What constitutes a Rabbit?

[Grumpa]

Tim,
'79 bumpers are the 5 mph chrome railroad ties common with period. The GTI that I now have was factory with the al-u-min-ium bumpers. A plain wrapper '84 Rabbit has the railroad ties on it (figures), so I will have to find them if I go ITC. I haven't heard any pro's or con's regarding the 1.7L and whether it is worth building. The 1.6L in my '79 really brought the car to life last year when I put it in, which is why I hate the idea of getting rid of it. The downside to the '79 car is the fact that there are some flex issues with the chassis, and the dwindling ITC fields.

[racer_tim]

Jim, the 1.7 is a TERRIBLE option. It's basically a 1.6 bore with a longer stroke. I have an IT prepped 1.7 short block if you want it. Shipping would be the limiting cost factor. The "H" block from the Chrysler Omni is a good alternative for a 1.6 since the bore is the same. The early FSV's that used the 1.6 crank used the 1.7 "H" block since the journals.8 are larger. Stay with the 1.6 in ITC, or move to the 1.8 and go to ITB.

[Grumpa]

Tim,
As I was looking at the spec line for the 1.7 I noticed the bore/stroke on the motor and thought to myself "Slow revving motor". At this point, I believe my options are a) Repair my '79, or b) Sell the running gear & spares I don't need and go ITB. Option B is looking better all the time.

Are the pan rails and the exhaust port spacing the same on both the 1.6 and 1.8? I want to use my oil pan and Techtonics header if they are.

[nsuracer]

Jim, I am the guy that last had your GTI. I just tried to include my e-mail address, but being that I am a new guy, the forum won't let me. I will be happy to answer any questions about the car........Alex

[racer_tim]

Jim, your oil pan and header will work with either the 1.6 or the 1.8. I know since the current header and baffle'd pan were on my original 1.6 / 1.7 Scirocco.

Shocks and struts are the same too.

[kakarot]

whent through manual. RN and RU share the same head and block, just different stroke.
Other ones might share the same head and block but different stroke and cam.

[racer_tim]

Just remember, that not much on the "internal" side is interchangeable between the 1.6 and the 1.8. Maybe the cam, but then the 1.6 and 1.7 only had mechanical heads, but the 1.8 had both the mechanical and the hyrdo.

External ancillaries, oil pan, intake manifold, header, F.I. water pump, etc. should be able to work on either. All of the suspension also can be exchanged between any A1 chassis, except for the the 1982 Scirocco. It's a hybrid between the A1 chassis and the A2 body style.