What do I need to know about swapping an 02 (AMB) into an 04?

[PRY4SNO]

Donor car has a TIP, mine is 6 speed and I want to sell my chipped ECU to recoup some cost. School me before I begin, as I get back from work Wednesday night; so I start Thursday.

[nein-reis]

Pull out your motor, put new one in same way. There is nothing different about the AMB as far as install.

[PRY4SNO]

And the ECU? I recall something about the model year needing to match up, so I'd need the '02 ECU?

[dougyfresh]

Donor car has a TIP, mine is 6 speed and I want to sell my chipped ECU to recoup some cost.

Which car has the chipped ECU? You can't sell the 2004 ECu out of your car because you need it (see my note #2 below).


#1) Engine will bolt up to your 6spd minus the issue with the lack of pilot bearing provision in the automatic transmission engine (2002 Donor).

#2) Use the ECu from your 2004 since A) 2002 ECu is different and not compatible with your 2004 chassis and B) 2002 ECu is for a TIP and would need to be reprogrammed by your dealership for use in a manual transmission car (your 2004).


SO, yes, it can be done but you have one big hurdle: the pilot bearing

Why are you doing this? What is wrong with the motor in your 2004?

[PRY4SNO]

Which car has the chipped ECU? You can't sell the 2004 ECu out of your car because you need it (see my note #2 below).


#1) Engine will bolt up to your 6spd minus the issue with the lack of pilot bearing provision in the automatic transmission engine (2002 Donor).

#2) Use the ECu from your 2004 since A) 2002 ECu is different and not compatible with your 2004 chassis and B) 2002 ECu is for a TIP and would need to be reprogrammed by your dealership for use in a manual transmission car (your 2004).


SO, yes, it can be done but you have one big hurdle: the pilot bearing

Why are you doing this? What is wrong with the motor in your 2004?

Thanks for the quick reply!

Chipped ECU is the original, the 04.

Reason being found here: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...(Now-with-LOGS!!!)

Cliff notes: bottom knocks, pistons hi-5ing heads.

[nein-reis]

I did not realize you had a manual and were putting a auto TIP motor in it (A+ for reading)... yeah, pilot bearing is your main and big issue. Could you not find another manual based block?

And you will not be able to use the new ECU with your car, as Doug said.

[PRY4SNO]

I did not realize you had a manual and were putting a auto TIP motor in it (A+ for reading)... yeah, pilot bearing is your main and big issue. Could you not find another manual based block?

And you will not be able to use the new ECU with your car, as Doug said.

While it may have been possible, time and cost were the main factors in choosing the car I purchased. Being my daily driver I need to get it on the road again sooner than later. Plus I have the trans and drivetrain sold already so that helps fund the rebuild (tools, rods, etc).

[dougyfresh]

While it may have been possible, time and cost were the main factors in choosing the car I purchased. Being my daily driver I need to get it on the road again sooner than later. Plus I have the trans and drivetrain sold already so that helps fund the rebuild (tools, rods, etc).

what trans and drivetrain sold? the manual? So, you are doing a manual to automatic conversion? Your comments jump around. I can't follow.

[nein-reis]

Yeah, maybe you should layout clearly what your doing... I'm lost now too.

[PRY4SNO]

Sorry guys I was posting on the fly at work.

Car dies and necessitates rebuild on motor. Instead of rebuilding motor that's had the heads redone once already I found a lower mileage salvage car. Buy parts car with auto trans and will sell quattro and tiptronic transmission on removal to build up funds.

Need a list of tips/tricks and pointers from those of you who've been there, done that, so I can smooth the process along.

So far I understand I'll need a machine shop to attach the pilot bearing on the 02 engine to fit it into my 04 (manual) chassis.

[dougyfresh]

So far I understand I'll need a machine shop to attach the pilot bearing on the 02 engine to fit it into my 04 (manual) chassis.

That is all you need. Use the 2002 engine as-is (block and head and internals) and use everything else from your 2004 (ECu, accessories, flywheel, clutch, etc..)

Quite simple once the pilot bearing is figured out.

[PRY4SNO]

That is all you need. Use the 2002 engine as-is (block and head and internals) and use everything else from your 2004 (ECu, accessories, flywheel, clutch, etc..)

Quite simple once the pilot bearing is figured out.

Awesome.

An old codger at work said I'd need a balanced flywheel while doing this job, but he's coming from a Chevy background. Does that wisdom apply in this instance?

[JPC1.8t]

Quite simple once the pilot bearing is figured out.

Anyone have an idea of what kind of work/expense might be involved with this? I've never seen the guts of an auto trans or rear of the block. Is it just lacking the location for the bearing to accept the shaft? (That's what she said?)

[PRY4SNO]

Wait a minute.

I have two AMB engines. One TIP and one 6MT. Can't I just reuse the crank/pilot bearing assembly from the blown engine? Using a new pilot bearing, of course.

[nofearhawk]

Yes, you could, but you might as well do rods then if you're taking out the crank. Light hone, piston rings and you'll have a like new built block.

I happen to have a set of new IE 19mm rods....

[nein-reis]

Wait a minute.

I have two AMB engines. One TIP and one 6MT. Can't I just reuse the crank/pilot bearing assembly from the blown engine? Using a new pilot bearing, of course.

Yep, if you go that route you can just re-use your old crank assuming its healthy. But this will take another level of work... you will need to replace all main bearings, rod bearings, end cap bolts, rear main seal, timing belt and crank dampener bolt at the very least. I see no reason to put new rods in unless your doing big power down the road, but you might as well do piston rings at this time also along with head gasket. If you re-use your old crank, make sure you check all bearing clearances since that motor was compromised.

[JPC1.8t]

Yep, if you go that route you can just re-use your old crank assuming its healthy. But this will take another level of work... you will need to replace all main bearings, rod bearings, end cap bolts, rear main seal, timing belt and crank dampener bolt at the very least. I see no reason to put new rods in unless your doing big power down the road, but you might as well do piston rings at this time also along with head gasket. If you re-use your old crank, make sure you check all bearing clearances since that motor was compromised.

So to sum it up. if you had an auto block, and wanted to mate that with a manual trans you'd only need to use a crank for a manual setup and that solves the pilot bearing issue?