UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

As always happens when I go to a VW show, I want more power.

Some of you may have seen the thread on here a while ago about a G40 being broken which I nearly bought for its engine. That showed me that I can afford the insurance on a G40 at least which is an advance over where I was before.

I'm getting really fed up of GT power, it's not slow but it's not really fast either and I fancy more power - sort of inevitable after 4 and a half years.

What's troubling me is just how to go about this, I've been thinking along the following lines since Saturday:

- Keep the GT engine, uprate it to a 1.4 8v and tune the feck out of that. I like this as an idea, but I dunno how far I'd be able to take it. Realistically I fancy around 130bhp, just to make it a little faster than the hot-hatch boundaries. Probably the only way to get a GT engine that far is throttle bodies and fancy injection bits. The big plus for me is, it's still a Polo GT with a Polo GT engine which is kinda cool.

- Bin the GT engine for a G40 lump. The easiest option really, once you can find a G40 engine anyway! My only worries are the exploding pistons which are plaguing G40 owners at the moment. I'd have to replace a load of bits before I fitted it really. The other thing is, and this isn't a bad thing I suppose, once it's got a G40 engine it's a G40 not a GT. I've always fancied having a G40, but factory GTs are a little thin on the ground and more are becoming G40s every year. That said, it's a great engine and easy to tune.

- Bin the GT engine for a 16v Polo/Lupo engine. Either the 1.4 or the 1.6 and potentially even go the whole hog and get the 6 speed gear box if I go for the 1.6. I dunno how easy/difficult this would be to convert, I've heard you can use digifant injection with the 1.4. New engines too with lower mileage, so potentially less problems to arise from wear and tear. Plus again I quite like this because it retains the N/A nature of the GT but gives a nice power hike.

I'd be interested to hear people's opinions on those options, how easy they'd be to do and how effective they'd be once converted.

I've got a funny feeling people are gonna suggest that I go for the second option though.

With the 1.4 16v engines, there are 2 types that I've found - 75bhp and 100bhp. What's the difference between them? Does anyone know?

Regards,

Alex

No idea on the difference except for the bhp! I reckon the 75bhp is more tuned for refinement and torque. don't know how tho.

the 1.48v seems a bad move - especially if you want 130bhp. You can get up to 170bhp out of a 16v 1.4 (someone _has_ done it) but generally you'll be looking at about 130bhp if you tweek it a bit. the 1.6 16v will be almost at 130bhp anyway - but the engine is going to be a lot more expensive to buy. so out of those options I'd go for the 1.4 16v.

However, G40 would surely be the simplest option - but then again - isn't it better to get the g40 car? (considering the upgrages that a g40 has - but not knowing anything about them!)

Bar the engine, mine's almost a G40 anyway.

Over a GT, the G40 has:

- vented brakes (got G40 ones on mine)
- thicker shocks and lower springs (I have Spax stuff on mine)
- rose jointed bushes (don't have these but could fit them)
- different seat pattern (not particularly essential )
- 160mph clocks (also non-essential, but I've fitted them)
- plus of course the G40 engine, gearbox and drive shafts.

The GT has a few extra bits and pieces over the stock Polos such as the extra anti-roll bar and grippier seats which would also need changing if mine was a CL etc.

But yes I share your sentiment that even with a G40 engine it's not a G40 it's a GT with a G40 engine.

I feel a long post coming on, well for me anyway lol.

I like your thinking of keeping it a GT, like I am with mine really. The need for more power has taken hold of me too, hence me doing what I'm doing now (albeit taking a while). I could have had G40 running gear and put that in. Stick the usual chip n pulley etc and have 140 odd hp.

People keep asking why don't you put a G40 engine in ? I get a bit fed of it really. A few reasons why I don't want to; because everyone does it, it wont be a gt any more, they need charger servicing etc and it's too easy to do. Plus I want something very different.

You can realisticly take the 3F engine to the kind of power you have mentioned but it involves a bit more than the usual mods poeple tend to do before moving on.

The digifant should be able to run at that power, but the injectors would need replacing with G40 ones that flow more fuel, this would need a remap to suit. Throttle bodies would make it rev like mad but at the cost of torque.

The injection system needs working with the get rid of all the restrictions and the standard exhaust manifold is quite restrictive. The head would need working on to get it flowing well there, bigger exhuast valves and a suitable cam will do a great deal to hike power.

Having a rebuilt bottom end will give a good base, oversize pistons giving more cc will certainly make it strong. Apparently the ABD 1.4 engine can be used with the GT head so that another option. The bigger capcity means doing other mods are less likely to loose you torque as it needs to shift more gasses.

A longer gearbox and 200mm clutch would be beneficial here to cope with the extra grunt.

It all depends if you can be bothered with all this work as G40 will give good power as stock and it takes far less to increase power.

I dont't really know what the later Mk 4 engines will be like, other than the 16v would need thier own management or carbs which is another thing.

I guess it's cheaper to do the conversion - sounds like you don't need the extra G40 stuff...

plan?

Wow, good answer Dan!

So, say I went for a 1.4 block with the GT head, G40 injectors, G40 with decat or Ashley exhaust manifold and polished/ported head what sort of power should I be pushing out (ball park stuff here) bearing in mind the chip and exhaust system I already have?

Gearbox would be swapped for a G40 item and the clutch would be changed too to cope with the power I add here!

i don't know if this information is much use to you but i read on porka i think, i also think the article was writtern by nick euro which said that you can gain upto 150bhp from a gt engine.

Providing it has the same kind of compression ratio as normal, with the decent manifold and bits done the injection / inlet side of things. I don't see why it couldn't make 125-130 bhp, no idea on torque really.

It would need a re-map to make the most of all the changes.

Finding a G40 gearbox that isnt broke is a task in itself. The 8P box should be suitable but you can't fit an lsd to those apparently. A standard G40 200mm clutch should be suitable.

How about the 1.6 Golf/Polo engines?

Would they be compatible with the GT block?

What's the 8P box out of?

8p box was fitted to some CLs, mine has one in it.

Karl.

Have you considered lightening the car a bit? This would give it a bit more oomph.
As for the engine, I'd say stick with the original motor because
a) it's a lot cheaper
b)you don't have to worry about rewiring and all the hassle that comes with an engine swap
c)even if you did do (say) a G40 swap 6months down the line you'd be wanting even more power and so throwing more money at it!

Steve, Paul .... concept-e guys --- wasn't your "new" NZ engined coupe allegedly running over 110hp til the previous owner took the majority of the mods out?
what sort of ting did that have in it again?

(just my luck - they'll be on holiday..)