Date:         Fri, 21 Jan 2000 19:07:33 -0800
Reply-To:     daveb@CP.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Bayer <daveb@CP.NET>
Subject:      1.8T conversions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

David Marshall wrote:
>
> If you want power, install an Audi A4 or VW Passat 1.8L Turbo engine. 150hp
> plus a lot of FLAT torque... these engines arn't THAT expensive or that
> hard to install.

        They are also offered in the new Beetles. These might work fine
with the fast forward kits, but it doesn't appear that either
intake manifold will fit under the deck lid with the stock diesel motor
mounts, mounting bars, and bellhousing. I also talked to a local
mechanic
who said the head itself wouldn't clear the lid. It's a really neat
engine
though! New models are totally drive by wire.

        Heat from the turbo shouldn't be a problem (there are lots
of TD out there and while gas engines run with a bit more waste heat,
I would doubt that it's going to be enough to melt your deck lid and
since the motor is running). Since it is a turbo, the exhaust system
is greatly simplied, and since it's a cross flow head, you don't
have any problems with interference on the left engine wall and the
intake manifold. Don't know how the coolant system outlets look
on the head/block though - the ones I looked at were all at dealer
lots with the plastic covers on the engines... Hrm, the turbo would
require a modified left/rear motor mount if you were using the
stock diesel mounts, and you probably need a strengthened clutch
kit (these things put out as much torque as the TDIs).

        Prices seem to be about the same as TDI engines - I was
quoted $3500 for a complete engine, engine management cruft, smog
cruft and exhaust system (to use for measurement possibles only
really). I know a guy who is on the audilist who got a shipment
of complete new engines (for audi conversions I would guess) and
was selling them for $3000 - however I don't know if that would
then include smog stuff nor do I know if he has any left. This
is really an ideal engine for a syncro as you don't NEED to
regear the tranny, but you can gear and go to larger tires for
fuel economy (you can time the regearing to coincide with the
120K*n rebuilds that these trannies are rumored to need anyway).

        Had this engine appeared to fit under the deck lid, I
would have researched the conversion a bit more to verify coolant
connections and motor mounts will work (the block looks the same
as the regular 1.8 blocks, however the mounting points in the
passat are different than the mounting points used in A1 and A2
cars with the 1.8). However, the head appears not to fit, and
I want my deck lid to stay stock...

dave