:

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles

[Ej1749]

Looks like the answer might be this:

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles

That's really helpful! Thank you 

[fredgroves]

Good luck - I think you are nuts, but 

[Watts]

I really don't understand, why would you want to change a GTD into a GTI? I can understand engine swaps to something that isn't available like an RS3 5 cylinder or something mad like a V8, but why to something that is readily available?

[Phil245]

I really don't understand, why would you want to change a GTD into a GTI? I can understand engine swaps to something that isn't available like an RS3 5 cylinder or something mad like a V8, but why to something that is readily available?

The OP did explain that in his opening post.........he's bored in lockdown....!!

 

Good luck to him.  That Alan Millward guy is always putting unfeasible bike engines into, well, bikes.  Why?  He obviously likes a challenge. He's very good at it as well...... The OP's plan seems to be evolving, possibly into a tuned 4WD GTD hatch....Hopefully he will post lots of pictures of whatever project happens...

[Exonian]

I’ve been pondering this thread for a few days on and off.

Initial thoughts being “good Lord”, that’d need full engine, cooling, new fuel lines and tank, exhaust, different suspension, better brakes as the 312’s are sh!te on either a GTD or GTI, loads of ancillaries, new badges and grille(!!) etc, etc, etc.
Might as well shove an R engine in but you’d need to work around the cooling issues if using a GTI bumper.


Being a) the world’s most boring person and b ) having the patience and concentration levels of a kitten in a catnip warehouse it’s not something I’d remotely take on.

However, keeping to the GTD ethos and accepting it’ll never compete with a very fast petrol car from the traffic lights if you wanted to go to licence losing speeds there are loads of options that would enhance the car, and plenty of specialists that could turn the beast into something huge fun and very quick whilst only paying £20 a year road tax (assuming a manual).

Back in the ‘90s when GTIs got all boring and my VR6’s didn’t produce enough low/mid range grunt for my tastes I messed about with Diesel engines before it became fashionable (then unfashionable again after Dieselgate).
A well respected pioneering company back then was van Aaken developments based at the TRL near Bracknell where GTI International was held back in the day. They set up my modest 90bhp Ibiza TDI  into something pushing nearer 150bhp (same power as a turbo mk4 GTI or mk3 16v of the day) with modest outlay and had a far far far more satisfying power delivery.
Nowadays somewhere like Darkside Developmemts would be able to get huge power out of a GTD whilst keeping it very drivable and cost far less than a petrol GTI conversion.
4WD not necessary really, you launch a Diesel differently to a petrol, nothing much to be gained from revving high and side-stepping the clutch.
“Use the torque Luke” as Sir Alec once said. Feed in smoothly and boooost! Great fun if you learn how to drive them properly.
Hybrid turbo, modified emissions gizmos and relevant ECU mapping, slightly better intercooling, maybe a few exhaust mods (straight through pipe?), mk8 R brakes... shouldn’t be too bad cost wise.

Now where’s the catnip?

[Ej1749]

I’ve been pondering this thread for a few days on and off.

Initial thoughts being “good Lord”, that’d need full engine, cooling, new fuel lines and tank, exhaust, different suspension, better brakes as the 312’s are sh!te on either a GTD or GTI, loads of ancillaries, new badges and grille(!!) etc, etc, etc.
Might as well shove an R engine in but you’d need to work around the cooling issues if using a GTI bumper.


Being a) the world’s most boring person and b ) having the patience and concentration levels of a kitten in a catnip warehouse it’s not something I’d remotely take on.

However, keeping to the GTD ethos and accepting it’ll never compete with a very fast petrol car from the traffic lights if you wanted to go to licence losing speeds there are loads of options that would enhance the car, and plenty of specialists that could turn the beast into something huge fun and very quick whilst only paying £20 a year road tax (assuming a manual).

Back in the ‘90s when GTIs got all boring and my VR6’s didn’t produce enough low/mid range grunt for my tastes I messed about with Diesel engines before it became fashionable (then unfashionable again after Dieselgate).
A well respected pioneering company back then was van Aaken developments based at the TRL near Bracknell where GTI International was held back in the day. They set up my modest 90bhp Ibiza TDI  into something pushing nearer 150bhp (same power as a turbo mk4 GTI or mk3 16v of the day) with modest outlay and had a far far far more satisfying power delivery.
Nowadays somewhere like Darkside Developmemts would be able to get huge power out of a GTD whilst keeping it very drivable and cost far less than a petrol GTI conversion.
4WD not necessary really, you launch a Diesel differently to a petrol, nothing much to be gained from revving high and side-stepping the clutch.
“Use the torque Luke” as Sir Alec once said. Feed in smoothly and boooost! Great fun if you learn how to drive them properly.
Hybrid turbo, modified emissions gizmos and relevant ECU mapping, slightly better intercooling, maybe a few exhaust mods (straight through pipe?), mk8 R brakes... shouldn’t be too bad cost wise.

Now where’s the catnip?

Haha feathering the throttle is something I know all too well. I've had a 350BHP fiesta ST that was bonkers and several other high powered FWD's. I did have 2015 Audi S3 that was pushing around 350-370 revo stage 1 - that was the only car where feathering the throttle was not needed for obvious reasons. Yes, the brakes are horrendous! They are so spongy when stopping from over 100mph and just feel weak, I'm waiting for demo tweeks to get the red stuff pads and EBC discs back in stock.

I have approached devil developments and they are apparently one of the best as many vouch for them. Also, the lad who does all the videos seems to be so straight to the point and honest about everything and quite funny tbh (loved the video where he compared the tuning boxes to a proper remap ). The only dilemma I have is that an engine swap to a a GTI seems to be about the same price (minus the engine) as the diesel hybrid conversion to about 260-270bhp, when the GTI engine simply needs a remap to take it to around 300BHP ish. This is why I'm trying to weigh up the pros and cons. However, the power delivery on a hybrid TDI is apparently absurd even at 260-270BHP. I'm already getting about 5.0-5.1 0-60 with around 215-225BHP with a fully upgraded axel, semi-slicks, rear engine mount and a dry day with launch control. It's as quick as my mates standard S3 8V hatch all the way to the limiter at 150... I was so shocked as I thought he would leave me for dust, considering the 80BHP difference!!! I guess torque really is important. Which is another reason for going with devils hybrid turbo to 260bhp as that would probably spin in 4th with that torque 

So if I was to hybrid turbo the GTD engine I may as well take it to 350-400BHP with an even bigger turbo like a garret to make the most of out the cost of upgrading it, but then I worry about reliability issues with it being a diesel at that power. When I had my S3 at 370BHP ish, I never had one issue and I used to drive it like I stole it and launch it 5-10 times a day everyday for about 9 months of ownership, which is another reason I would like to try the GTI engine as I'm told they're pretty reliable at the high power. Decisions, decisions and more decisions.

[Ej1749]

I really don't understand, why would you want to change a GTD into a GTI? I can understand engine swaps to something that isn't available like an RS3 5 cylinder or something mad like a V8, but why to something that is readily available?

The OP did explain that in his opening post.........he's bored in lockdown....!!

 

Good luck to him.  That Alan Millward guy is always putting unfeasible bike engines into, well, bikes.  Why?  He obviously likes a challenge. He's very good at it as well...... The OP's plan seems to be evolving, possibly into a tuned 4WD GTD hatch....Hopefully he will post lots of pictures of whatever project happens...

The moment I find someone who will do the work (I'm talking to a few at the moment), I will record and document every moment. I will do 0-60's, fuel economy, dynamics of the car and defo, defo get a video launching against my friends S3.

[Ej1749]

Good luck - I think you are nuts, but 

Hahaha that would not be the first time I've been called nuts!! 

[Ej1749]

I really don't understand, why would you want to change a GTD into a GTI? I can understand engine swaps to something that isn't available like an RS3 5 cylinder or something mad like a V8, but why to something that is readily available?

Funny you should say that the company I'm talking to at the moment has suggested an RS3 engine. However, I think if I chose that route I would want the four wheel drive and would probably just get a golf R for the RS3 engine. I simply just like to have something different to everyone else tbh, I always have to be doing something to my cars or I feel empty haha! I've got and always had the tuning bug haha Also, a guy I know has a 2JZ engine for sale which is something that I think about 24/7 haha. However, I would still like to keep the DSG and I'm not sure a 2JZ would be able to support that unless I had a whole box designed for me but that would probably cost 100K and I can only afford about 10-15k at a push