Modifying a mk1 diesel?!

[GoLfMan]

what would be the best way to extract a bit more power from the little 1.5L Diesel?
forced induction?
what have you mk1 dieselers done in order to modify your little oil burner?
cheers

[syncro]

Put a Mk2 1600 TD in it. Or even better, a Mk3 TDI.

[gldgti]

bigger exhaust and opening the intake does improve things a little, its noticable and welcome but nothing drastic.

timing avance can help a little if done with some subtlety.

turboing the 1.5 is generally said to be no good as the head just isnt made for it... strength wise, and the bottom end isnt made for it heat wise.

supercharging is on my to do list and i hope to get some reasonable gains to make it just a little more fun and lively - less heat retention with the supercharger.

[gldgti]

also, i point you at the "awaken dieselers" thread here.

[brackie]

Supercharging

supercharging is on my to do list and i hope to get some reasonable gains to make it just a little more fun and lively - less heat retention with the supercharger.

Before upping any stress on the 1.5 motor, remember that its componentry is right at the upper limit of what the developers could do with the petrol motor. Turbo is not advised unless you fit cooled pistons and a 1.6 head. Supercharging sounds the go but I would do a big search of US and European forums first to find out if anybody has done it and the problems (if any) that ensued. If you're using the crankshaft pulley end of the motor remember that in the 1.5 it's highly suspect so you'd need to get it right before adding the stress of a superchager belt. The big advantage of the supercharger of course is that you're blowing cool air and this is easier on the engine internals and more dense therefore having a higher oxygen content.

[posscakes]

my girlfriend has a mk 1 golf with a 1.6 non turbo diesel skips along much better than my passat with a 1.5diesel. the 5 speed gearbox in her golf makes a big difference i reckon. her golf is a 1984 SA import. on the other hand didn't loon have a 1.9 tdi advertised at some point?