Engine transplant ???

[ace 1.4]

Hi everyone,

I'v got a 1.4 mk3 golf, now with nearly 144,000 miles on the clock she's doing pretty well!

Although this car has never let us down (minus e.c.u problem and head gasget) in the 8 years or so we'v owned the car (was mothers!) it's not exactly a speed machine, and with oil seeping from sump gasget and suspected camshaft seals i've been looking into changing the engine!

At first i wanted to put a gti engine in as a standard 1.8 isnt much more impressive than the 1.4!

However, i'v noticed some vw 1.6 engines are about 100bhp, so that would be quite an improvement i would have thought!

Anyway if any of you can advise me on what you think would be the ideal engine for my golf it will be much appreciated. Also, how much of a job will I have with mounts and electrics/wiring???

Thanks for any help, glad to be part of the forum!!

[DazVR6]

As the brain says in golf plus magazine "never do a transplant if you can buy the car already like it off the shelf" or something like that...

[steviem]

Yeah, the engine is one thing, but you'll need to get all the suspension sorted too, and brakes upgraded and other stuff that I can't think of. Would end up being cheaper to get a GTI or Driver...

[ace 1.4]

Thanks for the advice maybe i'l think again!!  It's all true but the car is fitted with spax adjustable 40mm lowered suspension and i had hoped my brakes would be up to it!! (if i go for a 1.6) and it would just be a case of dropping engine in maybe changing mounts and things then wiring!!

It woz just an idea really because i'm only 18 and paying £700 for insurance which isn't even in my name so gti is completely out of the question unfortunately, but i'm sure u all know how ridiculous insurance is these days!!!

thanks again!

[vwagain]

I think once you tell your insurance co that you have modded the cars engine, then the premium wont be far of that for a GTI anyway!!!!

Stu

[Greg]

your brake really would'nt be up to it ...
i'd wait and save your money until you have more no claims mate. boring but sensible.

make sure your 1.4 is in tip top condition and is serviced to perfection, you may find its not running 100% and you could make it run a little better with some effort...

[ace 1.4]

Ye good advice i'm looking into a mk4 gt tdi instead, although i will miss my beast of a mk3 lol!

Thanks for advice