rushinrio12
Member
- Joined
- Jun 29, 2013
- Location
- Plainfield, CT
- TDI
- 1997 Passat, 1981 Rabbit, soon to become one with each other. Giggity.
At this point, I have more questions than answers about this project and I don't want to start individual threads to ask them. So, the donor car is a 1997 Passat B4 with a 1z engine. The recipient is an 1981 Rabbit 4 door with a 1.6L diesel. I have already learned the answers to many of my questions by reading the build threads of those who have done this before me: vw_nut, burpod, 2many diesels, lugnutgmc, ToddA1, whitegm1, to name a few. My overall goal is for this car to be 95% daily driver and 5% weekend track machine, as I have taken a liking to the SCCA Track Night in America events. I want at least 50 mpg average, low smoke, air conditioning, and at least 125whp. And reliable. Reliability is paramount.
Yesterday, the Rabbit radiator cracked from internal corrosion, so there is no fixing it. I need to continue using the Rabbit as my daily, but I also don't want to buy a radiator that won't work with the swap. My long-term plan is to notch the radiator support for the TDI compressor and use an air-to-air front mount intercooler right behind the grille. I know will need to make custom a/c lines, so the condenser could be whatever fits. The radiator is going to be whatever fits, as well.
What do you think will work best with my intended setup? A 525mm core? A tankless radiator from a 70's Rabbit that eliminates the expansion tank and has a cap on the radiator? I like the idea of the tankless system, as it would clean up the engine bay some and leave more room for the intercooler pipes. Although, the less modification, the better, at least until I start the swap.
Yesterday, the Rabbit radiator cracked from internal corrosion, so there is no fixing it. I need to continue using the Rabbit as my daily, but I also don't want to buy a radiator that won't work with the swap. My long-term plan is to notch the radiator support for the TDI compressor and use an air-to-air front mount intercooler right behind the grille. I know will need to make custom a/c lines, so the condenser could be whatever fits. The radiator is going to be whatever fits, as well.
What do you think will work best with my intended setup? A 525mm core? A tankless radiator from a 70's Rabbit that eliminates the expansion tank and has a cap on the radiator? I like the idea of the tankless system, as it would clean up the engine bay some and leave more room for the intercooler pipes. Although, the less modification, the better, at least until I start the swap.