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The small cube Polo engines use different engine mount locations, so require some more skill to fit properly. They're really not worth fitting unless you put the car on a major diet, as none of them have much torque. I have a 1.6 16v w/ 6spd out of a Lupo GTI I've had wrapped up for a few years now, but I've never hurried to fit it. It depends what you want, really.
For example, a 1.4 16v on Webers won't even be much quicker than a healthy 1.6 8v!!
Bang for buck depends on how much you can do yourself, and how well you can do it. It's all well and good to throw $ figures around, but no swap costs the same amount, as everyone replaces (or doesn't replace) different numbers of parts etc, and all Mk1s are in different levels of condition etc.
Personally, I don't like Megasquirt, but I do know it has a valid place in the market. So many people pay for it, frig around installing it, then leave much of the engine standard... why not just fit OE management and maintain the reliable diagnostics? It's also a hell of a lot easier and cheaper. If you want to heavily modify something and can't afford a proper standalone ECU, then MS is worth considering, but there are only a couple of heavily modified engines on this forum! In most cases OE systems are actually quicker and easier to adapt to modified setups than a complete MS install anyway.
I would get a 1.8, fit a 276 cam, run a decent 2nd hand carb and use the 4spd box to keep the stacked up gearing. Good fun, cheap, and will sound quite nice too
For example, a 1.4 16v on Webers won't even be much quicker than a healthy 1.6 8v!!
Bang for buck depends on how much you can do yourself, and how well you can do it. It's all well and good to throw $ figures around, but no swap costs the same amount, as everyone replaces (or doesn't replace) different numbers of parts etc, and all Mk1s are in different levels of condition etc.
Personally, I don't like Megasquirt, but I do know it has a valid place in the market. So many people pay for it, frig around installing it, then leave much of the engine standard... why not just fit OE management and maintain the reliable diagnostics? It's also a hell of a lot easier and cheaper. If you want to heavily modify something and can't afford a proper standalone ECU, then MS is worth considering, but there are only a couple of heavily modified engines on this forum! In most cases OE systems are actually quicker and easier to adapt to modified setups than a complete MS install anyway.
I would get a 1.8, fit a 276 cam, run a decent 2nd hand carb and use the 4spd box to keep the stacked up gearing. Good fun, cheap, and will sound quite nice too
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