The Project Pad

It's been a while since I've created a build thread and it feels good to get into this again. Been a while!

Starting out with a '90 CQ that's been sitting for 10 years. Got it running as-was, which was fun to do some donuts in the field.... thought its still covered in a lot of..... gunk.



Afterwhich I immediately pulled out the stock engine, and dropped in a 2015 s8 engine, currently bolted to the stock 01a trans just for placement. No clutch or anything at the moment but we'll get there.

The plan is:
-S8 engine
-Stock ecu w/IMMO+tune, stock fuel pump/controller + can gateway
-b7 s4 0a3 transmission
-FX850 twin disk (I love this clutch)
-S8 inner CV's + shafts (custom length), strongest outer CV's I can find
-b7 driveshaft - custom length
-b7 rear diff
-Twin 2.5" exhaust
- 5x112 Porsche calipers in front, b7 rear
-squeeze as much cooling in, including as much intercooler heat exchangers as I can fit
-Make it nice, paint it pearl white, etc....

Currently the engine is in, bolted to the stock 01a trans. I've made engine mounts, including removing the stock drivers side mount and completely rebuilt the mount in a fitting location. So far, all I've had to move is one of the aux water pumps with a mild relocation to the side of the engine to clear the steering bars and bash a nice dent into the drivers side of the subframe to clear the oil pan + bolts slightly. Nothing big, fits like its meant to be there. The hood even closes without issues and 2 inches to spare! Big surprise to me, but I'm not complaining.

Huge plus to this swap is the reliability factor. I've been through plenty of builds and rebuilds and explosions, and its time to hang the hat and build something that is fun and reliable. It might not be the fastest thing on the planet but it sure as shit should be a ton of fun!







Follow along, this will be the only build thread I have for this car, and the only place I will keep regular updates.

Yes! What made you ditch the standalone idea? Can't blame ya, when Audi did a lot of the work for you using the stock stuff.

That's pretty awesome, I didn't realize you could bolt that to an 01a. How many of the holes line up?

Well, this is gonna be good .

lorge1989 wrote:Yes! What made you ditch the standalone idea? Can't blame ya, when Audi did a lot of the work for you using the stock stuff.

Mostly the displacement on demand cam changeovers and the PWM everything, including variable oil pressures and all sorts of water pumps. Just too much! Stock Ecu might freak out yet, I’m not sure. We will see in a few weeks.

Lucky wrote:That's pretty awesome, I didn't realize you could bolt that to an 01a. How many of the holes line up?

Only 4 bolt holes line up on 01a, but the 0a3 will have a lot more I think. The car will never drive with this trans anyways, just in there for engine placement.

Haenszel wrote:Only 4 bolt holes line up on 01a, but the 0a3 will have a lot more I think. The car will never drive with this trans anyways, just in there for engine placement.

That's still more than I would have expected!

This is going to be a riot, I have been following on FB, glad you started a build thread!

Spit in my mouth twice

Excited for this

holy shit. he's back... ill be following closely.

Thanks for making a build thread! I am very interested in this and especially what you find with making the stock engine management work. I reallllly want this to work.

This is going to be a TORQUE BEAST! So sick.

Crazy! What's the engine weight?

Side bar, I might suggest replacing the crankcase vent valve underneath of the turbos before you get the car together. We replace these ALL THE TIME here at work.

Mcstiff wrote:Crazy! What's the engine weight?

A freakin lot. Something like 480 lbs by my research. But it doesn’t even sink the front end like I thought it would. Front suspension is still higher than the rear which is surprising.

85oceanic wrote:Side bar, I might suggest replacing the crankcase vent valve underneath of the turbos before you get the car together. We replace these ALL THE TIME here at work.

What kinda mileage? Is it an updated part or just replacement? This thing has 12k.

Also, who knows the strongest outer cv’s one can fit on a coupe? Have 5x112 stuff going in.

I have seen them go out as early as 20k miles, but normally I see them go out at 30k-ish. That being said, replacement units do have an updated diaphragm to help reduce failures.

85oceanic wrote:I have seen them go out as early as 20k miles, but normally I see them go out at 30k-ish. That being said, replacement units do have an updated diaphragm to help reduce failures.

Happen to have an updated part #? As mine's a bit newer engine I'd like to see if its got a newer version.

Thanks

*pants tighten*

Very unique and exciting. Will be watching this one closely

Saw the title, immediately thought "that's awful ambitious," then saw who had posted, and got very, very excited.

Good luck, can't wait to see it come together, please post lots of pictures!

vt10vt wrote:Saw the title, immediately thought "that's awful ambitious," then saw who had posted, and got very, very excited.

Good luck, can't wait to see it come together, please post lots of pictures!

Well that's quite... humbling. I appreciate it!

I'll document best I can, waiting on ECU back at the moment as well as factory fuel pump/controller and CAN gateway to come from the same car the engine was from. Have a friends soon-to-be rally car coming to my house so we can get it ready to go for STPR by May 30th, going to be a cruch. After that I will tow the car up to my house soon and try to get it fired up!

Haenszel wrote:

85oceanic wrote:I have seen them go out as early as 20k miles, but normally I see them go out at 30k-ish. That being said, replacement units do have an updated diaphragm to help reduce failures.

Happen to have an updated part #? As mine's a bit newer engine I'd like to see if its got a newer version.

Thanks

Most updated PN is: 079103542E

YES! Can't wait to see the progress.
Would LOVE one of these engines in my D2 S8.

Well, got my ECU De-Immobilized and tore into the wiring diagrams today.

Pc, new vagcom cable and immobilized ECU ready to go.


Took this big fat book of diagrams:


Initially pinned it out directly from the Ecu, including pedals, CAN gateway, fuel pump wiring, OBD Port

Then I revisited it and found all the pins on the T17 pass-through plugs so all factory relays are incorporated with exception of the starter relays. Also have to bypass the “push to start” capability because I’m not running the interior module.



So.... I will give this a shot tomorrow and depending on how much time I have I will at least get the vagcom to connect, and maybe get starter and fuel pump working. Excited to give it life!!

Very excited to see this working!

Also, as unfortunate as it is, I do want to reiterate the engine will not start for now. There is no flywheel attached. Baby steps, I guess.

You get stuff done quickly, Brian.

Nice work. Will follow intently, loved the old vr6 build thread (and a4 before that).