If I were to...

[K04B5]

guys I currently have a 2000 A4 1.8T FWD tiptronic.... I've thinking about swapping to quattro via a wrecked donor car and possibly swapping to manual. Now for the questions that need to be answered ASAP!!!!:

1) if I just do the quattro swap and stay tiptronic... with the swapping of the transmissions, I would just need another tiptronic quattro tranny right? meaning from another 1.8T A4... it would bolt up the ATW engine just fine?

2) if I were to swap in quattro and swap over to manual, I would then need a 1.8T engine that was manual because the cranks are different correct?

3) I think I once read about swapping a 2.8 manual into the 1.8T, is that right? Any way to get a 6speed to mount to the ATW 1.8T?

[biketsai]

I would just say-dont do it

[K04B5]

I would just say-dont do it

why... give me some reasons... i can get a wrecked a4 for DIRT cheap

[njm23]

ignore, ha... to much work imo when u can buy a good a4 for less than 8k with everything u want.. The time to do that just isn't worth it, unless u have a spare car to drive for the down time and good fabricating skills.

EDIT and yes the cranks are the only difference, I believe it is specifically the pilot bearing. And the 2.8 does swap in, idk about the 6spd s4..

[NK2007]

1) Yes, it will bolt up. You'll need the tranny computer as well.
2) Correct. You could also swap the crank. If you are going to be swapping to quattro, you should be able to handle swapping the crank.
3)Yes, both the 2.8 trans and the 6 spd will bolt up. The 2.8 requires you to modify the subframe or swap to the 2.8 subframe. Also, the trans mounts would be required to bolt up. 6 spd trans requires a different flywheel and clutch.

[NK2007]

Why wont the awd trans bolt to the fwd motor? We can use blocks from vw's that are fwd.

Or maybe i am completely off.

[Poopie]

you won't be able to swap quattro to a FWD frame.

[NK2007]

why... give me some reasons... i can get a wrecked a4 for DIRT cheap

Do it! It won't be that bad! Save the cost in registering a new car, selling yours, etc.

[njm23]

I think that's my bad haha. But either way, the price b5 a4's sell at now it just isn't worth it

Why wont the awd trans bolt to the fwd motor? We can use blocks from vw's that are fwd.

Or maybe i am completely off.

[NK2007]

you won't be able to swap quattro to a FWD frame.

Do you know what the difference is? and technically its not a frame but a unibody... You would think the mounting points would be the same, just the subframes different.

There was a guy a year or two ago that swapped a haldex awd system from a gti into a golf. He had to weld the floorpan from the gti into the golf, but it was do-able

[NK2007]

the price b5 a4's sell at now it just isn't worth it

Yea, that is the same boat for selling his a4... it would sell for less than he has into it i am sure, especially with fwd. Plus you know the maintenance records and history...

[Poopie]

Do you know what the difference is? and technically its not a frame but a unibody... You would think the mounting points would be the same, just the subframes different.

There was a guy a year or two ago that swapped a haldex awd system from a gti into a golf. He had to weld the floorpan from the gti into the golf, but it was do-able

back half of the car is completely different. its not just lacking components. the way the shocks mount to the chassis and the control arm mounting points are differnent and lack of a mounting position for the diff and diff mount. exhaust set ups are also different. at this point, the cost of modding everything would exceed the price of a car.

[njm23]

Put it to stock and get rid of it. It's FWD and Auto Just so much work to make it awd and HOPEFULLY a manual, not to mention if the donor car isn't a 2000 he needs new computer ect.. He'll be so deep as far as money is concerned that he cud have owned an awd manual s4 whens it said and done. And what poopie said...

[NK2007]

back half of the car is completely different. its not just lacking components. the way the shocks mount to the chassis and the control arm mounting points are differnent and lack of a mounting position for the diff and diff mount. exhaust set ups are also different. at this point, the cost of modding everything would exceed the price of a car.

Ahh, I see. I didn't realize it was that different.

Anyway, sounds like this is pretty similar with what you would have to do:
http://forums.fourtitude.com/zerothr...3017529&page=1

That is the thread i mentioned earlier. He had to weld in the floorpan and inner fenders. It is a lot of work, but i don't know about having a ton of money in the car. If you know how to weld, have some technical knowledge, and can get a parts car for cheap that has the parts you need and isn't damaged where you need it, it is very doable. And the exhaust was mentioned... again, with a welder, amazing things are possible!

Not trying to sound like a dick, I just love projects like this! I still say go for it!

[K04B5]

back half of the car is completely different. its not just lacking components. the way the shocks mount to the chassis and the control arm mounting points are differnent and lack of a mounting position for the diff and diff mount. exhaust set ups are also different. at this point, the cost of modding everything would exceed the price of a car.

Are the mounting points for the differential and control arms there in a FWD car? I know i'd have to swap out the gas tank, exhausts, thats no biggie. You guys this wouldn't be hard to do if the mounting points are all there. My bro has a shop, and with some audi friends i think we'd have it knocked out in a day, with both cars up on different lifts. The donor car would have EVERYTHING, tranny computer and gas tank... the exhaust is getting redone anyways...

[K04B5]

i do want to avoid welding anything though... i guess i need to know if its possible

[Poopie]

if you had a quattro donor car...wouldn't it make more sense to swap the usuable FWD into the quattro chassis?

[NK2007]

It sounds like the mounting points are not there. However, It sounds like you have the resources to get it done. Even if the points aren't there, something could be fabbed up to mount it. And while you are at it, stiffen it up! One of my other hobbies is offroading, and there are many jeep guys that take unibodies and plate the body and fab suspension mounting points.

[K04B5]

It sounds like the mounting points are not there. However, It sounds like you have the resources to get it done. Even if the points aren't there, something could be fabbed up to mount it. And while you are at it, stiffen it up! One of my other hobbies is offroading, and there are many jeep guys that take unibodies and plate the body and fab suspension mounting points.

haha i like your attitude about this!!!

[K04B5]

if you had a quattro donor car...wouldn't it make more sense to swap the usuable FWD into the quattro chassis?

could be possible, but the outside of mine is rather prestine...

[K04B5]

1) Yes, it will bolt up. You'll need the tranny computer as well.
2) Correct. You could also swap the crank. If you are going to be swapping to quattro, you should be able to handle swapping the crank.
3)Yes, both the 2.8 trans and the 6 spd will bolt up. The 2.8 requires you to modify the subframe or swap to the 2.8 subframe. Also, the trans mounts would be required to bolt up. 6 spd trans requires a different flywheel and clutch.

the six speed... would that come from a S4? and that would bolt up to the ATW crank?

[njm23]

In a day? damn man you are optimistic as hell.

[NK2007]

Yes and yes. As long as its the manual transmission crank.
If you do the 6 speed, you would need the s4 diff as well. The rest could be off a4s but parts would have to be pieced together. I'm not positive, but the 2.8 axles or axle flanges can be swapped onto the tranny, allowing you to use cheaper a4 parts. I would suggest searching for some 6 spd swap threads. I'm pretty sure you can get the 6 speed from a b6 as well. I'd have to look into it a little further before i'd say for sure.

[K04B5]

cost excluded, would you take the 6spd hands down? then the 2.8 5 speed over the normal 1.8T 5 speed?

[njm23]

Hell yeah, I'd love to have that 6spd for the highway. Def over the 2.8 But don't you need to change everything to run the s4 trans? meaning your brakes/hubs and everything since it is larger? or..

[NK2007]

It depends on what you would be using the car with. The 1.8t trans is better for drag than the 2.8, but I'm not sure about the 6 speed's gearing. If i were to do it, I would deffinitely go 6spd, money aside. For simplicity go 1.8t or 2.8 trans, 2.8 for highway speeds.

[njm23]

01E 6 speed has 4.11:1 gears and a4 01A 5 speed 3.89:1 gears

[NK2007]

Whats the gearing difference between the S4 tranny and the b6 6 spd? (I'm not sure what the transmission codes are, but im assuming the 01e is the s4?)

[njm23]

yeah.. the 3.0 B6 6spd has 4.11:1 ratio also.

[NK2007]

Ok, so after some searching, it is quite clear that you would need to weld the floorpan into the fwd car, or some custom fab for your floorpan.

As far as the 6 spd goes, you could use the s4 one (01e) or the b6 one (01x) from a 3.0 a4, or any b6 2004 or newer. If you use the 01x, you can use b5 parts to make it bolt in place (tailhousing, motor mount, axle flanges, etc.) In either case, you would need the correct driveshaft and rear diff.

The easiest thing to do would be to use a b5 a4 (5spd) awd parts car that was in a front end collision, strip off the seam sealer, and drill out the spot welds holding the floorpan in. You would then need to do the same for your car, and then weld the new pan in, and the rest should bolt up.

Another thing you would have to consider is the front suspension. I am not sure how that all differs fwd to awd, but things to check there would be axles and axle flanges, wheelbearing sizes, etc.

Basically it comes down to this(and i have said this before): If you can weld, get a parts car for cheap, with no damage to the rear end, its doable. It would be a lot of work on your part welding the new pan in, but it the swap could be done cheaply or even free (other than time of course) if you parted out your donor car after you swapped the parts you need.

Otherwise, as everyone else has said, sell your car and buy an awd. Or, buy an awd car with a blown motor, and swap your parts over.