Glen1909

Well being new to this game and still paying shit loads in insurance, I figured I would get a 1.8si instead of a GTI, only to find at a later date that a GTI is pretty much same thing, just looks better......

Then my mate got a GTI (bastard) and drove it round all of three weeks before headgasket blew. He is now gonna sell me bits off of the car for mine, interior, wheels, side skirts etc.....

But, I hate the colour of my car and once I've fitted his skirts I want my car sprayed the same as the skirts. Unfortunately I dont know where I would go and how much it is gonna cos me? Any Ideas?

Glen1909

sorry, jus realised this is picture forum!

Fiddy

why dont you just buy your mates GTI and put your engine in.

BRAMMER

iTrader: (23)

Do the headgasket.

Glen1909

I did think about that and got alot of inspiration from this site, however I know nothing about engines. Labour wise how much you reckon that would cost?

Oh the other reason I didnt want to do that is that I have had 4" full magnex exhaust system fitted to my car and not sure how easy it is to swap over!

Fiddy

to be honest mate, if you know anyone who is half decent with mechanics, and you have the rite tools for the job, it shouldnt be too difficult. im no mechanic myself, but swapping a 1.8 zetec for a 1.8 zetec isnt rocket science, it will go straight in, and the exhaust isnt a hard job either. or as someone posted above, you could always buy the gti and get the headgasket done.

Glen1909

yeah, im starting to think that might be best bet afterall. His is nice 3 door as well (mine is 5) and its prob less hassle in long run than switching skirts, respraying etc and swapping interior etc.

I dont know about fixing head gasket, he is trainee mechanic and says it is big job cos it has warped something (im no techy). Plus I have actually spent a couple of hundred on my engine when I got car, cam belt change and rewiring cos the people who had it before jocked into the wires etc.

I dont know anyone who can switch an engine though. What sort of garage would do that you reckon>?

ps. thanks for advice ppl, it well appreciated

Fiddy

to be honest mate i would have thought any garage could do it, i know ford did a couple of different version of the 1.8 zetec, 105 bhp, 115 bhp and 130bhp. but they will all fit, i know the escort gti is 115bhp, and i think the escort si is 115bhp aswell, so it is just a case of one out, one in. depending on how bad the head is warped, it would probs end up cheaper to put your engine in the gti, plus as you say, you have had the cambelt and stuff done on your engine.

matts1

I would have said Ł500 tops in labour to swap them over.

Alot cheaper than having your car sprayed + buying the bits of the GTI.

Buy the GTi CHEAP and swap the lumps.

Depending how bad the head is on the gti it may be worth selling your car, buying the gti and having the work done, Ł500-Ł600?

If the lump in the gti was ok before, it would now have a new belt, oil, fluids, etc as part of the repair.

matts1

Also, they gti's are getting cheap now, have a look around and don't pay your mate to much for it!

Glen1909

thanks for the advice, gonna need to get hold of my mate and get a price on the gti

Cheers

Turbo Pez

hire a engine crane, disconnect manifold from downpipe, drop the gearbox, disconnect all hoses and wires, undo engine mounts, lift engine out, do the same with the over car, then put good engine in to gti, connect downpipe to exhause, reconnect wires and hoses, reconnect gearbox and fire it up! Really that simple!!!

Glen1909

After reading that I went to look at the engine......I wouldn't even know what a manifold or a downpipe is, thanks but it sounds like I'd need someone like yourself showing me what to do!! I'll have to try and find someone to do it. Not sure if it would be cheaper to sell my car as it is and jus buy a GTI. To many options, not enough free cash kicking around. lol.

Glen1909

Just to update, whilst me and my mate were scratching our heads wondering what to with the car, some cheeky bastard stole it. With no engine!!!

Game Over

BM08

what, your si or the gti?


Cunts either way

Glen1909

The GTI thank god, I just got some new rims on mine from 'the sludge' on the board so im gonna stick wiv my motor now, its growing on me, next im gonna lower it 60mm. My mate has got himself a new escort now anyway but we dont mention the GTI in case he starts crying.lol!

C750PUY

They are all the same engine the only difference is the throttle body is bigger on a larger bhp model.

Also it would cost you less to have a garage change your engine over than to have you car sprayed. If you swap youe engine over rather than change head gasket get them to change your cambelt while the engine is out.

It is cheaper to swap an engine rather than a head gasket because head could be cracked or warped.

GUZZLER

iTrader: (3)

different throttle body, cams, inlet manifold & ecu.

Glen1909

Thanks guys, I didnt actually know there was any difference in the engine, certainly didnt think the GTI was better when I drove his, acceleration seemed slow compared to mine although that could have been cos head gasket was about to blow! Im keeping my SI now as it is, just got some alloys and the colour is growing on me. Plus, my mates car got nicked the other week (*see above)

Glen1909

Here is the GTI in question - if you see it about let me know cos it belongs to my mates (*although he never did get the V5) and he would be interested to know as to its whereabouts!



This is my SI at present, wanna lower it next, dont suppose anyone knows where I can get that done? How much its gonna cost etc>?



Cheers,