1.6 N/A actual performance testimonials!

[ffgb]

I have a 1.6 N/A in a 2-door rabbit with a 4A transmission.  I have rebuilt the motor with .020 oversized pistons along with a resealed IP and governor mod, and a borla 2" exhaust system.  I want more pep, well especially when going up hills!!!

         1) Is it worth changing out the toilet bowl exhaust manifold for a dual outlet exhaust manifold?
         2) Along with changing the exhaust manifold, is the gasser intake manifold worth it too?

With both the gasser intake and dual outlet manifold, will I see an improvement in performance, especially when climbing hills?

I want to hear results from people who have actually done these modifications!

Is it worth the COST to turbo charge the motor?  I don't mind collecting parts from various junkyards from various cars for turbo charging the motor over time, I don't want extreme performance, just an upgrade when driving up hills sometimes!

Thanks

[clbanman]

Here's a link to a post I did on my exhaust modification.  http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=20427.msg155903#msg155903  Note that I don't have any pictures of the toilet bowl manifold outlet, but it is still bigger than the inlet opening in the tube I cobbled together.   Not sure how the area compares to the dual outlet manifold.

For a N/A, it made what I consider an amazing difference in driveability.   Not sure if this is better/easier/similar to the results of the dual outlet exhaust, but definitely change it from stock.   I guarantee you won't regret it.

[vdubspeed]

I have about $400 in my turbo kit. Can't beat that it and it's a lot more fun to drive. No black smoke anymore either...just *** and get.

[rodpaslow]

I agree 10 lbs a boost makes a big difference in this little motor.  For how inexpensive the old T3's are and the rest you need, much further ahead adding a turbo...$.02

[maxfax]

The gasser intake manifold really isn't necessary on a NA.. It is however a decent upgrade for a turbo..

The toilet bowl exhaust manifold isn't actually all that bad either, it's the size of the flange and pipe that make it suck.... Has the flange on the exhaust been opened up to match the 2" exhaust?

There is also the transmission to look at as well..  Probably the absolute best thing I have done for pulling hills is swap to an ACH 5 speed..  I always felt when I hit the mountains that I needed that extra gear between 3rd and 4th..

In my '81 Bunny 4 door I have the toilet bowl exhaust opened up to 2", governor mod, ACH trans, and 185 70 13 tires and can maintain the speed limit or a little more on most of the hills I encounter in Central PA.. Passing cars up hills rarely happens though...

A Giles pump would probably be the next think you could do short of a turbo, but bang for the buck a turbo would propably be the way to go...

[R.O.R-2.0]

Giles $1k < Turbo ~$400

[ffgb]

I would love to turbo charge my motor, but need help sourcing the parts. What cars came with turbocharger I need? What cars came with the exhaust manifold I need? Can I use the stock IP? What is the intake manifold to use? What about my oil pan and all associated fittings? What other items would I need?

[R.O.R-2.0]

I would love to turbo charge my motor, but need help sourcing the parts. What cars came with turbocharger I need? What cars came with the exhaust manifold I need? Can I use the stock IP? What is the intake manifold to use? What about my oil pan and all associated fittings? What other items would I need?

turbo diesel jettas, golfs, rabbits, well, basically anything turbo diesel will have most/all of the parts you will need.

it will probably be easier to find the parts on the forum, rather than off a car at a junk yard. people are always selling stock VW diesel turbo kits on here.

[mystery3]

Do you ever come up north? I've a header and I think 2.5" maybe 2.25" exhaust for a rabbit I'd let go really cheap but I don't want to ship.

[RabbitJockey]

for a while i had a 2" toilet bowl down pipe with a 2.25 tt exhaust, it definitely ran well, then i swapped to a turbo diesel with the same exhaust and, then it really really ran well haha.  u could easily build your own turbo setup, but its much easier to use vw parts.  most smaller turbos off any car will work fine, especially if u just want more hill climbing ability, even the standard sized 45 trim t3 would work well

[ffgb]

Thanks to everyones feedback! I will now start collecting parts for turbo charging my N/A motor!

[R.O.R-2.0]

Thanks to everyones feedback! I will now start collecting parts for turbo charging my N/A motor!

if you can find a VNT turbo off a TDI (99-2003) they bolt right up to the 1.6 head, and are a big upgrade to the stock T3..

you gotta rig up custom oil lines tho..

[wdkingery]

Custom oil lines...

[R.O.R-2.0]

Custom oil lines...

since the VNT hangs down soo low, the feed and return lines for high mounted turbos wont even come close to working.. i know, ive done the swap. been running it for 4 years (damn, didnt notice it was that long) now without an issue..

i used half of a T3 feed line, half of a TDI feed line, and a chunk of brake line for a sleeve to fit both lines in, then cut both lines the right length, slipped them in the sleeve, and CAREFULLY welded them back together on some super light duty heat settings on the welder..

for the return line, i cut the bottom half of a T3 line off, and then cut the flange off the TDI return line, i connected the 2 pieces with a ~3" chunk of oil hose..

downpipe is SUPER EASY to make on a mk1..

mk2 cars, its WAY TOUGHER to fit a integral VNT on them without a special rear engine mount..

[vdubspeed]

Giles $1k < Turbo ~$400

Just wanted to back this up. My friend went the Giles route and I went the turbo route on an N/A(still n/a pump)

I'll be nice, he wished he had gone my route.