[urq] 20v200 and V8 final drives

[Patrick Miller]

I have an 01E in my Erk now.  It's a lot of work, as the front half-shafts have to be configured, or you can replace the front subframe with that of a CQ or the like.  Rear diff is obviously changed out, and the tranny mounting points are repositioned.
We opted to not replace the front subframe, so the half shafts had to be fabbed(a LOT of trial and error), and we ended up dropping the front subframe an inch for clearance.  Throttle cable from a Subaru WRX works fine for some reason.  Shifter was also a bit challenging, getting the linkage to clear the tunnel without cutting and rewelding.  Used an UrS shift linkage and box.  It's a bit higher than stock, but that's fine for me since I'm tall in the torso.

Only other person in the States I knew of that had done the conversion was Dean Treadway, and he did it through  2Bennett.  They vowed that they would not do another, but none-the-less refused to share any install info.  Very frustrating.
I'm sure there are others out ther that have done it, but I don't know them, so tips were not readily available.  I think the most time consuming part was developing the front shafts.  Worth the effort?  If you want 6 speeds and a 4.11 FDR, I'd say sure.  I'll be tracking the car a lot, so the close ratio 6sp box was what I wanted.  I'd recommend if you install an 01E, that you save your clams and buy a reman'd CRB(RS2) which has a wider and hardened 1st or a Euro Allroad diesel tranny(4.375 FDR).  If I had it to do over, I would choose the Allroad box just for kicks.  

Check out the link for more info if you haven't already:

http://www.elektro.com/~audi/01E/
(general info)

and:

http://www.elektro.com/~audi/01E/ind2.html
(boxes and their respective gearsets and configs)

FWIW, I used a reman'd CMG from an UrS6+, refitted with the CRB gearset.  I got such a good(one-time) deal, that I couldn't pass it up, but in hindsight I would prefer to have the Allroad's Diesel's box the AAN in my car, along with the lower gearing.  I don't know if you could fit the rear diff easily, though?

Good luck.  I'm happy to pass you along to the guys who did my install, and I'm sure they'd be willing to build you a shaft set for your car for a lot less than I paid.  :)  Happy to share any info I can.  And if you're in the NE, I'm sure they can hook you up.

Cheers,
Patrick