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I have seen such a conversion. It is a good project, although I am not sure that it is a lot easier than a turbo conversion. Maybe a little easier. Horsepower will be almost the same, though it is easier to get more hp from the turbo motor. The turbo motor will have significantly more torque. The 16V motors did use different ECU programming and different injectors, compared to non turbo motors. Perhaps the non turbo computers and injection would work, though. You could always try. I would probably rate a 16V as being about as complex and high maintenance over time as an 8V turbo. But give it a try if you find one cheap along with all the parts you need for the conversion, and like doing projects. I like turbos. A 16V turbo would be nice, but that job is a bit complex and expensive to do really well.
Were I doing a 16V conversion, I would probably stick with a manual trans and low rear gears, as the 16V are a bit soft on the bottom end. Turbos are, also, but the newer turbos (90-95) are more responsive than the older ones (81-89). You could always add a higher stall converter and lower rear gears if you do use an AW71 auto (non lock up).
Philip Bradley
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