I have a Yeti coming to me which apparently has a failed timing chain, I'm not familiar with the 1.2TSi so I am just curious if a failed chain always results in head/valve damage? or do they just skip timing and cut out before any damage occurs?

If the engine is a write-off, does anyone know if it's possible to fit the 1.4TSi instead? I'm assuming it's the same configuration, same size block, just different ancilliaries such as Turbo, injectors, ECU etc. I ask as I have access to one locally for not very much. 

I'm not a noob to this, but I'm far more familiar with the Diesels, I would be fairly confident swapping/converting a TDi but haven't grappled with a petrol variant before. 

Hi davegsm82

 

I own a 2012 1.4 TSi with the CAXA engine, which is shared with Golfs and other VAG cars.  I know that the gearbox and ratios are the same as the 1.2.  I also know that the rear brake discs are larger in diameter, which might have insurance implications for a "modified vehicle". The exhaust has twin tail pipes but that's probably just window dressing.

 

I have a horrible feeling that what on the face of it should be a straightforward job might be scuppered by some detail difference known only to VAG.  You would certainly need all the ancillaries including the first part of the exhaust system and the ECU.  Nothing is impossible, but it could burn up a lot of time and be uneconomic.

You've really got ask yourself whether it would be worth it. Marginal gain in performance at the price of unknown hassle and pain and expense. 

1 hour ago, Austin 7 said:

Hi davegsm82

 

I own a 2012 1.4 TSi with the CAXA engine, which is shared with Golfs and other VAG cars.  I know that the gearbox and ratios are the same as the 1.2.  I also know that the rear brake discs are larger in diameter, which might have insurance implications for a "modified vehicle". The exhaust has twin tail pipes but that's probably just window dressing.

 

I have a horrible feeling that what on the face of it should be a straightforward job might be scuppered by some detail difference known only to VAG.  You would certainly need all the ancillaries including the first part of the exhaust system and the ECU.  Nothing is impossible, but it could burn up a lot of time and be uneconomic.

I should be able to get ECU, cluster, key etc, in fact pretty much anything I want from the donor car but ultimately I would be looking to just swap engine and ECU. Fortunately I'm accustomed to the foibles of VAG stuff, I put a TDi into my T3 which isn't something it was ever meant to have. 

The 'modified vehicle' thing is the big question though, actually changing an engine with the DVLA is a relatively painless process, just send them the details along with a receipt showing the donor vehicle reg-no etc and they take care of the rest, even for change of capacity. However, I'm not sure how it works when it comes to insurance etc, obviously my T3 is modified and is insured as such, but I'm not sure if the same thing applies to engine swaps where the vehicle has an engine which was originally offered on that platform etc. Will have to look into it I guess. 

 

22 minutes ago, Expatman said:

You've really got ask yourself whether it would be worth it. Marginal gain in performance at the price of unknown hassle and pain and expense. 

It's more about the scarcity of parts than performance, there's no 1.2TSi engines around here for sale, several on eBay but again condition unknown. This car would actually be going to my mother, and she's not bothered about shredding tyres. 

Regards, Dave.