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EX Head on DX Block?

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 1:54 pm
by rhysjones
Alright dudes,

So I'm at the stage where my '89 GT2 EX cylinder block is no longer usable (see Sump Compression Issues for the full story).

Pretty gutted and annoyed with myself but time to dry my eyes n crack on - rather than rebore n fit oversize pistons which will cost £££ I'm thinking about swapping the engine for a DX injection I've got in a scrap Scala (also 1989). But to keep the GT2 as original as possible I'd like to use EX Head and carb set up and just fit it to the healthy DX cylinder block.

I'm thinking this will also save headaches when it comes to wiring n fuel line set up etc as that will all stay the same - as long as the pump on the front of the block driven by the int shaft will swap for the one on the EX... think it will?

As far as specifications on the internal gubbins goes, I've checked in the book n the EX and DX seem to match up pretty well everything.

Just wondered if anyone knows of anything I'm missing and whether this will work ok??

Has anyone done this before?

Cheers,

Rhys

Re: EX Head on DX Block?

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 2:26 pm
by Nate
Not done it before, but can't see why it wouldn't work

Re: EX Head on DX Block?

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 3:29 pm
by MRMENDER
Sorry to hear about all your engine troubles :-( !
From a personal point of view I would look for a good used engine, from a known source. A lot less hassle, Last year I picked up a 1.8 EX with 40K miles for peanuts. Have a look around. This is just my opinion!

Re: EX Head on DX Block?

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 7:01 pm
by mark1gls
If you have the head from the DX engine I belive if you fit the cam shaft from the DX to your EX head it will increase performance?

Re: EX Head on DX Block?

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 10:20 pm
by rhysjones
Ah cool, are the cam lobes slightly bigger on the DX then? May as well drop it on....

If the EX/DX combination will work I'm inclined to go for it because while I had the EX in bits I got the head reconditioned so would be nice to use it!

However since MRMENDER's suggestion I have already found a complete engine going cheap! Might have to go for it anyway now and add to the collection....

On a side note - started removal of the EX engine this evening and the same old problem cropped up when trying to get the speedo cable out of the gearbox. With every old vw they always seem to get stuck tight in there! Any tips on the easiest method??

Cheers lads

Re: EX Head on DX Block?

Posted: Mon May 11, 2015 11:16 pm
by unknownmale
Is the fuel pump mounting blocked off on the DX block?

Re: EX Head on DX Block?

Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 12:16 am
by rhysjones
Nah the DX has fuel pump in the same place as EX on the front of the crankcase, just a different pump

Re: EX Head on DX Block?

Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 9:03 am
by rhysjones
Btw, we'll ignore the speedo cable question.... went to it this morning n figured it out straight away. Turns out I was just being a bit of a div.

Re: EX Head on DX Block?

Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 12:18 pm
by unknownmale
rhysjones wrote:Nah the DX has fuel pump in the same place as EX on the front of the crankcase, just a different pump
Figured it would have an inline fuel pump

Re: EX Head on DX Block?

Posted: Tue May 12, 2015 4:17 pm
by rhysjones
unknownmale wrote:
rhysjones wrote:Nah the DX has fuel pump in the same place as EX on the front of the crankcase, just a different pump
Figured it would have an inline fuel pump
Just got the Scala started (fresh battery n a few hammer blows to the nackered starter), and indeed it does have an inline pump as well as the little one on the block! Learn something new every day.....