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Wed May 31, 2006 12:56 pm

I got an 88 fox with a 1.8L 8valve and was wondering how involved it would be to swap it with a 16valve head?

Wed May 31, 2006 1:58 pm

You will need the whole 16v engine, rather than just the head; I understand the 16v head isn't a direct swap onto an 8v bottom end.

A 16v swap into a Fox has been done, so we know it is possible...the only question is 'why?'

Wed May 31, 2006 5:30 pm

I want to make a sleeper. Nobody would expect a fox gl to be fast. That is like saying, "My Geo will kick your but!"

Wed May 31, 2006 5:41 pm

I'm no huge base of knowledge for later watercooled VW engines but I know the basics about those engines.. and to me it seems like there wouldn't be any direct-fit issues going from single to dual overhead cams. The maps may be different for fuel/air, but that's all done in the computer.

The only thing that would make a fitment issue would be if there was a different bore between the engines - but if I'm not mistaken, it's the same exact bottom end. You'd need a new timing belt, sure, but so long as the pulley on the bottom side of things is the same width there shouldn't be any problems.

A possibility is that the head bolts are in a different location, but I doubt that - it's just a matter of components in the head and seems likely they'd be kept similar to keep down costs of having two completely different blocks.

All this is speculation because honestly I've never owned or worked on a VW waterpumper, but am mechanically inclined and curious. So, tell if I'm wrong or congratulate me for being a smart-ass. Whatever.

Wed May 31, 2006 5:59 pm

If I remember correctly, the block is the same.

Thu Jun 01, 2006 2:35 pm

My 16 valve broke a piston ring and ruined the block and I was thinking about doing the same thing but my mechanic informed me the pistons are different because of clearance for the extra set of valves. Other than that I think they are the same though (except for the stroke possibly).

Thu Jun 01, 2006 4:36 pm

search http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerosearch

a million times the water cooled traffic and this has been answered many many times. physically it fits. oil / water passeges are different and the compression is totally screwed.