More VW help needed...

Car is a 92 8v GTi not a crossflow head(you guys prob already knew that) digifant computer.

Got my first VW specific car part catalog in the mail today, I imediatly sat down with a pen and started marking parts I was curious about, so here goes for all you VW veterans out there here's my dilemma. I'm not worried about class or anything, just bang for our buck, this is going to be my our track toy.

Chipping the stock computer? is it worth it? Car already has a header.

Cam? I know a cam in a V8 can REALLY wake it up, 4 cyl though?

Adjustable cam sprocket? I know this can move the power band around a bit, but it's fate is mostly going to be track and autoX. Or just degree it a bit retarded?

Car NEEDS valve guide seals, can this one be done easily with the head on the motor or should I just go ahead and pull it? .

Solid front motor mount? The front currently needs replacement, Do I just drill a hole and put a big bolt through it or is this just gonna cause problems?

I know there's more but I can't think of it right now, the pain killers for my knife wounded hand are really kicking in and making it hard to think straight.

Thanks again guys for the advice Gene

You should buy a copy of Per's book on VWs. Lots of good stuff in it.

DeadSkunk wrote: You should buy a copy of Per's book on VWs. Lots of good stuff in it.

Keep meaning to do that.... Per is there somewhere I can snag a copy that you would prefer I buy it from?

oh yeah...weighted shift rod? why?

Spinout007 wrote: oh yeah...weighted shift rod? why?

Costs more?

You have to pull the head to do the valve seals.

I would only do a cam and cam gear if you saw them for sale used, cheap. For the cost of those parts new, you're well on your way to paying for a good engine swap.

I seriously doubt a chip for the digifant computer is worth whatever it costs. Spend that money on hard parts or a Megasquirt.

Per says he makes about a nickel each time someone buys that book. I don't think it matters who you get it from.

Just the seals can be done with the head still on there. Agreed with used parts, you can get 8v stuff stupid cheap.

Step 1 to 8v performance.. remove 8v

Paul's right. You really can't do much with the 8v. A lot of people rant against the Digifant, but I actually prefer mine to the CIS cars I've driven (mine's bone stock). The best thing about 8v is the longevity. I've got almost 240K on mine with nothing but new valve seals (probably wouldn't have needed those, but it sat up for awhile). Last emission test, the guy said it was the cleanest car that old he'd seen. I haven't dynoed it, but the seat of the pants says it's pulling pretty much as strongly as it ever did.

Front motor mount failures are common on these cars, I think I'll need another one pretty soon myself.

Paul_VR6 wrote: Just the seals can be done with the head still on there.

True, but I wouldn't. Personal preference.

Another thing to consider is that if it's worn enough to smoking badly, it might need guides. Ditch the motor. But if you do, keep the fuel rail and stuff. Someone might want it for a Megasquirt.

I agree, it could be the guides causing the problem. It's a tough call to make, I'd base it on mileage. The guides usually last a solid 150k.

The easiest way I've found to change the seals without any fancy tools is to remove the cam (obviously, since it sits right on top of the valves), crank the engine over so the piston is down on the cyl you're working on, feed a few feet of rope into the spark plug hole, then turn the crankshaft to bring the piston back up to TDC, until it won't turn any more. The rope will keep the valves from hitting the pistons and also keep them from falling into the cyl. (my biggest worry when using one of those air fittings).

What is Per's book?

Not sure of the mileage off the top of my head but it smokes like a freaking freight train when I first start it up, after it's been running for about 5 min, at idle it doesn't smoke so much anymore that's why I'm leaning twards seals.

Mykul wrote: What is Per's book?

http://tinyurl.com/yjnuv27

Unless Per has somewhere else he'd like us to buy it from, so that he gets a lil' more change in his pocket..