AEB into a MK1 Cabby - few questions.

[nightphotographer]

I know I'm going to get a lot of 'dreaming' comments because I haven't actually bought my MK1 yet - but it should be in Albury in 2 weeks!

BUT! I'm already looking at what's going in it - and after reading a few posts on here (which I can't find now!) I've found a perfect AEB that I'm going to get shipped out here. It's done just over 100,000km's - Cambelt done and is only 15kms from my Dad's place in the UK who'll be forwarding it on to me!

Now I've found the engine, I want the perfect tranny to go with it - preferably 02M because the entire engine bay is getting stripped anyway - might as well go for the better box, as sourcing one is no problem. Do the 02M boxes bolt up okay to the AEM engine? Any other transmission related issues I should know about comboing a 02M and AEB in a MK1?

Turbo - does anyone know how much boost I could run safely on the AEB internals? At this stage I'll probably go K03S but I'm not ruling out K04.

Power steering - is it that hard to do a conversion? The Cabby I'm getting is a 91 - I'm assuming it doesn't have power-steering? And because I've only ever driven/owned cars with - I want to know if it's hard to do a conversion

Any other big components I'm going to need? Anyone want the stock engine/gearbox - everything is getting stripped out as soon as I get it

[Jarred]

O2M being a six speed?

Last time I check that didn't fit into a mk 1 engine bay recently. 020 for simplicity, O2A would also be suitable, but still would require work to get it to work. (Mounts, clutch actuation etc)

You'll need custom (or atleast modified) engine mounts, almost regardless which 20VT you pop in.

IIRC there is no such thing as a RHS mk 1 powersteering rack. (LHD yes, but not RHD, I may be wrong). If you can find a factory mk 1 power steering rack in RHD, then it shouldn't be a problem, since it was meant to fit. But otherwise you're talking a retro fitting something similar in, which is a very very involved task.

There are alot of things which you seemingly havn't thought about or mentioned. Chassis, brakes and engine management. I'd be more concerned about these three things than anything else!

20VT swap is not for the faint hearted. Very involved, and not what I'd call and 'easy' swap. There are also plenty of better forum resources, such as on clubgti and vortex. This is after all, a very common mk 1 swap.

[nightphotographer]

O2M being a six speed?

Last time I check that didn't fit into a mk 1 engine bay recently. 020 for simplicity, O2A would also be suitable, but still would require work to get it to work. (Mounts, clutch actuation etc)

You'll need custom (or atleast modified) engine mounts, almost regardless which 20VT you pop in.

IIRC there is no such thing as a RHS mk 1 powersteering rack. (LHD yes, but not RHD, I may be wrong). If you can find a factory mk 1 power steering rack in RHD, then it shouldn't be a problem, since it was meant to fit. But otherwise you're talking a retro fitting something similar in, which is a very very involved task.

There are alot of things which you seemingly havn't thought about or mentioned. Chassis, brakes and engine management. I'd be more concerned about these three things than anything else!

20VT swap is not for the faint hearted. Very involved, and not what I'd call and 'easy' swap. There are also plenty of better forum resources, such as on clubgti and vortex. This is after all, a very common mk 1 swap.

Cheers J

Yeah I've definitely not overlooked those things - I think they just come afterwards - and any part I need I can have here within 5 days so I'm incredibly lucky in that sense. I'm just budgetting for the big components - engine, gearbox and turbo at this stage and then the more important stuff like which 3 piece wheels I'm going to rock and the paint code it's getting resprayed in - told you it sounds dreamy!

This is a long term project though - I definitely do not under estimate how much work is involved - I'm setting myself a time frame of between 1 and 2 years to get it to show spec. This is just the 'sourcing parts' stage

*Edit - I read last night about using the power steering components from a Polo if needs be - I was just wondering because the Cabby is MK2 age (if not newer) it might have power steering already?

[Jarred]

I used to have a cabby, it doesnt have power steer!

Suspension/chassis should be your priority, before giving it any more power. The ol 1.8 8V still has enough poke to have fun in!

[Shteifen]

From what ive researched in the last few weeks about a 1.8t swap, there are a few things that need to be changed with an AEB into an mk1/2. The mount on the engine, from what ive heard, will bolt straight up no problem, but since an AEB is longditudinally mounted engine, you need exhaust manifold and intake and turbo from a transverse mounted engine (ie AGU), also the oil pick up should be changed as it could get starved on....right hand turns i think it is.
The gearboxes, there are mount kits for fitting 02A/02J boxes to mk1's for about $300 USD you can buy from, i think its Nothing Leaves Stock.

No experience with what the internals can take boost-wise, though from what ive heard they are pretty strong. I think its the....rod bolts maybe that would be the first weak point?
Thats all i can think of at the moment!
-Steve

[Water Boy]

Good thing being a later model cabby it will already have 100mm CV's.
You dont need power steering its a Mk1.
CustomCode can do all the delete's you need on the ECU.

[nightphotographer]

All music to my ears guys - was going to get Gav to work his magic on it in the future anyway. Not sure whether to get the AGU ECU etc or get the AEB ones.

$300 for mounts is more than I'll be paying for a box! That's crazy. Always the little things that are more expensive. And hey steve looks like we're going to be doing a similar build We'll hopefully both have K03S powered MK1s soon

I think I'm going to be more than happy with 200-220 bhp - probably no need for any engine rebuilds at all, it's all in the weight of the car

[roccodingo]

O2M does indeed fit, however you will be struggling to find mounts for it. Reasonably heavier box also ( got 1 here and a couple O2J's, sorry not for sale )

220 - 220 HP use an O2A /J, easier to get hold of.

Power steering rack you wont find a fitment from VW for the RHD Mk1 cars. TSR did a conversion kit and I have been told by an autocrossing mate you can mod a nissan Bluebird and Mazda power steering rack to do the job. Like anything mechanical you will wanna be skilled up or it'll cost you a load extra for all the extraneous services..

Good luck mate.

[Shteifen]

Yeah i hope it works out mate! k03s mk1 baaaaaa soo keen on that idea!
Gav was telling me the ecu's from Audi A4's are a lot harder to get tuned so one from an A3 or Golf 4 Gti are much better in that way so ill be going for that i reckon.
200-220bhp would be plenty for me man, thats the area i would aim for too
gotta get this thing roadworthy and in my name before i go buying other engines though haha
-steve

[h100vw]

Defo get MK4/A3 ecu, no question.