Diesel -> Petrol conversion?

[The_Hawk]

Sometimes the love of a good VW can be a pita. Sometimes it just helps to write everything down to help you consider your options as well as giving the opportunity to others to throw their $0.02 in.

My 5dr 79 GLD is is pretty good condition although it's starting (read continuing) to blow a bit of smoke, something that has been brought more into mind now that it's getting dark for my drive home and the headlights of the car behind really to put a spot light onto that smoke.

So I'm left with a few choices, replace or re-build! We can rebuild him! We have the technology!

Do I sell the current vehicle and just straight out buy a new one, or do I just rip the diesel engine out and put in a nice 16V

Reality, unfortunately, is that the car itself is only used to get me to and from the station for work each day and a trip from Campbelltown to Albion Park (about 50 KMs) once a fortnight. It would more than happily keep ticking over as is for the foreseeable future so spending money isn't necessary, I am just concerned about the smoke... that and it would be nice if it went faster...

The car itself needs new shocks, some minor rust underneath repaired and the FPS guard was damaged by the previous owner so needs a little TLC. The dent itself has been mostly knocked out, but the panel could do with a little work to clean it up.
http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...t=IMG_1003.jpg

It's also got a 5 speed in it already so is just begging for a bigger engine

More pics:
http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...4wk/VW%20Golf/


Assuming I'm right in saying it's about $2,000 to get a 16V engine into it and another $1,000 worth of work to fix up the shocks and other minor issues, I'm then up to a total of about $5,000 including the original cost of the car.

Considering I would be paying someone else to do all the work, is it really worth replacing the engine in this car (the devil you know), or would I be better served sourcing another clean 5dr thats a little quicker and hopefully also clean (be it a Mk1 or even a later model).

I want to stick to a 5dr hatch since my 2yr old get transported in this from time to time and I like the extra space for when I racing my RC Cars.

What to do, what to do...

[syncro]

1.9 Tdi

[The_Hawk]

1.9 Tdi

I'm open to all options at this point in time... Hell even a late model Petrol Turbo is an option right now.

What I don't know is what it will cost to do any of the above (or if it's really worth the trouble).

If anyone wants to add ball park figures to any of these options it would be much appreciated.

Of course I understand that any figures would be VERY rubbery, but I can live with that.

[hiho]

1.9 TDiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[RedMk2Gti]

I don't think you can do a diesel to 16V conversion for 2K. A good 16V engine itself will cost you at least 1.5K + you need fuel injection... + labour cost if you don't diy. I'd say forget it, ask Loon how much he want to sell you his 16V Mk1

[gldgti]

it'd be shame to see a diesel turned to petrol, they seem to hold their worth a lot more.

if you aren't opposed to putting a different donk in it, try to get hold of a 1.6 or 1.9 turbo-diesel, and you'll have the best of both worlds - a bigger potential for power, still diesel and still economical!

if the car's already diesel, dropiing in an older turbo diesel golf engine once you get it is easy..... the only thing you'll have to change is your exhaust downpipe!

[The_Hawk]

What sort of cost would I be looking for to get into a 1.9TDi into it? (or similar)

Also whats the power output of that vs a 8v or a 16v??