Hi Baz, I'm with u there.....
.my 1.9td has recently had a rebuilt engine fitted just before I bought it......
the only thing I have done is to blank off the egr valve......now seems to run sweeter......
all I have found out about getting more, poke engine wise is to fit a more modern engine complete with all the electronic that goes with it..
for me it's one reason I bought this 99 year model......simples.....at least it's fixable......I've got rid off to many modern rubbish vehicles thru electronic problems that no-one can fix.......besides where I live now and where I'll be moving too soon...if u can't fix it urself ur on a bike.....hahaha....not with my knees.........
I can live with the lack of umpf....but would like a better gearbox......low first is just great for me but in 5th gear, OH dear.....
quite a lot of the time on a motorway it'd be nice to have a 6th.......
anyone fitted a six speeder........I have a 6 speed box from a Ford Galaxy laying around......and besides 3rd is on mine....
let me know how u get on.....
supermum..........

 

Yeah I have the blanked egr, a new turbo and a dummy decat pipe. I don't think it makes much difference power wise.

My van drives ok but I have a longing for more power and torque.

I could end up just selling the van and buying a 102bhp 2.5 (or a t5 I but the van is is pretty good and if I could do an ' engine swap ' with a 'crate LS corvette engine ' that would be better...I:

Ps can you tell I've been laid up with a dislocated knee so been watching loads of ' fast and loud'!!!

There is surely options I Have seen petrol engined 1.8t turbo for sale running 270bhp I'm assuming that's out of a vag unit?? Unless that was the pain killers playing tricks lol:*

Cheers
Baz

 

There is surely options I Have seen petrol engined 1.8t turbo for sale running 270bhp I'm assuming that's out of a vag unit?? Unless that was the pain killers playing tricks lol:*

Theres a howto here: http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=408537

 

In my quest for a bit more power I decided to change the 'throttle cable' as my pedal always felt a bit 'stiff'??and the power just seemed 'down' .... The mechanic I use suggested changing the cable as he had experienced a similar thing to me..

Anyhow 'wow' can't believe how much of a difference it makes to the way it drives!! It weren't the cheapest of cables mind you but defo worth doing.. It's like a different van A:
Tempted to turn the boost up and keep it a bit longer.....

Cheers
Baz

 

Been doing a bit more research and was wondering does anyone know if the following engines slot into the T4 or even the t5???

I've seen a few t5's with blown engines so if I could have the option of dropping in a tuned remapped pd130 engine in I would defo consider it


1.9 TDI 2000–2006 I4 8V ATD/AXR 1896 cc 74 kW (101 PS; 99 hp) @ 4000 rpm 240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @ 1800–2400 rpm
1.9 TDI 1997–2002 I4 8V AHF/ASV 1896 cc 81 kW (110 PS; 109 hp) @ 4150 rpm 235 N·m (173 lb·ft) @ 1900 rpm
1.9 TDI 1998–2000 I4 8V AJM 1896 cc 85 kW (116 PS; 114 hp) @ 4000 rpm 285 N·m (210 lb·ft) @ 1900 rpm
1.9 TDI 1999–2001 I4 8V AUY 1896 cc 85 kW (116 PS; 114 hp) @ 4000 rpm 310 N·m (230 lb·ft) @ 1900 rpm
1.9 TDI 2001–2006 I4 8V ASZ 1896 cc 96 kW (131 PS; 129 hp) @ 4000 rpm 310 N·m (230 lb·ft) @ 1900 rpm
1.9 TDI 2000–2003 I4 8V ARL 1896 cc 110 kW (150 PS; 148 hp) @ 4000 rpm


Cheers
Baz

 

Ha, I had just been looking through to get some ideas etc and saw this thread. I've literally just bought a 1.8T converted T4. The conversion was done with a standard 150 1.8T engine before which I think is asking a lot from the 1.8T. Having stripped it apart the bottom end had shattered and a rod has bent slightly.

The van is heavy so I've opted to build a forged small block and small port head to keep it punchy for about 330-350bhp. In reality you could run 180bhp happily with just an engine swap and G60 flywheel and VR6 clutch (direct bolt on). I have this fw/clutch setup for sale as I've gone for a dual friction clutch and lightened billet flywheel.

I'll let people know how I get on if theres any interest. The weak spot is the standard gearbox which as far as I've read is only really reliable upto 300-350lbs/ft. Its for this reason I decided not to go for a big turbo and large port head and just aim for 350bhp and limit boost after.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Only had the van a week and although I'm used to my fast cars, I think this will be good fun.

Last weekend... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ogNgMcYfks

 

That was Jon r6's Van which he had a nightmare trying to get it converted it also didn't sound quite right when it was running. Probably a bit of piston flap going on and the aftermarket ecu probably didn't do it any favours either.
Here was his build thread unless your have seen it already http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1128549#post1128549

 

Hi Guys,

I read the whole thread before I bought the van, I managed to get it very cheap (1300) and my intention was always to build a forged 1.8T T4 so this had the skeleton I need with a rebuilt box and other bits onboard so I jumped at it. Already made a 1/3rd back selling bits off of it. I can imagine it wouldn't have been running right before, the oil pickup needs moving further forward to get good pickup under braking. Ultimately though the ECU/MAP and overboosting killed the engine as the OP said. The big end shell shattered, classic det and I'm not a big fan of the MS ECU either. I'm likely going to go a different route ECU wise. Jon was a gent to buy the van off so hopefully he will appreciate the direction I take the van in.

To get BTT though, I think the 1.8T conversion is a perfect solution if done correctly as the OP has. I read that thread 6 months ago and that's what got me thinking. Standard rods should be fine if you're not putting big turbo's on, If you have 100bhp to start with 180bhp on a KO3 will feel pretty punchy I'd imagine.

 

7ommy d

Did you buy your van from eBay just in the past 2 weeks? I was watching a white 1.8t conversion with a knocking bottom end (think it was at £500 at the time I saw it)???

My little van is only has 68bhp so a standard 150/180 engine would feel like a rocket lol

Good luck with your buildT:

Cheers
Baz

 

also have a look at Bongo as Jim has been winding up the power of the 2.5 TDi

http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=161159

 

When I saw bongo power I was thinking whaaaaat....
Was expecting a link for a 'Mazda bongo' There I was thinking ehhh what's happening here then starting reading lol
Ahhh now it makes sense and 222bhp 300+ torque is good goingT: nice looking van as well

Cheers
Baz

 

Wow 1300 is VERY cheap for that van, I'd have definitely bought it for that price. Good luck sorting it, please post up how you get on building it (ideally on the Just T4s forum because im too lazy to read this one). Be really interesting to see someone else's take on doing a 1.8t, there are a few bits and pieces I'd change doing it again.


Bongo is an epic van

 

Yea thats the one, it was on eBay last month, really happy with it! I'm not much of a forum person, I tend to use forums to read up and learn before I start a project or encounter a problem etc. Best way to stay posted is my YT

https://www.youtube.com/speedingtube

Cheers