2.8 gear box in a 1.8T

[AFOUR_PLAY]

Why do people change the 1.8T gear box to the 2.8 ?
Are the gears longer/shorter or stronger?

[EVIL-AUDI]

The gear are taller in the 2.8 box. Lower rpm's in higher speeds.

[SoleMate]

How costly is this mod? Anyone here done it?

[A4_Andre]

dont need to do it here

[EVIL-AUDI]

A few on AW have done it.

[AFOUR_PLAY]

So, it's more about top speed, does acceleration suffer?

[excursion]

A very worthwhile mod. Mine used to do 150 flat out, but that was at 6k+ rpm. It would have done more with a taller 5th. The cars dont cruise well, too many RPM's at motorway speeds. The 1800T uses a N/A 1.8 box.

[marked001]

Originally posted by AFOUR_PLAY
So, it's more about top speed, does acceleration suffer?

I dont think its necessarily about top speed..its about having taller gears and more time for a big turbo to spool before shifting..

[A4Jon1.8t]

This might be a little off topic cause I know you guys are talking about manual transmissions but...
Will a 2.8 Tiptronic fit a 1.8T? I currently have a Tiptronic in my 1.8T and would like something that can hold a little more power before I start pumping this thing up and ruining my transmission. How much power will the 2.8 Tip hold?

[A4 in SC]

I would *LOVE* to have a 2.8 gearbox in my 1.8T. One thing though, would I need to change the rear diff too? Sorry, I don't know that much about quattro yet...

Later,
Mike

[MKGIY]

No need to change the rear diff. I dont think it is a direct bolt on but I could be wrong.

Mike

[A4 in SC]

Sorry if that sounded stupid. Like I said, I don't know that much about quattro yet. Of course, it's all theoretical for me, as there are alot of other things I want more first...

Mike

[MKGIY]

Dont sweat it bro, it didnt sound stupid.

Mike

[Devious27t]

Originally posted by A4 in SC
I would *LOVE* to have a 2.8 gearbox in my 1.8T. One thing though, would I need to change the rear diff too? Sorry, I don't know that much about quattro yet...

Later,
Mike

only the S4 tranny requires a rear diff and driveshaft... iirc the 2.8 only has taller 1-3 and 4,5 are the same as the 1.8t.... you can search on AW for more info, i havent searched this topic in awhile.

[A4Jon1.8t]

Originally posted by A4Jon1.8t
This might be a little off topic cause I know you guys are talking about manual transmissions but...
Will a 2.8 Tiptronic fit a 1.8T? I currently have a Tiptronic in my 1.8T and would like something that can hold a little more power before I start pumping this thing up and ruining my transmission. How much power will the 2.8 Tip hold?

So, nobody knows if the 2.8 Tip will fit the 1.8T?

[Devious27t]

Originally posted by A4Jon1.8t
So, nobody knows if the 2.8 Tip will fit the 1.8T?

you are assuming that they are different, i would not know if they were or not but there is a chance that they are the same trannies... you might search audiworld or scour the net for gear ratios on the 2.8 tip then go from there.... i would assume that they would fit as car companies rarely spline their trannies differently among the same platform...

[Mike~p]

off topic but my tranny is done for, witch sum of you know, and could this be because of my ko4 and other stuff ive done to it...mabie it just couldnt take the small amount of power the ko4 puts out or something?

[AsianA408]

yeah what he said.. only ppl on AW have that kinda money... hehe

[Rieger_RS4]

I have a tip and would love to drop a manual in and go GT28R.......how big of a tipa is the swap? will a 2.8 manul work in a tip 1.8t? what other parts would be needed?

[EVIL-AUDI]

The swap from a tip to a manual is a incredible undertaking and not worth it.

[Rieger_RS4]

what exactly would need to be done if lets say I found a donor car!

[BQAD]

If you had a donor car with all the stock 5-spd parts then it would be possible. I did this on a 1988 Firebird Forumla 350 about 10 years ago. For an A4 you'd probably need the trans, clutch, flywheel, pedals, sensors, shifter, trim pieces, computer, possibly driveshaft, etc. Although I really doubt it is worth all the effort when you could just sell yours and buy one with a 5-spd. The only reason I did it to the Firebird was because I didn't have any other option. It didn't come with a manual trans option from the factory, it was auto only.

[excursion]

don't forget the wiring loom, it's totally different.

[EVIL-AUDI]

exactly

[Devious27t]

friends dont let friends buy tiptronics....

[A4Jon1.8t]

Originally posted by DVS18t
friends dont let friends buy tiptronics....

Tiptronics are great, unless you're going for all out performance. Would you buy an RS6? All it comes with is a Tiptronic, there's no manual transmission option.

[Devious27t]

Originally posted by A4Jon1.8t
Tiptronics are great, unless you're going for all out performance. Would you buy an RS6? All it comes with is a Tiptronic, there's no manual transmission option.

If I had the money to buy an RS6 i would just import and RS6 plus with the 6-speed.... so to answer your question no i would not buy an auto...

[AFOUR_PLAY]

let me brush the dust off this topic.

Anyone who has installed the 2.8 gear box in their 1.8T with a K04 care to share a review.

Particularly if the install needs anything changed or direct bolt on
Does the k04 perform better etc

[AB18]

Yes, i have. I will try and exlpain the best i can. Ok, we all know the ko4 power band is lower in the rpms. And with the 1.8ts trans the lil gears are so short and small that ur first and sec have nothin. Well, with the 2.8s trans, ur rpms stay lower, but u have a higher speed, and all this time the rpms are staying lower in the ko4 power band, makeing the whole car faster. I let 2 buddies drive the car before and after the 2.8s trans, both said the car pulled harder and longer, make it alot faster. Also, it helps alot with 1/4 times because u can stay in 3rd. 95mph in 3rd is about 6700 to 6800. So it works out perfect.All in all, with a ko4, where the power band is low, u need a 2.8 trans to keep u down there longer, and u will pull harder and longer.

[Juggernaut A4]

has anyone done an S4 6 spd tranny swap into the 1.8T. I like the idea of having a 6 spd and its probably a little stronger right? any input on this?

[AB18]

Its not worth it, becuase my 1st,2nd,3rd, in my 2.8 trans are the exact some ratios as the s4 1st,2nd,3rd. The tall are dif but u get the point.

[bitterchild]

driver's side tranny mount from 1.8t onto 2.8 tranny and it bolts right in for all those asking.

[4BUCK]

1st and 2nd are soooo short on the 1.8T IMO. Doesn't APR or somebody sell a taller 5th gear either alone or as part of a kit? What pisses me off more than the short 1st gear, is when I'm cruising on the highway at 80-85mph at 4,000rpm!

[AB18]

Yeah, thats why it helped me alot so much. All the ko4 torque is down low, and the 2.8 lets u stay down there in the "meat" (as bitter says) of the powerband.

[RedRocket]

Haha, one could justifly spending the money if they think of long term fuel consumption.

[A4Rob]

I have the e2.8 gearbox in my car.

[awahl63]

How much would all of this cost...?

[Jeff]

Originally posted by awahl63
How much would all of this cost...?

You can find a fair condition 2.8 gearbox for a few hundred bucks at junkyards. The beauty of it is that the 2.8's are considered "junk" to many, making their parts readily available and cheaper as well.

[A4Rob]

I got my 2.8 box used for $800

[mike-2ptzero]

Prices on the 2.8 gear box are going up because of demand by the 1.8t group buying them up. I cant wait to take my car to 8200 rpms with the 2.8 trans, this will allow me to hit around 124 mph in 3rd gear with my 235/45/17 tire setup.


click here for gearing calc