Update: Project 80t

[Alexander van Gerbig]

    Well I spent some more time "customizing" my 80 today and I thought some
of you who are following my project might want to hear a little about my
progress up to this point.

    So far I have fitted up the intercooler and oil cooler smack in front in
the main grille.  About two weeks ago I did the intercooler install and I
had to do some chopping and drilling, some of which was slightly unexpected
to say the least.  I removed the entire A/C system including the gigantic
condenser up front.  I thought the space left by the condenser would have
been enough for the 1.8t intercooler, but it was far from that simple.  I
had to take a large chunk of the lower radiator support for the lower end
tank on the intercooler.  I wasn't too pleased with doing that, but it was
needed.  After doing that it was apparent the radiator was in the way, that
lead to today's work...

    Today I went out to fit the oil cooler and move the radiator back
somehow.  I wanted to fit the oil cooler down low and use the lower grille
as an air feed, but there was no room down there at all.  So the second plan
was the only option and that was to fit it up on the driver's side of the
upper core support.  I used some long M8 bolts and lots of nuts to make some
adjustable posts to hang the oil cooler from.  It required a little bending
of the oil cooler flange, but all in all in turned out very well and rigid.
    Next was to move the radiator back.  I took some metal plates and
mounted them on top of the lower rubber radiator supports.  They were nice
and slotted so I could adjust for a good fit.  At first I had the whole
radiator and fan shroud too far back, but after some swapping of parts I got
things to fit very well.  The radiator sits about an inch further back top
and bottom, no slanting.  This left tons of room for the intercooler and the
oil cooler, so no interference.  I was also able to get the radiator to sit
slightly more to the driver's side so the 2" pipes could feed the
intercooler without interference from the light supports.

    All in all the custom work is done, except for the intake plumbing and
exhaust which can't be done until the turbo goes in.  I am still searching
for low compression 82.5mm pistons, but I think I may have sourced some from
Eurospeed in ME.  I am dropping the compression to 8.5:1 via new pistons
versus the gasket idea.

    Pictures in two days:)

Alexander van Gerbig -- '88 80

The Audi  80 Pages-----------------
http://surf.to/the80pages.com

North Ferrisburg, VT 05473