I'm kinda new to VWs so bear with me. What is the smallest street drivable engine that will pull the front wheels with a stock trans?
Cool question! It is all about weight transfer and having a light car in combination with too much clutch and sticky tires. With a original gearbox you are lucky if you will get one or two wheelies before it give up and break.
In a light car, little fuel in the tank, sticky tires on a prepped track + 160-200hp + 7000 rpms + dump the clutch you can achieve lift. Just make sure to have your friends ready with their cameras.
Add torque and custom gear ratios in a strong box and you have the opposite problem, how to keep your front wheels on the ground.
Good luck and keep us updated.
Best rgs
BB