engine. buy or rebuild

[greenhornet]

Hi.

I'm driving a 1.8 8b gti and for the past 2 years i'ts been great, only the juddering problems which i've read from other forums and can sympathise with all. The engine's only got 93K on it (just turned 93 in last month) therefore still good nick.

I'd like to upgrade to possible 2.0l 8v for more bhp. However the 1.8 i currenlyt have needs the hydrylic tappets replaced. If the cam is shafted, this may need replacing, thus spending ?260 for cam kit and tappets from Euro Car parts.

Dilema: if i'm doing that then I may just as well do the whole engine, thus new shells, pistons, rings etc in the block (valves, oil seals will come with cam kit (standard vw cam kit)).

Will this give me a good increase in bhp, prior to possible remapping or should I just look for a second hand 2.0 8v with good mileage (under 100k)?

does anyone know how much a 2.0l 8v could cost and will it drop straight into my bay with the existing mounts and gear box/clutch?

Thanks all.

Also, inform me of all difficulties you may have had doing an engine swap / rebuild.  Just bought a flat so can spend up to approx ?600 on engine.

[Jase23]

Hi I am in the same vote as you, I brought a mk1 a month ago with 194K on the clock, the engine runs sweet bare the comment tappet rattle, but the gearbox was shagged.

So I thought get a secondhand engine and box with low miles and drop it in, after 12hours of graft and the engine and box was changed for a 75000 miler.

But on starting it up it sounded worse than the old one and after a drive it was guttless, although the gearbox seems sweet.

What to do? I have stripped the original engine and had it dipped but what now, do i hone it and keep the pistons and stick with the 1.8 or bore it too 2.0. Next whick cam to buy, and lastly find info on flowing the head?

It would be great to hear from someone that has changed to a 2.0 and knows the power gain.


In reply to the original message i would not buy secondhand unless you are willing to loss your cash, and all you hard work fitting it, from experience is an arse.

Jase

[winstonb]

i certainly wouldnt bother getting 2nd hand as you've no idea whats good/bad with it.  i reckon ?600 is a tight budget for a replacement/recon engine, unless you diy.

id do the head overhaul and maybe consider rings + shells while the heads off which shouldnt cost too much (?50?). I cant see why youd need new pistons.  For the performance id do a mild cam, more extra BHP than the extra 3BHP of the 2l anyway.

[greenhornet]

Thanks to both of you.

Only 3BHP extra for a 2.0l? I'll probably change the head in time and place new cam kit. and renew the pistons and shells. Anyone elese know about engine gains more than 3 BHP for a 2.0l engine?

Also idle is changing from 850 to 1250, it's giving me headaches!! Do you think it's the ISV clogged up, or possible a leak at the inlet manifold?

Tony