Turning a 205Si into a GTi

nchandler

nchandler

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Fellow Frogger
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Sep 10, 2001
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I noticed that this was a topic beginning to be discussed in the 200hp from a 1.9 thread, so I thought I'd make a new thread for it. How difficult/costly would it be? The Sis are great value, and the interior is a little more practical, as well as the later model, lower kms, p/s, etc. Would it be a silly concept, to rather than buy an early model highish km GTi, to buy an Si for around $5-6k, and stick a GTi engine in (would have to be cheaper and easier than sourcing the crank/conrods/etc. required to convert it), put a little work into the suspension, stick some GTi wheels on it, and change whatever else was necessary? Has anyone done such a thing, or read anything about it? Any help would be appreciated greatly.

All the best,
Nick
 
Hahaha, Is what I would tell you. Have you ever looked under an SI the suspension looks like an escort front end! it really is a different car if you like the inside then buy a gti and put si trim in it I would not go the other way. You can pick up s2 gtis for 5 grand or lower. Why bother?

Nick

<small>[ 14 October 2003, 10:51 AM: Message edited by: GTi Revolution ]</small>
 
S2 GTis for less than $5k? I thought a neat S2GTi was something you'd pay near on $10k for! Maybe I'm wrong, but a sub $5k S1 GTi is usually a pretty rough example.

Chandler
 
As I said in the other thread, one of my old workmates brothers was banned from having a GTi 205 so bought an Si. BUT the previous owner had replaced the SI engine front suspension combo for the GTi engine and some sort of GTi front suspension setup. I don't know if it was what WRX2PUG mentioned of swapping the entire subframe/wishbones etc but it worked. That car went realy hard....... whistle wink

Complete with the SI badging....... snail roll_lau

Si's are still commanding fairly decent prices atm like $5500+ because they are younger than the cheaper '87/'88 etc GTi's. So if you could get a GTi engine/box (good nick) and suspension for say $2-3000 you are still looking at approx $8000+ for a GTi 'ish car. About the same as an OK GTi for sale at the moment.

If you already owned the SI then it could be practicable........ deal

Just my 2 2_cents
Jono
 
I'm just thinking in terms of the later dash/power steering/etc that the Si would have, where the GTi lacks. Food for thought.

Nick
 
I own an 205 SI and am much happier with it than I was with my 87 GTI.
The suspension works well on less than smooth surfaces (as compared to the GTI which doesn't) and all the wheels stay on the ground when driving across servo entrances, the motor is great, revs hard and doesn't use oil even at 210000km.
I think that some amount of modification (for example the GTI bearing carriers to give a bit more negative camber) and maybe fitting carburettors would be worthwile.
Yes, the SIs have usually seen nowhere near the amount of hard work that the GTIs have been subject to. I paid $3800 for mine and is a very clean and straight car.

Graham Wallis
 
I started this original discussion following the purchase of an SI for the missus which is in excellent condition.

I asked the question cause it would be great to get some extra performance out of it without having to buy an older model 205 for more money which would propably have been thrashed. Anything that looks as good as our SI will cost upwards of k10.

Since I'm new to all this I thought it might be ok converting the existing engine (which has full service history and has been driven by 1 lady owner all its life) which I know is a good engine rather than buying a GTI engine which I wont know the condition of????

As for the different suspension I was unaware of this but unless the car gets driven hard on the track or good windy roads I'm sure the extg set up would do for now. Its a mod that can be done later.

If anyone has actually done this conversion advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Wannabe GTI owner with a tight budget!!!!!!

a_drink
 
This can be done but it all depends on your abilities as to how much you'll end up paying. I could sell you either the parts to convert your engine, or a low km short engine, onto which you add your head, injection etc. In terms of time off the road, the short engine is better. Rebuilding your existing engine is a lot more time consuming (and expensive), but you'd be assured of the quality of the components used.

According to your original post, your SI has done 190 000 Km. If the head hasn't had valve stem seals yet, it's well and truely due. I'd be allowing for a cylinder head overall at the same time.

<small>[ 15 October 2003, 01:58 PM: Message edited by: PeterT ]</small>
 
Can I add that I think the SI handles every bit as well as my GTI did, probably better as the power steering allows easier control.
I have made one mod however, the car has 14inch 405 steel wheels with 175 by 60 Yokohama 539s. The 175 size keeps the gearing the same as it was with the 13 inch originals.
I would be more inclined to modify the 1.6 (multi point injection from a 1.6 GTI maybe) rather than try and mate a 1.9 bottom end to the Marelli Throttle Body injection system. This works great in standard form (max power at 6,400!) but probably wouldn't have a lot in reserve.
Phil Torodes' SI is presently the top non open wheeler in Victorian Motorkhanas and performed impressively at a recent Avalon Khanacross.
Graham Wallis
 
What about an Mi16 engine straight into an Si? I'm sure the chassis would be capable of it, are there any engine bay/etc issues that are different between the Si and the GTi that would make the Mi16 conversion more difficult? Could be an option.

Nick
 
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