Questions for M-Tdi Mk-1 Cabrio/ALH transplant

[Gearhead]

First off... Where is the M-TDI Forum?  Ha ha.

Ok.  I'm looking for some recommendations, here.  After looking far and wide for a 1.9 AAZ with little success, I came across an ALH and picked it up almost complete with harness (no injection pump) for $1000.  It even has the VNT turbo (1749?) on it.  I also got a 1.6TD pump a few months back that I was told was being used on a M-TDI setup.  I think it may just have a stock 9mm head with the screws tweaked, but I'm not sure.  I have not pulled the pump head off, yet.  This will be going in my '85 Cabriolet shell.  This is not a rush project, as the car has to pass smog until 2010 (stupid laws) then the transplant will occur.  I might mock it up in my '82 for the time being.

Anyway, my questions are:

1. From my reading over the last few days, the ALH requires some interesting motor mounts as they got away from the old style mounting.  What is the general consensus for mounting?  Should I modify the car to accept the newer (better?) style mounting for a smoother, quieter ride?  Should I purchase mounts to meet up with the factory mounts (I think somebody makes these, but who?).   Is it just me, the plasma, and the Mig in a sea of steel and dust?

2.  While I'm there, I'd like to put on a serpentine setup.  The 1.6 setup in my '82 has a tendency to shake loose, is difficult to tighten, and I'd rather have a serp. setup.  Perhaps I'm doing something wrong  with the 1.6 setup.  The PO had this thing cobbled together like nobody's business.  If I'm shopping serp. setups, are they the same for the gas cars, or do I need to find TDI specific stuff?  I do want to keep A/C.  I live in Georgia, and when it's 100 degrees, I like the cool breeze.

3. What transmission should I use?  This is not a "Money is no Object" build, but when I'm finished, I want this car to operate like something that rolled off the factory floor.  If I have to spend some cash building my dream car, so be it.  I'm hoping to run the TDI around the 180HP range, and from my understanding, that's not out of the question for the ALH.  I just don't know if the 020 can handle that for long if it will even bolt up.  Besides, the Cabrio came with a GTI style transmission, and with the added torque of the TDI, I think I'd like something a little taller, so I will be purchasing a different tranny anyways, either 020 or other.  Besides the fact that I drive about 750 miles a week.  I want to stay as close to 45mpg as possible.

4.  Send this pump go Giles to get sorted or forget M-TDI and find a harness and ecu?  The ALH ecu requires the gauges, too, right?  They would look nice in my dash.  I'm better at wiring than I am at building a hybrid m-tdi pump, and from what I've seen, m-tdi pumps can be a bit pricey.  Plus the ecu can control this VNT or the VNT-20 that I have coming.

5.  Sell the ALH to somebody that needs it and get a 1Z/AHU?

Does anybody in the southeast have a M-TDI or VNT setup I can put my eyes on?  I travel all over the region with my job (automotive equipment sales) and would like to stop by and see first hand what has been done.

Thanks in advance,
Don.

[BigVWman]

Well i will do my best mine is a 1z so slightly different but learned some of why i did what i did along the way.
1. The mounts are available for adapting to older style A1 body check vortex, tdi forums somebody has a set around. I hear a company in germany is atcually mass producing them now but those may be tougher to find. Adapting the body to fit new mounts well not sure its not the route any i have ever seen were done.
2. Serp set-up is availble and relatively easy to find. Personally i think your biggest issue will be the a/c i don't see how you will have the room but supposedly its been done before i deleted it since in a vert i thought its relatively unneccessary.
3. New generation trans are "supposedly" able to handle more power. Its not the horsies that get you its the torque. They also make the mounts for this application 02a/02j style. Personally i went with the 020 for several reasons the biggest being i had one ad it second it fits easily. They ran the 020 in some pretty strong applications and when driven right had a low failure rate. The biggest advantage for the 02a style in my opinion is the availability of gears you can get some nice tdi gearing with the 02a that will elude the 020. Start now you will need the time:-) PS Nice low mileage 1z/ahu are getting tough to find!!!

[Gearhead]

I've seen a mk1 that had the ALH style mounting points welded in.  The frame was notched etc.

I don't have to do a serp setup.  Perhaps a better V-drive setup will work, but I don't know what will bolt to the block.  I haven't pulled the ALH pump mount plate etc. off yet.  I was just digging for ideas.

Thanks.