Why Is The Audi 1.8T 20V So Good?

Turbocharged engines right out of the factory tend to be tuning friendly as not only the already installed turbo can provide more air with ease, adequate hardware is often standard stuff on such an engine. This is the Audi 1.8T, known as the 1.8T 20V, and it is a perfect example of such a motor.

00:00 Intro
00:32 History
01:24 1.8T design
02:22 Internals
03:14 Turbo & valvetrain
04:02 Reliability
05:16 Tuning
05:54 Power limits
07:19 Final wordsd

- Vlog -

- Support -

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- Disclaimer -
This video is fair use under U.S. copyright law because it is transformative in nature, uses no more of the original than necessary and has no negative effect on the market for the original work.

- Credits -
“Mk4 Jetta big turbo walk around” by DrivewayDubs

“S3 8L Garrett GTX28 Gen2 2,2bar Launch Control / No Lift Shift - Audi 1.8T” by LFX Tuning

“Installing timing belt on VW/Audi AEB 1.8T 20-valve engine” by Van Svenson

“Audi F103 auf der IAA 1965” by Deutsche Fernsehgeschichte

“VW Golf MK3 2.0 8v GTI Engine sound” by Arczik

“Mk1 Golf 2.0 ABA Swap / HOT RODDING A 2.0L 8V / LOW BUCK POWER / Volkswagen VW Rabbit Citi Cabrio” by Mystery Garage

“Putting pistons in a VW/Audi 1.8T engine” by Van Svenson

“Audi A4 B5 1.8TQ AEB Big Turbo TB60-03 Billet 1Bar break-in” by A4B5Turbo

“BMW E36 swap Audi engine AEB 1.8 20V Turbo” by Serra Racing

“How to identify your VW/Audi 1.8T engine as an 058 or 06A block” by Integrated Engineering LLC.

“Disassembly and description of VW Audi 1.8T engine” by Van Svenson

“VAG 1.8T 20v - Porting head "small port" to "big port"” by Veicomer Engine Performance Solution

“1.8T Launch Test Low boost.” by Martins Meijers

“REMOVING head 1.8t (aeb) volkswagen audi “bent valves”” by Live Free

“Škoda Octavia 1.8 T 20v with sport air filter.” by Jan Kristinek

“Audi A4 1.8TQ Big Turbo small test” by ТУРБИЧЕСКАЯ СИЛА

“B5 1.8T GT35 2-3-4” by Martins Meijers

“Mk2 Scirocco 1.8T 20v daily driver quick walkaround” by Mk2Daz

“BFB 1.8T Audi A4 B6 Engine - Head & Block” by Just German Parts

“Crankshaft installation for VW Audi 1.8 Turbo” by Van Svenson

“Daily audi A6 1.8t (2.0t) stroker Cold start and exhaust popping sound” by Lastochka Garage

“GT3071R Cupra R stroker turbo sound” by Øistein74

“VW GOLF MK1 1.8T 300KM Pops&Banks LaunchControl FlatShift” by Lukasz krzem

“Audi A4 B5 B6 1.8T TUNED Snow Drifts Canada” by Clayton Varney

“WINTER SESSION / Turbo Seat Leon 1.8t TOP SPORT 4x4” by BiedaEnduro

“TWIN TURBO Audi B5 S4 SNOW LAUNCH!! - RAW SOUND” by Boost Book

[VisioRacer]

I do own a 1.8T B5 quattro, so I kinda began to like these engines a bit more. I always respected it and wondered what it would be like to own it. How many owners of the 1.8T are here?

[dhanssolo]

I've always steered away from euro cars. And then my neighbor was selling his a4 b5 1.8t manual quattro for dirt cheap. Did some research and fell in love with it. Now it's my daily cruiser

[aeknikh]

My father's 98 passat, the very first car I ever drove and learnt to drive with, has this engine.Nearly 300k kms without any engine or transmission problems, still driving it and enjoying it!!

[zo.v]

Worked on these engines for 15 years now, never encountered an engine issue in my life. Annoying plastics and vacuum system for sure, but the mechanicals are probably the best amongst german cars. Nice video

[Timoastra]

Had a A4 1.8t for 5 years and 70000 km (160-230k). The car had modded downpipe, exhaust and injectors and made about 225 hp. Drove it like i stole it for the entire 70k km and the only thing that failed was some EVAP valves and a crank position sensor. Never missed a beat and did not leak a drop of oil. Awesome engines although a little weak in low RPM and not the best fuel economy considering its displacement.

[tadmand]

This is one of those all time industry changing engines. It should be remembered in the same class as Honda bseries. This engine single handedly started the entire chip tuning/remapping culture. Probably the most commonly remapped engine ever

[half]

1.8t for life lol. Ive done so much to mine and love it. Been running 25 psi through my k04 (yes im aware im overboosting it, shut up) and it feels great. Such a great platform to learn about tuning and engine modification.

[Engaelic]

Got my 1.8t at 321000 km, and six years later @410000km I am, well, planning for an oil change next Monday. An absolute unit. I've been calling her Little Fury since day one.

[vigg]

2003 Jetta 1.8t 410, 000 km original turbo doesn’t burn a drop of oil. Been tuned since 270, 000 km. Running 18psi. Great little engine

[Ash-lqxx]

Good review on the 1.8t 20v engine. Very very good solid engine for big turbo builds. A couple other things to note though…. The main caps on the crank tend to fail after around 600bhp so people now change them out for billet main caps. I’ve got an S3 8L with 642bhp and 516ft lbs on 99 Ron fuel with water meth injection. One of the highest powered S3’s here in the UK. Pretty much changed everything in the engine to make sure it’ll take it and more in future.

[kevinbrekke]

I own a 1.8T in my Audi TT and till this day still have lots of fun and memories with it ❤️

[deadmarch]

I have an Audi S3 8l, 120000 miles brilliant engine, very quiet at idle and pulls all the way to 7k. I’d like to point out that nearly all engines will run forever if correctly maintained, but this will almost never happen because cars depreciate and fall into the hands of idiots who want a 6 month fling

[TheMew]

I had the 1.8 NA 125hp. in my Skoda Octavia h1. It was a perfect balance between horsepower and fuel economy for every day driving. Plus outstanding reliability. I've never had any issues with it. :)

[rf-cinematic]

My old 1999 Audi A3 1.8T works great with a K04 turbocharger. I was today at the "Autobahn" and and I was the most time between 180km/h and 240km/h cruising. And my engine has run for over 270.000km yet

[danieloshaughnessy]

After my 1.8T Jetta wagon was rolled, I now have a 2004 Passat B5.5, with the tiptronic. My Turbo is still going strong after 158K. Also original alternator! Car has been super great to work on. Believe it or not when i got the car just over a year and a half ago it still had the original air filter! A true testament to how the car still went on strong. I also had a split PVC boot and faulty PVC. No idea how i did not blow a seal! Fitting a manual boost and oil pressure gage, and an oil catch can is a must for these cars! Still get up to 30 MPG's doing 80 MPH! Average 25 mpg's. I want to keep this car as long as possible, then I will go out and buy another!

[spinnetti]

I had both B5 and B6 with my B6 Stage III for 145, 000 miles with no problems. Coil packs, waterpumps and cracking plastics all happened as you mention though. Great motor, and the B6 in particular was a great car.

[TheWhiteFang]

I had a B6 1.8T Quattro. Stock its bland although great in the Winter up here in Canada. But in the Summer I added a stage 1 tune and went catless exhaust and the difference in sound and torque was amazing. 16psi on stock diverter valve. These engines are Bulletproof and require minimal maintenance compared to other audi engines

[tunanocrust]

Had my b6 1.8t with a 5 speed for a little over a year. She’s been great to me, a few issues but nothing to major. Getting ready to tune now since the maintenance is all done ko4 is installed, as well as high flow cat, bigger injectors, dv upgrade. Can’t wait to see what she does

[Skelturoth]

I used to have the A4 with this engine, it ran perfectly fine the whole time. Then I got a TT with the same engine, but slightly more powerful. For 11 years, it ran perfectly fine. I regret selling it every day.

[Frroggg]

Love my AWP 1.8T, going strong at 190, 000 kms with no major issues. Been keeping up on its maintenance schedule, hope I can get as much life as possible out of it.