Who's built a powerhouse 1.6TD?

[wut_cel]

I'm looking for a workhorse of a motor to build, something that revs decently high and can handle boost well. I was thinking of a 1.6 block with forged rods, coated pistons and a worked head with a decent turbo to power it. Anyone have any ideas or insight?

[theman53]

Nope, no clue. Maybe search the IDI section for builds and you may find some older threads.

[8v-of-fury]

Graduate to the 1.9L engine, and get one that is TDI.

It is Volkswagen's 4th generation of diesel engine.. thus it has whatever the last ones did and more ingenuity.

Already forged bottom, much better head flow, and they come with a good turbo on their for an easy 130-150hp right out of the box pretty much.

[wut_cel]

And these bolt right into a mk2? What's the block code and head code?

[8v-of-fury]

The 1Z and AHU are a bolt in and go affair with mk2 stuff on the block.

Like say, you replace only your engine but use everything else you have.. trans, axles, mounts, blah blah.

Only thing you'd have to decide is do you wanna stay mechanical pump? Or do you wanna install all the electronics?

[CrazyAndy]

Nope, no clue. Maybe search the IDI section for builds and you may find some older threads.

[wut_cel]

The 1Z and AHU are a bolt in and go affair with mk2 stuff on the block.

Like say, you replace only your engine but use everything else you have.. trans, axles, mounts, blah blah.

Only thing you'd have to decide is do you wanna stay mechanical pump? Or do you wanna install all the electronics?

I'd want to stay mechanical.

[wut_cel]

Started pricing motors and it'll almost worth it to build a fun 1.6 for less money then buy a stock 1.9

[RabbitJockey]

Started pricing motors and it'll almost worth it to build a fun 1.6 for less money then buy a stock 1.9

no way.  i am building a 1.6 and i still think 1.9 is the better route, other than the initial cost of the engine(which isn't that different) they'd cost similar amounts to build up, with much more dramatic gains coming from either 1.9 engine.

also i believe for a mk2 the alh will actually bolt into the car.

[wut_cel]

Started pricing motors and it'll almost worth it to build a fun 1.6 for less money then buy a stock 1.9

no way.  i am building a 1.6 and i still think 1.9 is the better route, other than the initial cost of the engine(which isn't that different) they'd cost similar amounts to build up, with much more dramatic gains coming from either 1.9 engine.

also i believe for a mk2 the alh will actually bolt into the car.

I think this is where location comes into play, TD motors on the west coast cost an exorbitant amount for the simple fact they are diesel. I'll keep an eye out of a cheap ALH though.

[theman53]

I love my 1.6 except for the precups. I have built 2 runners and the last one is a freak. It is all in what you want. I think the alh is probably the best engine vw produced diesel wise, but love my little 1.6. IMHO turbo selection is the most important think...if you have a pump to deliver the fuel.

[RabbitJockey]

I love my 1.6 except for the precups. I have built 2 runners and the last one is a freak. It is all in what you want. I think the alh is probably the best engine vw produced diesel wise, but love my little 1.6. IMHO turbo selection is the most important think...if you have a pump to deliver the fuel.

i think everything that was done to your head is probably some what required to make decent power(although running 1.9 head is probably good enough to avoid prechamber mods), and also like u say turbo selection is crucial! i do wonder if u could get away with 38mm/33mm valves like on vw 1.5/1.6/1.7 gas engines

[bajacalal]

He's right, TDI longblocks fetch absolutely outrageous prices here in California. I have seen prices of $2500 and up for a used tdi engine in questionable condition. So that's the base price and you would still spend a lot on the build. Add another $1000+ to that if you want to have a mechanical pump converted for tdi use... or run an injection pump from a mechanical 3.0 tdi land rover engine, which I've heard is a bolt on pump that runs the 1.9 tdi but you would have to get one from a junkyard in the UK or Australia.

They are faster though, and I think more aftermarket performance support is available for them than the 1.6 idi, that much is true. VW also worked out some of the problems in the 20 years between the time they designed the 1.6 idi and the 1.9 tdi. I have driven the "tdi in volvo wagon" car that has been brought up here and OMG it's fast. He's run like 30 lbs of boost for years too, with no issues. It's kind of loud and rattly though, compared to an idi, VW did a lot to soundproof the mk3 and up cars.

You can still make a decently fast, simple car out of an idi if that's what you're going for... but there will always be faster cars on the road.

[wut_cel]

He's right, TDI longblocks fetch absolutely outrageous prices here in California. I have seen prices of $2500 and up for a used tdi engine in questionable condition. So that's the base price and you would still spend a lot on the build. Add another $1000+ to that if you want to have a mechanical pump converted for tdi use... or run an injection pump from a mechanical 3.0 tdi land rover engine, which I've heard is a bolt on pump that runs the 1.9 tdi but you would have to get one from a junkyard in the UK or Australia.

They are faster though, and I think more aftermarket performance support is available for them than the 1.6 idi, that much is true. VW also worked out some of the problems in the 20 years between the time they designed the 1.6 idi and the 1.9 tdi. I have driven the "tdi in volvo wagon" car that has been brought up here and OMG it's fast. He's run like 30 lbs of boost for years too, with no issues. It's kind of loud and rattly though, compared to an idi, VW did a lot to soundproof the mk3 and up cars.

You can still make a decently fast, simple car out of an idi if that's what you're going for... but there will always be faster cars on the road.

 I'm looking to keep it simple (stupid) and a 1.6 idi is as basic as it gets. I love the simplicity of these motors and want to build one. If I wanted a fast car I wouldn't be driving a Volkswagen.

[8v-of-fury]

I'm looking to keep it simple (stupid) and a 1.6 idi is as basic as it gets. I love the simplicity of these motors and want to build one. If I wanted a fast car I wouldn't be driving a Volkswagen.

The DI engine is actually more simple, but not to split hairs .

Volkswagens can be super quick, and handle well. That is the really fun drive. Straight line cars, or 150mph+ cars aren't all too fun for daily or even common use.

I get 50mpg, and walk cars with double my horsepower. That is the fun part lol.

What exactly do you want the engine to do for you?