Pug106 Engine Tuning (Engine Transplants)

GTI 16v Engined Mk1 XSi

You might wonder why we've listed engine transplants here as an advanced engine modification and not under the serious category, but consider an owner of one of the lower models with a 1.1 (60 bhp), 1.4 (75 bhp) or a diesel lump.

An owner of one of these models could easily spend over £1500 on tuning their original engine, to find that they are still struggling to push 100 bhp, whereas for the same money, or indeed less money, they could bin their lump and transplant an engine from one of the higher models such as the 1.4/1.6 XSi, the 1.6 Rallye or 1.6 XS/Saxo VTR engine which provides a good value and effective upgrade for many models.

However, it's the GTI/VTS engine that provides the best performance, but any of the ones mentioned above will always outperform any of the smaller engines, no matter how much money is spent.

Note : Mk1 owners will need to change the gearbox also, but if mk2 owners changing to anything other than the GTI, should be able to keep the original box, although an uprated clutch would be a wise consideration.

1.4 XSi (100 bhp), 1.6 XSi (105 bhp)

These engines are probably only options for Mk1 owners.

The 1.4 offers a potent free revving option which pushes just under 100 bhp in standard form, but the 1.6, although only up by around 5 bhp, offers superior torque, and would offer better performance on the road.

1.6 Rallye (1.6, 110 bhp)

Not as common as some of the others, the 1.3 Rallye models came with a gas-flowed head and various other tweeks to give it a very sporty and free revving performance which proved it's performance above the likes of the Mk1 XSi, but the 1.6 offered a more drivable solution, while still keeping the sporty edge.

XS / Saxo VTR (1.6, 90/98 bhp)

The '98 XS came with the same engine as found in the '96-'98 Saxo VTR's and this has proved to be a very tunable, and reliable engine.

The '98-'00 VTR's came with a slightly revised head, identified by it's silver rocker cover, which appearantly offered better effeciency, although the only known difference is that this engine used roller rockers.

Year 2000, facelift, models of the Saxo VTR are thought to produce around 98 bhp as standard, although this has never been confirmed by the manufacturer.

Black top VTR engines, pre'98, offer cheap and effective upgrades for most models, but silver top VTR engines are a great choice for Quiksilver owners, as it's preety much a straight swap for it's 1.4 silver top engine.

GTI / Saxo VTS (1.6 16v, 120/130 bhp)

GTI 16v Engine

This is the engine most people will want, although it will cause many more hastles to transplant as it uses a unique wiring harness.

These engines produced 120 bhp from '96 up until about March '01 when it was replaced by a slightly revised version which appearantly makes around 130 bhp (unofficially).

As with the 98 bhp VTR engine, this figure has never been confirmed, but the revised engine is identifiable by it having a second lambda sensor just after the cat.

This engine also provides the most potential for further tuning.

Around 160 bhp is possible from normally aspirated tuning methods, and after that there is potential for 200 bhp when throttle bodied or even more from forced induction methods.

Peugeot Sport S16 (1.6 16v, 150 bhp)

GTI Running S16 Induction System

This is the ultimate in single throttle body, normally aspirated engines available to fit the 106, but unfortunatly, the ECU is mapped purely for performance, so emissions are never going to pass an MOT.

The S16 is basically a GTI engine with a few uprated, competition developed parts, all available from Peugeot Sport UK. These include the Peugeot Sport direct air injection kit, ecu, cams, exhaust system and sports back box. There's still room for further tuning with head work and manifold upgrades, but finding one of these engines from an ex-competition car isn't easy, or cheap, so it's probably best to start with the regular GTI engine.

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