1Naudia4's VR-T Build Thread

[jsquillz22]

Lookin good Joey!

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Looks like I have a plan for when I retire my B5 :D

Jason

[1NaudiA4]

Had a bit of a change of plans with the car. I've diverted all the funds that I was planning on using to finish the build to snatching up a totaled S4 so that I can do an 01E swap into it prior to having the VR6 running. The torque from a HTA35r VR6 would just eat up the gears on a 01A. I figured I would at least save my pristine 01A from becoming a paper weight by doing it this way. Also decided I'm going to do a fully built forged bottom end with oversized valves on the motor instead of going the cheap route.

I'm on the lookout right now for anyone with a totaled or blown turbo S4 to snatch up.

Also, if anyone is looking for a pristine 01A shoot me a PM. I picked this 01A up with only 25,000 miles on it when I shredded my third gear a few years back. It only has 35,000 miles on it now and still shifts like butter.

[flynnr]

how much $$ for the tranny?

[melomandn]

Seerlah was looking for a tranny too, maybe shoot him a PM

[1NaudiA4]

how much $$ for the tranny?

Looking for around $500 plus shipping which will probably be about $100-150.

[A4Rob]

how much $$ for the tranny?

Didn't you just buy a trans Ryan?

[NeedingAnAudi]

I've been looking for a wrecked S4 also.

http://www.copart.com/c2/homeSearch....ageRange=99999

[1NaudiA4]

I've been looking for a wrecked S4 also.

http://www.copart.com/c2/homeSearch....ageRange=99999

I actually just won an auction today on one is St Louis. Going to be heading down there on Monday to trailer it back and then start swapping over all the 01E stuff and parting out all the rest.

There is also a nice one on IAA that just came up for auction in Iowa. Nogaro blue and pretty low mileage.

[NeedingAnAudi]

I actually just won an auction today on one is St Louis. Going to be heading down there on Monday to trailer it back and then start swapping over all the 01E stuff and parting out all the rest.

There is also a nice one on IAA that just came up for auction in Iowa. Nogaro blue and pretty low mileage.

Skirts and upper interior for very cheap??

[1NaudiA4]

Skirts and upper interior for very cheap??

You have first dibs if thats what you need. I'm going to be taking all the drivetrain stuff into my A4 but everything else is going. Also has a clean black leather interior. Only 96,000 miles. I'll update with some pics on Monday when I pick it up.

[flynnr]

Didn't you just buy a trans Ryan?

that was over 6 months ago! Lol. in sept I blew my tranny , but I want to build one with a 2.8 5th gear

I would rather get one locally though now that I think about it.

[1NaudiA4]

that was over 6 months ago! Lol. in sept I blew my tranny , but I want to build one with a 2.8 5th gear

I would rather get one locally though now that I think about it.

You should just do an 01E swap... I hear they're as easy as changing a valve cover gasket

[NeedingAnAudi]

You have first dibs if thats what you need. I'm going to be taking all the drivetrain stuff into my A4 but everything else is going. Also has a clean black leather interior. Only 96,000 miles. I'll update with some pics on Monday when I pick it up.

Sweet. Then I can come check out your build too!

[1NaudiA4]

Little update:

Picked up the S4 last week but haven't had too much time lately to really get to work on it. It was in a front end collision but it still ran and was overall in pretty good shape.

I played some tetris in the garage today so that I can fit all my cars in there since I hate leaving anything outside. Also got to clean up a little bit which was good.

The plan right now is to take out the motor/transmission so I can start swapping over all the 01E stuff to the A4. EVERYTHING else is going to be parted out then.

Onto the pics:

Picking it up from the salvage yard:



Home in the garage starting to inspect everything. The headlights actually still work although the tabs are broken and the passenger side has a crack in it.



Little side shot. Frame got tweaked a little bit on the passenger side so the fender got bent.



Interior shot. Everything is good except the air bags and the drivers bolster being worn out.



Playing tetris in the garage:



Engine shot:

[NeedingAnAudi]

That's a good sized garage!

[1NaudiA4]

That's a good sized garage!

Haha yeah its pretty big. We designed it so it would be able to fit our big work truck.

[bmx_a4]

I envy your garage. lol

Build is looking pretty sweet so far man!

[jaychen]

Joey,

Any updates on this thing?

[1NaudiA4]

Joey,

Any updates on this thing?

Should have a update later this week with some pics.

Things are starting to move forward though. I've been focusing mainly on getting everything off the part car S4 so that I have more room in my garage. Once the S4 is out I can start swapping over all the 01E stuff into the A4. I'm taking the black headliner out of the S4 and installing it in my A4 as well as all the double din center console stuff but that can wait until the whole VR6 thing is up and running. Also picked up a high CFM air compressor so I'm going to build a little sandblasting cabinet to clean up all the parts prior to putting everything back together. Other than that the head is at the machine shop right now getting freshened up and having some 034 HD valve springs and TI retainers installed.

At this point though I'm just waiting on the last parts I need to come in before I can start fabricating everything. I need the exhaust side for the turbo before I can make the downpipe, intake manifold before I can make the charge piping, and the cylinder head so I can take some measurements before I order the silicone and aluminum to make the coolant lines.

I also started looking for some brake replacements for my current brake set-up. I can either keep the brakes I have right now which are 996 calipers with 321mm rotors and snatch up some 2.8 A4 uprights or take the uprights off the S4 and piece together a cayenne brake kit which is what I'm leaning towards right now. It will just depend on whether or not anyone wants to buy my old brake setup.

[1NaudiA4]

My new brakes came in today Just need to find some time now to start putting all the parts on. Also need to find a buyer for my old 996 brakes to make up what I just spent on these....

Pics:





Bearing inserted into the caliper:

[AudiA4_20T]

did u sell the 2.7T? Nefkntym need one

[1NaudiA4]

did u sell the 2.7T? Nefkntym need one

Nope I still have it. I'm supposed to have a guy come by this weekend to pick it up but you never know. Stuff always falls through.

Don't mind shipping either if your interested.

[1NaudiA4]

Things are starting to get rolling again. Pushed the S4 outside so that I now have more room in the garage again.

Here is what was accomplished recently:

- Removed 996 brakes along with carriers and rotors
- Pulled out VR6, 01A, drive shaft, rear diff, front subframe, and control arms
- Transfer over hubs from 01A rear diff to 01E rear diff so that I don't have to swap over the rear axles
- Cleaned up the head surface off the VR6 that is going into the car
- Unbolted all the motor mount brackets and such from the mock up VR6
- Installed ARP rod bolts on VR6 that is going into the car
- Installed new upper control arms
- Cleaned and degreased heat shields/frame on passenger side

Here is what the garage looks like now.


S4 subframe in and frame rail degreased


S4 rear diff in


Cylinder head back from the machine shop looking all clean


Block before cleaning the surface


ARP Rod bolts installed

[1NaudiA4]

Things are starting to roll again. Engine is in the car and plumbing is almost finished. I finished up fabricating the downpipe, dump tube and making the lines for the oil cooler today. All I really need to do for the plumbing end of things is run the hoses for the coolant reservoir and make a oil return hose for the turbo. After that all that is needed is the electrical side of things with the coilpack and fuel injectors.

Hopefully I'll have this idling on Saturday

Dropping it in:


Front clip on:


As it sits:


Downpipe:

[jaychen]

Love your work Joey..

This thing is going to fucking fly!

[Seerlah]

Nice

How is it like doing all that work without a lift?

[1NaudiA4]

Nice

How is it like doing all that work without a lift?

Not too bad surprisingly. Dropping the transmission with the engine still in would be a different story but its not too bad with a hoist. Still have to work on my back for a few things though like tightening the driveshaft and axles.

[Seerlah]

What technique do you use to clean the head gasket flange on the block?

[1NaudiA4]

What technique do you use to clean the head gasket flange on the block?

Brass wire wheel on dremel, razor blade, and acetone with a rag. I didn't want to get any aluminum oxide dust in the block which meant no sand paper or scotch bright pads. Would hate for any aluminum oxide to get into the bearings and mess up my motor. Hopefully my bearings are okay with the arp rod bolts though. I know your supposed to take out the rods when you install them to verify the clearances but I didn't want to do a complete rebuild on this motor quite yet. Figure if the bearings do go out I'll only be out the $75 I paid for the short block and I could buy a complete motor from pick and pull for about $250.

[NeedingAnAudi]

Brass wire wheel on dremel, razor blade, and acetone with a rag. I didn't want to get any aluminum oxide dust in the block which meant no sand paper or scotch bright pads. Would hate for any aluminum oxide to get into the bearings and mess up my motor. Hopefully my bearings are okay with the arp rod bolts though. I know your supposed to take out the rods when you install them to verify the clearances but I didn't want to do a complete rebuild on this motor quite yet. Figure if the bearings do go out I'll only be out the $75 I paid for the short block and I could buy a complete motor from pick and pull for about $250.

I don't know if you know this but I just found an all Audi/VW junkyard in Melrose Park. Incase you need that engine or parts

[Seerlah]

I am asking about the mating surface because I plan on placing in my Brute rods and AEB pistons when I do my TB job. I was going to leave the short block in the vehicle, so was wondering about how to go about the surface. The cylinder head will be machined, but was not quite sure how to go about the engine, since it will still be in the car. Would you mind PMing me proper process, so I don't goof it up?

[1NaudiA4]

I don't know if you know this but I just found an all Audi/VW junkyard in Melrose Park. Incase you need that engine or parts

Is it that guy that advertises the cars/parts on craigslist? If so that guy is a douche... I'll only go to him if I couldn't find a part any where else.

I am asking about the mating surface because I plan on placing in my Brute rods and AEB pistons when I do my TB job. I was going to leave the short block in the vehicle, so was wondering about how to go about the surface. The cylinder head will be machined, but was not quite sure how to go about the engine, since it will still be in the car. Would you mind PMing me proper process, so I don't goof it up?

Eh I would probably pull everything out if your going to be putting rods in. That way you can take proper measurements and have everything cleaned up. Hopefully you'll be putting in some new rings and bearings at the same time. None the less I'll PM you the method I used for cleaning off the gunk.

[Seerlah]

Leaving main bearings alone, cylinder hone, new piston rings, and new rod bearings. Nothing major. I will be able to plasti gauge the rod bearing clearance with the engine still in the car. Not sure what other measurements to look for, other than piston rings (those of course need to be measured and filed). My plans was to just drop the pan, pop the cylinder head, and do it that way. I so far just have the Brute rods, AEB pistons (I have AWM), and honing tool. I'l pick up the rest of the stuff along the way.

[1NaudiA4]

Got a whole bunch of stuff done yesterday.

-Went to Mcmaster Carr to pick up some little odd and ends I need.
-Made the bracket for the coolant reservoir and coil pack where the battery used to be.
-Drilled the holes and installed the gromets for the spark plug wires to pass through.
-Assembled the turbo oil return hose. Tee'd into the heater hose for the line going into the coolant reservoir.
-Made a heatshield for my new brakes and installed the new brakes.
-Filled up the 01E with fluid.
-Bled the slave cylinder and brakes
-Mounted my catch can and welded a new 3/4" nipple on it
-Installed GM style plug ends on the stock VR6 plug wires
-Switched over the hose clamps from worm gear style to pinch clamp style. God I hate worm gear hose clamps with a passion.

At this point it just seems like all the little stuff is adding up. Final torque down should happen early this week so hopefully I'll have it up and running soon. I picked up some techflex from a friend for when I run the new wires for the waste spark coil pack and for the 2 new injector wires I need. I can almost hear it running already.

[NeedingAnAudi]

Is it that guy that advertises the cars/parts on craigslist? If so that guy is a douche... I'll only go to him if I couldn't find a part any where else.

Yea He seemed like one, but I can never find anything in any of the other junkyards. I guess vr's are more common I do see some mk3s.

I was going to do the same thing, do you feel this will still work properly like oem?

[1NaudiA4]

Yea He seemed like one, but I can never find anything in any of the other junkyards. I guess vr's are more common I do see some mk3s.



I was going to do the same thing, do you feel this will still work properly like oem?

I was unsure as to if it would work either at first but after looking at the way the OEM coolant system is plumbed on my MKIV VR6 Jetta it is the exact same way with the coolant reservoir feeding into the heater hose. I was going to run a separate hose like the stock A4 coolant system is right from the bottom of the lower radiator hose but it is so much easier this way.

[NeedingAnAudi]

I was unsure as to if it would work either at first but after looking at the way the OEM coolant system is plumbed on my MKIV VR6 Jetta it is the exact same way with the coolant reservoir feeding into the heater hose. I was going to run a separate hose like the stock A4 coolant system is right from the bottom of the lower radiator hose but it is so much easier this way.

where did you get that piece if you don't mind me asking?

Also, how are you going to cap lower rad hose-to-coolant bottle off?

[1NaudiA4]

where did you get that piece if you don't mind me asking?

Also, how are you going to cap lower rad hose-to-coolant bottle off?

Mcmaster carr. Its just a 1/2" brass tee that I got two 3/4" barbed male adapters and one 5/8" barbed male adapter.

For capping up the lower radiator hose I'm probably just going to get a 3/4" barbed male adapter and a cap to stuff in there.

[demonmk2]

when this is finished you will have definitely raised the bar.