Hi, since I live in Holland it is easier to access Dutch or German tuners. So I thought I gave a big German tuner a go. They had this GT28RS 320 bhp kit complete for just under £ 3,000, so I was curious about what else I would need and what labor would cost. So they replied that since my vRS has done 135,000 miles I would need the piston and con-rod kit of £ 900 as well. Ok, I understand that, as you will need to lower compression rate and I prefer overrated con-rods anyway. So I asked again: what kind of labor would be needed and what would it need in total? So they replied that I would have to think about £ 13,500 and upwards! I was literally stunned. What could possibly in between those former and last quote?! So they replied they would basically totally rebuild the engine, hydraulics, chains, etc, etc.! They don't do this kit without a complete overhaul! Why would they want to do that, if I would do this much trouble I could better go for their 400 bhp plus kits! In the end I had this idea they wanted to sell me a new £ 8,000 engine with wider belts, upgraded tensioners and upgrade bearings and shells. Of course next to their turbo kits, etc, etc....

I assume they'd have to change, and uprate, almost everything on your engine.

 

At my work we had a BMW 320 which threw a crankshaft bearing and it was £6k to resolve that, and that was just standard parts and with us removing the engine from the car for them. So it doesn't sound overly expensive for what it is, to me anyway.

If they are reputable, then they will use the proper upgraded components, measure the tolerances to a higher standard than normal reconditioning - essentially you will be paying for a "professional" rebuild, done by proper engineers, hence the price. Rebuilding an engine is quite easy with the correct manuals and tools, it's also very therapeutic too in a strange kind of way.....at least to me anyway

Yes, I understand the benefits of a properly rebuild engine. But if you start with this kind of money (and upgraded everything) you would want to go for a more powerful engine anyway? The 320 bhp for that amount is almost worth watching for a early new model Megane RS...

I have had a rebuild Murena, Cossy and C20LET engine before...

Do you really need 320bhp? If 300bhp is enough, just slap a Beach Buggy Turbo K300 (it's a K03-framed hybrid) on there and have the map limited to a safe 300bhp/300lbft to protect the standard rods. Or just put in some new steel rods and let it make what it wants to make.

Hi Mankee, no I don't need 320 bhp, this was just the kit they offered for £ 3,000 which in end would return in a £ 13,500 engine. If a 280-300 bhp kit would save me trouble of rebuilding the complete engine than it's a no brainer! I've called R-Tech and they recommend this turbo as well, (same a JD Engineering in Holland), they advice it to keep it under 280 bhp to prevent the con-rods. That seems like a very decent turbo! I thought they deliver the complete kit, but they don't, I have to find out more about this turbo and what else I would need. 280 bhp would be nice, this would make it almost similar to my 276 bhp Astra GSI and 296 Sierra RS Cosworth.

Oh, the rebuild quote came from Bartek or Bar-Tek, which has a lot of interesting stuff on their site with even upgraded belts and pulleys...

I can supply you the turbo

We do the k300 or the k280

We can assist in other parts needed and advise best tuners etc to use

I can supply you the turbo

We do the k300 or the k280

We can assist in other parts needed and advise best tuners etc to use

Tempted on a K300 myself

Group buy on K300/steel rods packages, Clive! :clap:

 

Hope the BBT venture is going well for you.

I can supply you the turbo

We do the k300 or the k280

We can assist in other parts needed and advise best tuners etc to use

Well getting the (or a) turbo isn't that big a deal. Finding parts itself could be done with a bit of hassle. I also have a VAG mechanic as a friend (so cheaper as going to a dealer). But I really prefer doing it all by one person against a fixed price!

Why? Well, there always seems to be things that need to be rerouted or that tuners have specific issues to look after. Of course the engine has to be mapped, ok we have a man for that with knowledge and a rolling road, but it is easier if they start with a map already and that the operator also have 1.8 20VT knowledge.

I know from previous rebuilds that in the end it works better if both software and hardware are done by the same company, as some thing needed to be sorted when on the Dyno. And I am sure I would have done some things differently on both the Cossy and C20LET engines.

So book yourself a trip to see the likes of R-Tech or Badger5. You could drive over and spend a week sight seeing and still have a lot of your £13500 in the bank. The mk1 I'd light compared to a lot of cars so 280 is enough for most people and as they say easily achievable at a relatively low cost due to not needing complete rebuild to get there. Oh and it's better to do it to the 4x4 :-) not that I'm biased or anything

Well, wish I had a £ 13,500.- budget to play with... Even the proper 280 bhp (hybrid) turbo kits seems to be more pricey than I would have thought of... Bigger MAF, bigger TIP, hybrid turbo, bigger injectors, 4 bar regulator (I already have an Audi S3 pump), bigger intercooler, bigger downpipe, bigger exhaust, perhaps a manifold and re-routing of hoses, fitment or labor, generic or custom remap. This will easily sum up to 4K!

£13,500 can buy a seriously quick car outright?!

£13,500 can buy a seriously quick car outright?!

Yes it would probably do! Maybe with selling the Skoda a MK3 Megane RS would be possible... But of course it won't be brand new than... And with this kind of rebuilds 400 bhp is probably about the same amount.