Engine Choice

[JimmyZ]

I presume that I should really direct this directly to Stiggy... however...

To make life simpler (simpler for me regarding servicing, etc as I have already have an '89 Scirocco) I was wondering on the choice of engine and how it would affect the rest of a build.

My thoughts turned to Mk2 Golf GTi engine (VERY similar to the 1.8 I have in my Rocco) plus it's simples as. Not overly bothered about WHAT power I'm dropping in as the car (Sonic) looks just schmexy as is, and yes, I appreciate that the Tax will be more... but is it a viable option?

Engine mounting, I'm guessing that it's just a case of the fabrication process being adapted, or is there more to it?

Presumably the build will require the drive shafts to be the right length or is there something extra I should consider?

What parts would I need off a Mk2 Golf (which you can pic up for £50 with a body shot one!!)?

Apologies for the random questions, however, I never seem to do life in the simple lane, plus there are LOADS of Engine mods / upgrades available for hte GTi lump

[dinosaurjuice]

the trouble is the sonic and rocket are specifically designed around the zetec engine. so much so that using anything else is really an unneccesary pain in the ar$e. (i would know )

with a GTi engine and gearbox you will have a rigid 'shift rod' gearchange, which will be a pain getting it to work nicely in front of the engine. not saying it isnt possible, but the cable system the IB5's use is so much simpler and reduces engine vibration in the interior.

if you wanted to use a VW engine, make it the 1.8 20v turbo. at least then it will have the 'umph' to justify the headaches from modifications.

will

[JimmyZ]

Thanks for that Will,

I was under my Rocco this morning looking at the gear linkage oddly enough, and yeah, routing that would be indeed a royal pain in the ar$e. Effectively the linkage would have to go around (or under over) the engine to select gear, and in turn adding more complexity to the arrangement.

Cable gear management system would be the way to go

Oddly enough, it's partly your fault (oh, and the Fiat Turbo chap's engine) that got me thinking.

I have LOADS of VAG "spares" that are just sitting there, from wiring looms to switches, and I do quite like the VW engine.

I'm probably just making a rod for my own back in taking a different approach. BUT prior planning and preparation, etc and all that

[JimmyZ]

Blinding impractical thought... hydraulic gear shifting and clutch ... could be worth a think

[r16]

I agree with Jimmy and Will, It will be alot harder to fit the VAG engine and you may even need to look into mounting it to a box with cable rather than rod shift to make it work at all.
HOWEVER... if you think if you fit a zetec engine (even if its the sweet st170 engine) you will get the the end of your buld and you will stand there and look at months and months of hard work and think......'I wish i had fitted the vag engine' then your better off putting in the extra hard work and building something you really want.
the rear uprights are made to take ford bearings and hubs so you will need custom made drive shafts, not a problem, it will just increase the cost of the build.
in its defence the 1.6 zetec se is very light and is really nice and smooth and the build cd has full instructions of how to wire it all in.

[dinosaurjuice]

i think the new polo has a cable operated gearbox. and that still uses some of the old 8v engine blocks so the bolt pattern might be compatible.

youll end up buying a ford focus for your donor parts, a Mk2 for the engine and a polo for the gearbox ;D

make something with a turbo, there always more fun to drive.

wil