[Es2] Opinions? stick with the 5 or go 4? (very long)

[livinotte at cox.net]

Hi guys.

I figured I post on this list because ussually there's intelligent answers without the bull crap.  I'm in the process of buying a 1.8T code AEB from an audi a4.  It will include the whole long block, intake manifold, fuel rail, throttle body, flywheel setup etc, for $350.00.  It's an impound car, that seemingly had nothing wrong with it.  I won't know till i get the engine but getting it with other accessories is possible too.   I was considering the option of installing this vs a 5 cylinder in my sedan.  I was thinking:  1.8T engine with a audi 80 new radiator, v6 radiator support and fans with standalone engine managment.  Probably 034efi.com stuff.   The swap is pretty easy.   I was going to build a exhaust manifold and turbo setup myself, engine mounts are a 50% chance in my opinion of bolting up to the stock mounts.   The overall project is relatively simple.

Now here's the kicker.  I started collecting 20vT 5 cylinder parts for the sedan.   I have:  3b intake manifold, fuel lines, fuel rail, exhaust manifold, throttle body, s2 throttle body cable, aby intercooler, 3b oil and water lines, 3b water manifold, aby intercooler/ hoses etc..  I basically have a complete mechanical 20vT setup including 3b pistons and rods but I don't have an actual motor.   I have 3 7a heads, but all need rebuilds, I have two 7a blocks but are no good for use to me.   I was thinking I could sell the 1.8T setup for at least $1000.00 if not 1500.00 or more depending on how much parts I wanted to buy off of this place.

I'm in the process of finishing the coupe quattro 20vT.   It's just about done, it needs a better brake setup, and I need to finish the exhaust, and I might source a s2 bumper for it vs the fiberglass unit that currently on it.  

I'm moving to a new garage starting january 1st 2007.  It's going to hopefully open alot of new doors for me.  I want to sell both cars.  I'd love to get into the house flipping business at some point in my life time.  I'm thinking that the money from both cars will be a decent amount of cash for working on the houses.  I don't really need a downpayment because I'm going to be a first time buyer.   I'm a carpenter by trade, but its' not exactly my cup of tea.   I'm really good at what I do, but eh.. mixed emotions.   Having an environment that about flipping houses is more of what I'm looking for in life.   the whole running around Rhode island like a nut starts to suck, going from house to house.   I'm cool with it, since it's family and all, but I'd like to see where I can take this mind of me.

So back to the 5 cylinder stuff.

I know I can get more money from the coupe quattro with the s2 aby transplant vs how much money I can make with the sedan.   I've swapped over to a 5/112 conversion on the sedan(hopefully get the front hubs on this weekend), and have been fixing up any of the particular maintance problems.

What I'm thinking of doing is dropping the 1.8T engine into the sedan, hopefully make at least 300hp and hopefully get around 10,000 plus for it when all is said and done.

I'll take the money from both cars and build another coupe quattro with a 5 cylinder 20vT swap as quickly as possible, within the idea that I'd do it right.

I think 5 cylinder 20vT swap are most desirable in the coupes.  

Does this make sense?  Am I really out of my mind, or do I have a legitimate reason/way of making some cash.

It's been a great learning experience work on cars, I'd like to keep it going.  I'm just tossed on the idea of if it's stupid or not to keep investing money into cars that are "rare" and starting to be considered? old?   I've got alot of coupe quattro parts left.   I still have a new windshield sitting in the basement, two doors, rear windows, transmissions, gosh and soo much stuff.   My mind is like a library of schematics.   I take apart harness and put them back together like it's nothing.   I've got the whole bottom of the aux relay panel memories in my head pratically.

Do I take this life style and keep going with it.. or stop in my tracks and get out of working on audis?

I'm hoping that starting january 1st my welding takes off.   I haven't done much lately, but It's an amazing thing to be that I'm very attractive too.   My parents went to RISD to be honest.  I've always had an art background.  The whole welding thing fits me.   What can I do with it?  A good amount of stuff.  I can see some of the benifits of working on houses too with it.  I've bought a Miller dynasty 200 dx ( tig and stick)  It's a wonder portable machine.  I'd like to make the most of it.

There are days when working on cars is great, and then there are the days when I'd rather not be under a car.   I be honest here and say that I asked my last girlfriend to marry me but that didn't pan out.   I'm not ready for another relationship nor is marriage in my mind any time soon.   My mind lights up with the idea of making some $$$$ and getting by in life.  Did I mention i'm close to being a scratch golfer too?   Maybe teach golf some day too.  Who knows. 

I haven't seen the internals of the engine yet.  Alot of my choices will be based on how this 1.8T engine pans out.    But I guess I'm looking for opinions/ something that maybe makes my head.. ahhhha..

I won't work for a dealership, being a mechanic is not my thing.   I like the idea of control and I feel out of control with something like becoming a mechanic, nevermind the carpentry business?  Yes, I'm sitting on a good family business.  I know I've got something to fall back on, I also know the stress of it, and finding work.  Especially around Christmas time it can be a pita.    I haven't worked in 3 weeks, but I also asked for it.

If I were to build some cars and get moving for maybe the next 5 years.  Is there life still in the URQs? audi coupe quattro's etc?

U tell me?

Thanks
Josh Leonti