tdi into 81 rabbit diesel (truck)?

8418

New member
Joined
Oct 24, 2001
Location
west chester, pa
new to the forum and to tdis....writing this note for my uncle -- who's looking to put a tdi engine into his 81 vw diesel rabbit (think it's a rabbit) truck. can anyone who might know give a few words about what would be needed aside from the tdi engine (new transmission, etc) for the swap? thank you
 

spokeman

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 10, 2001
Location
Sammamish,WA
I have no personal experience with this but here's what I've learned from this board and a get-together or 2 with other TDI'ers:

This conversion requires an "AHU" engine from a B4 Passat (1996-97 in the US) or an A3 Jetta (1997-1999.5, older body style) as it has the same motor mounts as the older A1 and A2 style VWs. It's a lot of work, as mounting places have to be found for sensors, ECU, etc. as the fuel pump for the TDIs is controlled electronically instead of by cable as with the old Rabbit diesels. I saw a TDI-powered Rabbit truck at one of the TDI GTG's last year. The owner was using the was using the A1 transmission in the pickup, but I don't know if this was by choice or necessity. It would seem best to install the A3/B4 transmission along with the engine, as it's built and geared optimally for that engine.

I've heard that some people have put the older design IDI 1.9 VW diesel in the A1 VWs. While this engine doesn't quite have the performance of the TDI engines, it's a much easier retrofit into an A1 than the TDI. There may be a turbo version of these available, but I'm out of my knowledge at this point.

Good Luck!
 
M

mickey

Guest
You need, as described, the older style TDI engine. It should mount up to the old transmission and motor mounts.

You need all the "peripherals", including the injector pump, turbo, etc.

You need all the requisite sensors.

You need the TDI wiring harness.

You need the TDI's ECU. (Computer.)

You need a TDI's throttle pedal assembly, which is a "drive-by-wire" system. (No mechanical linkage.)

It's been done, but it's no picnic.

-mickey
 
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