[V8] V8 5spd conversion... it can be done LONG

[stevebednarski at mindspring.com]

As my V8 was the first to be converted by Audi Connection, I'd like to
provide some background in support of Keith.  In order to complete this
project the first time, I knew that it would be very helpful to have a
5-speed V8 donor car as well as my 1993 V8 available simultaneously. That
way Keith could make comparisons directly between the two cars as the
project began.  I was fortunate to buy a rusty V8 5-speed that served as the
donor car for the transplant into my 4.2 V8.

Even with the two factory cars side by side, this was a massive conversion
to undertake the first time.  As just one example, the metal in the area of
the transmission tunnel is not the same between the automatic and 5-speed
V8, thus requiring substantial welding to fabricate the correct tunnel into
the automatic.  That is but one step of an ungodly number of items that
needed to be resolved.  Resolving the final electrical gremlins took many
hours of head-scratching, research, and trial and error.  When all was said
and done, Keith and Bruce didn't charge me for all this R&D.  I certainly
paid more than anyone will ever pay for the second and third conversion.

Now that Audi Connection has this knowledge, they have a right to use it as
they choose.  Heck, I call Keith so many times for advice and always find
him to be gracious in answering my questions. Audi Connection did something
special that now serves as an inspiration to others.  As I understand it,
they offered help on Shiv's car.  They can quote the job for others that may
be interested.  Keith and Bruce deserve kudos for their efforts in keeping
our cars alive - and the right to hold the knowledge they gain in this very
specialized area as a proprietary advantage.

Now I'll get off my soapbox.... By the way, in a recent encounter with a
2004 S4, the driver could not pull away from me at a stoplight. Yes he was
trying.  Maybe I was the better driver.  I dunno.  The 4.2 V8 5-speed is a
sweet car!  Thank you Keith!

Steve Bednarski

  



-----Original Message-----
From: v8-bounces at audifans.com [mailto:v8-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of
Jeremy Ward
Sent: Thursday, March 04, 2004 12:04 PM
To: Ron Wainwright; quattro_k at yahoo.com
Cc: v8 at audifans.com
Subject: RE: [V8] V8 5spd conversion... it can be done LONG

Good question, Ron.  This is how I see it.

I have learned a ton from this list and I make a point to contribute
back to you all (mostly be sharing personal experiences and
regurgitating what I have learned from others).  This has kept the cost
of ownership of our rare expensive cars to a 'doable' realm.

Now there is a whole different realm to this that most of us just dream
about...  Steve B (was it) just spent a ton of cash to have
AudiConnection figure out how to stuff a 5 speed into his 4.2l V8Q.  I
can't imagine how many hours of labor went into this project.  And I am
willing to bet that AudiConnection ate some of those hours as it was a
learning process for them, too.  This is uncharted territory that Steve
B and AudiConnection dumped a ton of time and money into.  If they
choose to share that info for free, that is up to them.  But I
personally wouldn't feel right if it cost these Pioneers $20k and I was
able to do it for under $5k because of what they have done for V8
humanity...  Ok, I am probably exaggerating the cost of the first
transplant (but maybe not)...

I think AC should be able to share this information with people who are
serious for a small recoup cost if they want to.  If it would take you
10 additional hrs for you to figure things out on your own, what are
those 10 hrs worth to you? Maybe not $75 an hr that a wrench would
charge...  but something.

My .02

- Jeremy