Zuk newb here.  Just picked up an 88 with a half azz lift and 32's.  Looking to go through this little Zuki and make it a street legal explorer.  Nothing crazy but very capable.

So I have been looking and reading up on the TDI swaps.  This sounds like it would fit perfect for what I have in mind.  I hear there are lots of options for TDI motors but I also hear that you need a north south motor instead of an east west orientation.  I searched for the specific info I need on the forum but didn't really find much. 

My specific question then is:  What year and model of donor VW should I be looking for the correct engine for the swap?  I'd like a 1.9l TDI but I hear the 1.6 TDI is a good option too.  I know someone has already done the legwork out there on this, any hints you could pass my way?

Seems that HP and Torque are all across the range depending on what year you get.  I'd like something in the 80-100 hp range with roughly 130-150 lbs tq if that helps narrow the search down... Is there a link for this info?


Thanks in advance...

what do you mean by 1.9l tdi and 1.9 tdi? are you refering to the 1.9 IDI (like the AAZ)? and the 1.9 TDI?? theres a huge difference. I have been down the IDI road.......I can answer most any Q's you might have. (be ready to see your debit card smoke)

1.9l = typo...
and whats AAZ?  maybe I should mention that newb part again... HA!

Just looking for a general year and model to start looking for a motor.  I realize with enough money and time I could fit a hemi in it if I wanted to but being that the 1.6 and 1.9 turbo desiel came in a variety of models and years I'm really just looking for "the 92 1.6 from the Golf is a viable option for a simple swap" (simple being a relative term).

AAZ is the idi 1.9l it's a mechanical injection pump simle motor. And yes they are available in many rigs just none in the us. Mine was imported. You can get them easiest from Canada or Germany.

The tdi obviously available in the us and is a pain to wire but a better choice in retrospect.

If you can find a good 1.6 turbo go for it. There usually about 1/5 the price of a 1.9l
I drove jeffs (the owner of acme adapters) rig with the 1.6 and it did every bit as good as my AAZ.

And yea I get it about the hemi crack.

If you want my help I'm here.

Mucho thankso!
1.6 TDI might be my initial route then.

I was asking about the year and model donor because I've been down the swap road before with a Subie motor in a Porsche 914, the concensus of the comunity seemed to be a closed deck version that was offered from 2004-2006 or something like that and could be found in the Imprezza RS.  The closed deck was much stronger than the cored version and could handle much more boost later down the road.  I guess this was my questions intent, if anyone had narrowed down a specific year and VW model to source the motor from since that is what the salvage yard will be asking for when i go searching.

Thanks again!

if you want to learn about VW diesels, there's no better place than vwdiesel.net unfortunately the registrations are closed ... I'm not a member myself. 

Here's a brief overview of the engines:

1.5 normally aspirated indirect injection diesel - unless its a steal don't bother because they aren't great for turbo'ing since the blocks are poorly designed.
1.6 normally aspirated indirect injection diesel
1.6 turbo indirect injection diesel
1.9 normally aspirated indirect injection diesel - I think these were only in canada ...
All the above engines have minimal electronics.  The fuel injection is strictly mechanical which is great for the DIY home mechanic.

1.9 turbo direct injection (aka TDI) - depending on what year you get, i believe anything model year 2000+ has an immobilizer and you'll have to pay to get a custom ECU program to defeat that.  Unless you want to use a whole bunch of other electronics from the donor vehicle (cluster, ignition switch stuff I forget what else). These motors compared to the IDI tend to be a lot more expensive, and definitely have more wiring and whatnot. 

I'm going to sell off my 95 passat VR6 and buy a 1991 jetta NA diesel sometime this month.  Once I get used to the whole diesel thing then I'm gonna be looking to get a samurai or something to put it in. 

as far as putting one in a suzuki I don't know crap.  What I do know is all older VW 4cyls have the same transaxle mounting bolt patterns as well as engine mount bracket bolt patterns.  So, presumably with an Acme kit you can stick any VW 4cyl from 1975-1999 and probably some later ones in your truck.  There are some great gas engines at good prices with high availability and decent aftermarket support. e.g. the ubiquitous ABA 2.0 8v found in 1994-1999 vws has 115 hp and 122 ft/lbs which can be had for dirt cheap.

that my friend was the gold mine of info I was looking for.  Thank you.

I was looking at deisel for the torque ratings, but that little gas motor might be a great alternative too.  Time to do some shopping and see what I can find at my local salvage yards.  If I run into anymore roadblocks can I bug you for more info? 

Thanks again.

Now its time to get started.  I was lucky enough to pick this little Zuk up for a dance and song so I need to turn it into something worthy of saving for my son down the road....

absolutely shoot me any VW question you can think of.  I'm not a professional or anything but I've spent enough time on my cars (95 cabrio, 84 rabbit, 95 passat) to know a thing or two. 

One place to look for motors is vwvortex.com but beware lets just say the culture there requires a little patience. 

Also I have the Bentley service manual for A1 (gas only) A2 and A3 cars so thats rabbit, golf, jetta, pickups, and cabriolets  from 75-1999 if you need some sorta technical information, including wiring, for a VW engine. 

Thanks for  the warning.  I'm familiar with that sort of crowd, I bet its alot like Bimmerforums, lots of young know-it-alls.  BMW is my second world.

Also looking at turbo possibilities I have WRX turbo goodies taking up space in the shop, might be a good addition to a rebuilt 1.3 zuk motor?