Thanks Andy. Talked with Broke, he had good advice. On a related topic - has anyone out there mated a TDI 02a/02j transmission with a 1.6td with any success? I didn't think that was possible.
Yes any TDI/4cyl 02a/o2j trans can work, but not any vr6 ones; different angle in bell housings for hood fittment in corrado/mk3 models. Doing this myself w/ a 1.9AAZ, which is similar to a 1.6TD.
To get the trans in:
1.Trans mounts: Google 'MK1 02a trans mounts' and see who does them. Bought mine from WRD(watercooled racing development); Nothing-Leaves-Stock also makes some, Just Caddys in the UK does too. You can build some if you're handy w/ a welder, just make sure the drivetrain is properly orientated for this; lateral and longitudinal angles and all that. The D/S trans mount should have a bracket for clutch cable if you plan on going w/ the stock cable setup. If it doesn't then get a '93 eurovan trans mount and use the bracket off of that, or sandwich the half of the bracket w/ it on into your D/S mount.
2.Shift linkage: Obviously you could use the 02a/02j cables; knock out the blank in the firewall for the auto trans shifter cable and feed them through. That, or route them under the exhaust tunnel, but that sometimes requires cutting. Don't expect to retain your original shift cover parts, unfortunately, as the cable routing doesn't jive with that 99% of the time. If you prefer rod linkage and stock interior, however, clausvonessen.de sells an 02a shift rod conversion kit. Very nice (read:expensive), and has all installation documentation w/ pretty good pictures. Make sure to ask for instructions in english, just in case.
3. Shift cable/hydraulics: For keeping the hydraulic circuit from your 02a donor car; you'll need to modify your original pedal cluster and firewall. The scirocco website funksoulkitty.org has great info on this, as well as some driveline mount info. Keeping it cable? Then get the clutch actuator of the same '93 eurovan you got the cable bracket off of. Unfortunately 02a clutch cables are a bit thin on the ground, so use the cable from a 1991ish CRX (yes a HONDA; I'm sorry). It's a bit long, but you can make it work by either running the excess along the fender or in front of the grille a bit.
4. Axles: Here's where it gets both easy and hard. You can use the 100mm axles from a 16v scirocco as an outright bolt-in solution, but good luck finding them. If that fails, you might try getting some '85-on cabriolet axles. If that fails you'll eigher have to find spindles from a 100mm car and swap them on, or clearance the angle on the outer driveshaft CVs.
TL;DR version: 100% doable, but expect to spend time fabbing and modding parts and/or spending money on conversion parts. I went with the latter of those two as I have 2 left feet and 10 thumbs.
Either way, if you lay your hands on a box you like the GO FOR IT!
And P.S.: nathantheengineer is right about 6-speeding an 02a/j being good mods depending on the box's ratios, but they are MONEY. Expect to give up a few things to afford that; something like, oh I dunno, eating.
Topic: 1.6 td engine - Modify 020 ACN trans for lower rpm highway cruising? (Read 10556 times)
