Lupo: Performance Tuning & Engine Upgrade

Hello,

Rainer's shop has a special offer for a performance upgrade for the Lupo TDI 1.4 PD, increasing power to 100 hp and torque to 245 Nm. What is the potential for further increases in engine and transmission capacity through modifications like injectors or a turbocharger? Is there a complete kit available for this? I'm asking because, according to the shop, the A2 with the 1.4 TDI can achieve 118 hp.

Regards,
Helge.

Do you have a link?
I'm just assuming that it refers to the 90 hp 1.4 TDI engine.
"This one has a VTG turbo, and the performance is what Rainer claims it to be."
Drive safely and reliably.
Without replacing the high-pressure injection pump (PD unit), you won't be able to get more than 100 horsepower out of your TDI engine.
But I also don't believe that a turbocharger would enable more power.
"100 horsepower is quite a statement."

Correct: The A2-compliant VW Polo 1.4 with 70 hp is only available from the year 2000 onwards due to the lack of VTG (Variable Turbine Geometry), but the version with 100 hp is really fun to drive on country roads.
My possibly damaged gearbox couldn't handle my engine's 95 horsepower for very long!
It could also have been an isolated incident.
The later Polo with an 80 horsepower engine reaches its maximum torque at around 1700 RPM.
With over 100 horsepower, the rear wheels can easily spin out, and even with 195 tires, wear will increase rapidly. The side grip is also not particularly high.
I think those who want more power would be better served by the 1.9 engine.

Quote:

The side area of the LLK is also not particularly large.

I thought they were the same size for the 1.4 and 1.9 TDI engines? Or am I confusing something?

Hello.

Therefore, to achieve 118 horsepower in the Lupo 1.4 TDI, you would need to use at least the common rail injectors and the turbocharger from the Audi A2. Is the rest of the engine identical so that it can handle this increased power, or is there even more potential with the original clutch and transmission?

Regarding the intercooler: without really knowing for sure, I had previously assumed that the smaller intercooler of the 1.9 and the one on the 1.4 were the same.

I also own a Lupo 1.4 TDI and initially had the same thoughts. I looked through the parts catalog and found several parts that are different:

- Turbo
- Control unit
-PDE
- Flywheel (which, in my opinion, suggests a stronger coupling).
Connecting rod bearing shells.
- etc. (I've forgotten the rest again).

It would likely be simpler (and cheaper) to simply transplant the entire 90 horsepower engine from an A2.

Okay, it was somewhat to be expected that the engines would differ not only in terms of turbocharging and common rail injection systems. Unfortunately, this probably means my consideration is over as well.

I wouldn't put it that way - try the one with 100 horsepower; it's quite fast thanks to the lighter engine.
The Rainer chip might offer a bit more performance than mine. So, test drive it!
If you want more power, you'll quickly need a longer wheelbase, and in that case, the four-cylinder engine is the cheaper and more reliable option.
That's what I meant by "those who want more"!
It's possible that the 1.9 version also has the small side linkage (LLK), but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

Is there anyone in the Bremen area who owns a 100 horsepower diesel Lupo that I could potentially test drive?

Only southern Hamburg...
Lupo, but with a longer 5th gear ratio (equivalent to the A2 90 hp version).