The B6 Chassis has always been lost. It has looked high and low for years for the proper motor,
but always felt like there was something missing. That gap has been filled with the B6 2.7T
motor swap, and this is EVERYTHING you need to know.
What is the 2.7T?
It's basically the V6 version of a 1.8T, with not 1 K03, but two (AWESOME).
What years was it made? In North America, it was made from 2000-2004 and here are the differences
2000: Bosch MAF, bolt down coils, no immob
2001: Hitachi MAF, bolt down coils, no immob
2002: Hitachi MAF, bolt down coils, no immob
2003 (A6): Hitachi MAF, push down coils, immob, SAI (which sucks)
2004 (A6): Hitachi MAF, push down coils, immob, SAI (which sucks)
So which one should I get?
Honestly, this is preference. The 03-04 do have the push down coils and better ECUs, but this involves getting the immob defeated and also the tuning support sucks, so you are better off getting a 2000-2002 A6/S4 harness&ECU and going from there. The A6 and S4 are identical in parts so no difference between which one you get. Also, you can run any 00-02 ECU with any 00-02 harness. I would recommend getting a manual harness but it's not the biggest deal if you can't.
Is it easier to get the whole car or just the motor?
- Honestly you need nothing else from the car so I would look for a COMPLETE motor. You'll end up paying a LOT of money if you don't get something that's complete.
How much should I pay for the motor?
- This has a million factors at play, but a normal 2.7T goes for between $1200-2000. I paid $1200 but then had to get an ECU/fan module/etc.
What do I sacrifice with a swap like this?
- Absolutely nothing if you don't want to. All my gauges work, no CELs (due to the swap), and it drives like it was meant to be there. Cruise control is optional, and I haven't done it, but it can be done.
What do I need from said A6/S4 for all platforms? (parts by platform will be split up later)
- Entire Motor (EVERYTHING).
- Harness/ECU from the 2.7T
- A6/S4 power steering line
- A6/S4 SMIC brackets (if you don't want to run a FMIC)
- Snub mount bracket (one that attaches to the motor)
- Fan Control Module/Harness (unless you want to go some custom route)
- Alternator/Starter wire from the battery down the passenger frame rail
- Some kind of downpipes that fit. I've heard SSAC do, stock downpipes DO NOT
Which car should I start with?
This is also a tough question because it's preference. The easiest one BY FAR is the 3.0 because of the engine mounting, fuel system, A/C, radiator. The 3.0 block is basically just an aluminum 2.7T so it makes things easy. Some may prefer the 1.8T because you can get them cheap nowadays and some may prefer the S4 for the seats/brakes/bumpers/obviousthings/etc
Will I pass emissions?
While emissions varies state to state and technically putting an older motor in a newer car is not allowed, the car itself by this time thinks it has a 2.7T. VAG-COM reads 2.7T on it, you can clear codes, check them, log, check emissions, etc. So, when they hook the scanner up, as long as you have everything hooked up on the 2.7T to pass emissions, it will. This is awesome news because I know it can be a huge pain in some states
Now onto the swap....
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How does the motor mount up to the engine mounts?
1.8T: Drops right onto the mounting brackets
3.0: Drops right onto the mounting brackets
4.2: requires 1.8T/3.0 mounting brackets
How does the motor mount up to the trans?
1.8T: Needs B5 S4 trans plate (not verified)
3.0: Needs B5 S4 trans plate (this is a 2.7T trans)
4.2: Needs B5 S4 trans plate
What transmissions can I use?
- B5 A4 1.8T Quattro/FWD
- B5 A4 2.8 Quattro/FWD
- B5/A6 2.7T (preferred but needs other parts to install)
- B6 A4 1.8T Quattro/FWD
- B6 A4 3.0 (preferred)
- B6 S4 4.2 (preferred)
What clutch do I use?
- B5 S4 clutch/FW
How does the power steering hook up?
- Use an S4/A6 power steering line
Vehicle Speed Sensor (for speedo)
- This has come up before and people seem a bit confused about it. Basically, Audi made the early B6s (2002s) with a vehicle speed sensor in the trans, just like the B5. So, if you have a 2002, just plug it in! For 2003+, the speedo comes from the wheel speed sensor. This is great because nothing has to be done to have a speedo.
5k Rev Limiter Fix - The reason this is needed is because the B5 ECU needs to see speed. If it does not, the ECU goes into "Safe Mode" essentially. You have a few options here:
2002 Cars: You use your normal speed sensor and loop T10 (brown) pin 3 (white/blue) to T10m (black) pin 10 (brown/red)
2003+ Cars equipped with 01A/01E: You can either
A. Plug in a speed sensor into the port on your trans and loop T10 (brown) pin 3 (white/blue) to T10m (black) pin 10 (brown/red)
B. Route the white/blue wire shown on page 14 from the footwell to T10 (brown) pin 3 (white/blue). This will solve it as well and you won't need to use the speed sensor on the trans if you do it this way.
2003+ Cars with 0A3 (S4 trans): You do not have a speed sensor on the trans so you need to route the white/blue wire shown on page 14 from the footwell to T10 (brown) pin 3 (white/blue).
Reverse Lights:
1.8T: Plug connector in, also need to connect wiring on the jumper harness
3.0: Plug connector in, also need to connect wiring on the jumper harness
4.2: Need to wire connector in, also need to connect wiring on the jumper harness
Intake
- Has to be custom but honestly not too hard to do. Some people (like myself) just throw a cone filter on and call it a day. Some silicone and a few aluminum pipes could make you something nice.
Exhaust
- The cheapest way to get it running would be SSAC downpipes, mated to a stock S4 catback (which has decent sized piping for stock and can be found from Free.3-$200). Keep in mind this will require some custom welding, but shouldn't cost much.
**SSAC are not verified. You could also use B5/C5 trans mounts with the proper subframe. That WILL fit**
A/C
1.8T: Need Compressor - Reciever/Dryer hose
3.0: Plug n' Play
4.2: Need everything - Compressor, Both lines to compressor, Receiver/Dryer, line from Car-Receiver/Dryer.
*NOTE* Compressor Mount (06C 260 835 B) is not needed as previously stated. It's the same as the 2.7T bracket
Snub Mount
1.8T: 3.0 Snub Bracket
3.0: Bolts right up like factory
4.2: Need to get something welded
Fueling
1.8T: Need to get 3.0 return line or rig one up. Use 3.0 filter
3.0: Bolts right up like factory
4.2: Need to get 3.0 return line or rig one up. Use 3.0 filter
Radiator
1.8T: Need a 3.0/2.7T radiator
3.0: Bolts right up (need to cap off small port)
4.2: Need 3.0/2.7T radiator/grind some of the core support
SMICs
- Need 2.7T brackets with some drilling/tapping. Could also run Ebay FMIC
Heater Core
- 2.7T hoses fit perfect
Fans
- Ok so this is another thing that can really go a bunch of ways. The 2.7T ECU knows nothing of the fans in the S4/A6, because the 2.7T fan circuit is literally a different harness and module altogether. The B6 chassis use the ECU to control the fans so this becomes a problem.
So, you could:
1. Get the B5 S4 fan module and wire that in
2. Get a universal fan switch and hook that up to the B6 module to trigger the fans. There is a Hayden unit (3647 Adjustable Thermostatic Fan Control) for $35
3. Use the stock fan module on your car and wire it up like a relay using the sensor on the lower fan switch as the trigger. It's already pre-wired for the 2.7T. This is a bit easier on the 4.2 since it has a different module for each fan but it can be done on the 1.8T/3.0
Also, when you're deleting the mechanical fan, you can get these two pieces (078109123BA + N90216904) to cover up the area where the fan was. JHM sells a piece as well.
Wiring
- So everyone is freaking out about this wiring and it's not easy. Will I help you? Sure. Will I hold your hand and tell you where each wire goes? No. Maybe if this was 6 years ago and I had all the free time in the world, but I just plain don't have time anymore. I will be making plug and play harnesses based on chassis year, engine that came in that chassis, and year of the 2.7T. PM me for more information if you want to go that route.
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Please let me know if I've forgotten anything or if you have extra questions and I will add them to the DIY thread
Thanks,
Clint
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