Lupo 1.4s to 1.0mpi conversion advice

[benmic92]

Hi guys, I hope someone can help me I have 1999 lupo 1.4s that I use daily that that taps and knocks when it's cold, smokes once its hot, and guzzles oil about 1ltr per 500 miles ish it has only covered 73000 miles and looking on forums and speaking to many friends/mechanics who have owned similar 1.4 16v vw engines (Golf, Seat Leon, Polo) have had the same kind of issues, also my neighbour has a 1.4 16v Fabia not sure if its the same or similar engine but it looks very similar and his sounds dreadful on cold and drinks oil so is it just a inherent fault on all of the the 1.4, and if so theres very little point me replacing my oil thirsty engine for one exactly the same.

I'm not bothered about the power and I have swapped engines before I just want something reliable ( fair enough like for like and that was a mk4 escort that had no ecu, and hardly any electrics and everything just lined up)

I class my self as a fairly competent mechanic like said I have swapped my 1.3 Escort engine, changed 2 gearbox on the same escort, done a headgasket on the same useless car, and when my Ecotec Calibra cambelt snapped re built it completely, but am a little concerned that this may be a little beyond me.

Basically first is it possible to swap my 1.4 ahw engine for a 1.0 mpi engine or any other more bullet proof engine and will the existing mounts/gear box suffice and how much work is involved on top of the obvious strip down and swap physical lumps.

As the car is its probably not worth much for spares and repairs on eBay even though the car still runs fine and still used daily so is it worth a shot? I can source a 1.0 Lupo engine at my local breakers with all ancillaries and 60 day warranty for £150 but is it worth it or is it far more hassle than I think, has anyone done it.

I also have a Newage Impreza WRX and a skoda felicia (crap as it is its uber reliable) so dont mind having it off the road for a little while.

Sorry for rambling on a bit.

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Many thanks in advance

Mick

Edited May 29, 2013 by benmic92

[jordon123200063]

go for a bigger engine if anything

[Chrisbee]

I think you can just swap them out, as long as its the same 8v etc

you won't even have to mess with ecu's and wiring.

The gearbox should bolt up OK but the little 1.0 may struggle with the ratios.

I know for a fact you can do with with auc and aub engines. But you may want to check the engine code as newer and older engines may not match up as well.

[matt123roll]

Not sure what your insurance would say about it? Not often you hear of people going for smaller engines

[danoid]

Interesting one, as DVLA may not even like you doing down to 1.0, means less tax for them They'll be happy for you to go up though, cheeky buggers

[Silver!]

I always thought the tax stayed the same as when the car came off the poduction line.

[benmic92]

hmm not so sure now, i think tax wise it should be the same as its older than 2001 and in the 0-1500cc category. Might just wack it on ebay and see what happens, i mean the car runs and is MOT'd and Taxed and doesn't drink that much oil 1ltr per 500 miles or so, so someone will be interested surely if I advertise it honestly

thanks for all the replys guys.

[Sir Loopalot]

I was bored enough to check this out haha

Not many insurers would touch the "theoretical" car with a "metaphorical" barge pole

Aviva and endsleigh seemed to be the only main stream insurers that would entertain it, yet every insurer clearly stated that it was a "Performance Moddification"... the irony was that none of them could see that it was a negitive performance mod and seemed to think that the new 1.0 engine would suddenly turn the car into a twin turbo boy racer menice

Tax would just stay the same as the original chassis... even if you cut a hole in the floor and go at it flintstones style

hope this helps, entertained me for half an hour anyways, lol