Re: From the WHY? department...

[audidudi@delphi.com (Jeffrey J. Goggin)]

>How difficult would it be to convert a FWD automatic 87 4000 to a 2.3
>5cyl?

It depends upon the resources you have access to ... for some people, this
will be easy; for others, virtually impossible.

>Would you need a different auto trans?  Would there be a lot of adapting
>work or just a few mounts (maybe the subframe) and a bit of wiring
>adapting (not to mention the ECU)  from a 2.3 equipped auto model?  This
>combo was available outside the US, right?  And to make this even more
>mind-bogglingly inane, what about dropping a 2.3/4spd auto drivetrain in
>the 85-87 car?  Probably more wiring and such, anything else?

At the very least, you'll either need a new nose panel (if you want it to
look OEM) or have to do a little bit of cutting and welding on the present
one since the 4-cyl. one is different.  You'll also have to weld on some
radiator brackets and/or engine mounts or figure out how to bolt them on ...
probably some other things that I haven't thought off as well.  At least the
subframes will swap over!

>What's the point?  Would like a cheap,reliable autobox Audi but can't
>live with an autobox+4cyl.  Also not interested in heavier, non-turbo
>5k/2c with more complicated, labor intensive accessories, etc.  Same goes
>for newer 80/90 models.  4000's are simpler in nature, and inherently
>easier to maintain, right?  

Why not find an older 4k and drop in one of the newer 2.0l 4-cyl motors?
You'll have 130+ hp without any work on the motor (and 160+ hp with some
minor bolt-on mods) and they can be bought complete and brand new for less
than $2,000 from places like Overland Parts.  Sure, you'll have to putz
around with some of the detals but for my money, this is definitely the way
to go ... heck, you might even leave the existing motor in place and just do
some head and exhaust system work since this should be good for 150+ hp (but
not as much torque, which auto cars really need for decent low-end performance).

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