By Jehran Naidoo for Auto Rush
Hearing the roar of VW’s 6-pot R32 engine on South African roads is becoming a common sighting nowadays.
And its no wonder, with power, an exhilarating sound and enough speed to give the latest GTI’s a run for their money. Many are now of the view that the R32 engine “is the new ABF”.
ABF in the glory days
VW’s 2 litre 16v ‘ABF’ engine was a popular choice during the early 2000’s leading up to the early 2010’s. Mainly because of its affordability and how easy it was to fit into a golf 1.
The modifications weren’t expensive, meaning an everyday-Joe could have fun for less, according to Trivolan Pather of Denzil’s Auto.
Trivolan and his brother Naveshan build some of the fastest drag Golf’s in South Africa.
“I have been working on cars for around 15 years now. From the time I was in high school. I remember back in the 2010 and 2011 period, the ABF was the go-to choice. It was a cheaper platform for people to make power,” Pather explained.
In the 2010 era, Trivolan said a stock ABF motor could be purchased for around R10,000, pushing out around 120kw.
“At the moment, a stock ABF costs around R26,000 and makes the same power,” he added.
An added edge
What also gave the ABF an edge was the amount of research and development that went into the naturally aspirated side of things.
Aftermarket pistons, cams, cranks and rods are made outside of VW, making upgrades easily available.
“For around R15,000, you could flow the head and install a set of cams on your ABF and get around 20-25kw of added power. That can run in the mid to low 13-second bracket and still be a street legal car,” he explained.
There was nothing really unique about the ABF other than affordability and the range of parts available to support modifications. It has nothing special, like Japan’s Honda Vtec or Toyota 4AGE motor.
“Lift was only introduced to VW around mid-2000’s, when the 20v AGU motor came out.”
The new dog in town
Fast forward to the present day, where even a Toyota Etios can sound like a VR6.
A stock R32 motor retails for around R34,000 and makes between 180-190kw.
“It is considerably faster than the ABF. In the 2010 era it was all about the ABF but now the R32 is the new ABF. The power and sound are the main attractions. People want either one of those two things when they choose the R32 swap. The sound is a craze right now.
“But the R32 does fall short on the modification side. There is not much research into the naturally aspirated R32 engines. In Europe and Germany mainly, they run a turbo charged R32 but here we like the naturally aspirated sound,” Trivolan explained.
Another shortfall of the R32 is the serpentine belt tensioner fail, which tends to be its Achilles heel.
Most of the modifications that go into a naturally aspirated R32’s are supporting, like an exhaust system or upgraded fueling lines.
Very few have tried to open the engine and fiddle with the internals, Trivolan explained.
The Cast Iron block with Aluminum head has an 84.0 mm with four valves for each of six cylinders.
The R32 versions include the BFH [US market], BML [Australian market] and the BUB [European market].
Bang for your buck
In today’s financial climate, a stock R32 swap will cost you around R50,000 more than an ABF. But will offer a driving experience unparalleled to that of the ABF.
If your bank roll permits it, a good engine management system and exhaust may just be all you need to have fun and embarrass a few new cars with your R32.
“If you have the budget for it, I would say go for the R32. It is bang for buck and much more powerful. Guys with fully blown cars do not do the times that R32 cars can. And they can still drive the R32 car to work everyday,” Trivolan added.
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