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How tough are VAG 1.8T engines?

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Old 04-01-2007, 11:24 AM
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mk1_orion_boy
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Default How tough are VAG 1.8T engines?

In standard form (150bhp). I'm guessing they use really low boost at that power. I wouldn't mind getting a little more from mine but its done 143k so maybe not a good idea...?
Is it true they have forged pistons?
Thanks
Old 04-01-2007, 11:29 AM
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Muska
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what car is it in as there are several differnt versions of this engine and some are better for tuning than others.

Matt
Old 04-01-2007, 11:29 AM
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TIFF
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I have HEARD that once the 150bhp engine is remapped it can start to give problems......... as it is already a remapped 115 engine....I THINK.

Spoke to a few people when i looked at the VAG cars and they said the best one to do is Remap a 130bhp version for best benafits
Old 04-01-2007, 11:30 AM
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Chip
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As far as im aware NONE of them 1.8T VAG lumps came with forged pistons, the strongest they have to offer is the squeeze cast type affairs like you find in a cossie.
Old 04-01-2007, 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by TIFF
I have HEARD that once the 150bhp engine is remapped it can start to give problems......... as it is already a remapped 115 engine....I THINK.

Spoke to a few people when i looked at the VAG cars and they said the best one to do is Remap a 130bhp version for best benafits
Are you sure you arent on about the derv versions tiff?
Old 04-01-2007, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
Originally Posted by TIFF
I have HEARD that once the 150bhp engine is remapped it can start to give problems......... as it is already a remapped 115 engine....I THINK.

Spoke to a few people when i looked at the VAG cars and they said the best one to do is Remap a 130bhp version for best benafits
Are you sure you arent on about the derv versions tiff?


I believe you are right chip and i have indeed fucked up my reply as i am a diesel loving muppet

Yes mate...That was the diesel engines....Just so you know if you go that route...........Which i would advise
Old 04-01-2007, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
Originally Posted by TIFF
I have HEARD that once the 150bhp engine is remapped it can start to give problems......... as it is already a remapped 115 engine....I THINK.

Spoke to a few people when i looked at the VAG cars and they said the best one to do is Remap a 130bhp version for best benafits
Are you sure you arent on about the derv versions tiff?
I think he is.

Doesn't the 225 TT engine have forged pistons? I thought it did.

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Old 04-01-2007, 11:34 AM
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danneth
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Originally Posted by TIFF
I have HEARD that once the 150bhp engine is remapped it can start to give problems......... as it is already a remapped 115 engine....I THINK.

Spoke to a few people when i looked at the VAG cars and they said the best one to do is Remap a 130bhp version for best benafits

i have the 150bhp one had it remapped to 200bhp had no problems and i did alot of research into it and can say i didnt see one problem out of the 100's of comments i read
Old 04-01-2007, 11:35 AM
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I believe you are right chip and i have indeed fucked up my reply as i am a diesel loving muppet

Yes mate...That was the diesel engines....Just so you know if you go that route...........Which i would advise
LMAO
Old 04-01-2007, 11:36 AM
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Muska
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there was never to my knowledge a 130bhp 1.8t engine...

the AGU version of the engine is supposed to be the most tunable, more so than the BAM (tt/s3) version of the engine. A remap on the 150bhp will see about 180ish and there is supposed to be a notable difference along with better fuel consumption when driven nice and slowly!
Old 04-01-2007, 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by danneth
Originally Posted by TIFF
I have HEARD that once the 150bhp engine is remapped it can start to give problems......... as it is already a remapped 115 engine....I THINK.

Spoke to a few people when i looked at the VAG cars and they said the best one to do is Remap a 130bhp version for best benafits

i have the 150bhp one had it remapped to 200bhp had no problems and i did alot of research into it and can say i didnt see one problem out of the 100's of comments i read
I was on about the Diesel lump
Old 04-01-2007, 11:37 AM
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Fair play Tiff, and you are probably right about going for a derv, lad i know was keeping pace with my 200bhp prelude in his little fabia VRS with a remap,and he was getting over 50mpg in normal driving, awesome engines!

I just dont like how diesels drive though, the noises they make etc, but they really are a serious option for performance these days
Old 04-01-2007, 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
Fair play Tiff, and you are probably right about going for a derv, lad i know was keeping pace with my 200bhp prelude in his little fabia VRS with a remap,and he was getting over 50mpg in normal driving, awesome engines!

I just dont like how diesels drive though, the noises they make etc, but they really are a serious option for performance these days
Mine sounds fucking awesome ...........

I know what you mean about the usual Diesels though
Old 04-01-2007, 11:42 AM
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I've heard the early VAG 1.8T engine out of the early Golfs is the best lump to get hold of....................

Big valve head compared to others.
Old 04-01-2007, 11:44 AM
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In the thread there is a ibiza which was making 350-380 on standard internals

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=107744
Old 04-01-2007, 11:46 AM
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Chip
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You might be best to ask on a VW site to be honest mate, as im a bit worried about the standard of advice you will get on here, cause we are all just repeating stuff we heard, or things we think etc.

Like for example ive seen a few of the heads off the cars from different years, and there was no difference at all in the valves, the only differences I noticed was different CR pistons, but thats totally the opposite advice to what franco just said, and in truth neither of us has enough experience to know if we are right or wrong.

One thing is certain though, ALL the 1.8T engines are EASILY good for well over 200bhp.
Old 04-01-2007, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
You might be best to ask on a VW site to be honest mate, as im a bit worried about the standard of advice you will get on here, cause we are all just repeating stuff we heard, or things we think etc.

Like for example ive seen a few of the heads off the cars from different years, and there was no difference at all in the valves, the only differences I noticed was different CR pistons, but thats totally the opposite advice to what franco just said, and in truth neither of us has enough experience to know if we are right or wrong.

One thing is certain though, ALL the 1.8T engines are EASILY good for well over 200bhp.


Exactamundo

No advice is better than the wrong advice
Old 04-01-2007, 11:51 AM
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Chip
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As a well known ford tuner once said

"its better to be un-informed than ill-informed"
Old 04-01-2007, 11:52 AM
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http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/

http://www.golfgti.co.uk/

http://uk-mkivs.net/

Any of these should be a good source of information
Old 04-01-2007, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
You might be best to ask on a VW site to be honest mate, as im a bit worried about the standard of advice you will get on here, cause we are all just repeating stuff we heard, or things we think etc.

Like for example ive seen a few of the heads off the cars from different years, and there was no difference at all in the valves, the only differences I noticed was different CR pistons, but thats totally the opposite advice to what franco just said, and in truth neither of us has enough experience to know if we are right or wrong.

One thing is certain though, ALL the 1.8T engines are EASILY good for well over 200bhp.
Only reason i know this Chip is because i was talking to Martin H on Friday at donny about Wayne's (pro alloy) Lotus!

But as you say its all hearsay mate!

When i had my A3 1.8T chipped i found out all i needed to know on here!

www.audi-sport.net and she's coming up to 90K without a single engine fault!
Old 04-01-2007, 12:02 PM
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Crikey I only posted this what feels like a few mins ago!
I was only expecting about 5 replies!
Thats the PassionFord spirit

Yes its a 150bhp version from a 98 passat so an early version. Good engines but barely enough power to spin the wheels!
Old 04-01-2007, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by mk1_orion_boy
Crikey I only posted this what feels like a few mins ago!
I was only expecting about 5 replies!
Thats the PassionFord spirit

Yes its a 150bhp version from a 98 passat so an early version. Good engines but barely enough power to spin the wheels!
They werent driving it right then mate, good little torquey engines n all after a remap!
Old 04-01-2007, 12:07 PM
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i want to chip my A3 1.8T!!!



missus says no

Old 04-01-2007, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveEscos
i want to chip my A3 1.8T!!!



missus says no

Old 04-01-2007, 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveEscos
i want to chip my A3 1.8T!!!



missus says no

Dont tell her mate!

Its not like it'll be the first time you hold things from her! And she's never gonna know driving to the station and back is she!
Old 04-01-2007, 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Franco
Only reason i know this Chip is because i was talking to Martin H on Friday at donny about Wayne's (pro alloy) Lotus!
Well im sure Martin wouldnt say it unless it was correct about the valve size, but bare in mind that if you are only after moderate gains (like 250bhp or something) then bigger valves would only make it more laggy and shitty low down and given no gains up the top, bigger isnt always better when it comes to valve size.
Obviously if you are tuning the absolute nads off it though, you want to be starting with the biggest valves available in any of the standard cars for that
Old 04-01-2007, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveEscos
i want to chip my A3 1.8T!!!



missus says no


Cant you just come to some arrangement where you each make a portion of the decisions, like you pick how much boost to run, and she picks what make of waashing up liquid to use or something?
Old 04-01-2007, 12:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Chip-3Door
Originally Posted by Franco
Only reason i know this Chip is because i was talking to Martin H on Friday at donny about Wayne's (pro alloy) Lotus!
Well im sure Martin wouldnt say it unless it was correct about the valve size, but bare in mind that if you are only after moderate gains (like 250bhp or something) then bigger valves would only make it more laggy and shitty low down and given no gains up the top, bigger isnt always better when it comes to valve size.
Obviously if you are tuning the absolute nads off it though, you want to be starting with the biggest valves available in any of the standard cars for that
Yup remembering back now to the conversation, Martin did say its the engine with the BEST scope for future power!


Oh and there's been plenty of A3 running 300+ on standard internals on that website, one is owned by a bloke Rich who runs JBR Performance.
Old 04-01-2007, 12:52 PM
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I know of at least 4 150bhp motors running over 300bhp, none of them have given any trouble and there all good for power hikes

This might be of some help bud

Old 04-01-2007, 01:22 PM
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Link to that full size for people to lazy to right click and copy properties:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ecodetable.jpg
Old 04-01-2007, 01:23 PM
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PS

It mentions small vs large for the ports, but not the valves, maybe the two go together though?
Old 04-01-2007, 01:30 PM
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my 130k cupra had nos fitted and more boost etc,loved it,was running 300+bhp.fantastic engine.
Old 04-01-2007, 04:58 PM
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I heard the 210bhp S3 engines are one of the better VAG 1.8T lumps. Thicker, stronger con rods apparentely.
Old 04-01-2007, 05:09 PM
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Mint FRST

EVERY 1.8t lump will be upto the job of 300bhp so conversion wise the best option is to buy a 150bhp motor and fit a bigger turbo cuse the only real difference between the ot of them are the mpping and the turbos as standard.

I'm doing a mk1 golf and wanting about 400bhp so bought a seat cupra 150bhp motor, the reason being is that i will be replacing the rods, pistons, turbo, and possibly a bit of head work so there was no point buying a 225 motor cause i'm replacing everything anyway.

Ps Chip i've never heard any differences between the valves just the ports in the head, plus if there was any difference it would be minimal imo
Old 04-01-2007, 05:38 PM
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very good engines imo, easily get 200bhp outta them- my mate has a chipped, roughly 200bhp+ one with 100k and its still sweet as a nut and pulls nicely in his 2000 model golf gti, does need servicing though the lazy git
Old 04-01-2007, 05:59 PM
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Default VAG 1.8T

Alps Pacino

this isnt a dig back but most people know what these engines are capable of.

I mean, a good strong CVH turbo is good for somewhere near 300Bhp with the correct management and turbo selection. How long it lasts is another thing I know of standard bottom ends having 16psi of thrash for 000s of miles.

To get back to topic, a good well maintained VAG 1.8T with 100k + should be safe for 200Bhp IMO.

I was quoting what a certain so called Tuner preached to me many moons ago.

p.s. BTW your engine route conversion sounds Good luck
Old 04-01-2007, 07:58 PM
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These engines are easily fit for 350-400 bhp with no internal modification required as i was seriously considering a mk 1 golf gti with the 150bhp engine then gettin a jbs conversion!

www.jbsautodesigns.co.uk/conversions.htm

I also spent 16months doin my research on every site relating to vw performance and forums

The main problem/restriction is the turbo and manifold strangling hp engine is 1 tough cookie

The only reason i didnt go ahead was i cant get away from owning a 3dr cosworth in my lifetime so that has to come first

I must admit though i went in a mk 1 golf gti (converted with g60 engine)running 230bhp and wow couldnt see much keeping up to be honest
amazing car so much fun and to me thats was driving performance cars is about!
Old 04-01-2007, 08:17 PM
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I'll be getting mine remapped soon and it will see 200bhp quite easily

the AGU (early) lump has the better head as it has bigger ports, but this isn't really a benifit unless you want mega power

the lump in the anniversary edition had 180bhp as standard which was from a different map and a slightly better specced turbo (K03s as opposed to the K03), this is also the same for the 180bhp TTs

The 225bhp TT has the K04 turbo, bigger injectors and I believe has twin intercoolers as well to get this power

Alps my AGU has got a forged crank then, not as easy to kill?
Old 04-01-2007, 08:23 PM
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IHI, front mount, stand alone,proper fuel and map for a healthy 400
Old 04-01-2007, 08:27 PM
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Also the cam belt and plug service intervals are superb on them, every 60k

one thing thats not so good though is if a lead breaks down, they're coil packed


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