Ok, so i got a hold of a 91 Si hatch with a blown motor cheap, and decided to do my first engine build.
At the time i decided on a mini me based on affordability but i knew down the road i would want to try to boost it. After researching what may be the best route to go, the setup i chose turned into a bit of a Frankenstein. I found an A6 block which i had honed and cleaned, topped with a stock y8 head fitted to my A6 intake manifold. inside i have PM6 pistons and rods to help drop the compression down to the higher end of 9's. Added arp head studs, new rings and bearings, water pump, timing belt etc etc. running odb1 with a z6 dizzy and a Phearable ecu with their recommendation for basemap based on the setup.
car runs well. no issues and it's been running the same for almost a year. but now i want more oomph. i don't want anything crazy, this is my daily so I'm looking for around 200+ Hp.
I've been back and forth about putting boost to this setup that my be iffy or going to a B series, probably ls, which will probably be more reliable.
just wanted to get a little outside perspective on what way i may want to go. or if anybody may be running a similar setup, how turbo worked out for them.

thanks in advance.

 

got money out the ***? sky is the limit... lol

 

+1

 

In my opinion I would stick with the D series thats in the car and boost it. For the amount you will spend on everything for a LS swap, you could have a decent little turbo setup going on, however if you are worried about reliability, then I would suggest that you don't go the turbo route unless you 100% will have the money to tune it after it has been completed.

If you don't have the money to tune it, then I would suggest just running the D series.

 

good tune will make it last

 

Boost is problem free if well executed. Good turbo parts, solid install, and a good safe tune is a recipe for a fun daily driver. You could easily make 180- 200whp with a very simple, safe turbo install. I'm thinking stainless log, internally gated T3, brand name or used OEM BOV nice intercooler and solid connections. Mild tune, safe timing and fat afrs no problems. Ok change the oil a bit faster. What happens invariably with these setups is the need for more umphh. You will spend the same or more LS swapping with less power, less torque, no pssssss. However you lose the ability to find a replacement motor/ trans for cheap. Obvious by now I say wisely boost it.