To Turbo or not to turbo, that is the question

[tylernt]

I've just made arrangements to purchase a 1.6 TD from a local wrecking yard. It will be bored out and fitted with new ceramic-topped pistons and ARP head studs. (Toying with the idea of Total Seal rings too. ) I don't know yet if it has solid or hydraulic lifters so I don't know if I'll be able to use a metal head gasket or not. Anybody know what lifters an '84 Jetta came with?

Here's the thing, I can't decide if I want to keep it turbo or not. I already have a N/A diesel Rabbit and have never felt the need for more speed. However, this engine will be going into a yet-to-be-purchased Mk2 Jetta which is a fair bit heavier than a Rabbit, and if I have to do a gasser conversion, the transmission will be geared higher too. These might persuade me to keep the turbo except I don't like the added complexity and the added stress that a turbo adds, so I kinda want to drop it.

The car will mostly be used around town with the occasional freeway trip when I'd like to go 75mph. Will a N/A Mk2 Jetta do 75mph over flat ground at 3,000rpm or do I need the turbo for that?

[745 turbogreasel]

Turbo is more efficient with less smoke.
What is your question?

[jtanguay]

turbo is fun!  i just love driving down the road listening to the sound it makes as it spools... and then the rushing air going into the motor when its fully spooled  :twisted:  oh yea and the extra power is an added bonus!

[burn_your_money]

An 84 will have solid lifters so no metal HG for you.

I'd go turbo. It is more effecient, and is really not that much more complex.

You will need a mk2 air box, hoses, fule filter bracket and downpipe everything else will be the same (I think) I have all of those parts so just drop me a PM if you need them.

75 MPH at 3000 RPM is definitly attainable, I'd go turbo though, NA would have problems with headwind and hills I would think

With 195-150-15 tires and a ACH with a 0.71 fifth you will be doing 3109 RPM

If you find a ASF, AON, ACN or ACL stock you will be at 3059 and if you drop in the 0.71 fifth you will be at 2896

My TD runs 3285 at 75 MPH but I want to drop that down by about 300.

BTW grab the mk1 airbox and sheet metal, fuel filter and badges, they are worth a pretty penny

[RabbitJockey]

BTW grab the mk1 airbox and sheet metal, fuel filter and badges, they are worth a pretty penny

heheh i have all of that stuff.  unfortunately my car was originally just a base model the interior is a dead give away that it's not a gl.  in the us only gl's were available with tds.

[tylernt]

fule filter bracket and downpipe everything else will be the same (I think) I have all of those parts so just drop me a PM if you need them.

Tempting, but I know shipping from Canada will be killer.

With 195-150-15 tires and a ACH with a 0.71 fifth you will be doing 3109 RPM

Wow, those are wide tires. Since I hate power steering, I want to stay skinny if I can. I have 175 wide tires on my Fox and that makes the steering about as stiff as I'd want it (maybe the wheel will be easier to turn on a Jetta owing to the different steering geometry). Also, I'm dead set on using the rims below, which are 14" (though I'm told there is a 15" Canadian version). Maybe I should pick up the Mk1 transmission that was mated to this engine and pull the ring and pinion and 5th gear out to put into a Mk2 tranny. Will the R&P swap over?

[burn_your_money]

I could have that shipped for like $30-40 its not as bad as you would think.

The tire size is what www.scirocco.org/gears uses so it just made my life easier to use the same size

[tylernt]

Is the downpipe the part that goes from the turbo to the donut, or the part that goes from the donut to the flex pipe? Will my Mk1 DP not work in a Mk2 because it will hit the subframe or something?

[tylernt]

Whups nevermind, I just looked at the DPs from Passenger Performance. Spendy little pipes aren't they!

[burn_your_money]

Completely worth it though. The stock upper downpipe goes from the turbo to the donut, then the lower one is the rest below the donut to the first joint