AHF into MK1 Octavia 1.8t 4x4?

Sithdowell

New member
Joined
Mar 12, 2018
Location
The Very Edge
TDI
Mk4 Golf
Title pretty much sums it up!
I have a mk4 golf which is beyond saving (even for my blind optimism) but the engine and gearbox are still strong - 1.9 TDI 110 bhp AHF.
I also have a Mk1 Octavia 1.8t 4x4 with an engine smokier than Willie Nelson, but everything else seems OK.
The goal is to nail the engine (and possibly gearbox due to gearing) from the golf into the Octavia and run it on veg/bio so I have a 4x4 that I can run on waste.
Any and all constructive advice is welcome. I think my main problems are
1. Will the engine loom and car loom hook up, or would I need to splice everything together?
2. Could I just bolt the AHF onto the gearbox from the Octavia, or would the gearing be too high?
3. If so could I use the gearbox from the golf and bolt it onto the transfer box and 4wd system in the Octavia?
If there's something else I've missed, feel free to impart your knowledge!
Thanks in advance,
Sith
 

Sithdowell

New member
Joined
Mar 12, 2018
Location
The Very Edge
TDI
Mk4 Golf
Hope this helps!

Hey Sith, welcome to the forum. I'm sure someone else here will have more knowledge about this than me, but when I read your post, your AWESOME project really inspired me to check these things out…

1. Should do. According to wikipedia, the AHF engine was offered as an option on the mk1 Octavia (maybe not in the UK, but it was a factory option for other markets) so you shouldn't have any problems with the looms clicking together. YAY!:D

2. It *might* bolt right on, but you *might* have some kind of gearing issues. What they would be and how severe they'd be I have NO idea -
It might work fine!
…Or it might cause you to rip out all your hair and face-skin in frustration.

3. Probably. The engine and the haldex clutch system are both used by Audi in their 110bhp TDI quattro's of the same vintage, so (in theory) it should all slot together, and using the manual gearbox provided with the diesel engine *by the manufacturer* is most likely your best bet.

I tried calling a bunch of VW gearbox specialists and asked what the differences are between the petrol and diesel gearboxes, but all I got was
"I can't advise you about an engine swap in case it breaks":confused:
Oh well.
Hope some of that helps, and best of luck with the truly AWESOME project - I'm sure it'll be amazing when its finished!

Sith
 

jmodge

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Location
Greenville, MI
TDI
2001 alh Jetta, RC2 w/.205's 5speed daily summer commuter and 2000 alh Jetta 5spd swap, 2" lift, hitch, stage 3 TDtuning w/.216's winter cruiser, 1996 Tacoma ALh
Google "volkswagen final drive". I found a spread sheet that show all the ratios for each gear in the front wheel drive vdubs. Diesels have taller final drives and lower 1st and 2nd gears if I recall correctly. I was looking for running a tall tire on a lifted mk4. Seems that gas final ratios would work but early gears would be way to high. All I can help with, as my personal knowledge extends to mk4 jetta tdi only. (unless you like chevy's)
 

Sithdowell

New member
Joined
Mar 12, 2018
Location
The Very Edge
TDI
Mk4 Golf
Thanks jmodge, that's great!
I couldn't find any information on gearing or the differences between the gearboxes, so that spreadsheet will be essential reading :)
 
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