Suddenly got thinking about converting

[91Bomb]

Ok, right now I have a '92 NT a/t in decent shape (very good compression #'s, bunrs little oil, etc)

Sitting in my driveway (since january) is my old '91 TSI a/t that had a fire in the engine compartment which mostly destroyed stuff on the passenger side only.

I WAS thinking of selling my NT and getting another 1g turbo a/t and then it dawned on me that a NT--> turbo conversion may be the better option since:

1) the '92 NT car has a good interior + exterior w/ new paint, good front struts, brakes, etc.

2) I am very satisfied with the appearence of this NT car and was thinking of buying another 1g anyway.

3) I have the turbo + ex man, i/c, fp + fpr, etc. (all parts except for the ecu which I sold and the stuff that got toasted)

What do you guys think so far? Better to do a conversion instead of selling NT for another 1g turbo car?

Well, if I decide to go with the conversion will my 149,xxx mi. NT motor hold up to 5 lbs boost -OR- what boost would be recoomended? Are those 'thin' rings, stock 9.0:1 pistons, and head gasket strong enough to hold for awhile at lower boost levels? How about the stock NT A/T? Because what I'm thinking is that I wouldn't be in any hurry to melt down the motor or trans but if I was to need engine and/or trans work after awhile I still have a good trans + torque convertor from my TSI along with internals from the 6 bolt motor that could be utiized if and when needed. (both cars are FWD)

What will the car feel like at 5 lbs? Would it be anywhere near the stock TSI a/t (180 hp, 10 lbs boost) Does anyone know if the gear ratios and final drive #'s are the same on A 1g turbo a/t and 1g NT a/t?

BTW, don't try to convert me over to a 5-spd because I actually like and prefer the A/T

 

[BigRand]

Ok, right now I have a '92 NT a/t in decent shape (very good compression #'s, bunrs little oil, etc)

Sitting in my driveway (since january) is my old '91 TSI a/t that had a fire in the engine compartment which mostly destroyed stuff on the passenger side only.

I WAS thinking of selling my NT and getting another 1g turbo a/t and then it dawned on me that a NT--> turbo conversion may be the better option since:

1) the '92 NT car has a good interior + exterior w/ new paint, good front struts, brakes, etc.

2) I am very satisfied with the appearence of this NT car and was thinking of buying another 1g anyway.

3) I have the turbo + ex man, i/c, fp + fpr, etc. (all parts except for the ecu which I sold and the stuff that got toasted)

What do you guys think so far? Better to do a conversion instead of selling NT for another 1g turbo car?

Well, if I decide to go with the conversion will my 149,xxx mi. NT motor hold up to 5 lbs boost -OR- what boost would be recoomended? Are those 'thin' rings, stock 9.0:1 pistons, and head gasket strong enough to hold for awhile at lower boost levels? How about the stock NT A/T? Because what I'm thinking is that I wouldn't be in any hurry to melt down the motor or trans but if I was to need engine and/or trans work after awhile I still have a good trans + torque convertor from my TSI along with internals from the 6 bolt motor that could be utiized if and when needed. (both cars are FWD)

What will the car feel like at 5 lbs? Would it be anywhere near the stock TSI a/t (180 hp, 10 lbs boost) Does anyone know if the gear ratios and final drive #'s are the same on A 1g turbo a/t and 1g NT a/t?

BTW, don't try to convert me over to a 5-spd because I actually like and prefer the A/T

Aight well someone else can fill me in. But besides an Ecu and wiring, what is stopping you from pulling the whole 4g63 block from your tsi to your NT? did the engine fire destroy the motor on the tsi?

If I were you consider throwing in some 4g63T pistions and rods if you can and then boost it around 10psi.

AS for what it will feel like at 5psi, use this rule as a really rough estimate. (doesn't include fuel mods and intake and exhaust restrictions or tuning.) 1psi=10hp so if your car started out with 130bhp + 50bhp = 170bhp, and depending on your tranny and the fact that your automatic, you could be putting anywhere from 120-150 to the wheels. But that is definatley a guestimate, and the only real way to find out is to just do it and dyno the damn thing.

 

[91Bomb]

Aight well someone else can fill me in. But besides an Ecu and wiring, what is stopping you from pulling the whole 4g63 block from your tsi to your NT? did the engine fire destroy the motor on the tsi?

The turbo motor needed a rebuild before the fire so pulling it, getting it rebuilt and installed in the NT won't be too cheap. But on the other hand maybe in the long run this would be the cheaper, easier, and wiser thing to do? (I would only be running 14 lbs boost on a rebuilt 4g63t motor so I wouldn't have to get a safc or a datalogger but I would have the motor built to easily handle 17 lbs in case I was to change my mind on that)

If I go this route, then while both cars are in the shop I would have the transmission switched too along with the springs and all other suspension upgrades from the TSI. (of course I would change out everything I could myself before hand)
At this point I'm not too sure what to do and I really don't want to spend a ton of money either. Your help is appreciated

 

[BigRand]

The turbo motor needed a rebuild before the fire so pulling it, getting it rebuilt and installed in the NT won't be too cheap. But on the other hand maybe in the long run this would be the cheaper, easier, and wiser thing to do? (I would only be running 14 lbs boost on a rebuilt 4g63t motor so I wouldn't have to get a safc or a datalogger but I would have the motor built to easily handle 17 lbs in case I was to change my mind on that)

If I go this route, then while both cars are in the shop I would have the transmission switched too along with the springs and all other suspension upgrades from the TSI. (of course I would change out everything I could myself before hand)
At this point I'm not too sure what to do and I really don't want to spend a ton of money either. Your help is appreciated

Its a tough choice, because I don't think all your suspension parts are interchangeable from the NT to the TSI, I think you need to price out a few things, and cost to benifit ratio.

1. Cost of bolting on a turbo on your NT
2. Cost of rebuilding the 4g63T and keeping it in The tsi
3. Cost of rebuilding the 4g63T and dropping it in the NT
4. Anything else you can think of.

Building your TSI for more than 14psi isn't gonna cost you that much more. some fuel mods and your set.

 

[selmerguy]

ok if i understand your nt has a cleaner interior and a better paint job then your tsi. why not rebuilt the tsi, swap interiors, and then get the tsi painted what ever color(s) you like. this might be cheaper then doing all that motorswapin' and stuff. my 2 cents.

 

[91Bomb]

Its a tough choice, because I don't think all your suspension parts are interchangeable from the NT to the TSI, I think you need to price out a few things, and cost to benifit ratio.

1. Cost of bolting on a turbo on your NT
2. Cost of rebuilding the 4g63T and keeping it in The tsi
3. Cost of rebuilding the 4g63T and dropping it in the NT
4. Anything else you can think of.

Building your TSI for more than 14psi isn't gonna cost you that much more. some fuel mods and your set.

yeah, none of these options will be cheap. That's why up until yesterday I was thinking of just buying another 1g fwd a/t that's in good shape. I figured that I would have it looked over by a local DSM shop before buying it and then I would have plenty of good stuff from the toasted tsi to keep for spare parts (sell what I don't think I'll need) and before I sell the NT I could change out anything I might want to keep from that.

I know I can sell the NT for at least $1500 or more and a stock 1g a/t in very good shape shouldn't be more than around $2500 or so.

1 good thing about buying a stock a/t turbo DSM is that even a high mileage motor CAN BE in very good shape because they run less boost than the m/t, shifts are usually much below redline, and someone who has a stock a/t usually isn't all out racing with it -- hopefully I could snag one from a meek and timid middle-aged woman librarian sort who doesn't even know it has a turbo! Preferably a non-smoker too

 

[Raph]

Do it!!


i have a 4g63 nt (*in a euro 2g..dont ask) runing 10psi all day long on its HIGHER compression engine (10.0:1)

i started with a SBR turbokit that didnt fit too good *(was for a usa 1g) so i used the turbo and manifold,and some stock 2g parts,but thats besides the point..

i still have a
stock NT ECU and AFPR
stock NT Headgasket

and at 6psi i ran the stock injectors,
im now using a SAFC with a Zeitronix wideband to run 10psi and Mazda RX7 460cc injectors , i still have the nt intake cam


and ive been trashing on it since march ,doing autobahn runs etc etc.

i am using premium fuel to be safe though

i have 11.4 AFRs(wot) according to the wideband

just dont be affraid to do it.

i am bvuilding a real turbo motor in the winter ( and looking for a mirage to drop my current setup into)


Fuel control is important ,its the most important thing you can do

 

[91Bomb]

I don't know if a conversion is worth doing and I'm a little confused but here are some questions.

Can the suspension of the NT be upgraded by putting in the suspension from my TSI?

Stock NT A/T?? IS it capable of holding 15 lbs boost? I have a good A/T trans on my defunct TSI so if need be I can swap it but is this a major ordeal?

The 'HEAD' on my TSI is good so I should use this on a conversion right?

Can the pistons be changed (by a shop) without having to remove the motor -or- while I'm at it should it be removed and a rebuild be performed? (motor has 150,000 on it)

Let me stop right there. If I use the turbo head and 2g turbo pistons and install the oil cooler what will be left on this NT motor that will be different than a turbo motor?

 

[Raph]

I don't know if a conversion is worth doing and I'm a little confused but here are some questions.

Can the suspension of the NT be upgraded by putting in the suspension from my TSI?

Stock NT A/T?? IS it capable of holding 15 lbs boost? I have a good A/T trans on my defunct TSI so if need be I can swap it but is this a major ordeal?

The 'HEAD' on my TSI is good so I should use this on a conversion right?

Can the pistons be changed (by a shop) without having to remove the motor -or- while I'm at it should it be removed and a rebuild be performed? (motor has 150,000 on it)

Let me stop right there. If I use the turbo head and 2g turbo pistons and install the oil cooler what will be left on this NT motor that will be different than a turbo motor?

You could if you wanted to,if the tsis suspension is in better shape,then do it

a tranny swap isnt too hard, i didnt know that there was a difference in the auto trannys..?

a 150 000 would appriciate a rebuild ..you might as well..

well if youy haver both cars, then just swap over everything ..that would be a good idea, its work,but at least you have everything that you will need.

go ahead and use the tsis wireing harness and ecu too ( its just 3 wires you need to make the nts harness resemble the turbos.. so either pull in the wirtes or swap it all),its up to you


answer to last question: nothin really.

 

[91Bomb]

You could if you wanted to,if the tsis suspension is in better shape,then do it

a tranny swap isnt too hard, i didnt know that there was a difference in the auto trannys..?

a 150 000 would appriciate a rebuild ..you might as well..

well if youy haver both cars, then just swap over everything ..that would be a good idea, its work,but at least you have everything that you will need.

go ahead and use the tsis wireing harness and ecu too ( its just 3 wires you need to make the nts harness resemble the turbos.. so either pull in the wirtes or swap it all),its up to you


answer to last question: nothin really.

The suspension is different in that the springs are stiffer and I'm not sure but I imagine the sway bar(s) are bigger and beyond that I don't know what else is different. I believe the struts are the same though.

The trannys are different as are the torque converters. The turbo A/T is factory set so the tires (on fwd only) will 'chirp' on 1-2 shifts under hard accelleration -- the NT A/T's aren't set that way but I guess you could adjust the line pressure for a more positive and faster shift.

Thanks for the input but I doubt I'll be doing the conversion but rather buying another 1g turbo sometime in the future.

On my way home from work tonight I was thinking how I'll probably be buying ONLY turbo DSM's in the forseeable future because if I get another one I have 2 cars to scavenge parts off of so all good parts would go on DSM #3 and other parts would go in the basement for back-up And If I need to purchase something new for it I'll be checking to see if that new part will fit onto a 2g which eventually would be DSM #4 (recycling is good )
DSM's are the only cars I know anything about and luckily there are a few dsm shops in my area. As far as gas mileage is concerned I was getting 21-22 mpg combined city/highway driving with a worn engine and a lead foot (TSI). My NT only gives me that much and I'm VERY light on the throttle and ain't getting ANY driving satisfaction from it because it's so sloooooow and handles like CRAP! But to its credit it's been reliable so far -- just isn't any fun. Turbo = FUN!

 

[DSMcrazy3]

Sorry for the minor highjack...but every boosted PSI= 1 WHP?

Josh