If you are developing a track car this doesn't matter as you are in the high end of your RPM range anyway and that is where you want the power to be. I'd never have found a Motorsport camshaft to be a pleasure to live with when on the daily commute because the lumpy idle will make the car prone to stall and smooth driving at low rpm becomes impossible. Motorsport and race camshafts, bump the high end rpm power band but as a result the car will not idle smoothly and low end power nearly always suffers. 1.8T Camshaftsįast road camshafts usually bump the performance across the rpm range, you could drop a little bottom end bhp but the high end rpm power will be better. We have also seen some swaps on older models, where for example VW Polos and Golfs had a 1.8T engine swap. VVT was included on AUQ, AWU, AWV, AWW, ARX, AUM, AWP, AMK, BAM Large Port size Head Engine Codes: Typically 97-99: AEB, AGU, AFY, AJH, AJL Small Port size head Engine Codes: ADR, AMB, AMU, APT, APU, ARG, ATC, ATW, AWM, AWP, BEA, AWT, ARX, ARZ, AWC, BJX ,BAM, APX, AMK, BVR, AJQ, AJL, APP, BBU, APY, AUQ, BEX, AYP, AVJ The engine codes are (This list is not exhaustive and covers the most popular engines, some engines were only available in selected markets.) Greece had an AUM block which was mapped to 190hp and badged the GT193.
The engine code is found at the top part of the engine near the valve cover on the side etched into the head so you might have to clean it off as the stamp often gets covered in grime. The 1.8T engine as fitted by Audi is arguably one of the most easily tuneable engines today. (Generally speaking the AGU APH ARX AUM AVC AVJ AWC AWD AWU AWV AWW BFB AJQ APP ARY AUQ BEX AMK APY APX AJH and BAM came with forged cranks but there are some exceptions to this list.) When planning upgrades it is worth finding out if your engine has the forged components already.
The most common turbos fitted are the KO3 & KO3s (150-180 bhp) and KO4 (210-240). The standard cast iron engine block is solidly constructed and can handle power levels up to 240bhp in factory tune and many owners have reported much higher power gains than that. 6 bar on most variants of this engine although the 180bhp engines run 11.6 psi from 2002.
The turbo delivers a boost pressure of 8.7 psi or. The peak power band is between 20 rpm, and delivers good fuel economy as well around 34-38mpg. (Obviously with direct injection you can run much higher compression ratios, but this didn't come in until the later revisions to the more recent engines.)īore size of 81mm (3.19in) a Stroke of 86.4mm (3.40in) and a Rod Length of 144mm The compression ratio is set to 9.5:1, but, a slightly lower 9:1:1 in the 240 bhp versions (and those with the K04 turbo), which although high for a turbo gives plenty of low down torque. (The exhaust valves are somewhat larger than the intake and this intake configuration makes the engine an efficient one). The exhaust valves are larger than the intake, and having the extra intakes allow better fuel atomization and intake control depending on the throttle and load. The 20 valves are arranged with 3 intake valves and 2 exhaust valves per cylinder. The 1.8T was replaced with a 1.8/2.0 TFSi version and we have a guide that covers these and the more recent EA888 version is covered here. See our video which covers all the principles of tuning your engine. The fact these engines can be tuned to such extremes indicates their versatility.
The 1.8T also featured in Wards 10 best engines in 97 98 01 02 and 03. It often features in engine swap projects such is the versatility of this great engine block. 350hp on the standard block is typically the response you'll get when you ask about safe power limits when tuned. The 1781 cubic centimeters in this 20 Valve turbocharged engine represents what must still be one of the most tunable engines around today and is found in family cars like the A3 and A4 and on sports oriented models like the TT, and the S3.
I must confess I have a bias here, the 1.8T is one of my favorite engines and offers much tuning potential, and is well supported when it comes to upgrade parts.
Let's see what can be done to tune the 1.8T engine, how much potential power you can extract, and which are the best mods for your project. VAG 1.8T 20v Petrol engine as fitted to Volkswagen/SEAT/Audi and Skoda cars: 150-240 bhp from the factory. "The 1.8T was my first turbo engine, and one of the best."