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Here I go again, I'm sick of going around in circles but I just can't decide what to do!

I want more power, I NEED more power. I've outgrown my 84bhp, and I'm thirsty for more!

Up until recently I had been dead set on getting myself a 1.4 16v Mk4 Polo engine, for a guaranteed 100bhp at a nice low price, but with all the fuss of fitting it 16bhp isn't a huge gain.

Then I start seeing G40 videos again, hearing wailing superchargers and stories of big BHP, and my mind turns towards that as an option 100%. That's where I've been for the last 3 weeks or so, dead set on a G40, and with this summer as the time to do it.

Yet, since the Manchester meet I've got another option going back into my mind - the 1.4 GT.

Dan Barnes' GT made 84bhp with no mods at the RR day - thanks to a rebuilt head IIRC? Makes me wonder what a reconditioned 1.4 head and block with GT pistons and cam and dewedged throttle body would make - low 90s? Maybe more? Light headwork and a cam, G40 downpipe and manifold maybe 100bhp? Estimates? Would it be a nightmare around town?

I've been having a lot of fun with the GT recently, though I still want more power it feels really strong, really smooth and is being reasonable on fuel too (average 37-8mpg on my Manchester trip last weekend). It's making me wonder if I need to go for G40 power, even though I really want to. I actually find it pretty entertaining once it's on the open road and I can open up the revs a bit.

Then I start thinking about how much G40 engines cost, and the work I would want to do to it before fitting to safeguard as best as possible against piston meltage and a blown charger. It starts making even a 1.6 16v come into a similar price range.

I'm about 85% in favour of a G40 conversion, but I can't help but consider the "better the devil I know" route and the new engine idea is also ringing in my ears!

I can't make up my mind!

You guys are probably sick to death of me talking about this and constantly changing my mind, but I need help deciding!

More power is DEFINATELY on the way this summer, I just need to make up my mind how that's going to come about.

there's a gee-four-tay engine on the bay

Petrified wrote:there's a gee-four-tay engine on the bay

I spotted that too, but I'm after a standard one to begin with and that's a long way to travel as well.

Besides, I need to concentrate on work till the summer.

It's a pain, I bet no engines will come up this summer

Mine got 89bhp at the same time dan got 84, but then you probably already know that. I dunno if 1.3 pistons are compatible yet as I havent checked. Its something I plan to look into eventually though! That bored out and dewedged throttlebody I got off dom at the meet has made a huge difference (on part throttle at least) I need to do some power runs with the road dyno to see if the graph has changed at all.

A 1.4 GT should be good for 100bhp and 100lbft of torque with the right mods. (Im 11bhp and 5lbft off that mark at the momnent) to get there like you say I want/need a higher compression ratio. Then also some headwork and a better cam. But just the headwork might be enough to get to 100, the cam might push things up into the 110bhp area.

I dont know if Im ever gonna get a G40 now, they arent a cheap car to maintain, spesh when things go wrong.

I've outgrown my 84bhp, and I'm thirsty for more!

wot have u done to ur GT to get up2 84bhp? i want more than my 75

I'd discount the 1.4 GT option to be honest - if you start spending money on rebuilding the engine with GT pistons etc. (unless you're doing it all yourself) you're comfortably into G40 territory with the cost. If you're leaving the 1.4 engine alone internally, then the engine swap's a lot of work for only a few bhp.

The 1.4 16v and 1.6 16v engines are viable options, but I don't think they'd work out as cheaply as you think - plus they're not massively strong, so are best left stock internally.

You could get a 4-branch and PSD big valve head for your GT - along with the right cam you'd probably break 100bhp. The 4-branch and BV head would also be transferrable to a G40 at a later date (though obviously with a G40 cam).

If you're thinking that the G40 option may be a bit too expensive - do the head/cam/4-branch thing, and replace the fuel pumps at the same time. Then you'll be nicely setup for dropping a G40 in later on.

Personally, I'd go the G40 route - highest bhp per £ spent. The engine and box shouldn't cost you more than a grand, and if you're lucky you'll get one with a recent charger rebuild. New fuel pumps (£150 from ECP) and new G40 injectors (around £120 from ECP) should see the fuelling side of things sorted too.

The PSD big valve head has big exhaust valves, which you don't want on a GT. I've got a bloke who does heads for me, just waiting to get the first one back. Expecting it give very good results with standard size valves.

The 4 branch would be a good idea along with de-wedged throttle body and a few other bits you should be seeing good power and torque.

hardhitter wrote:The PSD big valve head has big exhaust valves, which you don't want on a GT.

Really?! Guess it depends what you're building...

I'm glad people haven't got totally bored of me talking engine conversions and are still prepared to help offer advice. Thank you!

I have a fair amount of money saved up which, because I'm fairly frugal in terms of how I live at Uni, means I could technically afford a good G40 engine and if it were still available I could buy Chicofrostie's Mk5 GTi engine setup too and I would imagine afford to get it fitted as well.

So the budget's reasonable, but I do want to keep costs as decent as possible.

Reading what everyone's saying, I'm about 95% in favour of a G40 conversion. However, I'm thinking maybe what's best to do is keep my options open. If someone breaks a Lupo/Polo GTi during the summer, maybe I should view it as fate.

There's always the pull to try something new, but then when a G40 engine is guaranteed easy power with more power easily available it makes so much sense!

If I do get a G40 engine though I'll check the history to see what's a potential problem, naturally replace the fuelling parts to avoid piston meltage but I'll check to see if it's had a head gasket swap recently too and maybe while the engine's out it'd be worth getting the head skimmed and ensure it's in top condition before it goes anywhere near my engine bay.

My parents are gonna kill me... I'll end up with a garage full of engine bits

robz wrote:

I've outgrown my 84bhp, and I'm thirsty for more!

wot have u done to ur GT to get up2 84bhp? i want more than my 75

Not much! I've taken the cold air feed off the airbox, earthed the lambda on the battery negative terminal, removed the catalyst, fitted a 2.25" bore exhaust with decat and am running an early Poloace chip.

i know of someone whos got a 20k miles full g40 setup for sale


Pm me if you want the info!


Pettsy

can i ask, wots the idea behind earthing the lambda sensor??

doug&dan wrote:can i ask, wots the idea behind earthing the lambda sensor??

It's already earthed, but the earth point is usually corroded.

Run an extra earth cable and you get better mpg, I certainly did!

Pettsy - you have a PM!

where can u get a branch manifold from?