*Low-Show-Go* --The Complete Build Thread (VR-T Content)

**onemoremile** · 02-07-2011 07:35 AM

That interior would look great with some matching orange trim like the fahrenheit gti.

**A4Rob** · 02-07-2011 03:13 PM

I am on my second 5-speed. It is fine for daily use. Brian will have no problem running the 01A (2.8) for the time being. Why replace it now with the 01E when his transmission is perfectly fine? I plan to upgrade to the 01E once I shred mine. I think Brian should do the same when the time comes.

As far as the custom work needed to do the swap... I highly doubt Brian has any plans to do what BigBoost is doing. At a minimum, he should be ready to modify the 034 engine cradels or make his own. Other than that, as long as he buys Issam's oil pan, starter, flywheel/clutch, ect he will not run into many problems. I am sure Brian has done his homework by reading some of the other VRT build threads. He will be just fine. I am not saying this swap is all unicorns and rainbows, but it has been done enough to identify potential major problems.

Keep it up Brian.

**A4_2.8tuner** · 02-07-2011 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by A4Rob

I am on my second 5-speed. It is fine for daily use. Brian will have no problem running the 01A (2.8) for the time being. Why replace it now with the 01E when his transmission is perfectly fine? I plan to upgrade to the 01E once I shred mine. I think Brian should do the same when the time comes.

As far as the custom work needed to do the swap... I highly doubt Brian has any plans to do what BigBoost is doing. At a minimum, he should be ready to modify the 034 engine cradels or make his own. Other than that, as long as he buys Issam's oil pan, starter, flywheel/clutch, ect he will not run into many problems. I am sure Brian has done his homework by reading some of the other VRT build threads. He will be just fine. I am not saying this swap is all unicorns and rainbows, but it has been done enough to identify potential major problems.

Keep it up Brian.

thanks Rob. You hit it right on the nail.

My build will not be AS crazy or custom as bigboost's (he has some pretty impressive fab work and stuff), however the shaved bay and custom hard lines around the engine, etc, should set this off nicely. I will have a custom IM fabbed up, as well as IC piping, etc, and if you know me and how I do things, everything will look top notch. I will continue the color theme of the car throughout the engine bay and make sure that everything is cleaned up to look new. Most bolts will probably be zinc plated to look brand new as well. I will NOT cut any corners, but am also not able to drop 30k on it either.

My goal is to have the bay look similar to Rob's (yes i'm gonna knock what you did to a certain extent), but with a VR6 in there

**A4_2.8tuner** · 02-08-2011 11:30 AM

Today's Update: I'm still waiting on my ARP hardware to show up so that I can ge that down to the machine shop and start the build. I also ordered the custom motor mount brackets as well as the custom 034 Longitudinal Starter. I wasn't planning to purchase those pieces yet, however I could not pass up the deal I found on them, as they were about half off of what they normally go for.

I also dropped off my lower intake mani with Justin @ Nubworks last night. He will be building me a custom mani. I'm stoked to see what he comes up with for a design. He does top notch work. If you havent seen his builds you should definitely check them out.

**Haenszel20v** · 02-08-2011 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by A4_2.8tuner

I also dropped off my lower intake mani with Justin @ Nubworks last night. He will be building me a custom mani. I'm stoked to see what he comes up with for a design. He does top notch work. If you havent seen his builds you should definitely check them out.

You're going to have him start this without the engine in the car to take measurements?

**A4_2.8tuner** · 02-08-2011 11:42 AM

He has other vr's he can mock up on, and I also will have nothing on that side of the bay. No ps, no abs unit. It will all be relocated so he will have more room to make something pretty trick. He's aware of the figment issues with the hood and rad support though too

**A4Rob** · 02-09-2011 08:52 AM

Did you order the 034 engine cradles yet? You really should mock up the motor. It would be a real shame to have a nice IM made that won't fit.

**ThatA4T** · 02-09-2011 09:07 AM

theres one in the classifides for sale still

**A4_2.8tuner** · 02-09-2011 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by A4Rob

Did you order the 034 engine cradles yet? You really should mock up the motor. It would be a real shame to have a nice IM made that won't fit.

The only real clearance issue will be with the hood, which he's already aware of (and alt). He has not begun dabbing it up yet, just coming up with ideas. We already had decided to wait until the motor was in to complete the design.

But to answer your question, yes the engine mounts have been ordered. Same thing that brian (haenszel20v) is running :)

**MrPibb** · 02-09-2011 03:56 PM

Your car makes me wet in parts i dont have. Props to ya man.

**.Mad Hatter.** · 02-12-2011 04:51 PM

Wow, I love that this car is still going through changes. Love it!

**A4_2.8tuner** · 02-14-2011 10:30 AM

^^^Thanks guys!

Motor is almost ready to remove. Will probably do so on my next 3-day weekend (in 2 weeks)

I spent an hour or so on Sunday morning removing the entire wiring harness for the motor, as well as the throttle body, plenum, and other random miscellaneous crap.

and after removing all of the junk, it looks like I can actually see the tranny now so that I can unbolt the bellhousing

then took some time off for a little Monster Jam action

The custom 034 starter that I ordered should arrive today, and the custom motor brackets I ordered should hopefully be here in the next week or so. Still waiting on my ARP hardware so that I can get it down to the machine shop.

**Coopa** · 02-18-2011 08:14 PM

I remember seeing your thread on vortex about refinishing your wheels and wondering if there was a build thread for your car. This will be a monster, no doubt.

**pipe7284** · 02-19-2011 01:44 PM

this car is now in the list of my favorites along with A4Rob`s and Mike Hood`s cars. Love all three.

**Sleeping_A4** · 02-22-2011 05:30 AM

Beautiful!

**A4Rob** · 02-22-2011 01:47 PM

Brian... I am nervous. You have not called me in over 4 days. Is everything OK?

**A4_2.8tuner** · 02-22-2011 10:50 PM

Haha I died.

Jk, just hasn't been any progress since my Arp Shit still hasn't arrived....gahhhhhh!!!

**Ldiaz12** · 02-23-2011 03:23 AM

Hey do you have a full Port and Polish Intake Manifold on your 12v V6? if so are you selling it? also any other part from that engine you're willing to let go.

**Haenszel20v** · 02-24-2011 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by A4_2.8tuner

But to answer your question, yes the engine mounts have been ordered. Same thing that brian (haenszel20v) is running :)

Q is making you a set?

**A4_2.8tuner** · 02-24-2011 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Haenszel20v

Q is making you a set?

Yup.I think he's starting on them today actually

**A4_2.8tuner** · 03-08-2011 08:20 AM

I finally got the motivation to pull the motor a week and a half ago. So here it is...the bay is finally empty. It's amazing how dirty it is once you pull it and can finally see places you could never see before. I also removed everything else that was in the bay including the ABS control module, which will be relocated to the battery tray. All brake lines will be completely re-done and bent. I started grinding some tabs and brackets off last night, but I am going to wait to REALLY get into it until this weekend, so that I can pressure wash the bay out and get it dirt/grime free and have a clean workspace.

**SpeedWorksAuto** · 03-08-2011 07:15 PM

Are you going to be making your own lines for the abs move.

**A4_2.8tuner** · 03-08-2011 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by SpeedWorksAuto

Are you going to be making your own lines for the abs move.

Yeah we will be doing all new lines. It will look like it came that way from the factory. My roommates dad is pro at bending lines like that. I'm very big on doing it right or not doing it at all so I want it to look pro. This whole project is gonna take a while but I got nothing but time haha

**wesleyfbm** · 03-08-2011 08:31 PM

Are you going to run new gas lines too? And how about AC line??

**SpeedWorksAuto** · 03-09-2011 02:00 AM

Nice. I've already relocated the p.s, and coolant, just was wary about that abs. Can't wait to see yours.

**A4_2.8tuner** · 03-09-2011 08:39 AM

I will be running new fuel lines yeah. AC has been removed. I will more than likely not have power steering also. Its going to be very bare bones. Luckily from What I can see the main fuel line is already in the correct spot, its the two return lines ill need to really mess with, however all lines will be upgraded

**Haenszel20v** · 03-09-2011 08:48 AM

I would suggest keeping power steering. There's a big difference between a mk1 with no PS and a B5. The main PS pressure line for a 1.8t meets up with the vr6 power steering pump with a little futzing.

**A4_2.8tuner** · 03-09-2011 03:21 PM

Are the brackets quintin makes, ps friendly? Im not against keeping the ps, just one more thing to relocate :)

**Haenszel20v** · 03-09-2011 04:13 PM

Yes, that's why we made our own instead of doing 034's. You just have to trim a little bit of the backside of the accessory bracket to clear the mount bracket/bolt.

**Wizard-of-OD** · 03-09-2011 06:47 PM

Looking good so far :D

**A4Rob** · 03-09-2011 07:42 PM

Still no coilovers yet? Come on Brian!

**A4_2.8tuner** · 03-09-2011 10:50 PM

Damn rob I'm not as baller as you! Haha ill be getting some before the car hits the road. Probably either st or ksport.

And brian, it sounds like ill keep the power steering. Thanks for the heads up

**the_pirate** · 03-10-2011 05:24 AM

Always liked your car. Didn't know how I felt about the color matched lips on the wheels but I can dig it.

**Sigma 3** · 03-11-2011 11:26 AM

Looking good B. I cant wait to start mine.

**ADV.1 Matt** · 03-11-2011 01:29 PM

Subbed for updates! Looks like a sweet build!

**A4_2.8tuner** · 03-13-2011 05:00 PM

Did more work today. We welded up every hole in the engine bay and I began grinding. Will finish up more grinding tomorrow. We also need to weld in sheet metal on each side from the frame rail up to the top of the fenders. Once I get the grinding done I will start on my filler work (hopefully this next week)

Here are some progress pics.

**Seerlah** · 03-13-2011 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by A4_2.8tuner

We also need to weld in sheet metal on each side from the frame rail up to the top of the fenders.

First off, I wanted to say I always thought you had one of the cleanest B5 A4s on this forum board (among others). But I was wondering, what is the sheet metal for? Purely ascetics? If so, just a thought that you may want to consider engine bay temps if blocking off that area. Anyways, nice thread

.

**A4_2.8tuner** · 03-17-2011 02:15 PM

Thanks for the compliments bro. Adding some sheet metal to the sides won't affect the ability to cool the engine. There will stol be enough open space to circulate air.

Also, I've added my build thread to thesteppedout.com too. Site is dedicated to build threads of any make of car. Check it out! Most updates will be posted there

**nefkntym** · 05-23-2011 03:49 PM

I just stumbled across this thread. Any updates? Aside from Brian, Justin and Rob, it is nice to see others that hate themselves too. I am swapping a 24V VR6 into a B6 Avant right now.

The car looked nice before hand, I am looking forward to the end results.

Subd.

**A4_2.8tuner** · 06-27-2011 09:22 PM

not alot of progress has been made in the past few months. I recently lost my job last week, so i'm frantically searching for a new one...i've been extremely stressed and kinda depressed over it, but it is what it is. I started on the bay shave a few months ago, but in the meantime my 2nd b5 was totalled. I then picked up a mk3 and did work on that, so the a4 project took a backseat for a while (and may until i can find a job again).

here is a closeup of the bay currently. Hoping to get back into it in the next week or so.

Here is a picture of the mk3 i just built for those who are interested in. isn't perfect by ANY means, but it was a budget built daily. it will get beat on haha

The day I picked her up

The steering wheel was shot, so I decided to pick up a Driver's Edition wheel on the cheap, and finish it off with a "genuine italian leather" shift boot and ebrake boot with red stitch

Then came the bodywork...I decided to get a respray. I was unhappy with the paintjob and god-awful amount of dings the car had, so I felt it was necessary. While I was at it I figured I might as well shave the rear hatch as well as the windshield washer nozzles and the antenna that was on the fender...I mean, who needs the radio anyways? I also did a Jetta front end conversion and added some new e-codes.

Oh yeah, also decided to shave the bumper while I was at it too.

some crappy cell pics

and my favorite...

List of stuff done:
*Respray of black w/copper flake
*15x7.5" Konig Candy Wheels w/Federal Formoza tires
*Tuningart Coilovers (cheappppppp)
*New front windshield (other was cracked to hell)
*New Clear/Red/Red tails
*Jetta Ecode Headlights
*Jetta front end conversion
*Shaved Bumper, Washer Nozzles, Hatch and Antenna
*Driver's Edition Steering Wheel + Shift Boot and E-Brake Boot
*Euro Duckbill Lip Spoiler