IDI in B5 Passat

[boxer246]

I'm wondering what the possibility is of putting an IDI motor, specifically 1.9TD into a B5 Passat wagon.  The recipient vehicle would have originally been a 1.8T with 5-speed manual tranny.  The 1.9 should bolt up to the 1.8T tranny right?....with the right flywheel.  Obviously motor mounts and plenty of other things would have to be custom made.   
An obvious question would be, why?  Why not just buy a B5 Passat TDi......well for one thing they are expensive.  Secondly I don't want an auto....and I believe the TDI Passats are all autos.  Thirdly (is that a word?) I like the IDI motors.  Maybe a bit underpowered for a heavy Passat but with some upgrades I think it would make a great motor for what I need.  I suppose a M-tdi would be another possiblity if more power options were really necessary.
I just love the B5 Passat....cant beat it for a drivers car.  I've had one with the (cough) 2.8 V6 and it was awesome.  Holds all the kids, comfortable, handles great, has all the modern "stuff", etc. etc. etc.
Its just an idea.  I might be able to get my hands on a car with blown motor...that's what got me thinking.

Tell me what you think. 

[catlin_cava]

You can get a B5 Standard.

[blackdogvan]

I've been pondering the same thing lately as it appears there is going to be b5.5 30v 4motion ownership in my near future. A ALH all wheel drive wagon would be pretty much tha ultimate in my mind. The thing is in my case its really hard to fault the 30v thats in there, it's not lacking power & gets 30mpg.

I don't think the 1.8 transmission gearing would suit a diesel at all, the v6 tiptronic would be a pretty ok fit tho. IDI won't bolt in, maybe someone can comment here on PD & ALH swap compatability as its a info i'm interested in too.

[boxer246]

So when you say IDI wont bolt in, what do you mean....bolt pattern to bellhousing is different than 1.8T?  I thought basically all the 4cyl VW motors had the same bolt pattern.  You think the gearing for the 1.8T tranny is too tall for the AAZ?

Catlin.....in the US I dont think TDI Passats were offered in 5 speed.  Maybe in Canada.  I've never seen or heard of one.

[Turbinepowered]

At some point early on in the life of the 1.8T, they swapped to a different block casting. The water pump moved up into the block, driven by the timing belt, and the mounting points on the block moved.

You would need custom engine mounts, and transmission mounts if you're putting an older 5-speed across with it.

Finding yourself a B5 with an autotragic then swapping a stick into it would be a piece of cake relative to the work of putting an older engine into a modern body.

As added icing on the "shouldn't do that" cake, putting an older engine into a newer car is illegal. Good luck trying to sell it, when you decide to move on to something new.

[Turbinepowered]

You think the gearing for the 1.8T tranny is too tall for the AAZ?

Probably the opposite, too short for it. You'd be screaming everywhere you went.