V8 swaps (was: Interesting Audi for sale)

[TM]

Speaking of V8 swaps, the LS1 is far more expensive than a used
LT1 and I'd bet the Northstar is going to be awfully close in price
to the Audi V8s- considering it's low demand for performance applications
and it's pretty high-tech. Also, the Northstar would have to be modified
as it is made of a transverse FWD application.

Problems with these swaps is that they're very involved (although the
LT-1 swap w/ the proper wiring harness apparently isn't as bad as it
could be). To improve on Bob's swap, I would have converted the engine
to dry-sump to lose the oil pan and improve clearance, put a big power
dome on the hood for any additional clearance and would not have modified
the front subframe like he had. How about a big hood scoop with "Ram Air"
on the sides? :-)

The other possibility would be a Ford 302- the Motorsport division does
make them in a 4-bolt main, aluminum block variant. Or the Chevy ZZ4 crate
motor- I believe that's an LS-1 based engine, but you're then talking
about something like $6k.

It would be cheaper to just buy an S6 4.2 in Germany, break it down into
parts and put the drivetrain and the interior bits into a container and
ship it here, swap in the drivetrain into an UrS. Only thing I don't know
is whether you need anything beyond the front subframe structurally in
order to mount the V8 where an I5 used to sit.

Or if just low-end power is desired, why not just rig up a supercharged
turbo I-5, like what Willy Koenig did in the '80s with that crazy 800hp
Testarossa? The supercharger would give you low-end until the twin turbos
spooled up. The other possibility (although this may seriously compromise
longevity) is to hook up a nitrous system that only juices at low rpms to
help spool up the big T04 turbo that you'd have for top-end power.

Just some crazy ideas I've hashed over.

Taka