Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post Reply
wanzenbergh.trad
Enlisted
Posts: 7
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: T3 DOKA 1.9tdi 1989
Location: Jakkalsdans, Pretoria, ZA

Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by wanzenbergh.trad »

Hi guys,
I am a kombi man and I bought a 89' syncro a few months ago. I decided to let the drive- train be done, so engine and all came out. I have the choice to change engines now, my old engine is pap and I am more of a diesel man then a petrol head. I tried to find a good 1.9 tdi to suit the syncro with a better fuel consumption and more power. The other guys around me got ideas for the 1.9 td aaz golf 3 engine, but "eish" 75kw is weak for a kombi, I need a bit more power then that. I can get a 1.9 R4 8v AHF engine, but will it fit on the syncro gearbox and what will the consumption be? I'm between mind about the AWX Passat B5 aswell, a lovely 96kw, 1.9 tdi pd engine but I've got no idea will it fit or anything...
I really need some expert advice on this one, especially if you done it and it works, please guys help?

Sent from my SM-J600F using Tapatalk

Chris Van Wyk
Pajero Sport 3.2tdi
Toyota Hilux 1600
VW T3 Doka Syncro 1.9tdi

Always apply logic
n.gov3
Cadet
Posts: 167
Registered for: 6 years 11 months
Location: JHB , Sandton

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by n.gov3 »

Not sure which one is best however google Syncro hospital for technical advice and assistance with the conversion.

Also check Gilo engineering for conversion kits
wanzenbergh.trad
Enlisted
Posts: 7
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: T3 DOKA 1.9tdi 1989
Location: Jakkalsdans, Pretoria, ZA

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by wanzenbergh.trad »

Thanks mate, I know Stuart well.

Sent from my SM-J600F using Tapatalk

Chris Van Wyk
Pajero Sport 3.2tdi
Toyota Hilux 1600
VW T3 Doka Syncro 1.9tdi

Always apply logic
User avatar
Carel040
Cadet
Posts: 206
Registered for: 7 years 2 months

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by Carel040 »

I have seen a combi running around in secunda with alh 1.9 tdi owner told me 50k for conversion

Sent from my WAS-LX1 using Tapatalk

wanzenbergh.trad
Enlisted
Posts: 7
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: T3 DOKA 1.9tdi 1989
Location: Jakkalsdans, Pretoria, ZA

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by wanzenbergh.trad »

Carel040 wrote:I have seen a combi running around in secunda with alh 1.9 tdi owner told me 50k for conversion

Sent from my WAS-LX1 using Tapatalk
Hi, would it be possible to get the owners details. I'll be much obliged

Sent from my SM-J600F using Tapatalk

Chris Van Wyk
Pajero Sport 3.2tdi
Toyota Hilux 1600
VW T3 Doka Syncro 1.9tdi

Always apply logic
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by panic-mechanic »

mechanically fitting those engines is not the issue. some of those are electronically controlled meaning you need the management which is sometimes not as simple as it sounds
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
wanzenbergh.trad
Enlisted
Posts: 7
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: T3 DOKA 1.9tdi 1989
Location: Jakkalsdans, Pretoria, ZA

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by wanzenbergh.trad »

Yes I presume you need the harness as well. The turbo is probably electronically controlled. I just got news, I can get a AFN motor for R10k. It sounds like a good price,,, what do you think?

Sent from my SM-J600F using Tapatalk

Chris Van Wyk
Pajero Sport 3.2tdi
Toyota Hilux 1600
VW T3 Doka Syncro 1.9tdi

Always apply logic
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by panic-mechanic »

Afn is similar to the ahf. So electronically controlled pump. You can get a fully mechanical pump to replace it with but it won't be that easy to get locally. So once again. The price of the engine is pretty simple- willing seller willing buyer but that price is going to pale into insignificance compared to what it will cost to actually make it run........
So unless that R10k include a wiring harnass and the management box you are going to throw a lot more money at it.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by panic-mechanic »

Why does it have to be diesel. There are much simpler petrol solutions out there.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
User avatar
Unobeat
Lieutenant-General
Posts: 8378
Registered for: 12 years 11 months
Car Make: Fiat, Toyota, Mazda
Car Model: Uno, Auris, CX-5
Location: Pretoria

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by Unobeat »

panic-mechanic wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:00 am Why does it have to be diesel. There are much simpler petrol solutions out there.
Such as ADY 2L motor, yes?
THANAS wrote:Mix them together to create Shellstrol, and then mix that with Winstrol to create the ultimate, maximum performance oil for your engine.
panic-mechanic wrote:When I build engines and do stuff like this I do it when there is nobody else around, No distractions, No phone nothing so that you don't forget what you should be doing. It's the little things that make them run right. Anybody can slap a basic bottom end together. that is the easy bit. It's all the little things that makes these builds a success or not.
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by panic-mechanic »

Yes or even g60. I have seen a number of busses with those. The gearing on the syncro bus also makes it kind of not suited for diesel. You end up having to do around 90-100 on the open road otherwise you over rev or over heat the diesels.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
wanzenbergh.trad
Enlisted
Posts: 7
Registered for: 7 years 8 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: T3 DOKA 1.9tdi 1989
Location: Jakkalsdans, Pretoria, ZA

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by wanzenbergh.trad »

Ya, that's something I don't want to do. I have a 2lieter golf 4 engine in bus at the moment. I always have been a diesel engine driver, I'm so used to it by now that I don't even look through petrol engines.
What do you guys think of the AFN golf 3 1.9tdi 110 engine?

Sent from my SM-J600F using Tapatalk

Chris Van Wyk
Pajero Sport 3.2tdi
Toyota Hilux 1600
VW T3 Doka Syncro 1.9tdi

Always apply logic
User avatar
V6 Capri
Cadet
Posts: 699
Registered for: 11 years 11 months
Car Make: Ford
Car Model: V6 Capri
Membership No: missing

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by V6 Capri »

Interesting topic.
I have a 1971 lowlight baywindow bus. Mine is without engine and gearbox, so I have a blank slate to start with.

I also considered going the TDi route as I like the torque and consumption aspect of it.
My thing is I don't want something you need to rev up above 5000rpm before you can go anywhere. And don't need to shift down to 3rd for every slight uphill. I want something with low down torque and low cruising rpm.

Now, depends on who you speak to, but the biggest feeling is to keep it as original as possible, so there is that...

Will be looking at comments carefully to help aid my own project.
2016 VW Touran 1.6TDi
1971 Baywindow project

1964 Ford Anglia 997cc
1972 Ford Capri 3L GT
1994 Escort Cosworth (replica)
1996 Escort 2L Zetec
User avatar
chucker02
Captain
Posts: 2966
Registered for: 11 years 2 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: Citi ADY
Location: Bloemfontein

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by chucker02 »

V6 Capri wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 10:24 am Interesting topic.
I have a 1971 lowlight baywindow bus. Mine is without engine and gearbox, so I have a blank slate to start with.

I also considered going the TDi route as I like the torque and consumption aspect of it.
My thing is I don't want something you need to rev up above 5000rpm before you can go anywhere. And don't need to shift down to 3rd for every slight uphill. I want something with low down torque and low cruising rpm.

Now, depends on who you speak to, but the biggest feeling is to keep it as original as possible, so there is that...

Will be looking at comments carefully to help aid my own project.
If you want something with low down torque then look no furhter than any longblock 2L, the 2E, ADY and AGG has oodles low down torque and is very reliable
Current:

2006 Citi Golf 2E, Dictator, 4-2-1

Ex:
2003 Audi A3 1.8t, Thanas Tuned, FMIC, coilies, DP and exhaust
2007 Citi golf. ADY with Spitronics 60-2, estas 282, 4-2-1, coilies
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=183329
2002 Citi golf. ADY carb, estas 282, 4-2-1, GW delarey big brake kit.
Rides thread: http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=157603
1971 VW beetle
User avatar
panic-mechanic
Panic's Place
Posts: 26715
Registered for: 21 years 7 months
Membership No: 79
Location: Benoni, putfontein.

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by panic-mechanic »

wanzenbergh.trad wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 9:45 am
What do you guys think of the AFN golf 3 1.9tdi 110 engine?

Sent from my SM-J600F using Tapatalk
I gave you a comprehensive reply after you asked the question, was it not good enough? The engine iteself is great. Making it work. There is the issue.
But it has the same diesel problem. Limited rpm range forces you to drive slow. If that is not an issue then sure throw money at making it work. It irritated the snot out of me because you can barely pass some trucks and then they overheat when you rev them hard for extended time. Will personally never even again consider a diesel syncro conversion. Had one and hated it.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10

Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
User avatar
missioner
Major
Posts: 3987
Registered for: 10 years 3 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: '87 MK1 Golf Citi

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by missioner »

Just to throw my 2c on to the pile.

VW replaced the 2.1 boxer with the 2E/AGG when they stopped supporting the motor.

The boxer was nice to drive, but it cost VW millions in warranty claims. From new the motors lasted no more than 70000km and cost a packet to repair. This job was outsourced to Competition Motors in P.E.

I was an appy when this model was current and in my first year, at a tiny rural dealership, we replaced 3.

By 1998 VW had finalized the factory backed conversion using an inline 4 2.0l.

The one customer of ours had his bus done that way after his 4th motor and is still driving it. Takes it fishing in the mountains in the summer, its coverted to a mini camper.

Not sure if these are still available from the dealers, but it's worth it to look. It retains the original size engine cover and recycles many of the 2.1 parts. Also the kit contains every nut, bolt,bracket and pipe required to make it fit, the motor is also modified to lay low in the engine bay.
'87 Golf 1 Olde Skewl OEM+
n.gov3
Cadet
Posts: 167
Registered for: 6 years 11 months
Location: JHB , Sandton

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by n.gov3 »

missioner wrote: Fri Aug 16, 2019 1:38 pm Just to throw my 2c on to the pile.

VW replaced the 2.1 boxer with the 2E/AGG when they stopped supporting the motor.

The boxer was nice to drive, but it cost VW millions in warranty claims. From new the motors lasted no more than 70000km and cost a packet to repair. This job was outsourced to Competition Motors in P.E.

I was an appy when this model was current and in my first year, at a tiny rural dealership, we replaced 3.

By 1998 VW had finalized the factory backed conversion using an inline 4 2.0l.

The one customer of ours had his bus done that way after his 4th motor and is still driving it. Takes it fishing in the mountains in the summer, its coverted to a mini camper.

Not sure if these are still available from the dealers, but it's worth it to look. It retains the original size engine cover and recycles many of the 2.1 parts. Also the kit contains every nut, bolt,bracket and pipe required to make it fit, the motor is also modified to lay low in the engine bay.
Is this not the 1.8 carb engine that was used in the later factory versions?
User avatar
missioner
Major
Posts: 3987
Registered for: 10 years 3 months
Car Make: VW
Car Model: '87 MK1 Golf Citi

Re: Which 1.9 tdi engine will be the best?

Post by missioner »

No it was a proper 2.0l

The only similarity between them was that they used the same sump and oil pickup.

That said the 1.8 kombi was around the same time as the factory Synchro conversion I talked about, so it's likely that they were related development wise.
'87 Golf 1 Olde Skewl OEM+
Post Reply