Consensus on mTDI pumps?

[Pre95]

So after reading through a lot of build posts, power arguments, swaps and everything else... I have no idea if an mTDI pump is a good idea or not. First i hear people bickering that you cant get any power out of an mTDI, then I hear a counter that you can get plenty, then i hear they are crap and unreliable, then I read elsewhere of them lasting for 100,000KM+ ... so whats the deal? I am looking to do a 1Z/AHU 1.9TDI swap in to my 81 rabbit this winter and im trying to plan the budget out... if I went with the mTDI pump I would be going to Giles.

[410]

If you can find an ahu/iz still in a car where you can grab everything you need including computer, wiring harness.... then go that route imo.  If you do go mtdi and use a pump built by giles you will get the power and durability your looking for but their will be a price for this.

I built my own mtdi pump and am loving it.  My only complaint is I haven't been able to control smoke at high load low rpm situations, other than with my right foot.  I used low quality parts in the injection pump to reduce cost so my pump might not be too reliable but so far 3000 km and no hiccups.   

[Justin]

I have a giles pump and am loving the MTDI, if its not enough power to run neck and neck with an 01 5.3 liter V8 silverado while I have a cherry picker, 1.6 and a 4 speed in the bed of my caddy with only 15 psi of boost then I would like to know what enough power is. I could turn it up as Giles said I have enough fuel in the top end for 45 psi but I have already burnt up the 5th gear synchro and bent shift forks on for 1st gear. I would love to turn it up but its just a stock engine and I dont have head studs or any other things so I like to keep it at reasonable power levels (can only do so much with a unibody car from 82 as well)

so far I have 40,000 miles on my MTDI and its still going strong. this thing pulls like a train and I am lovin it. I will probably leave it at 15 psi since I am putting the engine into a tracker and the stock drivetrain probably cannot handle any more gobs of torque.

this is with a 1.6 idi as the base pump with the 17mm input shaft as well just for the record. it was pricey from Giles but worth it in my opinion.

later
jkeiffer

[drrtybyl]

Did you run the TDI pump long before switching to mTDI?  Sounds like there was serious improvement in power?

[Justin]

I started with a brand new never Run TDI so I have no idea what it was like as an electronic unit as I aquired a long block in new condition.

it was powerfull enough to tow a 5x8 enclosed uhaul trailer with all of my belongings all the way back to Michigan from Tucson AZ, it ran at 15 psi boost the whole way at 70-75 mph the whole way back. only had to downshift 4 or 5 times for a few hills in NM. and towing I averaged 25 mpg.

[410]

My mtdi is pushing a toyota pickup 4x4 with no trouble.  I have more torque than the 22re it replaced.  I wouldn't say that an mtdi can make more power than the electronic version though.  In theory you should be able to get the same amount of power since the base of the injection pump is pretty much the same. 

[Helliouse]

I would say that with a Giles pump, you can get more. But you will pay... allot.

[Pre95]

If you can find an ahu/iz still in a car where you can grab everything you need including computer, wiring harness.... then go that route imo.  If you do go mtdi and use a pump built by giles you will get the power and durability your looking for but their will be a price for this.  

Well, I look at the price spent on the mTDI pump from giles will outweigh the wiring headaches and IMO crappy electronic throttle response (and pedal feel) that you get with the newer TDI setup. I definitely appreciate the insight though.

Another question, do the mTDI pumps have the loud cackle like the older IDI's do, or do they retain some of the quieter aspects of the TDi pump that is stock?

[G60ING]

With a mk3/B4 TDI the wiring is not a headache in a CE2 car. Its very plug and play. Sure you may want to learn to read a schematic but its not that tough.

[jtanguay]

think of it this way.  on a hot day the injection pump is really tweaking your timing and injection quantity to clean up emissions, and make the engine run smooth.  the mTDI will always give about the same fuel and timing, although fuel temp and air temp will play a big role in how the engine runs.  this can equate to a few mpg's, less emissions, and a smoother sound.  now if one of the sensors goes bad, then sometimes the ECU can throw the whole thing into 'limp' mode, rendering the car worse than an mTDI.

mTDI's are great.  they just work. but you need to have a proper pump build, otherwise it will give you a very poor experience. with my Giles' pump i have all the power i need (the low end torque is incredible vs a 1.6).  i also need to figure out something with regards to my 1.6 clutch, as it simply cannot hold the power.  i'm most likely going with the vr6 one and my CTN transmission as the low rpm's really suit the 1.9's.

[lovinthedeez]

seriously; you go from one dream to another and flake out.  make up your mind what you want to do and do it.  and if you REALLY want to learn these things, you'll do it YOURSELF.  If you have to bring a diesel rabbit to a shop to do a timing belt, you're setting yourself up for trouble if you try modding a motor.  not trying to hate, just giving my two cents