Turbo upgrade for TDI?

[Greg Roles]

Any Commodore with the ECOTEC 152kW V6 engine will hose my 1.9 TDI. They're dead even in first, then every gear after the gap gets bigger and bigger and bigger.

I personally find that pretty hard to understand. I mean my GT TDI may have the hefty 125kw engine, but it's a LOT heavier. In a all out drag with the current auto S pack commies and XR6's, they are dead level. Sure i have to launch right and get each change, but I've had some good dices over the months, and the best yet is an STi imprezza and a 215 clubsport. Both times there was nothing in it, and all I can guess is neither of them could drive / they were both mock up's, but the clubbie was definately an 8. I feel pretty cocky in this diesel, let me tell ya. Sure I'll get burnt one day....but it's yet to happen!

I am aiming to get a G-tech so I can do some testing, but I for one and very, very, very impressed with this weezy diesel. I don't advocate dragging in traffic, but I'd be lying out my behind if I said I don't do it from time to time.

Golfman I'll look into it, but I can say the 103 kw 2.0 TDI has a VNT15 variable vane turbo, and the GT a VNT17 variable. I think adding the variable vane would be darn tricky, but no reason a better intercooler, bigger exhaust, better inlet and possibly a bigger turbo wouldn't help. I'd attack them in that order personally. I really notice the heat / heat soak in the TDI, and with a radiator sized intercooler in the 2.0 TDI's, it still suffers from heat.

The polo has the small side one yeah?

I'd investigate a decent sized one, and add the intelligent water spray from autospeed. I bought the coffee pump from the states (110V), and a 110V converter from honkers on e-bay. I figure it's slightly less dangerous than 240V stuff here, and was certainly a lot,lot cheaper! The 100w 110V converter is nice and small too.

I've plenty of 2.5 and 3" inlet plumbing and assorted elbows etc left over from my mock up that is underway if you need anything.

[Preen59]

The 1.9 has a variable vane turbo too.

[Greg Roles]

Schweet!

So Golfman are you spending lots and lots of time at the "club' ?

It sure seems to be 1.9 TDI heavy, as I spent a lot of time there early on hoping to find 2.0 GT mod tips....but yeah, they don't have that motor as yet.....seems to be plenty of threads on 1.9 turbo upgrades, lots of discussion. Some nice threads on how to Vag-com down the EGR recirculation as well, and lessen the sludge buildup dramatically.

[Jarred]

Can't argue with that.

Why pull it off the road & have your daily sit around for umpteen week's while you fab up turbo gear?

Leave it & enjoy it.

Build your mk1! haha

that's what I've been trying to tell him for a while now! But no, he wants buckets too! ha. and slicks! dill....


How did this thread involve anything to do with draggin people off from the lights? The op didn't mention this! Way to crap on fellas. Don't be surprised if those posts aren't there in the morning....


I reckon that international VW diesel forum would be the go for technical info. and find out what size your turbo is first! Also no point in having a bigger turbo if the ECU doesn't know whats going on and/or you don't run more boost.

Maybe look at uppping the boost on the turbo first, + IC + DP & exhaust. I think that'll be plenty for a DAILY DRIVER!

Go fix your mk 1 now...

[GoLfMan]

fellas, how did this turn into my cars faster than yours thread!!!! This is why moderators have been on a deleting frenzy, Im asking for thoughts not what I can beat and what car would be faster if I sold the TDI!

[GoLfMan]

Golfman I'll look into it, but I can say the 103 kw 2.0 TDI has a VNT15 variable vane turbo, and the GT a VNT17 variable. I think adding the variable vane would be darn tricky, but no reason a better intercooler, bigger exhaust, better inlet and possibly a bigger turbo wouldn't help. I'd attack them in that order personally. I really notice the heat / heat soak in the TDI, and with a radiator sized intercooler in the 2.0 TDI's, it still suffers from heat.

The polo has the small side one yeah?

I'd investigate a decent sized one, and add the intelligent water spray from autospeed. I bought the coffee pump from the states (110V), and a 110V converter from honkers on e-bay. I figure it's slightly less dangerous than 240V stuff here, and was certainly a lot,lot cheaper! The 100w 110V converter is nice and small too.

I've plenty of 2.5 and 3" inlet plumbing and assorted elbows etc left over from my mock up that is underway if you need anything.

Hi Cogs,
yeh the Polo has a small side mount IC, however Ive got a Gallant VR4 IC that should hopefully sit quite nicely infront of the radiator without modding the front bar

ill give you a holla about all those elbows and stuff mate, still gotta get the IC pressure tested yet!

i dont see the point in a DP on this size turbo, however Ill do a high flow cat and muffler just to free it up a bit more.... Have also done a SEAT intake which made power delivery smoother.

ive never claimed it was earth shattering quick, nore have i claimed anywhere in this thread that i want a world beater or a drag racer (i'd get a old commo V8 for that!) I want to take it to some sprint days and enjoy it legally.

whats the club?!!

[GoLfMan]

A question Golfman.. have you done suspension work? If modding the TDI, personally, I'd attack the handling (or lack of any) before anything else. Some good springs, shocks & swaybars plus wheels & tyres (wider rim, lower profile tyre) should change how it corners (or doesn't) pretty dramatically. Just my opinion anyway.

yes I do have very very stiff springs in it, handles beautifully actually... Will eventually get some coilovers for it and sway bars, but all in good time grasshopper!

[GoLfMan]

It's not just about the size!!??!! The some of the ones on the TDIs have variable vane technology to make them even more flexible.

Have a look and see what boost diesels run. I think you'll find it's nearly double that of a petrol turbo. I did some datalogging on a TDI Audi a few years back and I though the wastegate was welded up.....

Gavin

id be interested to see the levels of boost, i know they are quite large! And one of the reasons of high boost is the smaller turbo size is it not??? I dont mind loosing some 'flexibility' for powerm there's always a trade off

[gregozedobe]

IIRC some of the VAG cars in the UK come with up to 150hp out of their "factory standard" 1.9 TDIs, presumably with bigger VNT turbos, bigger injectors and who knows what else.

One thing to watch out for if you bump up the power is the Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF). They are prone to failure on 1.9s that are only remapped, let alone serious modifications. Mind you, the problem seems to be more at the 1400-1600rpm mark, and you mightn't be spending much time at those revs if you are after "big powa".

The Briskoda site might have some more info if you care to look (there's several threads about converting DMFs to Single Mass Flywheels).

[Mischa]

go the vnt17 (from a GT) or a vnt20 (even bigger). but dont whinge if your warranty is voided

[Greg Roles]

Golfie, by club, I'm referring to the USA site TDI club. It's mainly all about the 1.9 TDI motor, a wealth of info for you.

If you can give me your engine code from your owners manual, I can look up your turbo on Elsawin. My Erwin manuals may have some info for you too, I'll have a look.

Find the sticker on the inside cover of section 1/1 Passenger vehicles Service schedule. As an example mine says"

Golf 2.0
125kw fTDI M6F
BMN ( engine )
LA7T ( colour )

[Greg Roles]

go the vnt17 (from a GT) or a vnt20 (even bigger). but dont whinge if your warranty is voided

Turbo's the last thing I'd do in the list, and remember the lag factor in going too big. Diesel is bad enough!

[benough]

id be interested to see the levels of boost, i know they are quite large! And one of the reasons of high boost is the smaller turbo size is it not??? I dont mind loosing some 'flexibility' for powerm there's always a trade off

The boost for the VNT17 in the GT motor is 32psi.

Take that VL turbo Commodores!

[GoLfMan]

Golfie, by club, I'm referring to the USA site TDI club. It's mainly all about the 1.9 TDI motor, a wealth of info for you.

If you can give me your engine code from your owners manual, I can look up your turbo on Elsawin. My Erwin manuals may have some info for you too, I'll have a look.

Find the sticker on the inside cover of section 1/1 Passenger vehicles Service schedule. As an example mine says"

Golf 2.0
125kw fTDI M6F
BMN ( engine )
LA7T ( colour )

thanks for the info mate
have you got a link to that site?
hopefully I remember to get my engine code tonight, thanks for the offer!

Mischa: these mods would be done after warrenty period is over, which mine nearly is!

[GoLfMan]

IIRC some of the VAG cars in the UK come with up to 150hp out of their "factory standard" 1.9 TDIs, presumably with bigger VNT turbos, bigger injectors and who knows what else.

One thing to watch out for if you bump up the power is the Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF). They are prone to failure on 1.9s that are only remapped, let alone serious modifications. Mind you, the problem seems to be more at the 1400-1600rpm mark, and you mightn't be spending much time at those revs if you are after "big powa".

The Briskoda site might have some more info if you care to look (there's several threads about converting DMFs to Single Mass Flywheels).

thats right! we only get the low power TDI's

thats interesting about the flywheels mines chipped so i hope nothing happens to it, warrenty is nearly out!!!