Buying a donor car...

[webink]

I'm wanting to buy donor car for an auto manual conversion on my 2001 A4 1.8 k04. What should I look for or stay away from? Are the 2.8 manual trannys any stronger than the ones out of the 1.8 manuals? Are there any 6 speed trannys that would mate up?

[andyrew]

2.8 trani's are just as strong as the 1.8t, and by that, I mean they are bulletproof from a 4 cylinder. The S4 trani's can work with the right clutch/flywheel and they are 6 speeds. But expect to pay close to 2k for a good one. Your 1.8 doesnt need it anyways. For the best power to the road and gas mileage, stick with a 1.8 trani. Note, Im pretty sure you need to swap in a manual rear end as well as the ratio is different from an auto.

[walky_talky20]

No need to buy an entire car. You don't need *that* much stuff. At junkyard prices, all the parts can be had for around $500-700 (minus the clutch). I got a used stock clutch kit for basically free from somebody that upgraded , and I just bought a new disc. After selling my auto trans, my entire swap cost me $100.

Unless you are getting the donor A4 for less than a grand, I'd just buy the parts separately. Check out my swap thread and Biketsai's legendary DIY guide for parts list information.

[webink]

I'll check out that thread walky. Thanks to both of you for that advice. I'll research the clutch options...shouldn't need anything too crazy with a k04 with a 93 tune.

[redline380]

for clutch, get ra4 converion from ecs. as far as buying a donor car, if you can get a smashed 1.8t for less than a grand, do it. youll have all the parts you need for the swap, and youll have either extra parts for yourself or to sell. then when its all done, haul it in for scrap for another 200$. just try to get a donor car thats same year as yours so all parts are the same.