Engine conversion.
 

Well I've gone and done it now!

Some of you will know, my Rover T16 Rover engine went to heaven (but may be coming back again, a different story).

I have decided to go with the VAG 1.8 turbo engine. Going in totally blind. No manual's etc. Bit's should hopefully be here 10/11/08.

It's the 180 HP version, but by the time it's on the road, should be near the 300 HP mark. Bigger turbo and aftermarket ECU.

Sad as my heart was saying Rover. But brain said other wise. Rise to the challenge. A challenge it will be!

I'll watching this with interest, as it's an engine I very nearly fitted instead of the Type-R engine.

Got any pictures of the damage to the T-series?

http://www.phone-forensics.com/forum...thout_pics.gif :D:D:D

It'll fit! but will you have to strengthen the chassis at the same time?

Hopefully not! It managed the heavy T16 in there ok, so should be ok. It can't be any heavier.

John, pictures to follow soon!:biggrin1:

I wasn't thinking of the weight, rather the extra forces with 300hp over the rovers 200hp. Did you sort the handling problem you mentioned before?

When I drove the car round Woodbridge, the car handled ok. Springs need to be harder, but seemed ok. It seems more funny on normal roads???? But I see what you mean about power.

I intend to have it on a roading road to check these things as that is where I picked up my engine was rocking!

It's probably because the road is not as smooth as the track so you have to run softer settings, what are the plans for the new engine? not sure what you need to make 300?

Any pix yet? :D

Injectors, turbo, and suitable exhaust manifold is all that is needed to get a 1.8t to 300 bhp.

For track use, especially in a mid-engined layout, going on the oil temps I've seen on track (even in March) when driving a 1.8t mk2 golf, a thermostatic plate and oil cooler would be advisable.

Not many pictures to show.

Bout spec should be 440cc injectors, GT28 turbo from a Pulsar, aftermarket ECU. Should get it there. Completley new exhaust and maybe manifold.

Not many pictures at the moment.

Car in sorry state.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSCF0461.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSCF0462.jpg

Now the rebuilding can begin.:icon_mrgreen:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSCF0463.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...n/DSCF0464.jpg

Excellent John. This'll be the most powerful currently road legal Marlin once it is done, so it'll be a good test bed for those of tempted to supercharge a K20!

Or an upgrade from a K series.

looking good, a baffled oil pan would be a good investment too...

doesn't seem like it needs much investment to get the power up!

I've been told there pretty well baffled already. I'll be asking other VW owners there opinions. Also if there are any pictures about of the sump.

Only reason i mention it, the Shelsley TT had the same engine and it suffered 4 engine failures due to oil surge/starvation before a propperly developed sump was put on it - although it did use A048 sticky tyres and was running 350+

Your engine bay is a lot easier to work on than mine! got to take the engine out now, but i think i'll have to rig up a vertical engine lift rather than use a normal engine crane as it doesn't have enough reach :(

John,

This is good news!! (not your old engine part but you know what I mean!)

I think the only things I can add is that there is lots of help on seloc as lots of these engines in elises now! such as this thread http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=191724

It has original thread on link at top.

Also rear tyres?? granted mine only has normal road tyres and about 145 ft/lb torque and although it grips very well can and does scrabble between changes in the dry even 3rd to fourth at times! I cant imagine what 300+ ft/lb will do to 195 wide tyres??

Craig

Hi Criag.

Thanks for the link.

I know what you mean with the tyres. As John found out, Toyo's are no good in the wet. But will use them for testing in the dry when the car's back on the road. Tyres was only cheap anyway. See how it goes.

John, It was the width I was concerned about! I can't see a 195 tyre being able to cope with 300+ lb/ft torque

Craig

John you really do make the car look very small! Don't take that the wrong way!

I have just read the link I sent you on seloc and although his audi car has only been mapped at part throttle so far they have hit 468bp!!!!!

Think it will e massively over 500 when done....totally mental in a 700kg car

Craig

lol

Just so the others know what your talking about. A "small car".

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/XSP_0093.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/XSP_0600.jpg

What size rubber have you got on the rear Craig?

Yeah that Elise is mental. I personally could not handle that power in the Marlin. You would need to know how to drive to handle that.

Wow nice decision, will be very interesting in how it goes, must admit that engine is on my wishlist for the car if I decide to upgrade in the future.