[urq] 83 Urq tranny compatibility w/4kq?

[urq]

... I just realized that I do have a '84 4kQ tranny in the garage, and I'm
going top need to figure out what's up with the clutch on my car ... so I
thought I'd pose this question to those on the list who may have experienced
both flavors ... perhaps I should swap the transaxle at the same time ...

I'm sticking with the WX engine (at least for the near term) ... is the
performance of the car better with the 4kQ tranny or should I stick to the
one I have?  

... is it known for a fact that the FDR of the '84 4kQ tranny is different
from that of the urq?  I know this has been discussed ad nauseum before, but
ISTR that the final result was that they were the same.  If the 4kQ is
indeed 4.11:1, it would be an opportunity to swap in the V8 Torsen rear diff
... I just had a 4kQ prop shaft next to one for a 5-speed V8Q and the 4kQ
shaft is a couple inches longer.  Has anyone swapped a rear Torsen onto an
urq?  What prop shaft did you end up needing?

TIA!
Steve B
San José, CA (USA)

-----Original Message-----

Louis-Alain,

You basically covered it nicely.
The only other difference is that the 4kq tranny has small output flanges
while Ur-q has the large ones, but that's just a matter of swapping out of
your original.  Also, starting '84 the bellhousing has a notch to clear the
new style MC/3B/AAN flywheel sensors.

Hope this helps.

Martin Pajak


-----Original Message-----

Swappable, sure. Physically at least.

But there is some difference:

- Final drive ratio, 3.89 for the urQ, 4.11 for the 4kq.
- Some gears are different, as the 1983 urq has very short first and second
gears, then a hole, then 3-4-5 are closely spaced. To resume, urq 1983's are
6 speed gearbox missing the 3rd... 4kq are better, more envenly spaced.

I forwarded this message to Martin Pajak, he's THE reference for this kind
of question.

Martin ?

Louis-Alain
1983 Quattro