Not been on here for a long while but I'm toying with getting a mk3 1.8t and came across this - interesting thread.
I can see both sides but as has been said - pay yer money, make yer choices - end of.
When I did my caddy the first time in '05 I used a Leon cupra lump and did away with the 6 spd in favour of an easy-fit 5spd on the standard 1.9 sdi subframe (straight fit in with ABF rear mounts and a solid front to stop the engine rocking onto the brake master cylinder). Lightened/balanced ABF flywheel, Custom Code stage 2, FMIC, 4 bar FPR, de-cat, de- immobilised, In-cat Lambda delete, N249 delete, straight through 2 1/2" system etc etc.
More fun was had putting the wind up boxter and TT drivers (among others) than could ever be had in a hot hatch. I'd do the conversion again, given the chance, but would make one or three changes. Getting more air passing through the engine bay would be one, SERIOUSLY insulating the firewall would be another - it used to get seriously hot in the cabin. It wasn't the tidiest looking conversion by todays build standards so I guess I'd change that too. A peloquin or equivalent would be a must as 220bhp odd going through the front with a K03S spinning its heart out at low RPM's made for nightmare wet weather driving, even when trying to be sensible.
A few of the caddy lot have done the
Ibiza front on the vans over the years, prefer the standard look as it adds to the element of surprise but it certainly does make the vans prettier.