Audi 1.8t in e30 - can it be done?

[stup86]

Hi,

I might be able to get hold of an audi 1.8t engine soon at a real good price.

I had a thought of putting it in the e30, but not sure how easy it would be. I can't see it not fitting.

I found some basic dimensions being:

Height: 620mm
Length: 500mm
Width: ???

I know that the power they can achieve is mental so I had this crazy thought!

What you think?

[e21Jason]

Possible been done in an 02 and there are rwd belhousings, with passat sump etc

[sihooker]

What advantage would there be in fitting the Audi lump against fitting the M50b25 that you were/are planning to do?

[Kos]

they are very tuneable engines, 320bhp is quite easy some say 350bhp.

but personaly i wouldnt do it

[sihooker]

320+ from a 1.8? Bloody hell, that's going some...

[stup86]

I'm undecided at the moment. Before I was set on the M50, but after reading about the potential of the engine it got me thinking, and then when one becomes available at a good price it's almost too good not to enquire about it.

I know that the passats have the engine mounted longitudinally which is useful, but I know nothing about where I can get the bell housing modified to fit a bmw gearbox, maybe the M42 box?

Anyone know what power the M42 box can take?

[sihooker]

I'm pretty sure it's 240nm.

[E30BeemerLad]

depends on which 1.8T lump though, some are only 150bhp and you are going to be into a good few quid to get upto 300's.

Better off starting with the TT 225 lump or the Leon Cupra R, which I think are the same lump, coded BAM I think.
Loads of wiring grief too.

[FormerMember]

Sure everything can be done, but comparing that tiny 1.8 engine to 2.5 BMW engine... well, 1.8 may have 350hp when tuned but it still doesn't have any torque before 4000rpm.. If you tune M50 even slightly you can get 400-500hp out of it and still have the advantages of "big" engine (torque from idle, not from halfway of rev-band)..

[GeoffBob]

Sure everything can be done, but comparing that tiny 1.8 engine to 2.5 BMW engine... well, 1.8 may have 350hp when tuned but it still doesn't have any torque before 4000rpm.. If you tune M50 even slightly you can get 400-500hp out of it and still have the advantages of "big" engine (torque from idle, not from halfway of rev-band)..

^^^^^
As above really. From personal experience I know that you can get a phenomenal amount of torque and power out of small 4-pot engines - but it usually takes a fair whack of money to get them into this state of tune. Unfortunately, the general rule of thumb with these engines is that increased torque (and hence increased power) at higher RPM comes at the expense of decreased torque at lower RPM. If you are planning on building a race/track car only then this is all well and good since a) you want a lightweight engine and b) you can keep your revs up all the way round the track. However, if you are building a general purpose road going car then the absence of torque at low RPM is no fun! If you are planning on "surprising" other E30 drivers at the traffic lights (and weight and/or weight distribution is not an issue you are concerned with), rather fit a big 6-pot motor with plenty of all-round torque.

[heppy19]

these engines can hit about 400bhp with about 3 grand i believe. the 156bhp engines found in the ibiza cupra's can simply be re mapped for around 200bhp. huge power to be had but pound for pound prob just as good as the 6 pot for tunning....and the 6pot will be cheaper to install.

[E30_KIID]

If i was gunna go for a non-bmw engine coversion id either go for a supra 1JZGTE lump

http://www.k-conversions.co.uk/index.ph ... ucts_id=52

Or a SR20DET lump

http://www.k-conversions.co.uk/index.ph ... ducts_id=5

I know this is off topic but its worth a look

[mattrs]

If i was gunna go for a non-bmw engine coversion id either go for a supra 1JZGTE lump

http://www.k-conversions.co.uk/index.ph ... ucts_id=52

Or a SR20DET lump

http://www.k-conversions.co.uk/index.ph ... ducts_id=5

I know this is off topic but its worth a look

Very interesting, i wish they were in the UK!

[Gunni]

I´d stick to M50 , they are good for nice power for so little money when you know what your doing.
Hell M42 can still do 320hp with ARP/MLS.

[dlatch]

the vag engine is a good one but i still think the M50 conversion would be better especially with some forced induction will also be far less laggy at same power compared to the vag lump.
plus no great mounting issues.

pretty sure the wiring on the vag lump is a pain with keycoded immobilised ecu's ect

[stup86]

Was just an idea, i think i'll be sticking to the M50 conversion, the big engine torque did it for me. And obviously the wiring issues.