[VW4life]

Now first off I do wanna make sure everyone understands the question to this poll. I'm not looking for the most power available out of one engine I'm more or less looking at replacing my broken pieces with one of the choices and expecting to own the car for no more than an additional year I'd say. I know cars are not an investment by any means but I'm also wondering of each of the choices who would be happy to continue my project further depending upon my choices. So here goes the details on each.
1.9l 8v G60.
I would redo everything on the current setup. Fresh head, more than likely a 5 angle valve job and some custom porting. Fresh rings, rod bearings and all the goodies to go along with the rebuild. Fresh Pistons and bore the block and of course lower the CR. I'd keep the current charger on there..and maybe..just maybe pickup a rebuilt one.
Total investment :: around $2k -- if my pistons are currently shot and w/o new charger.
This would probably be the fastest out of all of them although I'm not looking for just speed and power like I mentioned before
2.0l 8v ABA
Pretty much swap out the entire G60 setup for the 2.0l (ala kkozma

). I could sell most of the parts currently on the car for around $500-800 and actually do the swap for fairly cheap. It'd cost me somewhere around $1500 [cough :: dubwerkz :: cough

] for the swap to be done for me and I'd have a pretty decent running engine and what not. Spend the Stage4 parts and what not money on a chip, cam & intake and be fairly happy with the car but be without boost.
Total Investment :: around $1500
1.9l 8v "Setup for Turbo"
Buy something along the lines of url=http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=143518]Dubrunners Engine[/url] and spend somewhere around $1k to get it here and all that fun stuff..and dirty hand time slapping it all in and ready. Again sell some G60 stuff and have a few bucks laying around and maybe even try to turbo it. [doubtful]
Total Investment :: around $1500 - $600[estimated for various Stage4 parts & charger to sell]

Basically I've gotta get this car on the road. Within about 2 weeks I should have some time to finally wrench on the car and once I start I'll prolly just go all out. My plans are to not skimp any corners but not really hang onto the car much longer. Might try to pick up a mid-miles mid-year mk3 vr6 around summer and just split with the raddo. So in all honesty what would you do if you wanted your corrado back on the road and eventually gonna prolly part with it but would like to still enjoy it and also get a decent return on it?
[I placed estimates on cost for each in the poll]
:: edit for couple typos ::


[Modified by VW4life, 11:54 AM 11-29-2001]

 

[GtiGuy1]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (VW4life)

Just get a chipped 1.8t. then you will blow by everybody

 

[84GTI]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (VW4life)

I am not really familiar with either engine, but my opinion is go with option 1 or 3. You have a good charger so why not keep it. Rebuild your head, rebuild your block if necessary. That engine for sale looks like a good deal, but there is something to say for knowing that you have a completely fresh engine. The car was built as a g60, I'd say keep it that way. Big plus on this is you don't have to mess with electronics.
The main reason I am thinking that is because you say you want to resell the car. Personally I don't think that many people are going to get too excited about an ABA in a corrado. I know you aren't investing in this for resale value, but you're going to want some return when you decide to sell it. It seems like Keith went with the 2.0 is because he wanted cheap and he wanted to start a project that was unique to him. I have a great amount of respect for that. There is plenty of upgradability left with the 2.0 but it doesn't sound like you want to push it that far.
The other reason to stick with the g60, BOOST! Once you've had it I hear it's hard to turn back...

 

[VW4life]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (84GTI)

Thanks Steve & Neil for the replies.
Neil :: You make a great point there that definitely grabbed me back into check with what I wanted to do. I just guess I was more wondering that even though Dubrunners Engine is good to go...I do feel alot better by spending some extra $$ to make sure what I get outta that $$ is what I want & also you did answer my other kinda ? as far as..who would want an aba in a corrado. Thanks a ton bro.
Keep the thoughts coming...
Thanks,
Mike

 

[mrkrad]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (VW4life)

The problem i saw with the r&r 1.9 rebuild (done right) would be more than $2000 after all is said and done. And the value of the car wouldn't increase $2000. This was when i cut my losses on my ole corrado. You gotta wonder if you get out now, buy something new, will you end up saving money in the long run and be happier?

 

[G60ING]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (VW4life)

mrkrad makes a good point.
my question is why not consider the 1.8T engine. its currently support my just about every VW tuner and is very easy to bolt power on to. The big problem is just getting a rear ended wrecked 1.8T. then its a matter of installing it. If you can do any engine swap which will require wiring, bracket and other modifcations why not go with something that will be well supported down the road.
Personally I won't be selling the Corrado or its G60 sngine setup as I'm a G60 type of guy(which means I'm a glutten for punishment)

 

[VW4life]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (G60ING)

Sam: Thanks for the comments. We shall talk a little more on instant messenger.
G60ing: Your points about the 1.8t are exactly correct. If the 1.8t was as affordable as say a VR swap I'd be on it like flies on poop but of course it's still a mild frontier [ie. $$$] I mean honestly I don't think I would attempt to do a 1.8t. When I first crushed my engine and started weighing out the options that honestly hit pretty high just for the sake of being a turbo and it being farely easy to put in. I know I'd have to spend way too much on it and get nothing back.
I still really don't know. Maybe I'll just hope the pistons are ok and just slap a good ol head on it.

 

[G60ING]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (VW4life)

You need to find a local VW friend that attends car auctions and then the price comes down considerably

 

[VW4life]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (G60ING)

Looks like I'm gonna go the 1.8l or 1.9l route. I'm rippin into the head this weekend to check the condition of the pistons and such but I think all should be good.
Now I've just gotta send my charger out to [email protected], get this head all back together and add a few more nice items and I'll be happy.
Thanks guys

 

[Kokino]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (VW4life)

Funny...this was the same question I was going to ask, since I'm in the same situation. My car is in mint shape, but the engine is toast (only 40,000 miles) I think it has a intake manifold leak and that killed the engine....
Anyways, my options are:
- Do the 1.9L, P&P head, etc..
- or just get a used engine, slap it in, sell the car and get a 1.8T Jetta and start modifying that.
I could use the 1.8T in the winter as well, and wouldn't have to put up with my winter beater. But spending 35K Canadian PLUS mods seems a little insane when I can probably have a faster car (or close), more fun to drive and much, much, much rarer than the 1.8T. Of course, as far as sophistication, comfort and technology goes, the Jetta is a class apart.
I would really like it if mrkrad could comment on this. How are you dealing living with the Jetta instead of the Corrado? Do you miss it? Does the Jetta make you forget the C? Was it worth it? etc....
Thanks,
Gary

 

[VW4life]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (Kokino)

Gary,
Sorry to hear you had about as good of luck as I do. So here's my advice to you although I did start this thread to get my questions answered. If you can score the stock engine for pretty cheap...put it in the corrado and actually part with the car to buy a new jetta and be happy with it. Do it!! I honestly am not financially near that point yet although...things change by day so I'm just playing it by ear and driving my beater car until i decide what's gonna happen. I have scored a head...just gotta take the ol' one off and see how my pistons are.
And for what it's worth, Sam [mrkrad] bought an audi a4 not a jetta but still has the 1.8t.
Take care,

 

[VW4life]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (VW4life)

Almost forgot, of course you'll always regret selling your corrado. Everyone always does but there are times when it's just a "smarter" thing to do.
Rook is a great example. He's got a great '95 M3

and he'll catch himself still drooling at corrados.

 

[mrkrad]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (VW4life)

i love my new baby. It's nice to have a car to play with, but as a daily driver, the corrado didn't accomplish my needs. I'd love to get a g60 as a second car to tinker with, and maybe when i can afford it i'll pick up another g60, but I wouldn't trade my quattro in for anything! see my sig for pics.
ps. i do miss the tunability of the g60. thankfully theres a bunch of locals that I can still mess with..

 

[Kokino]

Re: Which engine choice would warrant the best return in value in the long run? (mrkrad)

It's such a hard decision to make. I might actually do both, since my wife might be getting a company car...I'll just make sure it's an A4 1.8T, so that I can still keep the C.
It's just that after taking into account the price that I paid for the C, plus the mods and the engine, it's pretty darn close to 20K canadian. But then again, this is a sunk cost, so it doesn't matter anymore!
Thanks for all the advice guy!