ABF Conversion advice

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the_new_guy01
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ABF Conversion advice

Post by the_new_guy01 »

Hi guys.
I am currently driving a 2001 citigolf 1.6 carb. I am interested in exchanging the current engine for either a 2l 8v(2E) or a 2l 16v(ABF). I have some questions as to which would be the best setup. I have read elsewhere that the ABF puts out more power stock than the 2E (or other 2l 8v motors) stock. Is this true? Also I intend on keeping everything as simple as possible as it is my daily drive. Any advice is welcome advice. Thanks
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by Abnormal »

Yes the abf makes more than the 2e or ady.
If you're budget allows it the abf is a good option, if not an ady will still be a nice upgrade.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by Vinnige Fanie »

The Abf is 110kw and the ADY is 89kw IIRC, The thing is you say your car is carb so you will need to change fuel tank and then get either engine management or go side draughts.

Like Nerville said your budget will determine a lot usually its around 18k +- to go ADY and about 30k to go Abf from a carb setup.

Hope this helps.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by SideSwipe »

In short a stock abf will make similar power as a modded 2E,ADY,AGG.

Parts are cheaper for the 8v's but modding them will make them heavier on fuel.

I'd say the abf is worth the price you pay.Lots and lots of potential in terms of N/a power.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by CRASH_IT »

Yip boils down to your budget. Dont think you goign to just buy motor and drop it in.
Loads of things you need to do to make an ABF work.

2E is a more straight forward drop in but with you having carb it poses that extra costing in to go Fi which you will have to go either way you go.
Vinnige Fanie wrote:The Abf is 110kw and the ADY is 89kw IIRC, The thing is you say your car is carb so you will need to change fuel tank and then get either engine management or go side draughts.

Like Nerville said your budget will determine a lot usually its around 18k +- to go ADY and about 30k to go Abf from a carb setup.

Hope this helps.
:iagree: Agree on pricing tho it might be a bit more now as Prices on motors have shot through the roof on both.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by araf69 »

Budget yourself

ADY - 12k - 97 wkw done in 2010

ABF - 23K - 122 wkw done in 2011

Done both conversion myself.

Keep in mind both these amounts exclude labour as I done the work myself with help of my bro and friends.
my rides thread : https://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopi ... 1&t=138629

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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by the_new_guy01 »

Thamks guys. Looks like I am going to have to put these plans on hold until I can finance the conversion. Once again thanks guys. :cool:
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by SideSwipe »

What did you run the abf of?
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by vdub caddy »

SideSwipe wrote:What did you run the abf of?
Araf69 had Gotech in his car if I am not mistaken.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by araf69 »

My AdY was on mp9. My ABF was on gotech mfi V5. Thanks vdub caddy
my rides thread : https://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopi ... 1&t=138629

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Ex 2005 velociti 1.6i
Ex 92 nissan 200sx 133 hp atw
Ex 85 mk1 ABF on ats cups - 122kw 198nm atw
Ex 04 2.0i ADY citi on BBS - 15.8s 1/4mile
Ex 00 Citi 1.6i 272cam TDi wheels
Ex 02 mk4 gti 19s RS6 wheels
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by Vinnige Fanie »

araf69 wrote:Budget yourself

ADY - 12k - 97 wkw done in 2010

ABF - 23K - 122 wkw done in 2011

Done both conversion myself.

Keep in mind both these amounts exclude labour as I done the work myself with help of my bro and friends.
Maybe at the coast not up in Jhb stock abf is 125hp +- stock ady is 100hp.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by vdub caddy »

Vinnige Fanie wrote:
araf69 wrote:Budget yourself

ADY - 12k - 97 wkw done in 2010

ABF - 23K - 122 wkw done in 2011

Done both conversion myself.

Keep in mind both these amounts exclude labour as I done the work myself with help of my bro and friends.
Maybe at the coast not up in Jhb stock abf is 125hp +- stock ady is 100hp.
Araf is in Durban hence the figures he got.

From what I have seen ABF's make around 160hp in Durban.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by Vinnige Fanie »

Wonder what modded ones do.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by Scatman »

If you can get your hands on an ADY/2E/AGG block with pistons and crank, you can just swop out your 1.6 with the 2.0 block. The 1.6 head is the same as the 1.8 and 2.0 heads, so you can just get a 288 cam from Nellis at Sportcam and get your carb jetted for the cam and 2.0 block. You'll also need to get the 210mm clutch kit and flywheel. Get a second hand flywheel and lighten it.

In all likelihood, if you're a little patient, this should roughly work you out as follows:
*2.0 block with pistons, crank etc = R2000-3000
*210mm flywheel and clutch kit = R1500-2000
*288 cam = R1500
*Jetting of the carb and tuning = R1400
*Service items (oil, gaskets, antifreeze, filters etc. = R1000

That adds up to R7500-9000 for about a 30wHp increase and around 50Nm increase.

An ABF will cost you a lot more, because you'll have to buy the complete motor for like R13k, and you absolutely HAVE to convert to fuel injection, which involves getting a new petrol tank from a FI citi, new fuel lines, pump, management etc.

It's up to you, but in the end if you're chasing power, you'll end up going the ABF route. The allure of the 8v is just it's simplicity and very low maintenance costs, and they are not slow when modded.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by sjs »

I have done both:

Figures are from KAR in Kempton Park, Gauteng.

Modded 2l 8v ADY = heavy on fuel & 85wkw/114whp BUT a lot cheaper to buy + mod than ABF
I firstly started with a carb conversion on an ADY, then I converted my Citi to fuel injection.
I took a lot of pics, step by step.

Modded ABF = Light on fuel & 110wkw/150whp BUT expensive to buy + mod

Take a look at my ride thread (link in my signature) for pics etc of both motor swaps & modding them.
Last edited by sjs on Wed Mar 27, 2013 2:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by dbndude »

or you could spend a a little bit and convert your old petrol tank?
this is what i did with my abf conversion..
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by vdub caddy »

dbndude wrote:or you could spend a a little bit and convert your old petrol tank?
this is what i did with my abf conversion..
I didn't even have to mod my petrol tank.

Standard caddy tank as far as I am aware.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by Abnormal »

No need to mod a caddy tank.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by dbndude »

Nerville wrote:No need to mod a caddy tank.

damn, looks like i got worked for my R200 :bang:
not even 1982 model caddy's?
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by vdub caddy »

dbndude wrote:
Nerville wrote:No need to mod a caddy tank.

damn, looks like i got worked for my R200 :bang:
not even 1982 model caddy's?
Sorry bud, thats a kak one!
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by SideSwipe »

vdub caddy wrote:
Vinnige Fanie wrote:
araf69 wrote:Budget yourself

ADY - 12k - 97 wkw done in 2010

ABF - 23K - 122 wkw done in 2011

Done both conversion myself.

Keep in mind both these amounts exclude labour as I done the work myself with help of my bro and friends.
Maybe at the coast not up in Jhb stock abf is 125hp +- stock ady is 100hp.
Araf is in Durban hence the figures he got.

From what I have seen ABF's make around 160hp in Durban.
That's why all you people should pack up your sh*t(including tarlton)and come down to kzn!
:hug:
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by heineken »

Scatman wrote:
An ABF will cost you a lot more, because you'll have to buy the complete motor for like R13k, and you absolutely HAVE to convert to fuel injection, which involves getting a new petrol tank from a FI citi, new fuel lines, pump, management etc.
And gearbox ? or can he still use what he's got...
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by heineken »

sjs wrote:I have done both:

Figures are from KAR in Kempton Park, Gauteng.

Modded 2l 8v ADY = heavy on fuel & 85wkw/114whp BUT a lot cheaper to buy + mod than ABF
I firstly started with a carb conversion on an ADY, then I converted my Citi to fuel injection.
I took a lot of pics, step by step.

Modded ABF = Light on fuel & 110wkw/150whp BUT expensive to buy + mod

Take a look at my ride thread (link in my signature) for pics etc of both motor swaps & modding them.
Really ??? is the ABF lighter on fuel :hurray: so it can used as a daily, nice :driving:
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by vdub caddy »

SideSwipe wrote:
vdub caddy wrote: Araf is in Durban hence the figures he got.

From what I have seen ABF's make around 160hp in Durban.
That's why all you people should pack up your sh*t(including tarlton)and come down to kzn!
:hug:
Yeah I would love to.

Think I am going to start a new business by selling umbrellas on the beach.
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Re: ABF Conversion advice

Post by Psycho8v »

sjs wrote:I have done both:

Figures are from KAR in Kempton Park, Gauteng.

Modded 2l 8v ADY = heavy on fuel & 85wkw/114whp BUT a lot cheaper to buy + mod than ABF
I firstly started with a carb conversion on an ADY, then I converted my Citi to fuel injection.
I took a lot of pics, step by step.

Modded ABF = Light on fuel & 110wkw/150whp BUT expensive to buy + mod

Take a look at my ride thread (link in my signature) for pics etc of both motor swaps & modding them.
But how much lighter bud? With good tuning I've heard of 2.0 8v motors that are pretty good on the open road. Barney's car gave him +-15km/l on highway driving IIRC, with a 282 cam. My mp9 + Unichip combo gives me in +-12km/l highway driving(with some hoofing :oops: ) and my car isn't stock either?
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