Yesterday, after resigning myself to keeping my TDI block and bits for spares for me I was having a rummage on autotrader and came across a high mileage white 1.4 MPI that is quite cheap - reckon I could get it for about 2K. Now comes the tough bit. I have all the workings still of my 1.9 TDI - all mechanical bits remain, except the driveshafts.

Pressure at work means can't say much but basically wouldn't mind K (or anyone of course ) posting a kind of step by step of what's needed to be done, and maybe a rough number of labour hours too.

Thanks in advance.

(I guess the hazards of moving on a fully working 1.9 TDI in another guise is tough too - informing DVLA etc.)

Any pointers, because I fancy this to keep my hands busy this winter.

should say there's a few bits I'd change - swap my OEM barely used suspension into it. Also attempt a retrofit of my old cars complete front electric windows system (whose wiring is still integrated in the loom of my old car...)

It will be a massive job. There is so much intergrated into cars these days that basically all you would be doing is using the 1.4 shell.

Whats different, of the top of my head...

Engine (obviously)

Exhaust

Intercooler etc

Engine bay loom

Vehcile loom

a/c system if fitted to 1.9 and not 1.4

Fuel tank and supply system inc fuel cooler and pumps

Gearbox and driveshafts

Dash insert

Suspension

Rear brakes

A.B.S?

Lots of stuff, basically you would need to strip the 1.4 down to a bare shell and rebuild using the TDi parts, then you have to consult the DVLA as I think you will find that enough on the car has been replaced from'the original car to warrant a possible SVA inspection and possible Q plate.

It will be a massive job. There is so much intergrated into cars these days that basically all you would be doing is using the 1.4 shell.

Whats different' date=' of the top of my head...

Engine (obviously) - [i']have it, but will the mounts be different? i.e 1.4 block is smaller and has bigger mounts to reach the chassis. I believe I have OEM TDI mounts anyway to use, especially with with the weight of the engine issue[/i]

Exhaust - have complete OEM exhaust on shell too

Intercooler etc - ahem, pretty sure I have this.

Engine bay loom - Yep - all OEM wiring remains untouched

Vehcile loom - Guess so, hoping for many "similarities"

a/c system if fitted to 1.9 and not 1.4 - Yes, have system, but would need work - plus re-gassing, etc - tempted to just skip it, if I could

Fuel tank and supply system inc fuel cooler and pumps - Yep, all diesel fuelling system is on the shell

Gearbox and driveshafts - gearbox attached to engine, will MPI driveshafts be much different to TDI ones? Hoping they would be same and just bolt on to the new engine/box setup.

Dash insert - Yes, I have old car's instrument panel & immobiliser code for ECU

Suspension - I have my complete TDI suspension from eibach mod

Rear brakes - ahem? Can I not keep original MPI braking - I assumed it was the same

A.B.S? - assumed this was the same too, but would need to check

Lots of stuff, basically you would need to strip the 1.4 down to a bare shell and rebuild using the TDi parts, then you have to consult the DVLA as I think you will find that enough on the car has been replaced from'the original car to warrant a possible SVA inspection and possible Q plate.

Hmmm. points taken - take a peek at my comments in the quote - dunno if it helps. I have so much already, its just the work involved that scares me. I guess the dashboard would need to come out too. The thing is the benefit of this "massive work" looks nice, if I can make a genuine 50K mile TDI Fabia estate at the end of it.

edit: Just thought - I wonder what happens with traction control, ASR? I assume the classic trim level Fabia's have no ASR. Am I right in saying that?

1.4MPI has rear drum brakes whereas the TDI has all round discs as well as ABS, ASR and EDL

Chris

or...make a very fast 1.4.....get in touch with AAT...and hunt for a turbo...

1.4MPI has rear drum brakes whereas the TDI has all round discs as well as ABS' date=' ASR and EDL

Chris[/quote']

Bugger :( Hell will freeze over before I use the rear hubs off my shell - those wheels were pointing in all kinds of funny directions. SO looks like I'd need to build in the labour and materials of a complete rear brake swap - All I have that wasn't harmed was the discs themselves and the calipers. If the drum brakes pop off easy enough I'm gonna need a new pair of rear brake carrier/hub assemblies I think... damn. Then there might be wiring for the ABS and stuff? *phew.

Rear drums would probably do the job of stopping the car though. Might cause issue with the ABS, though I suspect there would be a way round that... :rubchin:

Rob.

Rear drums would probably do the job of stopping the car though. Might cause issue with the ABS' date=' though I suspect there would be a way round that... :rubchin:

Rob.[/quote']Maybe But the way its going I can envisage this being the only TDI to come with no air-con and no traction control and ABS.

I forgot to add to the above I have the ultimate tool for helping in this little matter, a kind of "this is how to do it" in the form of my own car. Also having ETKA on CD might actually come in handy for me.

Also remembered that aircon has two FAT pipes going through the bulkhead... me bets the ones without aircon have no holes drilled. Pass the Drill!!! :evil:

And not to mention that after this venture the 1.4 converted to half a 1.9 TDi spec will prolly be worth less that the 1.4 was to start with.