re.putting a auto trans in a '91 20VTQA

[Ben Swann]

In addition to being a tad bit ironic about this, I was more or less trying to play "devils advocate", as I know I have taken on projects that didn't make sense to others, and oft3en in retrospect, they didn't even make sense to me after all was finished.  I've chipped some turbo automatics, and they are fine.  What doesn't make that much sense too me, is that there are plenty of wagons with automatic transmissions out there.  Perhaps, like theturbo  quattro avant, there is no other car that exists that offers so much, so can see your point.  It just seems like agreat level of difficulty to acheive this end, and I think there may be even some newer Audi's that have the functionality you are looking for - perhaps a bit smaller in space, but good power in FWD auto or Quattro with automatic trans  -  a newer car that you could probably buy with money to spare before you invest your time and money into this conversion.  This would be what I'd look at before doing this conversion.

Most would  convert from automatic to standard and as someone pointed out the tunnel may be a constraint, but everything is doable.

You need to do what you think is best, but consider all angles and then prove the scoffers like myself wrong - we'll respect you for that.

Ben
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: JordanVw at aol.com 
  To: benswann at comcast.net 
  Cc: quattro at audifans.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 5:43 PM
  Subject: Re: re.putting a auto trans in a '91 20VTQA


  In a message dated 1/25/06 1:50:21 PM Eastern Standard Time, benswann at comcast.net writes:



    IMO sounds like an awful waste of time and ruination of an otherwise nice 
    car.  there are plenty of fwd automatic cars out there, wagons too and some 
    even have decnt interiors - maybe not quite up to Audi standards, but this 
    sounds like way too much trouble.

    If you do go with this, I am pretty sure you'll need to install a auto trans 
    from a V8 so it can take the torque.




  hi ben, i wouldnt consider it a "ruination", i would be tailoring it to fit my wants, and i want a 5cyl turbo automatic wagon.   i figured id get some flak from you die hard manual trans guys :<)   ben, i remember you were here at my place once - i think you drove your pearl 5kTQA, and i had my '84 5kT automatic then (was wrecked in april 99, some of you remember the pictures - that car saved my life), i have a 86 5kT automatic now. ive had TQ's but they just come and go..i dont keep them. 
  there is another guy i know from VW Vortex who is in NJ with a 86 5kT auto, who has chipped it, added the WG spring, and a FMIC, etc. and his auto tranny is fine. its all how you drive the car, if your sensable then the 3spd Auto can take it.  if you beat the snot out of it, then you will have problems, i dont race my cars.   i even asked chris semple what he thought about chipping a 5kT auto, and he said as well its all about how you drive.   i was merely throwing ideas out there, this has been a big reason why i never bought a '91 20v, i just dont want to drive a manual trans car as a daily driver, yet i love the way the type44T handles.   i get this all the time.. "nice car" people say.. and then they say "ewww, its an automatic"   too bad!   i dont care..
  i drove a '98 passat wagon with the 1.8T and tiptronic auto tranny and it seemed fo have severe turbo lag.   so i still have my 5kt since i havent found anything better.  

  as far as a "waste of time"  basically anything is a "waste of time" with these older audis, we all know they are done depreciating and arent technically worth much of anything to the average person or on the market, only us audi freaks. .  i certainly wouldnt do something like this to "add to the resale value"  LOL  :<)  thanks for your input and if anyone wants to add more i'd love to hear it :<)

  chris
  '86 5kT Automatic  (my only audi!)