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Engine Specific Info and Questions => IDI Engine => Topic started by: drrtybyl on September 06, 2008, 08:38:59 am

Title: Caddy 1.9 turbo kit on a rabbit 1.5?
Post by: drrtybyl on September 06, 2008, 08:38:59 am

Hello, I am new to the forum and to VWs -- I've just picked up a '79 Rabbit with the 1.5L diesel engine.  I'm interested to know if the complete turbo system (injection pump inc.) from a 1.9L Caddy will be more or less plug and play with the smaller Rabbit engine, or if I'll need to make significant mods to get it working properly.  Thanks in advance..

Title: Caddy 1.9 turbo kit on a rabbit 1.5?
Post by: burn_your_money on September 06, 2008, 09:11:46 am

swapping in the complete engine, yeah no big problems.

Swapping the TD parts onto the 1.5 engine... well that motor has a hard enough time keeping it's headgasket secure, boost is the last thing it needs.

Title: Caddy 1.9 turbo kit on a rabbit 1.5?
Post by: drrtybyl on September 06, 2008, 07:15:16 pm

So do these smaller Rabbit motors have a history of being finicky or failure prone under boost, or are you simply suggesting any money would be better-spent on another engine, given this one's lack of power?

Title: Caddy 1.9 turbo kit on a rabbit 1.5?
Post by: blkboostedtruck on September 06, 2008, 07:27:22 pm

1.5 were not designed for the turbo age! they made aftermarket turbos in the 80's but boost was way low! that was just to make the motor last!
a newer 1.6 or 1.9 is the way to go!
i know from experience!
Duane