A&Q about 350Z
Q:
Hey guys, im hoping that this will turn into a big build thread soon but I could do with some help. Ive been in contact with TSR before they went under, but I keep changing my mind with what I want. I'd be very greatful for some help!
Before you all start telling me to do an engine swap! I know its the best way to big power but
1) My 2 best mates are both building cars for the under 1400cc modified class (a mini and a metro)
2) I have a small block mk1 already.
3) I need to keep insurance, tax and fuelling cheap and
4) I like being different.
It will be my daily driver for the moment but before i do the engine im getting a passat.
My plans are to get a recon 1272 from volkspares which is surprisingly cheap. Keep trying in vein to learn German and get cams, manifolds and other stuff off ebay from berg cup cars.
Port and polished head, any modified cam i can get, bike carbs (I can make the manifold at work) 4 branch manifold, custom alloy pistons at a size that means I can get it bored out.
There are 1 or 2 mk2 polos (same engine) in germany with around 130bhp.
Any suggestions appreciated, Will
A:
I recall a long thread on here about 1300 performance, but I think that 100 target is pretty low & not gunna cut the mustard in that class, I had an old Swift GTi & with bog stock engine internals but carefull remapping & RR set up they made 120bhp on AmD rollers.
Sp what woudl that do with lairy cams proper built race engine etc etc ??
To have real power from the vdub I reckon youd need mega compression & mental cam or or also do all that + go 16v head somehow
A:
and
A:
This might be handy too...
A:
thanks alot guys, the links were uber helpful.
I read on the letters page in golf+ that the head from the 1.4 16v alloy polo engines would fit but maybe i interpreted what they said wrong?
Raising compression shouldnt be a problem as im definately having some head work done. Dunno how to track down a lairy cam/ cams, guess newman cams or someone could make me one but i bet they charge a premium...
Weight im aiming for 650kg, which i think is doable and i only weigh 9 stone so im hoping light weight and driving skill will make up for brute power. I dont have a big budget for this and i plan to have fun racing my buddys rather than going hell bent for trophys. If I wanted to go really fast id buy a kit car...
Will
A:
i would go for a 1.3 GT engine from a polo and change the bottom end for a 1.4 one, more details and write ups from people who have actually done it are on clubpolo.co.uk/forum. sub 100k miles engines from polos go for not much at the scrappies. as for the 16v head idea i've got the impression its something that could work in theory, i'd find someone who has done it though and find out how before shelling out, it is something i want to try at some point.
i had a 1.3 GT engine in my mk1, it went ok, but mainly because it handles really nice. i soon wanted some extra power so i've recently put a small block 1.6 (engine code AEE) in using the 1.3 fuelling and ignition components. i've played with the AFM spring tension and i've done a couple of hundred miles but under acceleration it still leans out badly and wont run with lambda connected, adjustable fuel pressure regulator is on its way to me - hopefully this should help
Mike
A:
Will,
The people you want to be speaking to for parts is or , both in Germany. They pretty much have any part imaginable for these little VW engines to get more from them.
I'm not sure how easy/difficult it is to put the 1.4 16v AFH Polo head onto the 1.3/GF? block, (never got around to buying and trying) but the main thing is you will have to sort something out for the timing, as I dont think the heights or belt lengths will be anything that a stock/OE part will fit. There are plenty of working examples over in Germany which compete in the 'Berg-Cup' (Berg meaning mountain/hill in German), the top spec examples can produce over 200bhp at over 11,000rpm, ££££!
For hill climbing, the block has to be externally indentifiable as that fitted to the original model, so you'd be right in thinking that you can swap in a different head if you wanted (all depending on your local motor clubs regulations). Depends how much work you want...
Carbs or fuel injection with throttle bodies?
The Polo GT engine (aka '3F') has a better design of oil pump, so it can provide good oil to the top of the engine with big revs, the GF might not be good for high revs but I think that if you check how good yours is, not severly worn and within tolerances etc. it may be ok, depending how lairy you want to go with the revs of course. (GF pistons are flat with the combustion chambers in the head, 3F pistons are dished and have a flat cylinder head. The GF, which is the carb engine, has better squish for the fuel/air mix)
I've not checked if it's in my thread on here but the standard internals, in a good engine would be ok for upto 7000-7250rpm. (I think it's the pistons that are good for knocking on the door of 8000rpm)
DCOE manifolds are available from WL-Motorsport, which I suppose you could also use for mounting bike carb/throttle bodies to. There are numerous cam specs, valves, valve springs, etc. on their site and they are very helpful. (£1200+ for steel rods and pistons, revtastic!)
The other points you need to consider engine wise, are the exhaust system, 4-branch manifold and large system to deal with the increase in exhaust gas volume, not forgetting gear ratios as these will be fairly critical when it comes to cam selection, or vice versa.
A member on the Edition38 forum by the name of 'Jelly' managed to get his Mk1 down to a quite incredible 660 kilos! This was with a lot of material removed from the inner wings, front panel and generally using lightweight materials and components as replacements.
How far do you want to go?
James.