Old Polo's are too slow.

[sports racer]

OK

1st picture will be a 1997 Polo with a 1.6 in it.

2nd picture will be a 1997 Polo with a 1.8 in it.

What will be more interesting is the before/after performance figures and drivers feedback. It won't be a rocket ship but it should be really nice to drive.

[philthy]

OK

1st picture will be a 1997 Polo with a 1.6 in it.

2nd picture will be a 1997 Polo with a 1.8 in it.

What will be more interesting is the before/after performance figures and drivers feedback. It won't be a rocket ship but it should be really nice to drive.

haha, fair enough. Guess it will look pretty much the same. Are you planning extractors/ cold air intake/ cams etc while you're there? Guess lumpy cams might ruin the whole economy part.

[Petrina Polo]

I still think leave the original motor and gearbox. If its not powerful enough, sell it and buy another car. There will be too much heartache and money to get the car with an extra couple of kw.

I drove a Hyundai Getz 1.4 and 1.6 back to back. One had 60kw and the other 76kw and a bit more torque. Could hardly tell the difference. You will spend all that time and money for no significant difference.

Extractors for the win on the stock motor.

If you just need more power, For the mucking about sell it chuck some money on top (that you would spend for the motor/gearbox and conversion) and walk away with a Mk4 Gti. They are going cheap now.

As for fuel economy, 1.6,1.8 or even 1.8T, they are still frugal, rememebr most people out there are driving big 6s and V8's. They would scoff at you if you talked about fuel economy being excessive in a small car like ours.

[sports racer]

You still don't get it. I love my Polo, it's a great car but I don't like having to replace the gearbox every 2 years. That's my issue, I'm not doing this for the extra power. By fitting a 1.8 I get a stronger gearbox that lasts longer and is much, much cheaper to replace than the original Polo gearbox. The extra power from the 1.8 is a bonus.

I can get the engine and gearbox swapped over for about the same cost as a 2nd hand Polo gearbox so for the minor annoyance of doing the swap I get to keep my car which I know inside out. The Polo needs a new gearbox so there's no additional cost in doing this swap.

When I can afford it I'll get a MK5 GTI but for now the Polo suits my needs perfectly.

[seangti]

just do plenty of research before committing to make sure it's a simple process and reliable outcome. Also double check the weight difference between engines/gearboxes. An extra 20+kg's over the front may significantly change the handling you're currently enjoying.

Each to there own, we've all pi55ed money away on projects we thought were tops and the next bloke would have thought a waste.

[Petrina Polo]

I wish you well with your project, Im just trying to play devils advocate.

Add the realistic cost of the project against selling the car and buying a Mk4 GTi...

Surely VW dont build cars which require new gearboxes every 2 years. How must you drive the car? A new rebuild should outlast the life of that car.

Ive done a few rebuilds of cars, I wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy. Cost, time, headaches and for questionable gains. Remember the tried and true saying "you play, you pay" What if you get an engine and gearbox combo with its own problems (burning oil, leaks, needs a rebuild etc etc) $$$$$

Just my opinion, I wish you (and you have my support) well how ever you decide to go.

[noone]

I'd be interested in someones estimate as to the cost of this project.

$500 for the engine

$2000 for the install / custom works?

Allways hard to compromise between the car that you want and the changes vs cost that it will bring it up to speed (or handling )

[Petrina Polo]

the thread title is "old polos are too slow, so is it about the gearbox? or old Polos being too slow (ie power)?

Dont dream of paying $500 for a motor and expect it to be brand new, your guaranteed of a rebuild being required. As he said he does 40,000km per year, so he wants a quality motor to keep him going. So add another $2000 at least.

It will cost you WAY WAY more than you think, maybe more than the whole car is worth. No good getting rid of one trouble to jump in the saucepan of another trouble and make it exponentially worse.

Im just trying to give practical advice, your choice, your cash. I wish you well.

[SoVeReIgN]

I still think leave the original motor and gearbox. If its not powerful enough, sell it and buy another car. There will be too much heartache and money to get the car with an extra couple of kw.

I drove a Hyundai Getz 1.4 and 1.6 back to back. One had 60kw and the other 76kw and a bit more torque. Could hardly tell the difference. You will spend all that time and money for no significant difference.

Extractors for the win on the stock motor.

If you just need more power, For the mucking about sell it chuck some money on top (that you would spend for the motor/gearbox and conversion) and walk away with a Mk4 Gti. They are going cheap now.

As for fuel economy, 1.6,1.8 or even 1.8T, they are still frugal, rememebr most people out there are driving big 6s and V8's. They would scoff at you if you talked about fuel economy being excessive in a small car like ours.

I'm not sure I understand your point, you say you couldn't tell the difference between 60 and 76kw (16kw gain) and then suggest he gets some extrators, which would maybe make 2kw?

I've driven a 1.3 and 1.5 Yaris and they are worlds apart.

[Grant]

getting an upgraded gearbox + upgraded engine for the price of a regular gearbox seems like a no brainer.