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.
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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! 
