1.8 to 2.0 16v turbo swap

[tyrone27 at gmail.com (Derrick floyd)]

Well Its turbo already with stacked headgaskets (2) ABA headgaskets
actually.  I said it's time because the 1.8 has been rebuilt twice and
its basically tired now. It needs a conplete rebuilt now with new
pistons and machine work.  so in point in doing that when I have a 2.0
short block.  I've been a big fan of stock bottomend vw's.  I drive it
right now every day at 15psi of boost.
Well I don't have access to a engine hoist or lift. I'm hoping I can
do it at my brothers house where he has a drive way and all so I have
more room.
For the washer.  the washer fit down on the stud a little and I was
rebuilding it so fast i used a air ratchet on the nuts to drive them
down and i didn't notice until I had the motor assembled.  I removed
the valve cover again and noticed how it had cut up the stud threads
going down.
I'm actually planning on doing it that way.  removing the head first
taking it to the machine shop and picking the head up in a day or two.
I'm running two ABA headgaskets now on the 1.8 so it comes down to
which route I feel like taking.  I'm most likely going to stack the
headgaskets again.  I checked timing again and again on the 16v and I
haven't noticed a advance in timing.  stock belt works fine.

On 4/13/05, GREG DUNN <greggearhead@adelphia.net> wrote:
> Derrick, are you drunk typing this right now?  Seriously, some of your
> statements seem a little, wierd.
> 
> Why is it time to upgrade the motor?  Seems to me like it would be better to
> wait until a friend has an open garage space and a hoist you can borrow,
> because that will make everything way easier.  I made a cross-engine-bay
> fixture and then made a lift that sat in that fixture using a come-along
> when I had to pull a motor and tranny back in Iowa in a barn in the middle
> of nowhere.  Works great and I still use it sometime.  You might consider
> something like this.
> 
> If the washers are the wrong size, how did you get them on there?  They
> can't be unscrewed off the studs?  Otherwise, the previous suggestions will
> likely be your only way out.
> 
> If you pull the head first, then take it to the machine shop, then return to
> your swap project, they will likely have the head ready by the time you put
> the shortblock in the engine bay bolted up to the tranny.
> 
> You are lowering the compression because of a turbo install, right?  I am
> assuming based on your subject title.  Lots of opinions here, but dishing
> stock pistons may be OK - I have never done it to 16V pistons so I don't
> know how much "meat" is there.  Stacking gaskets has been done a bunch and
> works OK, as long as the boost isn't too high and your fueling and ignition
> are very good.  Best is forged pistons by far, but you probably knew that.
> Stacking HG's or using spacers looses the squish/quench area which is
> important for good, complete combustion and a more homogeneous mixture.
> Like I said, people do it with stacked gaskets, but it isn't recommended.
> Remember if you stack gaskets, your cam timing will be advanced, along with
> your ignition timing.  Make sure your belt is still long enough, too.
> 
> Good luck,
> Greg
> 
>