I just bought an 81 Rabbit diesel project. Been sitting in a barn for 20 years and has minimal rust...engine and trans are currently out of the car. It came with an old, newly rebuilt short block 1.6 NA engine (effectively brand new, never started yet), which i would like to turbo. My goals are only mild/moderate boost for keeping up with traffic and getting up hills without slowing. I also plan to use a pyrometor and add one or more oil coolers, as well as an intercooler. It makes sense to me to work with the 1.6NA, instead of searching for a true TD, 1.9 or whatever else, because they are commonly available and cheap...i guess because nobody likes them. My question is what would be the most affective/easiest way to turbo the NA using common junkyard parts (specifically what manifolds, turbo and other parts should i get from what specific model and year etc).I would also be open to buying a new-rebuilt turbocharger itself that will bolt up to whatever manifolds would be the best choice. I like the idea of a water-cooled turbo if that can be done gracefully also.
The other major question is, is there any 6-speed transmission that will bolt up to this without any hassle...or minimal hassle...I may be comfortable fabricating additional mounts etc since il already be doing some cutting/rust repair anyway and the engine/trans are already out. My mother had a 2002 New beetle turbo with a 6-speed...would that trans work if i located one? I have an actual 5-speed from a Rabbit sitting around here, so if it would be too much bother to go with the 6 speed il just use it...
If anybody has anything negative to say about turboing the NA, please keep it to yourself. I am well aware of all the potential pitfalls. I also have 3 other 1.6 NAs sitting around the barn...so if one blows up, it blows up...I will post pictures if this happens, as well as use my AAA Gold membership to get home if need be...
Turbo what you have and forget about the 6 spd trans. Look under the one you have for the two letters and numbers and that will tell you the ratios of the gears. I have not known any conversions to a 6 from the 5. It is pretty tall if you get the right one anyway.
Ton of information on this site on picking a turbo for this engine. Start poking around. Just don't use a sharp stick.
The 6 speed unless you go for more power probably won't benefit you especially for the cost you will have in it.
The turbo can be found. Look for the setups from the 1.6 engines and just bolt it on.
I feel like somewhere I have seen a kit for 020's to add a 6th gear and it was outrageously expensive. Could have been a different tranny I suppose. I just get this feeling I have seen them before.
Sent from Outer Space!