Want to TD my 1.6NA

[mnoll406]

Hey Everybody,
New to the forum, it's great! I have a 80 Rabbit diesel. I want to TD it. How does this work out with the NA block and head. I'm in the process of looking for turbo parts off a TD. Is it better to go with the original factory parts or are some non TD parts better (ie. different turbo, injection pump, etc.) I was planning on using a 1.6 gas intake, easier to find, and don't have to block off the blow off valve. Any issues with space if I go this route? Is there another source for a readily available turbo  exhaust manifold off another make. The TD ones are getting hard to find or is there a good aftermarket/custom source. How about the intake/exhaust manifold off a 97 tdi passat? will they fit a 1.6na. Thanks for the help in advance.

                          Mike

[chrissev]

Hey Everybody,
New to the forum, it's great! I have a 80 Rabbit diesel. I want to TD it. How does this work out with the NA block and head. I'm in the process of looking for turbo parts off a TD. Is it better to go with the original factory parts or are some non TD parts better (ie. different turbo, injection pump, etc.) I was planning on using a 1.6 gas intake, easier to find, and don't have to block off the blow off valve. Any issues with space if I go this route? Is there another source for a readily available turbo  exhaust manifold off another make. The TD ones are getting hard to find or is there a good aftermarket/custom source. How about the intake/exhaust manifold off a 97 tdi passat? will they fit a 1.6na. Thanks for the help in advance.

                          Mike

You'll need to instal the oil squirters if you do that.  Otherwise the pistons will get very hot.  There are some pics somewhere on this site of the damage that can occur when an oil squirter breaks off and no longer squirts oil onto the underside of the piston on a turbo car.

[vwmike]

Unless someone switched out the engine then your Rabbit is likely a 1.5. In which case it also has 11mm head bolts. Everyone will tell you that turboing your NA engine is a bad idea. In truth, it is...but that doesn't mean it won't work if you're careful about it. Keeping EGT's in check will (hopefully) assure that serious damage won't happen. That said, your EGT's should be more conservative than that of a true TD engine.

You really want the injection pump, turbo, exhaust manifold, intake manifold, connecting hose, inlet tube, air box, oil lines, oil pan, filter flange, and downpipe off of a turbo car to make the swap complete. Finding that stuff on a MK1 is difficult though. You'd be more likely to find mk2 parts and then have to fab a new downpipe or buy one seperately and then make or buy a new inlet tube seperately. You will also need an oil cooler and gauges (boost and EGT at least, oil temperature is helpful).

There are a lot of aftermarket alternatives for parts, but it's probably cheaper and easier to use the VW stuff. The gas intake manifold won't clear the stock VW intake manifold unless you flip the turbo and manifold upside down.