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A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1

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845 views 18 replies 11 participants last post by  SpeedRacerVW  
R
#1 ·
I want to put a Digifant fuel system from an A2 into my A1 Rabbit.....
Why?
Because I have the stock POS carburator and I need to replace it, CIS won't pass emissions here and why put in CIS-E or whatever the other rabbits had if I can get a descent computer controlled Digifant in.
Has anyone seen this done or know the difficulty?
 
F
#3 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (RallyRabbit)

Late Cabrio's came with Digifant, I believe 91 and 92. This might be much more straight forward than an A2, well sort of.
I've heard that Mass air flow meter is very expensive.
I'd check for some late Cabrio's in the Junk Yard. Aroung here they're a dime a dozen. Haven't done it sorry.
 
R
#4 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (fwdvw)

All right,
Let me take a different approach. I'll need to replace the fuel tank and add a fuel pump.
The cylinder heads for CIS have different injector insert sizes than Digifant too I think, right?
On these late model Cabriolets, was the digifant modules and air intake on the left or right hand side of the engine compartment (like the CIS fuel distributor).
The reason I ask out of an A2 is because I have a wrecked A2 Jetta that I was hoping to do a full swap on, I was just worried about the fuse box and parts of the wiring harnass and stuff like that. How hard was it going to be to transplant all of this. I was thinking about just removing my dashboard and takeing out ALL of my wiring from the engine and dash and then taking all the wiring and fuse box out of the Jetta and doing a full swap. But with this, the headlights and taillights have different wiring setups and so forth, so I wasn't sure how that would all work.
Any tips would be great.
Anyone know where some of these late model Cabrilolets are in NC?
 
I
#5 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (RallyRabbit)

Why won't CIS pass emissions? I would argue that CIS in a proper state of tune will pass easily. My GTI with CIS lambda and a 2.25" exhaust with no cat passes TN emmissions with plenty of room to spare. I know people in PA have had their cars pass the Pennsylvania emissions dyno test with no cat....with a nice new cat your car should pass emissions with no trouble at all.
Are you running a huge cam that would prevent CIS from idling correctly?
Many guys here rave about the euro 16v non-lambda fuel distributor. That may be a good option for you- it's nice and simple. If you can find a donor rabbit for the intake manifold and fuel lines and a few other things it's a simple setup to connect.
Digifant would be advantagous if you were planning on a turbo though...
jt
 
R
#6 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (imaradiostar)

The problem with CIS is that here in NC, at least in my county and a few others, when you take your car for an inspection they look up your VIN in a book and see the equipment you are supposed to have. In other words air pump, ecu, o2 sensor, catalytic convert with or without test pipe, co check plug, egr valve, etc etc etc.
This is all on an scca rally car, which must pass inspection in the county I live in. So, by NC law, CIS is not going to pass inspection in my county visually and maybe not by emissions (a friend failed and is tuned great with no cam, I have a g-grind cam right now).
My options are:
1) Upgrade to a Webber 3736 (I think that is the number) 2 bbl single carb. However, this won't pass inspection visually (considered tampering here and can be a fine).
2) upgrade to CIS out of a Rabbit, CIS-E, or Motronic which would require a new donor car. This would Pass NC inspection because they let you upgrade, but not downgrade.
3) upgrade to digifant, same as above except that I have a donor car.
Any other choices, I am willing to listen. Regardless, I need a new fuel system and Iam really scrounging for a simple conversion. Nothing is going to be easy at this point.
 
#8 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (RallyRabbit)

I live in Allentown, PA & do not need emissions. It is kinda big city too.
No cat, header, G-grind
Why won't the CIS pass visually.
Has you buddy with CIS that fialed had it tuned by a GOOD shop with the right equipment?
BTW: I have a MAF & airbox from a 92 digi cabby if you ever need, also got the intake tube to the throttle body. I sold the fuel rail & injectors & intake already. Got the 72,000 mile motor too. With the digi head.


[Modified by vwpieces, 5:45 PM 9-30-2002]
 
G
#11 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (GTI Lowen)

if you are gonna use digifart, there would be much benifit from using a corrado harness and computer. not only is there no mass air flow sensor to replace $$$, but you have the option to turbo and a wide variety of chips to choose from. even if you arent boosting it, you can get a custom chip burned for N/A from snstuning.com
biggest drawback will be the price of the system, since so many ppl are snatching them up for g-60 swaps into older cars.
check the corrado classifieds, or forced induction classifieds.
 
R
#12 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (g60-inside)

Ok, the Euro CIS is getting fairly rare, I can't really find it anywhere. So, I've decided on Digifant.
So I guess the consensus is to find an A1 Cabriolet donor for the Digifant. I can still use some of my Jetta parts, but I am guessing that since I want to do a full wiring/wiring harnass swap that the Cabriolet will be the right car to get it from.
So, can you guys tell me a few things about the Cabriolet Digifant Setup.
1) Is the airbox located on the passenger side of the engine compartment like in an A2, or on the drivers side like CIS in the A1?
2) Is the fuel pump/accumulator/fuel filter located by the fuel tank under the car and can this be relocated?
3) Will a CIS fuel tank out of a fuel injected Rabbit or Scirocco work or do I need to get a Cabriolet Digifant fuel tank?
4) Is there anything else I need to know other than the CIS head has larger injector inserts than the Digifant head.....
 
F
#13 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (RallyRabbit)

I suggested the Cabrio not knowing that you have a donor A2.
In any event, you should do well integratting the A2 set up. If you don't mind. the airbox will be a non-issue if you set up a P-Flow. Left or right it should be OK.
As far as the tank, I think the A2 will answer all of your questions. What ever it has will tell you if you need to seek out a Cabrio Tank or not. Digifant run at a lower pressure than the CIS, but I don't know if the there is a Fuel pressure and return line..come to thing of of it, I believe you will need the a return line provision as my Corrado has one.
Personally, I'd Isolate the Digifant control system down to the power and ground. Gently separate it from the A2 Harness and graft this into the A1. There obviously will also be the circuitry for the electric fuel system.
Everything else should come from the A2 (Head and sensors etc.). Sounds Complicated, but once you understand the Power and ground requirment for the individual systems, it'll be just like wireing up a stereo.
Also if you do as you previously stated, the complete harness from the dash forward, it'll just be plug and play...splicing in the stuff to the rear like Brakelights, tail lights etc. (easily done right under the fuse box, Colors will be very similar).
Good luck and I'd personally try for the CIS, cheaper and more stright forward.
Couple of these
Image
Image
and play real dumb at the Ref station. They'll give up and pass you.
 
J
#14 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (fwdvw)

I just got done swapping the complete harness/fusebox from an A2 16v (CIS-E) into my '85 cabby. I left in the stock cabby rear harness, consisting of a dozen or so wires: fuel pump, brakelights, etc. just grafted them individually to the connector to match the A2 fusebox.
A2 Fusebox definitely not "plug 'n' play" into my cabby, so i have my doubts about older bunnies. I did the full swap b/c I had plenty of dash gremlins, plus I wanted MFA.
I'm already using A2 8v manifold, (passenger side fuel distrib/airbox), so the A2 GTI harness instead of a scirocco 16v.
 
M
#16 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (RallyRabbit)

All right,
Let me take a different approach. I'll need to replace the fuel tank and add a fuel pump.
The cylinder heads for CIS have different injector insert sizes than Digifant too I think, right?
[/qoute]
Yes. I have a digifant head on a CIS-E car. The main difference is the injector seats, which are swappable.
Click to expand...
 
R
#17 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (Mash)

Ok...
I phrased that wrong. CIS (without O2 Sensor and ECU), meaning the original CIS system will not pass inspection on my 1983 car, that is all I meant.
Technically, I would need the CIS system with the EGR valve, ecu, o2 sensors, etc etc etc off a 81-84 car. 1980 cars won't even suffice, technically.
 
M
#18 ·
Re: A2 Digifant Fuel System into an A1 (RallyRabbit)

quote:[HR][/HR]Ok...
I phrased that wrong. CIS (without O2 Sensor and ECU), meaning the original CIS system will not pass inspection on my 1983 car, that is all I meant.
Technically, I would need the CIS system with the EGR valve, ecu, o2 sensors, etc etc etc off a 81-84 car. 1980 cars won't even suffice, technically.[HR][/HR]​
OK, I understand . . .
1981-1984 CIS cars have no EGR. Yes, to pass federal law (which drives local laws), you'd need the ECU, 02, etc.
 
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