VW Rabbit 2.0

[TotallyVW]

As many of you know I am not a big fan of the stock engine.  (Sound familiar?)  Well, it's true.  So I have been collecting parts to build up a Rabbit.  I have collected two Rabbits, an '84 and a '77.  My original plan was to fix up the '84 but it has some extensive boddy damage but the engine runs okay.  Earlier this year I picked up the '77 Sun Roof car with a blown engine.  Can you say "transplant"?  Well, I have picked up more parts as I have attended swap meets around the area and this last trip to Bugtoberfest was no different.  Check out what I brought home:






Yup, that's an ABA block with an 8V head nestled nicely in the back seat of my Bug!

It came equipped with a Neuspeed throttle body and brand new Pace Setter header with flange and O2 sensor.  And the head has some port work done to it.  I picked it up for a screamin' deal. 







Now I just need to get it out of my car.....

[jbjetta]

I can tip toe over Mark and lend you some muscles if you would like 

[corradojeff]

good deal!!

[coolblue57bug]

Sweet deal Mark. You seem to find all the best deals.

[RyanB]

Constantly making me jealous.

[CatBox]

you should now start looking for the eye candy that is dual side draft dellorto's...

 

[BusDriver]

you should now start looking for the eye candy that is dual side draft dellorto's...

 

Actually Webber is the ones you want and they make a set that will bolt right on to that engine 

[corradojeff]

But the dells are a true pumper. Got rod style. No accel pump crap :) just fuel!

[TotallyVW]

I had heard that some Volvos used the CIS injection system as the Rabbit and it is considered a bit of an upgrade.  I talked to a guy, a Volvo mechanic, today who had a Volvo CIS system (brain and all) for sale.  Comparing the two was interesting.  Although the vein on the Rabbit system was larger the Volvo unit supported an engine with about 1.5 times the horsepower.  It was mentioned that the larger vein did have more throttle response.  The Volvo airbox was definitely prettier as it was all aluminum.  The mechanic told me a couple of tricks to try with the Rabbit CIS that would enable it to better support the 2.0 engine but if it didn't work I could get his system.  This is some very interesting stuff.

Once I get the Bus running I think I will start on the Rabbit build.

[CatBox]

My old rabbit had a different airbox than it left the factory with, but it wasnt the volvo box.

I guess I need to call Ugobug to get my rabbit books back so that I can loan them to you, man I gotta start writing down where all my books are...

[coolblue57bug]

Speaking of which I still have those "girly" books you loaned me...

[jbjetta]

Speaking of which I still have those "girly" books you loaned me...

Those Playgirl mags? Those would be mine ... 

Speaking of your books and who has them. I have your keeping a Rabbit alive and early mk1 Bentley books.

I too am looking to do a 2L conversion for my Jetta and Caddy Mark. I am looking to swap in the motor, tranny, Ecu, and wire harness from a new beetle. The intake manifold throttle body sits in the same direction as the mk1and helps keep it looking mk1 under the hood. Have not decide what dash I may go with yet.

[corradojeff]

Those Playgirl mags? Those would be mine ... 

Speaking of your books and who has them. I have your keeping a Rabbit alive and early mk1 Bentley books.

I too am looking to do a 2L conversion for my Jetta and Caddy Mark. I am looking to swap in the motor, tranny, Ecu, and wire harness from a new beetle. The intake manifold throttle body sits in the same direction as the mk1and helps keep it looking mk1 under the hood. Have not decide what dash I may go with yet.

an ABA complete crossflow swap would be much easier and cost effective. the newer engines out of mk4 gen and up (including a new beetle) you will have to find someone with a vag com to crack the ecu because the system is wired to match up with the transmitter in the factory key as part of the anti theft program. also you will need to change to a different throttle body or install the drive by wire system in your car depending of if you get an early enough donor or not

[CatBox]

Sidedrafts!

They will fix all that stuff easier and be sexier to boot!

 

[jbjetta]

I was actually looking into getting a '99 Beetle and swapping over as much of it as I could regarding wires and ECU. I was either going to try and stuff in the dash if I could with a serious custom install. Or just go with making my own custom dash. But the Beetle got away from me just before I went to go get a hold of the guy to purchase it.

If all else failed I would just go with the ABA swap. I was just liking the idea of keeping it looking mk1 style under the hood with the intake facing the other direction and a cone behind the battery.  But the ABA would do just fine too. It would all be better then the CIS haha.