Anyone have experience with importing an AAZ motor?

[Dorkin]

I've been shopping pretty heavily for an AAZ equipped VW out of Canada lately, has anyone on here imported an AAZ motor into the US from Canada? I've been looking mainly for a full donor car, but it sounds like if the car isn't over 25 years old, its a huge pain to get it across the boarder. Interesting enough, I called an auto importer and they said they aren't importing any VW Diesel cars all makes, models and years, due to the TDI scandal. What a head ache.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[vanbcguy]

Technically it is not legal to bring an AAZ in to the states.  However plenty of folks have done so without issues.

The ONLY reason I could see for wanting an AAZ however is that you are trying to build a mechanical engine with no ECU? If so you may be better off finding an AHU/1Z/ALH and then just putting a mechanical pump on it.  That way you can use regular US parts that are easily found, you don't have to worry about the AAZ crank nose issues, no worries about prechamber inserts coming apart and you'll have injectors that can actually be serviced in your country.

[RabbitJockey]

i drove there and brought 2 back, its not big deal.

but like vanbcguy has said you may just want to go tdi.  you can find a donor car for 1000 pretty easily and probably sell some parts off of it and buy a mechanical pump and swap it into what ever you like.  at this point ahu and 1z stuff is cheap enough and much easier to get.

[Dorkin]

You both make valid points. I didn't consider sourcing parts. How do you manage the VNT turbo on a mechanically injected TDI, or do you just swap turbos. Use same injectors? I should probably just head over to the M-TDI forum. haha. Thanks for the advice!

[vanbcguy]

If you are starting with an AHU or 1Z you'll find they have a wastegate turbo already. :-)

Injectors are determined by your power goals. The stock ones will work fine (if they are in good shape) but fresh nozzles and calibration would be a good idea no matter what. If you want more power than stock you need bigger nozzles (with TDI engines anyhow)