Due to a recent engine self destruction on the motorway, my bottom end, head, and turbo are FUBAR. Thus, my engine bay is now empty.

My options are thus -

Get another PD lump, a huuuge turbo, some injectors, clutch, lsd, and a custom map, maybe some gas - and try to get to that magical 300bhp barrier.

OR

Get a 1.8t lump, transplant it into the Fabia, and have a tuning potential of 600bhp (JBS Octavia)

Approx costs for option one are 5k + labour.

Approx costs for 300bhp option 2 - probably around the same, maybe more with alot more labour being involved.

What would you guys do?

Also, I've seen a haldex equipped Lupo on youtube before now, whats to stop me making the Fabia 4WD?

I'm not rushing into this as I don't have 5k spare, so time and

Go for the 1.8T, diesel power gets difficult and expensive to come by when you start racking up the horsies, with the 1.8t when you have the powerplant in you can take it easily past 300 (compared to diesel) and if you have another car and you aint in a rush, why do something that half a dozen others are in the process off doing in this forum, take your time and be unique

1.8T

but strip shell seam weld and cage it... because it will flex badly and not handle once you approach "big power"

I'd go for the 1.8T conversion too. With a lighter nose, you may also need to fit different suspension too, but I guess the people who do the conversion should be able to sort that for you....

Chris

I wouldnt do either.

Go for the 2.0TFSI

225TT lump + remap or hybrid + remap.

I'm not big on knowledge with the whole tuning and engine maintenance front but i would go with the 1.8T engine. Sounds like it would be more fun with that one than going with the normal PD engine but it does depend on how much hassle it's going to be in the long run.

Would a 2.0TFSI squeeze in there? Just to be completely original

I think the 1.8T option sounds like the way to go, there should be quite a few available too... maybe source one from an S3 to start with to save a little work with internals etc?

Hi Dave

Mmmm , how about the 170PD with turbo and a touch of NOS to add to the flavour

Sarah

There seems to a pattern forming here

With regards to the 2.0 Tfsi - they were about 4k just for an engine last time I looked, not to mention all the jiggery pokery involved in fitting it.

Hmmm.....enquireis continue.

What will an S3 motor go to with just a map?

Hi Dave

Mmmm , how about the 170PD with turbo and a touch of NOS to add to the flavour

Sarah

It's a thought....

Something that could be done at Awesome?

What will an S3 motor go to with just a map?

Around 270 I think. I say go diesel. There'll be all kinds of wiring issues (like I had with mine just going to a different diesel) so either you go for your original engine and try to max that out, or you go all the way and go for 1.8T.

WRT 4wd, I've looked.... It would be a nightmare. Basically would need to cut most of the chassis at the back away and somehow hook up the rear beam from a TT / Octy 4x4, and try to get the propshaft down the exhaust column area. If I won the lottery I would go out and buy a 1.4 classic and attempt this. Just leave it somewhere with a limitless fund to tap into.

Maybe someone would discount you a bit for fitting the 2.0TFSI if you are a test mule?

I seem to remember something about the S3 1.8T being OK somewhere close to 300/350bhp on stock everything...

edit: devonutopia beat me to it... somewhere around 300 then

I had a look at the 2.0 PD lump when my engine went - and decided I just could not afford it. The replaced engine cost me enough, although I was lucky to get one with mileage being about 11k and it's been fine

As much as it pains me to say it - you could always just fix it, pop it back to standard and buy something else...? Maybe even Jabba Lukes car (although not for

Can you not get a second hand PD130 lump? I think someone on uk-mkivs.net got a second hand lump from APS iirc for under 1k as they hydrolocked their engine.

If I had a runaround to use daily and the opportunity to save up some money, I'd save up and purchase a car that was quick out of the box. R32 or 3330d sport spring to mind. One of the reasons why I'm not going for Allard's VT2, there comes a limit where you have to stop messing with your car lol.

I'm strangely interested in the TDi + giggle gas route too. Would the plan be for a gas boost into the mill, or using it in the zorst manifold to keep the turbo spinning?

Can you not get a second hand PD130 lump? I think someone on uk-mkivs.net got a second hand lump from APS iirc for under 1k as they hydrolocked their engine.

If I had a runaround to use daily and the opportunity to save up some money, I'd save up and purchase a car that was quick out of the box. R32 or 3330d sport spring to mind. One of the reasons why I'm not going for Allard's VT2, there comes a limit where you have to stop messing with your car lol.

I see what you are saying, but R32's aren that quick out the box

Half the.....no.....MOST of the appeal of the Fabia, is it's not known to be a fast car. Just a warm derv shopping vehicle. As such, it doesnt really get stolen, targetted by the police, or attract folks to break into my house and steal the keys etc.

Up until the self destruct, it was the single most fun car i've ver owned. There are better cars, better handling cars, and better a-b quickly cars, as well as many more comfortable cars, but for all around grin factor, with cheap insurance and good mpg, the Fabia ticks all my boxes.

It will be delegated to weekend toy status one day, so whatever money I put into it, I'll hopefully get back out of it in terms of enjoyment.

@Tom, I have passed the point of no return with this car now. To make it standard again in a usable condition would cost the same as tuning it to 300bhp. There is nothing left in the car. I'll pop a pic up later.

I'm strangely interested in the TDi + giggle gas route too. Would the plan be for a gas boost into the mill, or using it in the zorst manifold to keep the turbo spinning?

I'm not too sure, something I need to look into, unless Jason wishes to tell us the route he has taken?

Gas into the mill? into the zorst? lol - I don't know what the first is, and the 2nd sounds pointless. The giggle gas needs to go in the inlet manifold to boost the oxygen content of the charged air, and alongside you also need lots more fuel to let the extra O2 have something to burn.

One reason why I think the NOS isn't working so well on my car at the moment is my Allard's map is so clean, there is no extra fuel - which means the engine is probably running too clean in a way. I've emailed Allards to ask about giving me a little more fuel on WOT to give the nitrous something to burn. At the moment, power is a little lacking in places and I suspect on the 21st I'll be lucky to see 250, and am expecting more like 240, with perhaps similar torque to what I had before.

Work in progress still.

I suspected as much regarding the point of no return Dave, was just another idea!

I really don't know what to suggest. A 1.8T would be fast, sure, but that would take away the soul of the car... Also, would the chassis really take it?

I think a 250+ bhp Fabia would be plenty hooligan enough, stick with the PD130 fella.

You are so right in what you say about the Fabia, you've got it sussed out perfectly, its a shame other members don't appreciate that view - but I for one share it 100%.

Tough one - it depends on how adventurous you are and how much money you want to put into it....

A seriously-tuned derv wold be fun - wonder what an overbored custom-built engine would cost??? Since the engine could be stroked/compression dropped, custom-mapped etc you might get a custom one to touch 300 bhp... Just a question of getting someone to plonk it in, then.

On the other hand a 1.8T would physically fit and be lighter, but especially when built up would be extremely expensive to run. Add that to the cost of making it work in an originally derv car and you have a bit of a nightmare..

What I found interesting is a twin-engine mod - no-ones done it in derv before. Probably for good reason too! Be heavy front and back but with about 500 hp and decent economy??? Some places on the web that do that stuff....

You did ask for opinions, never mind how bizarre..

HTH mate

Bas

Twin PD engine!!! Thats an idea! Just think of the 4 wheel spinning fun you could have with that!!!

Cheap TFSI engine -

eBay.co.uk: 2006 SKODA OCTAVIA VRS BLUE DAMAGED SALVAGE NO RESERVE (item 150135891694 end time 01-Jul-07 23:08:41 BST)

But this, sell the interior and everything else you can get off it - keep the dash pod and ECU and other electrics.

BAM with a remap - decent power and acceptable(?) mpg with scope for a fairly easy turbo swap a few years down the line