I own an audi a3 1.6 petrol, thinking about fitting a bigger engine but not sure what engines it will work with. Would it have to be an audi engine with same specs or could i fit a 2.0 vtec from another car? been told to just buy new car but its my pride and joy and getting rid would be final option.

Is anything wrong with your engine?  Swapping it like for like would be a big enough job, but surely changing it for a bigger one would need the clutch, gearbox & brakes to match.  Not to mention the correct map in the ECU and coding the injectors and whatever else needs coding to work together.

 

I had the engine out of my first car, a Mini, in the 1970's and that was hard enough without all the ECU codes and electronics to match up.  

 

I'm probably just getting old, but my advice is to either be happy with your motor (if it ain't broke, don't fix it) or, if you really want more bhp, change it.  Or you could remap it to increase the output of the current motor - but don't be surprised if something like the clutch gives up prematurely.

 

The 1.4 TFSi engine is more powerful and more economical than the 1.6.  The 1.8 T is probably the best balance of power and economy.  The 2.0 T is a gem, but a bit thirsty.

 

You asked about vtec - are you considering putting a Honda engine into an Audi?  That would take some massive cutting and shutting.

The head gasket is gone, i toyed with the idea of replacing it and doing some other small jobs on it but thought if I could get away with dropping in a new bigger engine I would.

 

I want a remap anyway and like the idea of a turbo but wasnt sure if the 1.6 would handel it without major works on the engine. I know id have change a few parts for turbo anyway but not majorly familiar with audi engines to get in to deep with it.

 

The vtec was a slim hope but i have a 2.0 vtec from a type r civic so thought on the off chance.

I have changed the head gaskets on two cars, a Mini and an Escort. It's a full afternoon's job, but it's a doddle compared with a full engine change. You can do a decoke and get some of the lost performance back as well.

If you go for a bigger engine, I would stick with one from an A3, because if Audi can fit it in, you should be able to as well.

Putting an engine from brand A into a car from brand B will involve having special parts fabricated: engine mounting brackets, drveshafts that fit a Honda diff at one end and Audi CV joints at the other, a gearshift that enters the cabin in the right place...

And what about insurance?

Fitting a turbo to a non-turbo engine is a challenge. Turbo engines have lower compression ratios to allow for the increased pressure from the turbo. Your ECU will have to control the boost pressure from the turbo. Can your existing ECU do that?

It sounds like I am trying to put you off upgrading the car - I just want to help you make an informed decision. I think the best decision is to get the current engine working, then decide about power increases.

To be honest I would just buy a a3 1.8t that has had damage to body and swop parts as that way you can keep your pride and joy u have all the parts u need and then u can sell the remaining parts to get some money back u can pick the a3 1.8t 8l so cheap that is assuming your Audi is a8l

A3 8l lol

speedysi is right - I have test driven a 1.8 T and it's pretty good.  You get about 160 bhp, 7.7 sec 0-60 and 38 mpg, against the 1.6 giving 100 bhp, 11.5 sec 0-60 and 39 mpg