Turbo charger conversion

[Eman]

I have a standard Bora 4 cylinder 2.0 litre and would like to know what would it cost to get a turbo charger fitted? Would it be better to get a complete GTI turbo engine or is it cheaper to just bolt on a turbo to the existing engine? If I bolt onto my engine what components are involved I.E intercooler, turbo charger etc.

[h100vw]

I have a standard Bora 4 cylinder 2.0 litre and would like to know what would it cost to get a turbo charger fitted? Would it be better to get a complete GTI turbo engine or is it cheaper to just bolt on a turbo to the existing engine? If I bolt onto my engine what components are involved I.E intercooler, turbo charger etc.

The sensible option is a full swap to GTI running gear. Turboing the 2 litre is more complicated in my opinion.

Gavin

[leighaus]

I have a standard Bora 4 cylinder 2.0 litre and would like to know what would it cost to get a turbo charger fitted? Would it be better to get a complete GTI turbo engine or is it cheaper to just bolt on a turbo to the existing engine? If I bolt onto my engine what components are involved I.E intercooler, turbo charger etc.

minimum requirements:
Turbo
manifold
Dump/front pipe and higher flowing Exhaust
injectors most likely (not sure what the bora runs)
Tune
Oil and water lines to the turbo (means tapping the block normally, again not sure on the specifics of what the bora has).
Boost lines
Youd also possibly need to look at a different head gasket to change the compression.



thats the bare bones of what you need for any conversion. Then there will be Bora specific costs. Have a google around for people whove attempted this project. Most often its easier to go for a turbo motor, but NA-T motors are fun to play with if you're savvy.

[dylan8]

Check vortex, few guys have done it. Think it would be easier and cheaper to do Gti gear though

[Eman]

If I swap out for a complete GTI conversion:
1. What would I need i.e. Turbo engine, gearbox to suit, inter cooler, wiring loom etc what else?
2. What would all that cost in your opinion?

[noone]

easier and cheaper in the long run to just sell it, buy a GTI.

Obviously not the same in terms of loving the toys...

[kendog]

If I swap out for a complete GTI conversion:
1. What would I need i.e. Turbo engine, gearbox to suit, inter cooler, wiring loom etc what else?
2. What would all that cost in your opinion?

Hi Eman,

I've done the GTI swap, the cheapest and easiest way to do it is: a whole engine/drivetrain/hubs engine swap, and from a running GTI is easiest too. Having the 2 cars side by side for a swap makes it all MUCH easier.

Mine basically cost me about $3500 grand total, including new timing belt/water pump kit while the engine was out (and complete installation of GTI conversion: (1.8T engine, drivetrain, front suspension, better GTI brakes, etc, etc).

I chose to do mine as I'd always wanted more than the 1.6L had to offer, and the 1.6L gearbox spat a hole in the side, so decided I'd rather spend that $3500 on a 1.8T GTI conversion than a 1.6L reconditioned gearbox installed. (and with a stage 1 chip, I have exactly double the power than the 1.6L, around 200hp vs 100hp).

All in all, I love my car, I love driving it now, SO much more than before, and I have a unique car (as far as I know you couldn't get a GTI in my colour in Aust), etc., but...
In hindsight, I had to make a bad situation better (as I had a totally stuffed gearbox), and the better, easier, smarter way to go about it would've been to sell my 1.6L Golf, and buy a 1.8T GTI Golf.

The guys who've got a lot of experience on this forum have a saying: "Don't build a car you can buy". And even though everything's running fine for me, and I've had no issues AT ALL with the conversion/rego/insurance/etc, I definitely have to agree with them. Unless you are going to do the work yourself, and you're very confident, have a lot of time put aside to do it, and of course the space and no need for a car for a few weeks, it's much smarter to sell up and buy the car you want (if it already exists).

Good Luck with it all mate! Let us know how you go..

[dubster99]

Agree with kendog, im planning on doing the swap too and well i could sell mine and buy a gti but im wanting to do it because its my first vw, i love the colour and i want the experience and saying i did it myself! plus the 1.6 is guttless and ive got a franken turbo already >

[Lito]

You can't buy 1.8t boras in Australia, I say do it!! But id recommend getting the whole front cut of a gti, that way you can get the brakes and hubs. Turbo-ing the 2.0 is do-able but not very cost effective

[kendog]

You can't buy 1.8t boras in Australia, I say do it!! ...

Oops, yeah, I got a bit muddled up when I said 'get the 2 golfs together for the engine swap' and 'sell the Golf and buy a GTI Golf' etc., I meant Bora in there, sorry.

Just checking, but it's currently FWD yeah? Not AWD?

I don't know why, but I think I want an AWD next, barely any MK4 AWD Golfs in Aust, only a couple that aren't R32s.