818C VW TDI powered

[mxcobra]

I know the school built one for the hybrid challenge..

I did not like the first design of the 818... But the hard top and new front end of really changed this car... And I will be building one

Has anyone else stuffed a VW TDI (ALH) into the 818 yet ? I would love to see pics.. Along with connecting the VW to the Subi tranny..

As much as I like the Subi powered car.. The TDI would be mad cool, and the torque would be a blast.. Nice tune on
that TDI would make for high MPG fun sports car..

Thanks
Dave

[Speedy G]

Hi Dave,

Frank818 is putting in a VR6 in the next couple of weeks. He had to use a porsche tranny, I can't remember why. Your main problem will be the height of the diesel engine, but I think it'll fit since it's shorter than the VR6.

Check out post #361 and #366:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?12179-Frank818-1993-VW-VR6-Turbo-donor-Build-Thread/page10

Speedy G

[mxcobra]

Hi Dave,

Frank818 is putting in a VR6 in the next couple of weeks. He had to use a porsche tranny, I can't remember why. Your main problem will be the height of the diesel engine, but I think it'll fit since it's shorter than the VR6.

Check out post #361 and #366:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?12179-Frank818-1993-VW-VR6-Turbo-donor-Build-Thread/page10

Speedy G

Speedy G,
Thanks !! I have built a MKIII Roadster 10 years ago.. So its not my first time to the rodeo with FFR.. They make GREAT kits, and are second to none in this industry..

Love the 818C.. Just not sure I want to be tied to the WRX motor.... Hope to get my kit ordered and in my garage before the snow flies this coming winter !!

Dave

[mxcobra]

I just found a rough build thread from the school.. Looks like they used the Audi 6speed... WAY cheaper than a G50 :)
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?12879-TDI-powered-818

[Frank818]

Correct, they used the Audi gearbox. I couldn't do that with the VR6, I can't recall the exact reasons but the reason I chose the Porsche G50 instead of another one is cuz the other gearboxes where at least one of the following:

1- Bell housing to axle centers too long considering the length of the VR6 in that;
2- Not strong enough for high torque (gears and/or casing);
3- Very very bad gear ratios requiring a significant gear upgrade with fixed ratios that would not necessarily fit my needs anyway.

Most of them had #3. The Audi gearbox has a so short 1st gear (and 2nd-3rd for some models) it would not be possible to properly use on a high torque/light car with a huge turbo kick around 3300rpm. To my beliefs. Most of the gearboxes had more than 1 gear ratio I really didn't like. Most of them the cost to upgrade for taller ratios was in the 5-6 and 8-10k USD range, which is non sense for me.

The reason I chose the G50, it has none of the above. I reckon the ratios are probably too short on the 1st gear and maybe 2nd, but just slightly and the beauty of the G50 is that there exist a TON of ratios possible for any gear and when you change a gear, you change only that one, not 2 at a time. Besides, I had an AWESOME deal cuz the gearbox was my friend's property.

The reason why I could not use the VW 02A/J gearbox is cuz it's transverse and it very badly hits on the V bars that come from the upper sides and down to the middle of the frame. Changing that would change suspension and stuff so I decided not to go down that route.

[mxcobra]

Frank, thanks for the info... Those G50s go for big money... I have owned many of the A4 TDIs.. Love the ALH motor. Still not sure if this is the direction I will take or not. I also like the VR6 power plant.. That's going to sound sick with the short exhaust... Very F1 like I bet !!

[Speedy G]

Hey mxcobra, although probably the best choice for your tdi is a vw/audi longitudinal tdi tranny, but just FYI, a boxter/cayman tranny may also fit. They're probably more of them out there than the G50s now, and they're just as strong or better. The exact model is G86.20. The advantage over the G50 is that the G86.20 is designed for a mid-engine car, whereas the G50 is for a rear engine car.

[Speedy G]

Double post