Maximum CV joint angle

[csouther]

I am looking at using the drive train from a C5 (4.2) or D2 (4.2) on a custom build and need to know what the limits of the front CV joints are.

I noticed the axles on an S4 are angled a little to let the engine sit farther back in the car, are they this way on an A8 or A6? What is the max angle the CV joints can handle if I want to move the engine back even farther? Does Audi use drastically different CV joints from model to model? Are there aftermarket or upgraded ones that have a bigger operating angle?

The ability to move the engine back any is crucial to this build, so the more info I can get about this the better. Lets see what all you pros come up with. Thanks in advance!

[rollerton]

I bet the Allroad CV's handle severe CV angles better than the others- because the Allroad had adjustable suspension. As far as fore/ aft angle and running it that way static? My engineering education was very short...but I'm not sure that it would matter if you were close to within specs of the 'max' angle they're designed for.

[csouther]

Thanks for the reply. I'll try and dig up information on the difference between allroad axle ends and normal a6/a4's

[rollerton]

Thanks for the reply. I'll try and dig up information on the difference between allroad axle ends and normal a6/a4's

It's the inner CV joint that's different; pretty sure the outers are all the same. You'd need the flange from the trans also, then work out if the axle length works for your project.

[csouther]

It's the inner CV joint that's different; pretty sure the outers are all the same. You'd need the flange from the trans also, then work out if the axle length works for your project.

I would likely need longer axles so would I be able to make a flange adapter you think? Or does such an adapter already exist. It would be a simple thing for me to machine.