I resopnse to numerous requests, here is a list of possible performance upgrade for the engine. This data was taken from VW & Porsche Magazine (Now European Car). The data is applicable for North American Spec engines.
If you know of any incorrect entries, to add to the data, or suggest comments, please E-mail .
Thanks. Joe, (The Scirocco Webmeister)
| Engine Code | FN | EE | EH | EJ | EN | JH | PL | Engine Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production Years | 1976 | 76-77 | 78 | 79-80 | 81-83 | 84-89 | 86-89 | Production Years |
| Sock bore | 79.5 mm | 79.5 mm | 79.5 mm | 79.5 mm | 79.5 mm | 81 mm | 81 mm | Sock bore |
| Stock stroke | 80 mm | 80 mm | 73.4 mm | 80 mm | 86.4 mm | 86.4 mm | 86.4 mm | Stock stroke |
| Displacement | 1588 cc 1.6 L | 1588 cc 1.6 L | 1457 cc 1.5 L | 1588 cc 1.6 L | 1716 cc 1.7 L | 1781 cc 1.8L | 1781 cc 1.8L | Displacement |
| Compression ratio | 8.2 :1 | 8.2 :1 | 8.0 : 1 | 8.0 : 1 | 8.2 : 1 | 8.5 : 1 | 10 : 1 | Compression ratio |
| Stock HP | 71 | 78 | 71 | 78 | 74 | 90 | 123 | Stock HP |
| Induction System | Carbureted | CIS Injection | CIS Injection | CIS Injection | CIS Lambda Injection | CIS Lambda Injection | KE Jetronic Injection | Induction System |
| Cylinder Head | 8V | 8V | 8V | 8V | 8V | 8V Big Valve | 16V | Cylinder Head |
| Ignition | Conventional | Conventional | Conventional | Conventional | Electronic | Electronic | Knock Sensor | Ignition |
| Stage 1 | Stage 1 modifications are simple bolt ons, mild street performance with good drivability and a moderate performance increase. | Stage 1 | ||||||
| Ignition | Upgrade to electronic ignition, either factory or aftermarket. Use recurved distributor (stock compression only), and / or bumped up ignition timing. 34 deg total adv. 3 deg BTDC for best results. | Recurved distributor and / or bumped ignition timing | No mods | Ignition | ||||
| Exhaust | An important mod. To augment torque, use stock manifold (except JH) and Techtonics downpipe or Euro downpipe. Replace stock exhaust with sport exhaust system like Gillet, Supersprint, Techtonics or Leistriz. Use Techtonics Cat downpipe to stay legal. Always change your exhaust system before going to a cam or big valve head. It's the most important first step. | Euro downpipe or Stock catalytic downpipe. Tuned exhaust system like Techtonics, Supersprint, Gillet or Leistriz - keep your converter to stay legal. | Exhaust | |||||
| Camshafts | Dual carbs allow a "hotter" cam than injection | Factory "G" or "N" cam. Use only cams ground on OEM billits | Euro intake cam for mild street performance | Camshafts | ||||
| Induction | Change to a more performance oriented carb, either a two-V or dual sidedraft. | Remove restrictor on Throttle body or switch to large bore throttle boby (see right) | Switch to large bore throttle body. Bigger gain port matching with manifold. Lambda models except JH change to larger diameter air senseor plate | No mods req'd | Induction | |||
| Stage 2 | Stage 2 Mods build on Stage 1. Performance is perkier, some reduction in drivability, improved high-end | Stage 2 | ||||||
| Exhausts | Mods as per stage 1, but using a tri-y header like Supersprint in place of the factory manifold / downpipe. | Exhausts | ||||||
| Camshafts | Same cams as stage 1 | Camshafts | ||||||
| Big Valve Head | May be modified or use modified GTi head with inj. plugs | Not recommended due to poor torque May be modified or use modified GTi. May convert to hydraulic as well. | May be modified or use modified GTi head - porting helps. May convert to hydraulic as well. | Has big valves. Use porting if desired. | 16V head needs no improvement in valve size, responds to porting and larger 50 mm intake manifolr. | Big Valve Head | ||
| Stage 3 | Stage 3 mods build on stage 2 and involve modifying the motor. More displacement and compression mean better drivability and more power. | Stage 3 | ||||||
| Camshafts | Wild cams available, check with tuner. Lifts over .430" may require clearancing | Neuspeed or Schrick 272 deg. or 274 / 270 deg. High lift cams req. special valve springs. Will lose low end torque. | Schrick 256 or 266 degree cams (with some loss of low end torque) | Camshafts | ||||
| Induction | All Stage 3 carb cars should have dual sidedrafts like Mikunis or Webers. | Turbocharger / supercharger. (Best results with intercooler) | Consult Techtonics, Ron's Parts or New Dimensions. | Induction | ||||
| Pistons and Crank | Overbore to 82.5 mm possible - larger bore sizes may cause over heating and head gasket problems. Cranks up to 92.5 possible. | Overbore to 82.5 mm possible - larger bore sizes may cause over heating and head gasket problems. Cranks up to 94.5 possible, yielding 2045 cc displacement - upping the compression ratio. 8V models requires knock sensor ignition. May require block clearancing depending on the crankshaft | Pistons and Crank | |||||
| Engine Swaps | Any injected engine can be converted to carbs. - to swap to injection; BIG job. | Any engine possible - 8v or 16V high compression engines req knock sensor. 16V engines req. full wiring harness. | Upgrade to 2.0L 16V Have seen full Motorinic swap. | Engine Swaps | ||||
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©1997 cbjt revised 23 March 1997