1.8 20v (Non Turbo) Conversion - 1.8T

19913 Views 54 Replies 12 Participants Last post by izzy_007, Dec 21, 2010

Zeldoz

Discussion Starter · Dec 20, 2010

Looking into a new car.. currently a 2.0l focus is winning for insurance..

However, i want to stay VW but cant afford these premiums, a 1.8 non turbo is merely affordable, then declaring adding a turbo drops the price around £600 in a year compared to just buying a normal 1.8T and insuring it.

So, Firstly it is possible to go out and buy the turbo and bolt it on? -

Is it possible?
What would i need?
How much work is realistically involved?
Is it worth it?
Will it be as powerful as a regular 1.8T after conversion?
Would re-map potential be the same?

Hopefully its possible to achieve!

1 - 20 of 55 Posts

Gman1982

· #2 · Dec 20, 2010

tbh fella, the 1.8T should not be that much to insure as its not classed as a HIGH performance car. The 1.8T was developed for motorway cruising for all the fat cats in there passats and A4s etc. Because the NA 1.8 engine was so gutless they shoved a turbo on it. This is why the turbos are so small and run at low boost as there were added to give you a extra kick of power not shove you into the back seats after flooring it!

have you actually shopped about for insurance quotes? i think you mite be suprised. My brother insured his (my old a3 1.8T) at 18, with mods declared for a smidge under 1900. Still mental to me as im 29, but for a 18 year old i thought that was quite good.

bengie

· #3 · Dec 20, 2010

the 1.8 isn't gutless in anyway, yes its low powered compared to the 1.8T but compare it to other engines of similar size and aspiration, our 1.8 focus with long tube 4-2-1 manifold, de-cat, 2.5" exhaust and CAI only makes standard 1.8 20v power which you could then modify just the same.

also i can't believe that a 1.8 golf modified by adding a turbo and nearly doubling its power output is cheaper to insure than a standard 1.8T.

Melmoth

· #4 · Dec 20, 2010

I would have thought the 1.8 non turbo has different internals from the 1.8t blocks, so not quite a case of take exhaust manifold off and plonk turbo on. It's alot of work and and I would say more expensive than selling your agn and buying a 1.8t and insuring it.

Stuart_tate41

· #5 · Dec 20, 2010

Spoke about this at westside this year with a few members. Defo need new pistons and a lot of work!!

Zeldoz

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 20, 2010

tbh fella, the 1.8T should not be that much to insure as its not classed as a HIGH performance car. The 1.8T was developed for motorway cruising for all the fat cats in there passats and A4s etc. Because the NA 1.8 engine was so gutless they shoved a turbo on it. This is why the turbos are so small and run at low boost as there were added to give you a extra kick of power not shove you into the back seats after flooring it!

have you actually shopped about for insurance quotes? i think you mite be suprised. My brother insured his (my old a3 1.8T) at 18, with mods declared for a smidge under 1900. Still mental to me as im 29, but for a 18 year old i thought that was quite good.

That's amazing for 18.. Im getting roughly £1,100 quotes for a 2l focus all in my mums name but me as the main driver!.. and for the post about the 1,8 Focus after mods only producing the same as a 1.8 golf you must be mistaken?! They are the same BHP!?! If not, still.. My mums 1.8 Focus destroys my friends POLO GTI 140 BHP and hers is standard.. It's gear ratio's are truely phonominal! Also, its light too!

I'll look at some more insurance quotes now.

Zeldoz

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 20, 2010

Yeah in a standard 1.8T im looking at roughly £500 a month! ! ! !

Just cant find a cheap insurer for it.. oh well..

northstar555

· #8 · Dec 20, 2010

The Golf 1.8 non turbo is 125bhp and a 1.8 LX Focus is 113bhp according to Parkers

CunningstunT

· #9 · Dec 20, 2010

That's amazing for 18.. Im getting roughly £1,100 quotes for a 2l focus all in my mums name but me as the main driver!.. and for the post about the 1,8 Focus after mods only producing the same as a 1.8 golf you must be mistaken?! They are the same BHP!?! If not, still.. My mums 1.8 Focus destroys my friends POLO GTI 140 BHP and hers is standard.. It's gear ratio's are truely phonominal! Also, its light too!

I'll look at some more insurance quotes now.

I seriously doubt the focus would "destroy" a polo gti with the focus having a 0-60 time of 9.9.....

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/detail.aspx?deriv=22253

sounds like a bad case of terrible driving!!

Zeldoz

Discussion Starter · #10 · Dec 20, 2010

That's amazing for 18.. Im getting roughly £1,100 quotes for a 2l focus all in my mums name but me as the main driver!.. and for the post about the 1,8 Focus after mods only producing the same as a 1.8 golf you must be mistaken?! They are the same BHP!?! If not, still.. My mums 1.8 Focus destroys my friends POLO GTI 140 BHP and hers is standard.. It's gear ratio's are truely phonominal! Also, its light too!

I'll look at some more insurance quotes now.

Click to expand...

I seriously doubt the focus would "destroy" a polo gti with the focus having a 0-60 time of 9.9.....

http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/detail.aspx?deriv=22253

sounds like a bad case of terrible driving!!

Unfortunately it did. He isnt a bad driver either he has had a 1.8T Golf and A3 1.8T then downgradded for a year on the polo until he gets the R32 next year.. and iv seen him on trackdays he isnt half bad.. Come ot my town i'll proove it too you !

ajb100

· #11 · Dec 20, 2010

Just put a 1.8t in your current golf

Melmoth

· #12 · Dec 20, 2010

You should buy the focus - truly beast of a machine! A true thorough breed of a time attack machine! [au]

Failing that try and source a focus 2.0L engine and put it into the golf!

Zeldoz

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 20, 2010

Just put a 1.8t in your current golf

Thought about it.. but the work would be ridiculous! Many hours of headaches!!

CunningstunT

· #14 · Dec 20, 2010

so your saying your 113bhp focus with a 9.9 0-60 time will beat a 140 bhp polo gti which is lighter and has a sub 9 second 0-60?! how is that not bad driving?!?! Also how could you prove it against me? i have a 220bhp golf and a Gsxr 1000... this isn't meant to be offensive in anyway it just looks unlikely when you read up on both cars....

Melmoth

· #15 · Dec 20, 2010

A as stated already a 1.8t gti isn't a high performance car it's not expensive to insure really unless your a young driver... how old are you?

Gman1982

· #16 · Dec 20, 2010

my dads 130 tdci batters my bros 1.8t. they can both drive and there aint nothing wrong with the 1.8t before people get all sweaty. Simple fact is, the focus is faster!

Zeldoz

Discussion Starter · #17 · Dec 20, 2010

my dads 130 tdci batters my bros 1.8t. they can both drive and there aint nothing wrong with the 1.8t before people get all sweaty. Simple fact is, the focus is faster!

Atleast someone is as level head headed as me. Its not always down to facts and figures..

CunningstunT

· #18 · Dec 20, 2010

It is all about facts and figures, did you not go to school? How can a car that does 0-60 in 9.9 cover more ground than a car that does it in less than 9 seconds?

izzy_007

· #19 · Dec 20, 2010

tbh fella, the 1.8T should not be that much to insure as its not classed as a HIGH performance car. The 1.8T was developed for motorway cruising for all the fat cats in there passats and A4s etc. Because the NA 1.8 engine was so gutless they shoved a turbo on it. This is why the turbos are so small and run at low boost as there were added to give you a extra kick of power not shove you into the back seats after flooring it!

have you actually shopped about for insurance quotes? i think you mite be suprised. My brother insured his (my old a3 1.8T) at 18, with mods declared for a smidge under 1900. Still mental to me as im 29, but for a 18 year old i thought that was quite good.

what company is he with if you dont mind me asking mate?

and btw this seems to be turning into a this vs that debate which will go on forever. Simple thing is it isnt always down to the specs of the car. for example gmans fathers car beat a 150hp turbo, maybe it will for shorter runs as it is a diesel with much more torque but that doesnt go to say that on a longer run the gti t will take it on the top end. Theres no point debating.

Zeldoz

Discussion Starter · #20 · Dec 20, 2010

tbh fella, the 1.8T should not be that much to insure as its not classed as a HIGH performance car. The 1.8T was developed for motorway cruising for all the fat cats in there passats and A4s etc. Because the NA 1.8 engine was so gutless they shoved a turbo on it. This is why the turbos are so small and run at low boost as there were added to give you a extra kick of power not shove you into the back seats after flooring it!

have you actually shopped about for insurance quotes? i think you mite be suprised. My brother insured his (my old a3 1.8T) at 18, with mods declared for a smidge under 1900. Still mental to me as im 29, but for a 18 year old i thought that was quite good.

Click to expand...

what company is he with if you dont mind me asking mate?

and btw this seems to be turning into a this vs that debate which will go on forever. Simple thing is it isnt always down to the specs of the car. for example gmans fathers car beat a 150hp turbo, maybe it will for shorter runs as it is a diesel with much more torque but that doesnt go to say that on a longer run the gti t will take it on the top end. Theres no point debating.

Agreed. Likewise, the focus on a short drag will win, over distance the Polo should take it on top-end.

1 - 20 of 55 Posts

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