Howdy volks. The GF has a 96 Passat TDI that she's been running for a few years now and the Maine winters are starting to really get to the body. I'd like to find another shell and use this car as a donor but B4 Passat diesels are rarer than hen's teeth around here or most anywhere in the US for that matter. What I was hoping to find out was if anyone knows how much BS would be involved in using a VR6 B4 Passat to convert to diesel. There are no smog laws here so that won't be an issue, but I have no clue about transmissions, axles, engine mounts, or most anything about B4's. Does anyone have any experience doing this kind of work? Any info would be appreciated.
I think the entire powertrain will drop in. Even the axles might be the same length.
Get a manual recipient to save some time swapping stuff out. The subframe will accept the TDI. The upside is that you get the big brakes and Plus suspension too. Check out this thread:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=154656 Should pretty well answer your questions.
very interesting thread junkie. does anyone know if there have been many 1.6TD transplanted into a passat wagon of that era (or a bit earlier)?
Oz
I have driven in a B3 passat wagon powered by a 1.6NA.
The engine mounting points between the early TDIs (1Z and AHU) are identical to the ones on the 1.9 AAZ, the 1.6 (NA and TD) and presumably the 1.5. I've never seen a 1.5 so don't quote me on that one.
Now's your chance to create a Passat TDI Wagon... pretty rare and valuable in stock form, (at least in N. America) even better in GLX trim with leather, 5-lug suspension, power everything, etc. I've been conversing with a guy named Mike McCann up in CT who does these swaps regularly, either on comission, or on spec and sells them on Ebay. I'm looking for donors myself, this is one of my pet dream projects, along with the Syncro drivetrain transplant.
There's LOADS of beautiful VR6 Passats out there.
I have driven in a B3 passat wagon powered by a 1.6NA.
Now that must have been a "screamer" eh, Tyler?
A stock AAZ with the eco pump is pretty anemic in the B3/4s but a NA 1.6L that would set slow records! Probably comparable to a Vanagon with a 1.6L NA!