[s-cars] thinkin about V8s and the future of the I5

[calvinlc at earthlink.net]

I think a lot of us have thought about replacements as our cars get on in
years/mileage.  I think the V-8 swap would be tons of headaches....and
probably more than just an extra 3k knowing Audi bits.  I would be willing
to bet there will be some parts you will have to get fabricated...which
means you have to spend time finding somebody who is capable of the work you
need done, this part is never easy (unless you posess a lathe and other nice
machine shop tools).  If you ever need to get anything diagnosed or fixed by
a mechanic you are screwed cuz they'll scratch their head forever trying to
figure out what it is.  In the end you won't have as good of performance, in
my opinion, as the 2.3...or the gas mileage.  Clutch and tranny bits could
get expensive as I am not sure that our trannies just bolt right up to the
V-8.  New radiator or custom made hoses...wiring harness routing...splicing
in new wire when the ones from the existing V-8 harness aren't long enough,
etc.

If you want a V-8 then I would say buy an S-8.  For me, if my engine goes
and I am still enjoying the car, it's time for a 2.5 stroker.

--Calvin


-----Original Message-----
From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
[mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Mike Fitton
Sent: Saturday, February 17, 2007 12:50 AM
To: s-car-list
Subject: [s-cars] thinkin about V8s and the future of the I5


Let me preface this by saying that my engine has 220k miles and seems to
be running very well.  I keep my engine on a rigorous maintenance
schedule and see no cause for alarm.  However, no engine lasts forever...

So I'm thinking about what to do when the AAN eventually needs serious
work.  I made a quickie list for a replacement I5 list based on a 7A
block.  It comes to about $7000.   It includes a lot more than a simple
rebuild (end result is an 8krpm 2.3L), and it's certainly far from
complete.  But at that kind of cost, I'm forced to think about a V8 swap.

Since our cars came in Europe with V8s, I'm guessing such a swap
wouldn't be completely impossible.  I think it can be accomplished with
a lot of Europe-only parts.  The question is how much.  Engine mounts
are a given I suppose.  Looking at the ETKA they seem to be pretty
different.  I'm also guessing a lot of the coolant hose and power
steering line type stuff won't line up.  The real question for me
appears to be on the electrical side of things.  Anyway, would all the
conversion parts (aside from the engine) add up to, say, $3k or more?
Or is this something that could be mounted up for like $1k?  Anyone else
ever thought about it?  Is there some prohibitive deal-breaker?

The notion of a twin-turbo urRS6 somewhere down the line has also
occured to me (I know, I can't pull that off for four figures).  I'm
also aware that they're talking about a new I5t in the TT in a couple
years that may or may not present us with some interesting options.  And
all of this is assuming I don't take the easy way out and just buy an S8.

Okay, discuss.

-Cheers!
Mike
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