S4 engine in a B5 without quattro

[matias]

Is it possibol to put a S4 engine in a non quattro, B5 model?
Can a V6 transmission from a 2WD, be used, for the "operation" ?

[jfeb]

265 bhp through the front wheels only?

That I would like to see

No idea if it is possible - sorry.

[nickb834]

I'd have to say that whilst it may be possible it'd be prohibitvely expensive.

The only S4 engines I've seen going are around the two grand mark, add that to the cost / worth of an A4 and you'd be better off getting an S4 in the firstplace.

That said, check on the ETKA to see if the belhousings on the gearboxes are the same (compare S4 gearbox to A4 gearbox) if the shape matches and the output shafts look similar then there's a good chance.

My missus alfa 156 v6 puts out 192hp thru the front wheels and it torque steers a little, the Alfa GTA 156 puts out 250hp thru the fronts and it torque steers alot!

Part of the reason the s4 is so quick is the traction afforded it by the quattro system - I can very rarely spin the tyres in the dry.

If you've access to a cheap enough S4 engine then I'd still advise sticking it in a quattro car / s4 with blown engine - you'll appreciate the other extras that 2wd cars don't have, such as bigger brakes / higher interior spec etc

[S2tuner]

It can be done if you use a V6 A4 for instance, not sure about 1.8 models. However, there would be no point as the result would be horrible, even with a stock engine, unless you get a limited slip front diff and use very sticky tires... and even then, past the 450-480Nm torque mark, that's it, even with an LSD. I think the result wouldn't be much fun to drive at all... otherwise, yes it is feasible and a quite easy job as long as the A4 is post-1997 (earlier models had a totally different wiring harness which is not compatible with the new style one.

HTH,

mihnea

[saf]

man do youi know your stuff

I think you should stick to the 4wd mate. might be investing in something with little or no return. Or buy a E36 M3

[R88PER]

If you do end up trying this remember to get the ECU, ignition barel and key.

I've just bought a friends A4 2.8 Q Avant (originally) now with an S4 engine fitted. He ended up fitting a DTA engine management system due to this issue.

Along with the car being a 1997 pre facelift with the different wiring loom and no drive by wire, it was a labour of love that cost him a fortune to get right. Now that all the hard work has been done he got sick and sold it !

All I would say is if you do intend to do it, with the problems that my mate encountered - expect to part with quite a bit of cash. Better still just buy an S4.

[S2tuner]

You DO NOT need the ignition barrel and the key, the existing key can always be recoded if the car is post-1997 (or is it a later date? I would have thought it would be around 1997-ish) or the immobilizer can be deactivated, so all you'd need is the ECU and the dash. So unfortunate so many people aren't aware that immo can be deactivated so the stock ECU can be retained, because I don't suppose any aftermarket engine management systems do have an immobilizer of any type..

Oh and I've seen a 1999 Audi 2.8q that has been converted to everything S4, there's only ONE giveaway on the whole car!!!! Otherwise you couldn't tell it isn't an S4, and it didn't cost him THAT much either from what I remember....

[GrahamS4]

What was the giveaway Mihnea? Someone that went to that length, it must have been something cost or availability prohibited being changed, so I am intrigued what it was?

[saf]

Maybe the bumper, or instrument cluster, or location of something such as turbos.

[shineydave]

now if you were to just use a RWD drivetrain, wouldn't that be much more fun*

*the author wishes to retain the right to redefine the word "fun" as "scarey" dependant on the tone of response

[neckarsulm]

Then there's the higher insurance costs to consider - nobody will insure a 'bitsa' 2WD 2.7T for sensible money.
Matias, do you actually prefer front wheel drive? You are in Denmark, it snows there doesn't it?

[rolskii]

It would be a hairy experience either way ....... torque steer pulling you everywhere or arse-end overtaking at every moment ......
How about a twin engined S4 Avant .......????
have to go Quattro tho .... need to have a funky transfer box to accept both inputs from cranks/g/boxes ... or sort out a synch between both motor drives
Keith did it on his TT - Bullet .... ??? could be fun .....

[BRETTCOLLINS]

neil at TSR built a FWD passat with and S4 engine. 400bhp put it into the wall at castle combe last year. Funny

http://www.tsr-performance.com/default1.asp

[MarkB]

I thought TSR went bust. Are they still trading?

[R88PER]

Appologies if I mislead anyone, I was only stating what I was told when I bought the car. That he wished he had bought the full car and transplanted more bits and bobs as it would of made his life much easier.
It may have been due to it being a 96 P Reg maybe? I know after looking into it he ended up fitting the DTA to get it all running correctly.


The car looks quite standard as you mentioned above, apart from the S4 wheels. Certainly suprises some people.

Insurance was a not that difficult to arrange to be honest. Just went with someone who specialises in modified cars.

Some pics