idi diesel to idi diesel......can it be done!!!

[nighthippie]

Fellow vee dubs,

 Question: can an idi engine/tranny be swaped with another idi vw? For example; 1989 vw diesel with an 1976-84 diesel rabbit, or an 1976 rabbit for a 1990 vw diesel. Golf or Jetta. Are the IDI 1.6L engine/tranny's interchangeable??
Why?   I found a 1989 diesel jetta for a good price, but the body is gone. I would like to put the engine/tranny in an older rabbit or golf or jetta. Can this be done without modification? Are motor mounts the same?

 Thanks for answering this question. I will leave it to you experts.


 dan

[Rabbit on Roids]

yea, they all work. 99% of all VW 8 valve engines will interchange. i love the versatility of volkswagens.. they are like legos.

[RabbitJockey]

the reverse switch and axle flanges can be different but both problems are easy to overcome.

[Rabbit on Roids]

so, when i did my 5 speed swap,  i used the inner CV's off the 100 mm axles and then pulled the 90mm cvs off my axles and put the 100mm cvs back on. it was alot easier than swapping the flanges. besides, i want to keep this tranny useable still, for other 100mm cars i mean.

[88jetta350]

Also, don't forget the differences between the electrical systems. Even though it's a minor issue, nothing a little solder and shrink wrap won't fix.

[8v-of-fury]

the mounts are different, you will need one specific one.

A diesel passenger side mount, the rest can all come off of the gas engine you are taking out of said older car

changing this mount will require taking the injection pump off, so it will be a good time to see if you need to change gp's or injectors and the most opportune time to change your timing belt

[Rabbit on Roids]

yea, that too. mount on the timing belt end is different. they dont mount on the back of the block like the mk2's did.