Club 80-90 Forums

So guys im thinking the next step is to go for a 4.2 v8.
The inherant fault with t25 engine swaps is the mating of the engine to the gearbox, so why not just delete the problem and take the donor vehicles engine, gearbox, suspention and brakes.
im thinking chop out the entire rear and of the van in insert the audi sub frame with all it's brakes suspention and driveshafts.
loads of welding required but technically easy than doing my Subaru swap!!!

Has anyone seen this done before?

Wont the wheels be going in the wrong direction though?

I suppose you would flip the box....

Ringo

seen this done on mk1 golf to fit all tt 4 wheel drive running gear. Would be a interesting conversion. Guessing your fabrication skills and resources are good then its possible. wheels won't bee going wrong way, enigne will be in front g/box. go for it

The wheels will spin the correct way as the engine will be mid-mounted with the gear box behind just how it is in the audi.
The wheelbase on an A8 is very close to that of the t25.
So imagine this....t25 drives onto my driveway, rip out "pooh" VW engine, cut out the tail gate and rear bumper panel (retain for later),
cut out most of the loading bay floor, wheel in engine and gearbox' weld a frame to support them. offer up suspention and weld brackets to hold it,
roll arches as required. re-weld the tailgate back on .... Done

Alternative engines dont really work with t25 gearbox's so why fight it.
you can get a whole A8 for 1000 pounds which is less than a gearbox rebuild!

sounds totally plausable i was thinking of doing something simular. as i'm planning on keeping my van i was thinking along the route of making a universal mount welded into the back of the van so that i could change engines and running gear when newer affordable engines come along.
the main problem with this plan is losing valuable space inside, after all i want to use it as a van/camper.
The main problem with your plan is it's going to be a thirsty beast that no one is likely to want when you come round to selling it.

if you had a 4.2 v8 in a van you would never sell it. i wouldn't use it as a camper i would just use it as a toy to blow away boy racers.
A universal mount is what i had in mind too.

Not a problem if your handy, just dont make the mistake of doing a rough and ready job, make it look like a planned manufacturers installation
mike
oh and progress pickies a must............

you might want to explore how you make the 4wd box into 2wd, as I suspect that might mean a bit of extra work..... the A8 box isnt known for its reliability after 60-80k from what I am told.... worth looking into also...

would the insurance not be prohibitive on something like that...

I like these tyoes of projects as it shows good conversion skills.

I think if I was to convert like this I would look at a really good, powerfull and economical diesel. Remember you are going to be pushing a 2.25ton vehicle with the airodynamics of a loaf of bread.

My crewcab is a 2.25ton hot hatch and dusts boy racers which is good fun watching their faces but it is a tad thirsty when you hit the load pedal. Hence the reason I purchased a gas kit for it (Still not fitted though).

Good luck and create a story board like mine and maybe you will take over in relation to viewing figures etc.

Dickspanner

With the gearbox' issues I'll remove the prop whilst the A8 is still together and see what lights come up on the dash.
With reguards to the issues of unrealiable A8 box's there are plenty of A6's and A8's out there if needs be I'll keep throwing in secondhand box's you can get a whole A8 for a grand!
Yeah a big powerful diesel would be best but they cost alot of money. I think i can do this whole project (including buying t25 & A8) for £3000.

Insurance....
Just Kampers will insure my twin turbo scooby van for £350.
If you want it cheaper just em it's still a 1.6D LOL

jimmypatch wrote:Insurance....
Just Kampers will insure my twin turbo scooby van for £350.
If you want it cheaper just em it's still a 1.6D LOL

yeah do that and they will never pay out! upto you!

jimmypatch wrote: If you want it cheaper just em it's still a 1.6D LOL

Its called tongue in cheek
mike

Thing is with any conversion its the things you dont think of that add the costs in trickles.

Putting the cosworth engine in the crewcab ended up costing me more than I wanted through having to spend on plenty of small stuff.

Good luck with the conversion and post lots of pictures if you decide to do it as I would loe to see it.

Look on a few german T25 sites and you will see many a conversion like you are talking to give you some ideas.

Dickspanner