This is probably a silly question but the situation is what it is. After about 6 years of drifting on my current NA turbo 1.8 a piston finally gave out. Found another 1.8 block, NA head, had the short block assembled, head cleaned up, new intake, new springs etc to swap back into my NA ,and that motor's basically ready to go back in the car. The current shell is starting to show it's age, rust, and just generally tired after 10+ years of track abuse so I figured maybe now would a good time for a fresh shell. NA prices have obviously gone up, so I started considering NB's. Prices are a bit higher that NA's but typically lower mileage / age, so that's good. I found a few NB2's with 6 speeds, a nice upgrade, I've gone through a few 5 speeds.

Now the question is, are there any complications or considerations be aware of to swap a NA 1.8 motor, a into a NB chassis? I plan on selling my MS3x (for a 97), and picking up a new MS for the NB. I understand NB's have better heads / intake manifolds, but I'm fine with the power my turbo NA made, it was plenty for drifting or track nights. Plan would be to swap the NB2 accessories onto the NA motor, then keep the NB2 motor as a spare.

Thanks in advance.

 

You will have to rewire the NB2 to work with the NA cam sensor. As the NA motor's don't have a spot on the VC for a cam sensor. I believe you can use the correct crank pulley's and such to use the NB crank sensor.

 

If you can find a 99-00 valve cover you could just swap the valve cover and block off the cas hole. Then it should be pretty much plug and play. Maybe have to swap a few things around like fuel rail or some lines. You'll probably need a nb2 motor harness to make it work.