The Project Pad

Doing a 20vt swap for a customer. Going to start it at about a 225hp so it's reliable and doesn't have issues. Going to use an MC2 motor and do a rebuild so it's fresh. Should still be a fairly quick wagon when done. Don't worry, your mounts and bushings won't be delayed with this in the works

They call those synchro cause vw, but aren't they identical to a 4kq underneath? Looks like fun.

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Yeah it's pretty much exact to a 4kq on the drivetrain. Only difference is the actual body lol. The engine bay is exactly the same as a 4kq/urQ

Talk about sleeper...

Which is exactly what my customer wants. We're starting the car out with stock power to see how he likes it but then I'll do the basic upgrades such as ECM and spring/adjustable wastegate. Ultimately, it's going to end up with 225-250 crank. I told him I dont want to go any more than that due to reliability issues considering I know all too well lol

Paging el mushasho, there is a VR6T Quantum in the NorthEast somewhere. Car should be tons of fun with a 20vt

Need a complete MC2 Engine, CIS, Engine Harness, and ECM (preferably chipped)

Willing to travel to Seattle, Montana, Southern Idaho, Oregon or other states for the right price. I believe I can cram this thing into the back of the v8q's boot so snow or w/e shouldnt be an issue on the roads.

At worse, I can pull the head to make it fit or use straps to keep the lid shut

Should be an interesting project. Is there a reason you are sticking with CIS?

Budget does not allow for EFI conversion. That may come next year upon which I'll set him up with VEMS

If he needs quantum parts, just saw a quantum synchro at a junkyard in Lake Stevens, WA. Bit of a drive from Idaho though, and it wasn't in particularly great shape.

Well we really dont need QSW parts, mainly just conversion parts. I found an engine and harness. Going to get with GTjeff for a chipped ECM after the swap is done.

Motor is getting completely redone and rebuilt.

Called and left a voicemail. Fingers crossed this goes through as my customer wants to trade him a sidearm for it. That would be awesome!

Picking up the car tomorrow! I get to relive the excitement that is a 20v swap.......YAYYYYY!!!

Luckily for the owner, Taco got his CIS 4ktq running in tip top shape, so he should rest easy

You are brave my friend.

It was fast too!

Went and picked up the donor car yesterday. Other than the body damage, it's in pretty decent shape and drives really nice. I forgot what a 20vt felt like lol!

If everything goes right, we may be pulling the motor out on Sunday. At least the front cross-member unbolts for easy access on this one lol

Yeah, that makes a world of differance when it comes to swapping engines!

Sounds like the engine runs good. In my opinion to maximize reliability I would just drop it straight in. No rebuild, head porting, big valves, MSL hg, ARP studs or any of that crap. For the 220 hp, just install a good intercooler, exhaust, chip, relayed fuel pump.

GTJeff wrote:Sounds like the engine runs good. In my opinion to maximize reliability I would just drop it straight in. No rebuild, head porting, big valves, MSL hg, ARP studs or any of that crap. For the 220 hp, just install a good intercooler, exhaust, chip, relayed fuel pump.

Not even a MLS at the bare minimum? Thats pretty much all I did for mine along with ARP studs. Everyone is different though.

I learned the hard way to at least install a MLS head gasket. My factory head gasket didn't even last 5k miles at higher than stock boost levels.

Well, it's getting an MLS headgasket for sure. The motor has 225k on it to begin with so I'm sure once he decides to spend money on the performance parts, the motor needs to be ready. I've decided against building the head as he isn't going to see high rpms and ridiculous boost levels like I was seeing on mine.

The budget, right now, is only allowing for a motor rebuild, urq Airbox/igloo assembly, misc parts, and labor. No HPR goodies other than a 20vt Michelin Man hose at this point unfortunately. Hopefully those will come later as money allows

urQ igloo and airbox on the way!

Maybe I was being a little brash about the MLS gasket. It probably is good insurance. How I have kept mine together is by keeping an eye on AFRs and detonation. I would bet money that most of the blown hgs are due to det. Maybe the hg goes before the pistons melt so you are better off with the paper hg. Ha!

put a MLS gasket with headstuds and call it a day if you want it to actually run and be reliable.