My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
- 162life-WP
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- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: Mk1 Life
- Location: Cape Town
My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Good Day fellow vaggers lol
After hijacking a few threads i decided it was time to start my own.
When considering this build i had done lots of research and found a substantial amount of theory on this very site. (Sincere thanx to all who voluntarily shared their knowledge)
However, there were a few hiccups i encountered along the journey that i feel is only mandatory for me to share with whoever reads this thread in order for them to be able to learn from my mistakes.
Having said that, my build is far from complete and being that all of it was done in my driveway and on a very tight budget, there are things that may not be very "pretty" however, the car works...sometimes LOL
So the 1.6i mp9 had done roughly 300k kms and it was nearing its demise, and being the complicated person i am, i had a choice to either modify the mp9 while refreshing it, or doing something different.
Here i considered 2 options of which i thoroughly researched; that is,go 2.0 8v ady or 2.0 16V (on special at Mike's place). needless to say i fell pray to the power advantage and went with the option that would produce a bit more intensity on a daily basis over the 8v route which i was already kind of familiar with. So i closed my eyes and signed my "life" away
pics on the way....as soon as i figure out how to attach them
After hijacking a few threads i decided it was time to start my own.
When considering this build i had done lots of research and found a substantial amount of theory on this very site. (Sincere thanx to all who voluntarily shared their knowledge)
However, there were a few hiccups i encountered along the journey that i feel is only mandatory for me to share with whoever reads this thread in order for them to be able to learn from my mistakes.
Having said that, my build is far from complete and being that all of it was done in my driveway and on a very tight budget, there are things that may not be very "pretty" however, the car works...sometimes LOL
So the 1.6i mp9 had done roughly 300k kms and it was nearing its demise, and being the complicated person i am, i had a choice to either modify the mp9 while refreshing it, or doing something different.
Here i considered 2 options of which i thoroughly researched; that is,go 2.0 8v ady or 2.0 16V (on special at Mike's place). needless to say i fell pray to the power advantage and went with the option that would produce a bit more intensity on a daily basis over the 8v route which i was already kind of familiar with. So i closed my eyes and signed my "life" away
pics on the way....as soon as i figure out how to attach them
- 162life-WP
- Cadet
- Posts: 74
- Registered for: 5 years 11 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: Mk1 Life
- Location: Cape Town
- 162life-WP
- Cadet
- Posts: 74
- Registered for: 5 years 11 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: Mk1 Life
- Location: Cape Town
- 162life-WP
- Cadet
- Posts: 74
- Registered for: 5 years 11 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: Mk1 Life
- Location: Cape Town
- 162life-WP
- Cadet
- Posts: 74
- Registered for: 5 years 11 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: Mk1 Life
- Location: Cape Town
Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Arguably the most important part of this build was having friends around who not only had skills with hand tools, but also a never say die attitude and who lifted my spirits on numerous occassions when things didnt go our way.
Here we are mating the ffz gearbox to the 1st engine we got from Mike's (will get to that topic a bit later on in the thread)
The filthy engine bay awaiting its transplant
Because we had to fit the drivers side engine mount, we were forced to remove the covers and the like, and discovered that the cambelt in true Capetonian fashion, had been missing a few teeth
Needless to say i wasnt going to take the risk of fitting an engine that could possibly have had (which it did) any bent valves, so i got on the phone with the guys at Mike's and they happily supplied me with another 9A angine the very next working day.
This was a really shitty looking engine as opposed to the 1st one we were supplied with , BUT...never judge a book by its cover... and every cover could use with a lil bit of a make over anyway
Here we are mating the ffz gearbox to the 1st engine we got from Mike's (will get to that topic a bit later on in the thread)
The filthy engine bay awaiting its transplant
Because we had to fit the drivers side engine mount, we were forced to remove the covers and the like, and discovered that the cambelt in true Capetonian fashion, had been missing a few teeth
Needless to say i wasnt going to take the risk of fitting an engine that could possibly have had (which it did) any bent valves, so i got on the phone with the guys at Mike's and they happily supplied me with another 9A angine the very next working day.
This was a really shitty looking engine as opposed to the 1st one we were supplied with , BUT...never judge a book by its cover... and every cover could use with a lil bit of a make over anyway
- MNR
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Looking good are you staying on mp9?
Current
'87 VW Fox Seat abf 110kw.
'05 Audi A3 8P 2.0T FSI
Ex:
'92 VW Fox 1.6 10kw.
'87 VW Fox Seat abf 110kw.
'05 Audi A3 8P 2.0T FSI
Ex:
'92 VW Fox 1.6 10kw.
- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
At this point i was still more than determined to get the build completed and continued to hunt for the rest of the parts to finish off the build. Because the 9A engine unlike the Abf didnt have an internal trigger wheel and coz i already had the mp9 3pin coil (and really because im just cheap ) i decided to go with the Dicktator STD system that would allow me to run the 9A as is (without having to add extra modules or having to fabricate an external 60-2 trigger wheel).
It was now time to get back to the business of fitting the powerplant into its new home
My best friend who practically built this car himself, who;might i add works a job in construction very proud of our accomplishment
It was now time to get back to the business of fitting the powerplant into its new home
My best friend who practically built this car himself, who;might i add works a job in construction very proud of our accomplishment
- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Many people have had success with the mp9 system on the 16V platform, but for what i wanted from this build we decided it would allow for better tunability to go straight with an aftermarket management system. Thinking about the future of the build and my very hopeful aspirations of one day going turbo with the car
- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
So because i was determined to install the management myself (with a tiny bit of guidance) i thought the easiest and safest option would be to label all the wires i needed from the old mp9 ecu. This map found on this forum was invaluable in doing that (thanx to whoever posted this)
Diagrams like these also made the task a bit simpler in that i had an idea what went for what
Diagrams like these also made the task a bit simpler in that i had an idea what went for what
- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
I found a KR intake on Gumtree that already had a custom fuel rail with injectors on it (i needed this as the 9A engine was mechanically injected and i was going the EFI route) and bought a few other goodies like the dizzy and fuel pressure regulator as well
BUT...i wasnt having any of that ugly egg colours in my engine bay,so we went about giving it some much needed make up
mooi van ver,ma ver van mooi
And while we were at it....
Because...#budgetbuild
BUT...i wasnt having any of that ugly egg colours in my engine bay,so we went about giving it some much needed make up
mooi van ver,ma ver van mooi
And while we were at it....
Because...#budgetbuild
- 162life-WP
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- Posts: 74
- Registered for: 5 years 11 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: Mk1 Life
- Location: Cape Town
- 162life-WP
- Cadet
- Posts: 74
- Registered for: 5 years 11 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: Mk1 Life
- Location: Cape Town
Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
There are still sooooo many teething issues STILL to be sorted out namely; the brake booster resevoir that touches the dizzy,and the alternator that doesnt particularly line up or the fact that ive blown 3 hall senders in three different dizzys...but on this day, in the current state that she's in....i could not have been more over joyed honestly. All the late nights,money spent and hours away from families all just seemed to be so worth it.
Because we are at the coast with only exhaust and branch (i'll upload those pics on another day,we built that up ourselves as well ) this car was like a bat out of hell!
134kw and 232nm's numbers even your granny would be chuffed about and on the road it feels every bit as exciting LOL
Because we are at the coast with only exhaust and branch (i'll upload those pics on another day,we built that up ourselves as well ) this car was like a bat out of hell!
134kw and 232nm's numbers even your granny would be chuffed about and on the road it feels every bit as exciting LOL
- PapaJo
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Great work sofar and dyno results.
With regards to the burning dissy’s, where did you wire the ground wire on the TP100? On engine block or at battery negative terminal?
With regards to the burning dissy’s, where did you wire the ground wire on the TP100? On engine block or at battery negative terminal?
- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
It sground on the tappet cover at the moment. I think that the power supply (12v+) may be the issue at the moment. Was running the coil and dizzy off the injector 12v+ but have been told to use the ignition switched 12V+ instead?????
When using the tps 5v the car started and drove a few metres then died but the lights on the management was operational (all the colours flashed when swinging the car). after using the old 12v (injector+)(before being told not to use that 12V+ ) it just stayed red and the car refused to start.
- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
I was also told to ditch my 3 pin coil and go with a 2 pin instead with a tp100??? is there any truth or success in doing this coz as far as i know, the 3pin succeeds the 2pin????
- PapaJo
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
The 3 pin coil works just as good as the 2 pin with TP100. 3 pin is direct wired from Dicktator and less parts that can fail in the circuit.162life-WP wrote: ↑Tue Jun 05, 2018 9:47 am I was also told to ditch my 3 pin coil and go with a 2 pin instead with a tp100??? is there any truth or success in doing this coz as far as i know, the 3pin succeeds the 2pin????
Last edited by PapaJo on Tue Jun 05, 2018 10:01 am, edited 1 time in total.
- PapaJo
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Thought you use a TP100. Saw now you use a 3 pin coil. Am I right then that the coil ground is connected to the tappet cover? If so, rather move it to the negative battery terminal. Might be drawing too much current due to a weak connection on the tappet cover or not a clean earth connection from battery to motor.162life-WP wrote: ↑Tue Jun 05, 2018 9:40 amIt sground on the tappet cover at the moment. I think that the power supply (12v+) may be the issue at the moment. Was running the coil and dizzy off the injector 12v+ but have been told to use the ignition switched 12V+ instead?????
When using the tps 5v the car started and drove a few metres then died but the lights on the management was operational (all the colours flashed when swinging the car). after using the old 12v (injector+)(before being told not to use that 12V+ ) it just stayed red and the car refused to start.
Switched +12V is what you need to use. Preferably from ignition. The injector +12V is also switched, but via the ecu.
- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Thanx papa jo, i will give these things a go as soon as i pick up ANOTHER dizzy LOL
- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Quick update: got a new dizzyas well as a BMW e30 electronic bottle coil and dicktator tp100. Car is running like a dreamtiming needs to be recalibrated now and I need to invest in some new ht leads lol, but otherwise its regained my smile again
- PapaJo
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Great news and well done on the progress.162life-WP wrote: ↑Sun Jun 10, 2018 5:57 am Quick update: got a new dizzyas well as a BMW e30 electronic bottle coil and dicktator tp100. Car is running like a dreamtiming needs to be recalibrated now and I need to invest in some new ht leads lol, but otherwise its regained my smile again
- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Many thanx papa Jo.
- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Getting back to the build thread..
We fitted the engine and discovered that the gearbox linkages were hitting the stock 16v manifold so I had to get a mk1 16v branch from powerflow.
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We fitted the engine and discovered that the gearbox linkages were hitting the stock 16v manifold so I had to get a mk1 16v branch from powerflow.
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- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Picked up a cowley 57mm back box and got some 57mm stainless steel piping from a guy... Then headed off to the exhaust shop to get it all fitted and welded up. At this point the car had to be towed to and from as it wasnt starting yet.
Saved a few coins going this route and the Carr sounds pretty decent
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Saved a few coins going this route and the Carr sounds pretty decent
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- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
Personally I find that making notes as I went along helped me remember the smaller things that I otherwise would have over looked lol
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- 162life-WP
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Re: My 2.0 16V 9a Life build thread
In the meantime I left my best to mount the management and grind up a few small water pipes
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