Engine conversion

[Daveo]

So I know a few people will have different views on this but the time has come for me to upgrade my little mk 2 1.0 saloon.
My question is what is the best engine to stick in there?
Preferably the one that can cause me the least amount of hassle and problems, I don't really want to put a 2.0 lump in there because it will be my daily drive and only being 19 my insurance would be a joke.
So ideally something remotely good on fuel and will provide that little bit of poke the car is currently missing?
Cheers

[paul james]

Whats 'best' depends on what you want from the car and what you are willing to pay. I would get some insurance quotes on the different engine sizes beforehand to see whats affordable. Ideally a 1.6 8v or 16v engine is the best upgrade if you don't want to go the 2.0 path. But even a 1.2 engine will be an improvement over the 1.0, and won't cost too much to get as people don't really want them.

[Daveo]

Yeah I never really gave to much thought about the 1.2. Would have to be a mk 1 though wouldn't it? Believer all the mk 2 apart from the 1.0 are FI?

[novapaul1988]

Mk2's also come none fuel pumped, mine didnt have one and it was a 1.2

[Daveo]

1.2 will be a little difference but not enough, what about the 1400?

[Steve]

I upgraded my 1.0 to a 1.3 8v, awesome engines but like the 1.4 8v's, they're hard to find nowadays, a 1200 carb engine would be good as they're so much more refined plus you'll get an extra 10bhp!!

As said, it all depends on the insurance.

[Daveo]

How hard was it for to change to a 1.3? Insurance wouldn't be too bad id imagine.
I would never be one I those 2.0 still logged as a 1.0/1.2 people

[Steve]

Well whatever engine you put in you will need to change the fuel tank and run a return line as the 1.0 doesn't have it. You will also need the front half of the exhaust and to change the drivers side engine mount. Then the radiator, hoses etc..

Aside from that its a straight forward swap, I'd never changed and engine before and even I found it pretty straight forward!

[marc69]

If your 1.0 is running right, you'll hardly notice the difference between a 1.2 and the 1.0. The difference with the 1.3/1.4 apart from the cc difference is the double carb
the difference between a 1.0/1.2 to a 1.3/1.4 is very noticeable.

I run a 1.4 and just blocked the fuel return hose and have had no problems.....

[mowgli]

basically, any original small block carb engine, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 will be really easy to fit, you will need the gearbox too, as the 1.0 one is different where the engine mounts. and trust me, all of them will be a massive improvement over the 1.0

[Daveo]

Thanks alot guys