86 MK2 Golf TDI Conversion
I recently picked up a 1986 VW MK2 Golf diesel 1.6na which I plan to upgrade to a TDI.
I'm still un-decided on the engine; AHU or ALH, but I am planning to use a newer ECU so it can be eeprom.
That said, can an AHU get an ALH harness?
FYI / Helpful Hints
- MK3 TDI trans has a taller final drive to go with the tiny tires of the older cars
- Stock MK3 1.9 TDI subframe is same stance as the MK2, just stronger. If you want a wider stance, get the MK3 VR6 subframe. A passat subframe does not fit. Passat front cross bar fits in MK2, but the MK3 front cross bar does not.
- B4 Passat TDI and the entire pedal assembly (100% bolt in) and it's 02A transmission - if you can get whole car.
Harness Research
The 1999.5 ECU is physically the same size as a 2000-2003 ECU - the main difference is you can not program the 1999.5 ECU over the OBD port; instead, you will need to install sockets on the boards where the ICs used to be soldered into place and then get new ICs sent every time you want to change the software.
That system works, but if I was starting this project and gathering parts, it would be so much better to start with a 2000 to 2003 EDC15 ECU ALH. The AHU ECU is 2x the size of an ALH. Your MK2 cluster will work just fine. Modifying the 02A/J VSS to accept the cable to the speedometer is simple. Making the tachometer work is just the Digital to Analog converter.
CE1 to CE2
Reference
So, the 86' VW Golf is a CE1 interface that can be adapted to work with newer engines. However, the better method is to update from CE1 to CE2 which allows for future engine upgrades easier. It's a more standardized and easier to work with interface.
This is technically
Cluster Upgrade
Two common methods
- Install later MK2 tacho gasser clusters
- Install a MK3 TDI cluster
- Super Rare ; CE2 Turbo Diesel with tacho
