so just having silly thoughts at the moment.....

since I have a head gasket gone on my PD100 I was contemplating how simple swapping the engine for a PD130 would be?

there are a number of internal differenced in the engine that would make it beneficial and I know a VRS estate has been done at least once....

would it be as simple as a straight swap or will it end up heading into the realms of more complex than its worth....

could I keep the 5 speed box or would I have to get a gearbox as well...

what about the ECU and other ancillary items. are they the same or would everything need to be swapped?

probably not worth the hassle but if I could find a good engine then it may be worth considering.

any thoughts?

Jason (devonutopia) did exactly this

IIRC, it was more involved than he thought as the wiring loom was different. He kept the 5 speed box. I'm sure he'll be along soon.

It can be done and I think now it could be easier than when I did it. I went the whole hog and everything vRS went into my car - engine, box, wiring, various sensors, ECU, dashboard, etc. I think it could be done changing the injector wiring loom in the head for the pd100 loom, change the 2.0 bar map sensor for a 2.5. Could keep the original box but its not that strong, so pd130 power, especially tuned, needs the bigger stronger clutch & 6 speed gearbox.

I also have to ask "why" as that answer could dictate my next response, or revise my response above.

Ross (Tech1e) converted a PD100 estate into a VRS estate, though ninja_alex was the first.

I also have to ask "why" as that answer could dictate my next response, or revise my response above.

haha thanks its just a stupid thought at the moment....

with a blown head gasket I am looking at a couple of hundred for parts and a fair strip down of the engine anyway. since the PD130 is a better starting point for tuning if I could find one then I was thinking it may be a good opertunity to make the change.

they never made a VRS estate and I need to be able to tow so I wouldnt swap to a VRS.

from the sounds of what you have said then wiring loom ECU and gearbox which were my main worries might be able to be worked around and although it makes sense to swap the gearbox if I take the engine up to big power I should get away with the 5 speed if I keep it within limits.

mainly just a thought experiment at the moment but I will start having a look for an engine to see what the costs would be.

any advice you can give is most apreciated

Ross (Tech1e) converted a PD100 estate into a VRS estate, though ninja_alex was the first.

thanks for the links

I remember reading a thread about it some time ago but IIRC the conversion was done by someone else and there wasnt much detail - my pockets are not that deep

will enjoy having a read through them tonight

wow - those are some nice cars!

I so wish I could go to that sort of level.

unfortunately my poor car is a workhorse and at 30k a year I am aiming for bullet proof reliability with a bit more power if possible.

That’s one of the reasons I am considering the swap to a PD130 or PD150 but it would depend on finding an engine at the right price and hopefully the swap not being much more involved than taking one out and putting the other in – I suspect this will not be the case though…

If this is possible then I will have a search around for a complete engine and gearbox.

If this is possible then I will have a search around for a complete engine and gearbox.

And wiring loom, ecu, instruments? probably driveshafts too.

And wiring loom, ecu, instruments? probably driveshafts too.

having talked to Jason it looks like the gearbox would have to be a project for another day as it would require a few other changes to the drivetrain.

still the engine swap may still be possible....

as he mentioned above if the injector loom was swapped for the one from my PD 100 then would the PD100 ECU play nicely? not sure but it might…

I think the next thing I need to try to find is if all of the sensors in the engine are the same.

This would only really be an option for me if the current ECU and wiring loom can be kept as otherwise it will get too involved for the time I can spare the car being out of action.

Having mapped the car my next plan was going to be replacing the turbo as I have had one fail under warranty and now at 120K am getting nervous but it turns out that the head had been the weak point.

Just kicking around the idea of swapping the engine as a unit. Mechanically it fits and if I keep the 5 speed box then the drivetrain will remain unchanged.

Its all of the electronics that I am struggling with. Even if I can keep the loom and ECU and by changing the injector loom get it all connected I guess that the ECU will still have a head fit

well I think for the moment I will keep the PD100 as long as I dont find any damage when I do the head gasket.

as I dont want massive power I dont think a swap would be worth the hassle.

next on the list of parts will be a PD150 turbo and possibly injectors

am I correct in thinking that the current PD100 injectors limit me to about 170-180 hp?

also for the turbo upgrade I believe I need to swap one of the hoses - could anyone point me in the right direction for this item?

thanks again