UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Since I feel there's some interest in performance gains by Polo drivers (you and me) I've surfed around a bit and I think I found something interesting... Even if it's over our heads, it still makes the mouth water.

As an alternative to the much-loved 1.8T engines, the German tuner Rothe has two interesting bits of kit for our Polo's available.

The first is meant for the GTI or any car that has the 1.6 16v (AJV) or similar engine:



Like that one.

Now look closer:



Indeed, too much tubing going on for an OE car.





Apparently, it pushes out 222 hp and 320 Nm, but the 0-60 time is unknown. It will be quick though.

Next up is the 1.4 60 hp engine found in Mk4's and 5's, they do two stages. The first is fitting of the turbo and a moderate boost to 0,4 bar. Still good for over 90 hp and 180 Nm or torque. The second goes to 0,65 bar, which results in 126 hp and 234 Nm of torque. Prices range from 3300 € for the moderate kit to 4000 € for the more powerful one.

Here's how that looks:





Notice the cutout in the slam panel.



The extreme Hulk version of this kit is here:



This is the guy that also owns the UPS Brown Corrado @ >500 Hp.







That's right. 200 hp out of a 1.4! This one is on the site, but no power gains are stated besides the sheet of paper behind the window. It's real though...

1.6 8v kits are also available, with either 106 or 146 hp figures for the 75 hp base engine.

Go to Rothe Motorsport

I wonder why they used the 8V rather than the 16v??

Awesome conversion!!

O H M Y G O D ! ! !

220 BHP outa my little Polo!

Mmmmmmmm!

Alex, how much is the GTi conversion?

who wants to buy a kidney?

Josh, it doesn't say! Somewhere past the 6 grand mark for sure though. The owner of the black 1.4 claimed he went and paid Rothe 15 grand (Euro's!) for all the stuff they did on the car (including brakes)...

It's used as a daily driver all year round, apparently. How's that for reliability!

that is nice, anyone done a tt engine conversion in a polo??

Harry,

Lots of 'em. I can think of at least 5 off the top of my head - and I haven't looked yet. I speak to a guy once in a while that's in the process of fitting one (180 Hp TT engine) to his Mk5 1.4 Tdi (well, ex-Tdi). It's a LOT of work. Nothing really fits first go. If I were him, I would have tuned the life out of that 3-pot instead of the conversion... Haven't told him this yet though

Other conversions are the 2.0 16v out of the Mk3 Golf GTI or the Cupra (150 hp) or the G40/60 engines. VR6's are out there too, again I know of at least 5 that did this.

thats cool, how does the chassis handle the power? which is the best conversion? i would love to try out an engine conversion later on..

I think the chassis handles pretty well in most cases, apart from the VR6 that is. The 1.8's are not much heavier than our 1.6's for instance, so the weight balance isn't offset too much. The constant complaint about the VR6 is that it makes the car nose-heavy, causing understeer. It's fun in a straight line (wasting a Bimmer on the Autobahn) but not as much in the twisties.

Traction can be a whole different issue though, but that's something you'd expect (and some can appreciate too). Once rolling, it'll be fine.

Brakes are an important upgrade with any conversion, mind. The OE bits are pathetic, apart from the GTI spec 256*25mm items. Still, Upgrades are required by the German TüV with all conversions. G60 brakes (280mm, will fit 15's) are popular, since they're affordable, but complete 'big-brake' conversions (from the likes off Willwood, AP Racing, Mov-It, Brembo or OE Porsche) are a possibility too.

bit concerned about about the fact that all the works hidden under a metal plate (whats he hiding). i understand this may be for looks but will also hide bad joins and welds, as well as ill fitting parts

It's just on the Mk4 though, the welding and the tubing on the others look pretty neatly done. Did you see the videos on the site? Nice stuff!

Hmm, is there a spare TDi engine knocking about then?

I wonder if one those turbo conversions will fit in a mk3

Yes, Rothe do the turbo conversions for the Mk 3 G40.
I'm pretty sure they dont do them for other Mk 3's as it doesnt make sense to anyway. G40 engines are forced induction of course and have suitable cr and sodium filled exhaust valves. Fitting to the other engines isnt practical.

I have seen and held the Rothe Mk 3 turbo exhaust manifold and it's a very basic and simple looking item. I suppose it's a kind of universal manifold as you will then decide what kind and size of turbo you will be running. The ports for the head were a different shape to standard, round instead of being slightly oval. That would need matching up etc.

I know a guy who makes amongst other exhaust bits, turbo conversion manifolds which could be more suitable if you knew the position of the turbo, the Rothe item was centre.

Those Mk 4 and 5 kits would need to relatively low blow, as the standard cr is quite high especially the Mk 5 GTi. If you wanted more boost, then you need seriously think about lowering the cr and uprating the engine internals to suit.

BTW the plate is a heat sheild, Karl.

anyone know why the air intake goes down behind the inlet manifold? is the filter down there - seems a strange place to put it in terms of cold air and the amount of pipework needed.

spose it makes the engine bay look more symetrical though

mike