Saxo GTI conversion

[Sky]

hey guys. i have a 2000Reg MK2 vtr with the MK1 engine (91bhp) and im pondering over which path to take.

originally i was adamant on buying the 8v cam, inlet manifold and bluefin remap; which wud cost around £600 if done right and perhaps a little less if i shopped around and used ebay :P
however after talking to some enthusiasts ive been encouraged to do a GTI conversion instead? straight engine swap with engine loom. which wud be cheaper but somewhat more challenging <-- which i dont mind as i quite enjoy taking things apart aha!

anyway ive had a quick scan through ebay and i can see some tidy engines for around £150-300 mark depending on mileage and year. and the engine loom can be bought for around £10-40.

my question to you experts is:
1) What do i need to do this GTI conversion?
Is it literally an engine and wiring loom - plug and play sort of thing?

cheers guys i know it may seem long winded to read but thank you in advance.

Lee.

[Ross]

If you're going 16v and don't mind getting a bit greasy then you might as well fit a JP4 engine. Can be had from basically any 1.6 16v french shed (307, 206, 207, etc etc) and with a few easy changes (several well written guides on here how to modify the JP4 to suit the saxo) you'll have a better, lower mileage engine than you could possibly find from a saxo J4.

[Sky]

thanks for the information mate ill check it out now. wud u reccomend a jp4 over a 2.0 gti ?

[Ross]

thanks for the information mate ill check it out now. wud u reccomend a jp4 over a 2.0 gti ?

Yes - fitting a 2.0 is NOT simple.

Fitting a TU5JP4 is simple - it's almost identical to a TU5J4 that's designed to go in that car. The EW10J4 engine from a 2.0 gti is vastly different, requiring custom mounts and fabrication. They're also only 138bhp as standard (unless you mean the 180PS model, which will come with it's own issues like the variable inlet timing etc) so just not worth the effort IMO.

JP4, with cams, ITB's and a remap is a great combo for example - frequently seeing 170bhp+. Reliable, strong and quick :)

[Sky]

hmmm thats interesting then, wud much rather go for a straight fit then to manufacture my own mounts. is the engine loom and the engine itself the only things id need then? and is it literally for all intense purposes; a take out, put in job ??

[Tom5190]

Wiring will only be plug and play if you buy Vts engine from the same year (give or take a few.)

[K567]

I played with the 8v for a bit, then decided to go with a j4 16v Loved it, then went with bodies loved it even more, then standalone cams exhaust just kept getting better

Now it's gonna have a Built by Me high Comp JP4 on cams bodies and standalone and I predict I'm gonna really really effing LOVE IT :)

Though I have got to admit I kinda like the idea of a supercharger at some point

[Sky]

can u post a pic of ur engine k567?

[jeffchiz]

im confused in your first post you just said gti covnersion and anyone on here would take that as a 106 gti conversion which as tom said isnt plug and play, youd want a vts engine with the same loom layout as your car

the 306 gti-6 engine (which is what im guessing you meant as you said its a 2.0), there are a couple 106's/saxos with them but as ross said not worth the effort at all

make it easy on your self and buy a vts engine, loom and unlocked ecu from the same year as your vtr

if you want a bit more power or a newer engine then again as ross said fit the c2/307/206 etc 1.6 16v engine, im currentluy fitting one but the head needs to be redrilled to fit the saxo inlet mani, the exhaust manifold/sump and as far as im aware the saxo alternator and cambelt set up also needs to be fitted, well thats what im doing anyway, along with saxo vts cams and valve springs as the majority of the jp4 engines are only 110bhp opposed to the 120bhp saxo vts engine (and by fitting oem saxo vts cams this brings the power up top at least 120bhp) you can get the jp4s engine which standard is 125bhp this came in cars like the c2 vts

[Sky]

thanks for that info jeffchiz much appreciated mate, will get bk to u guys on what i decide to do