Re: Alloy block on ur-q's

[George Harrison <georgeh@iol.ie>]

Mike Hopton wrote
>      When Audi homolgated the I5 engine in the ur-q for the WRC in the
>      early '80s did they manufacture show room ur-qs with the alloy block
>      engine? What are the adavntages of the alloy block, I'm thinking weght
>      saving (how much?) and fewer broken EM studs:) Does anyone know how
>      many they had to build to homolgate it? 

Mike et al....

Alloy block was homolog. on December 1st 1981.  Weight saving was
48lbs/22kgs.
First used on Tour de Corse 1982, Mikkola, Mouton, and Wittmann.  Don't
know how many were manufactured, only seen it described as a 'goodly
batch', and they were phased into production-line cars at the
appropriate moment.  Apparently improves weight distribution and
handling balance.

George Harrison
County Kildare,
Ireland.

'85 ur-q
'86 80 Sport