91 cabriolet swap options

katulu · Post by **katulu** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 3:48 am

ok, I am new to this forum, and new to these cars, but I do have a good bit of engine swap experence with gm and honda cars, including fuel injection, forced induction, ecu swaps, harness swaps ect.

A very good friend of mine has a 91 cabriolet 1.8 auto, the engine is on it's way out, but the body is perfect, so we are thinking it's performance swap time, I have a couple questions

What motor swaps are best for this application?

Any write ups on the swaps available?

have you done this swap, if so, how was it? any pics would be good too

We would also like to swap to a 5 speed trans, is this an easy undertaking?

any help would be greatly appriciated, and would also keep a nice cabrio on the road

CalAltaDubber · Post by **CalAltaDubber** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:11 am

First, welcome always nice to see new people.

The nice thing about VWs is that stuff is fairly standard across the range of vehicles.

The most common engine swap from the Cabby is for the 16 Valve engine, but I have heard that a VR6 will also fit. The problem with the VR6 is it is much heavier than the for cyls. so front end work would also be required.

Probably the best source for an engine is to find a Scirocco with a 16 Valve engine and 5 speed trans. The whole setup should just fit right across into the Cabby. I would also recommend that you purchase the Bently manual for the Cabriolet and Scirocco it will provide you (among other things) the wiring diagrams for both cars so you can make the necessary changes to the wiring harness.

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 9:23 am

Swapping the pedal assy. is a fun undertaking (Not). Make sure you get all the brackets and hardware from the donor car.

VWnoob · Post by **VWnoob** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 11:52 am

Welcome to the forum!

Im in the process of purchasing and swaping a 2.0l ABA shortblock into my Cabby. (pics will come once I get started)
I learned a lot from the experts here on this site and also other links.

The ABA swap seems to be a straight through swap with the exception of a longer downpipe. The reason that I am going for this swap is becuase I live in California and I need to pass the visual part of the emissions test. The ABA will take my existing 1.8v head so visually the engine will look stock but have the extra hp for fun.

Here is a good 2.0l ABA swap link with details. Its not a Cabby, but it still applies to A1's
http://www.geocities.com/scirocco_86_ca/

For good performance and low $$, go with 2.0 16v.
But if money isnt an issue go with the 1.8t swap!

Hope this helps.

Jim

katulu · Post by **katulu** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 5:24 am

has anyone done the 1.8t swap, I have a dealers liscense through my buisness, and can attend insurance auctions, I was at one a few weeks ago, and there was a jetta 1.8t that was rear-ended, had 45,000 miles, and sold for about $1,000 that would have been perfect, if the swap isn't too much of a pain

I do have a couple questions, with the 2.0 16v swap, is the engine a direct bolt-in, or does it require a mount kit.

how extensive are the wiring modifications? would I be better off swapping the entire harness?

I appriciate any help, and I'd like to see pics if anyone has done these swaps, as well as personal opinions about the swap (areas of difficulty, if any, hp gains, ect)

sixsracing · Post by **sixsracing** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:24 am

If you can get a whole 1.8T for a $1,000.00 then you should definately go that route. That motor can be made into a monster.

Post by **Calimus** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 4:09 pm

on a 1.8T swap, you will need to fabricate at least 1 motor mount and pretty much all of the turbo piping. The latter not being that bad. The mount is simple, but you're going to need someone thats handy with a welder.

There may be some after market options for the mount in question. I'm sure by now someone is selling them.

The entire wiring harness will pretty much be needed but beyond that I don't know much as I haven't done one of these swaps, I just know a few folks that have.

katulu · Post by **katulu** » Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:59 am

on the 2.0 swap, is it a direct bolt in?

do I need to swap ecu's?

what cars is this motor available in?

sorry for all the q's, I'm just trying to go about this logically, and research the best route, I made a mistake on my last engine swap, and it would have been just as much work and $ to put in a 220hp motor, as it cost us to do a 150 hp motor I just thought the latter would be easier. I just don't want to make that mistake again

also, I understand this is an a1 chassis, what other vechicles are a1?

and are most parts interchangable?

valar2006 · Post by **valar2006** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 5:00 pm

good, very good!

kda339 · Post by **kda339** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:55 pm

I'm doing a 2.0 16v swap right now. Yes, it is a direct bolt in. just keep the mounts for the cab. Also upgrade to the 16V motor mount inserts. 16V scirocco one will be the ones to go with. Do Not go with Poly mounts they are too hard on the car unless this is going to be a track only setup, but for daily driver the stock ones will work fine. If you want a stronger mount the front donut one will be the one to swap out for the stronger one.

As for the ECU's depending on setup you are going to run will be the type of computer you will need. If you stay with the Digi set up I recommend going with the bahn brenner fuel rail set up (see here)

http://www.bahnbrenner.com/media/php/ca ... =119&r=120

with the 2.0 injectors out of a 93-97 VeeDub they will work fine. You could probally use the ones in the car now, it's your choice. They will both work.
I have looked at the corrado setup and have found that if you plan on supercharging or running a turbo then look into this setup. Now if you are going to switch to CIS-e then your going to have two computers to wire. One is for the knock sensor and one for the engine. Where the one you have now has both in one. In my opinion stay with what you have it's a better conversion with less headaches. Trust me I'm switching to the CIS-e setup and it more involed than just a weekend swap.

I just covered some of the questions that I had from the start. Just remember it's what you want to do your the one who's driving it.

Post by **SoCal_Cabby** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 2:22 am

VR6T....nuff said