Need info on doing a GTI engine conversion

Ian_R · Post by **Ian_R** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:33 pm

VwPo1o wrote:Cool, so I guess I'll leave the brakes till later or get them done if I have any pennies to spare .
Now, I don't have a drive cos I'm not at home and I wouldn't be able to get hold of one of those engine lifters anyway. I don't see any other option than to take it to a garage. Any suggestions about where I can take it?? Bath Bristol area??
www.neil-f.net wrote:HAHAH, the guy who just done this conversion will probably rip your balls of for saying that LOL

Think he had a hard time of it !!
Who's that??? Could really do with asking him a few questions about where the problems lie.

Arnoldo, who did the setup for you??? What do I need to make a note of if I take it to a garage?

If your feeling really tough, get some seat belt material, and a scaffolding pole, and use brute force, done it a few times helping mates, you have to have a good back tho and be strong tho lol, and at least two of you lol

VwPo1o · Post by **VwPo1o** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:38 am

Haha, I'll think about it! Although, the brakes are the last thing on my mind at the moment.

I'm gona call some garages tomorrow and ask for some quotes. See how much they'll charge to install the gearbox ecu clocks and engine. I just hope they don't brush me off straight away! Any suggestions of where I can call? I've just grown so attached to it!! I can't find myself to get rid of her. I've had for 5 years and it was pretty much my first car!

P.S. Really appreciate the help guys. I always come here first when I have any problems. Thanks

Dee-vub · Post by **Dee-vub** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:09 am

Ian_R wrote:I'm sorry but yes the engine will be faster and a little heavier, but i really dont see the need in changing the brakes on the back from Drums to discs, Yes if your doing a 1.8T but a gti hmmmm no thanx, the vast majority of braking is done with the front of the brakes, the rear discs are there to stablalise the car under HEAVY breaking.

Also for folk saying it can be very expensive, yes it can be if you give your car to a company to do it, After all the thing your paying the for is there time!

People have done it in a day etc, and the thing that is the most difficult part is the electrical, Although the loom is very similar and all that needs done is no doubt a few extra sensors wired into the old one.

Also what you will have to remember is the transponder from the ignition barrell and get the keys if posible from the donor car, as you need this for the immobiliser.

So if you are handy with a spanner and have a drive and can afford the car to be of the road, try it yourself, get a decent set of tools, ie the ones that needed and bash on!

The part in bold part isnt true.

I'v done the conversion and i reckon now i could do it in 2 days easily.

With regards to the bold part, its definitely NOT a case of a few extra sensros wired in. The ecu connections are different! The GTI ecu will only go with the GTI loom! Well it might go with a 16v but it certainly doesnt go with the 8v! The fan connection is differnent and requires modification due to the GTI having a 2 speed fan(cos of the air con) and other models have a 1 speed fan. You can either modify the connection or you can change the fan! I removed the air con, and kept the original fan, and modded the wiring.

With regards to the keys. You'll only need the key if your changing the ignition barrell. The coding is in the ignition barrel, so you will need to change the ignition barrell to the one that came with the engine! Another way around it is to just keep the original key, get your mate to tow you n your car to VW and get your original key re-coded. I suppose ian is right in a way with regards to that, but it just depends what way you want to do it.

Emmmm......the engine was easy, the gaerbox was simple, the clocks were simple, the brakes were simple( i changed to GTI brakes front and back) and also i changed the to the GTI ARB's.....so there isnt much 1.4 8v left lol. Anyways, arnoldo, you go from a 1.4 8v brake set up to GTI set up and you will notice a big difference,......but it is still s**t

I'v prob missed out alot, but iv pm'd you anyway.

One last thing, if you want the mileage on the clocks to state the engine mileage use the new clocks.....but if you want the mileage to state the actually mileage of the car or body, then use the old clocks. The mileage is stored in the clocks and NOT the ECU like alot of people think. I would recommend the GTI clocks cos i assume the insurance and dvla will be notified and they may want to know the mileage etc.

VwPo1o · Post by **VwPo1o** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:38 am

And once again uk-polos.net doesn't fail!!!

Thanks dude you're the man!

...Watch this space...

Post by **alexperkins** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 1:16 pm

Just to add, the clocks can be reprogrammed via VAGCOM, but youll need the SKC from a VW dealership so you can login to the controller to change these values - easily done, just need the right tools for the job

VwPo1o · Post by **VwPo1o** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:55 am

Well, I called the first garage this morning, the VW and Audi Specialist centre near stroud, and although, they said they would do it, they told me that realistically it wouldn't be worth it. He said that off the top of his head it would probably cost past the 2 thousand mark!!!! Not including the cost of parts. Looks like by end of this, its gona cost me like 3 grand, and that cost I might as well add a bit more and get a supra!!! Anyway, I'll keep you informed!

Dee-vub · Post by **Dee-vub** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:16 am

He is right, it really isnt worth getting someone else to do, save costs, do it yourself, or otherwise go out and actually get a GTI.

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:26 pm

Dee-vub wrote:or otherwise go out and actually get a GTI.

^^ agreed