[Vwdiesel] Diesels in Audi Quattro's - Transplants

[Tony and Lillie]

After the thread where diesels in Audi's came up, I thought I'd offer a few suggestions, or perhaps just miscellaneous ramblings.

No Audi came to the US standard with a diesel and Quattro. So, if you want one, you have to make it yourself, or import one.

Since they are now over 25 years old, you can import an 85 or older Audi Quattro Diesel. I haven't kept up with what was available overseas, but some checking on the internet I'm quite sure will show the answers to that.

You can make an already diesel Audi Quattro. A lot of work, and not worth the effort in my opinion, but doable nonetheless. This requires cutting and replacing the rear suspension mounting, the drivershaft tunnel, and most likely (dpeneding on trans and model) the transmission tunnel.

Or, you can put a diesel engine into an Audi Quattro. Then to decide what model, and what engine to use. I prefer the smaller Audi's myself, as they are lighter, more nimble, and have a lower incident and cost of maintenance in general. These are the Ur Quattro (just the "quattro" originally) from 83-85, the 4000 Quattro from 84-87, and the 80/90 Quattro from 88-95. After that you get into the A4 series. In the larger Audi's there are the 85-88 5000 Quattro, also in wagon form, the 89-91 100/200 Quattro, and the 92-97 (98 for wagons) 100/A6 Quattro.

Now to the engines; we have the standard 1.5/1.6/1.6TD/1.9/1.9TD engine series, generally known as the IDI engines. Then there are the TDI engines, 96-98, 99-03, and so on. There were NA 5-cyl diesels here in 5-speed 5000's from 81-83, and 5-cyl turbo diesels in the automatics. 

As to which car and engine you choose depends on simplicity of swaps and what chassis you like. The easiest and cheapest way to put one together (aside from some outstanding "connections") would be to take an 80/90 from 88-91 and put an IDI in there. It will bolt right up, and there is minimal wiring to do as well. The 80/90 series was where Audi started putting both bellhousing patterns on their transmissions, so when you pull the 5-cyl gas engine out the 4-cyl will bolt right in there. This was also started in the 92 100 series, although finding a quattro with a manual in these is a good bit harder to do. You could also find a 5-cyl diesel and install it in any Quattro, but these engines are quite a bit harder to come by, and tend to cost more as well. Also, as the engines themselves are scarce, so are the parts for them if a future issue should pop up. Next, you can put a TDI into any of the later cars with the dual bellhousings. This is the way I'd go, find an 88-91 80/90Q and put an ALH TDI in there. Fairly simple, plenty of power, and a light chassis for good MPG's.

Anyhow, hope this provides info or entertainment for my fellow listers,
Tony Hoffman (aka Audi Nut!!)