3.0 TDI swap to D2 S8 questions

v8 coupe

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So I've been out of the TDI game for a long time now, but with my new long commute I need back in.

How swap friendly are the 3.0L TDIs? I know the immobilizer will need to be disabled to go in an older vehicle. The chassis in question I'm thinking about is this D2 S8 sedan I have taking up space. I've got a 6-speed conversion kit coming for it so that's taken care of and I already have a TDI geared 01E in the shed. Is this a viable option? Sorry if this has been covered before.
 

TDIMeister

Phd of TDIClub Enthusiast, Moderator at Large
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Should be a relatively straightforward swap. The A8 came with both the 01E and 3.0 V6 TDI (D3 and later though). The D2 only had a 2.5 VP44 V6 (and 3.3 V8) TDI, but physically mounting the 3.0 should not be too involved and may even drop on the chassis mounts or have bosses on the block to have D2 engine mount brackets bolt up. The main challenge will be getting the newer 3.0 ECU to talk with the instrument cluster and the rest of the car. Again, nothing that is without precedent as long as you have complete wiring diagrams from your S8 donor and both D2 and D3 TDIs.

This thread belongs more to the TDI Conversions section. Moving there.
 

V70R

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I’m not doing a 3L swap into a D2 rather in my 01.5 A4 Avant, but from working on D2’s I’ll shed help. First off, what generation V6 are you thinking of swapping?

Engine mounting-- The 2.5L and 3L V6 diesels have different mount patterns on the block thus the brackets cannot do not fit on a later V6 TDI. Additionally it looks like D3 V6 TDI motor mount brackets might not work in a D2 chassis due to how the pitch or angle is of the motor mount and subframe.

Wiring-- Depending on what motor you want to swap, we can dive into this. Given the similarities to a D2 and B5 regarding wiring, it’s highly possible to run a newer motor (B8 Q5 TDI, C7 A6 TDI, etc) on an older common rail harness, such as one from a B7 3L TDI. It’s not a plug and play affair and will require some harness mods.

For the heck of it here’s my B5 project. Got It mounted, just doing the wiring phase now
 

Koehn

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I'm eager to read any info you have on the install and wiring for B5 CR swap, @V70R ! I've been drooling over the 3.0's for a while now and just assumed you had to go B7 or newer to get it all to work
 

PickleRick

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I'm still searching for info on the vw engine bolt pattern on the 3.0/4.2. Are they they same as the 4 cyl tdi motors?

I've been looking at a duramax 6.6 for an eventual replacement motor for my current 4.2 I6 inboard diesel motor for some time but I think finding a tune for a tdi 4.2 v8 tdi would be easier. My intentions are ditching the turbos and installing a whipple charger. Aiming for power band starting around 2500 rpms and max 3600 rpms @275 to 300 hp.
 

Mozambiquer

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I’m not doing a 3L swap into a D2 rather in my 01.5 A4 Avant, but from working on D2’s I’ll shed help. First off, what generation V6 are you thinking of swapping?

Engine mounting-- The 2.5L and 3L V6 diesels have different mount patterns on the block thus the brackets cannot do not fit on a later V6 TDI. Additionally it looks like D3 V6 TDI motor mount brackets might not work in a D2 chassis due to how the pitch or angle is of the motor mount and subframe.

Wiring-- Depending on what motor you want to swap, we can dive into this. Given the similarities to a D2 and B5 regarding wiring, it’s highly possible to run a newer motor (B8 Q5 TDI, C7 A6 TDI, etc) on an older common rail harness, such as one from a B7 3L TDI. It’s not a plug and play affair and will require some harness mods.

For the heck of it here’s my B5 project. Got It mounted, just doing the wiring phase now
Now this!!! Is this the B5 Audi, or Passat?
 

V70R

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I'm eager to read any info you have on the install and wiring for B5 CR swap, @V70R ! I've been drooling over the 3.0's for a while now and just assumed you had to go B7 or newer to get it all to work
Definitely! Theres a few B5 A4’s in Poland that have done this conversion, and most seem to rock a B7 harness modified to accept the later 3L motors in their conversion.

The 3.0 is a freaking awesome motor. A smidge more complex, but it should be a kickass car to drive in a car the size of a B5 or B6 Audi.

Now this!!! Is this the B5 Audi, or Passat?
It’s in my late 2001 A4 Avant, a car that I haven’t driven since October 2016 haha. I’ll get a thread going here soon…will be cool to share some of the swap progress (y)(y)
 

V70R

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Pfft, lucky! we have to wait an additional 10 years before having the chance to buy that. The amount of A6 Avants with manual gearboxes and cloth sport seats over there is amazing…so so jealous!
 

v8 coupe

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I'm actually looking to get like an 07 or 08 A5 3.0TDI 6-speed crashed car as a donor for other later things for my S5. My understanding is that the earlier 3.0TDI are equipped with the more dependable CP3s vs the problematic CP4.2s. If a B7 harness is easier to make work great. Bigger CP3 isn't really hard to get so not worried there.

I just did a non broken drivetrain swap on this S8 a year ago, so I know about there unique mount situation. I'm not opposed to doing a tubular subframe to use like standard B5 mounts. 500 a mount is ridiculous. The biggest concern I have is turbo routing. Guess I should look at the B7 vs B8/D4?

What about clutches and flywheel? Will the 2.7t stuff work?

I know an S8 seems like a weird pick, but I have it and it doesn't ride or look bad. I just need something more economical now. I figure it's already 4:11, has ample room and has big tires to help cut rpm down. Plus 100+ miles a day luxury is nice.
 

V70R

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An early B8 A5 V6 TDI wold be a solid transplant contender for a D2. The CAPA V6 from B8’s is pretty similar to an ASB 3.0 V6 TDI found in the B7, so the wiring portion would be pretty simple.

After comparing motor mounts, I think it would be fairly easy to adapt B5 mounts to a D2 subframe. You could have brackets made probably cheaper than an entire subframe too.

Turbo routing shouldn’t be too bad. I wouldn’t be surprised if you can use most of the B8 A5 TDI boost tubes in a D2 chassis; the B8 A5 has a smaller front mount intercooler that with some brackets welded to the D2 core support would fit like an OE setup.

V6 TDI’s have a 10-bolt flywheel, so the 2.7T stuff won’t work. I’ll be using a B7/C6 V6 TDI flywheel with a Sachs SRE clutch. TTV Racing might make a heavier SMF option for these motors, but I don’t want a bunch of increased NVH.

D2 S8’s are awesome cars. They‘re one Of my fav highway cars from this era of German sport sedans, and should be pretty awesome with a V6 TDI under the hood 👍🏻👍🏻

edit- here’s a good thread about B8 A5 TDI intercoolers and upgrades. Pics are still working too so you can see where the boost hoses are in proximity to everything up front. https://www.a5oc.com/threads/3-0tdi-intercooler-upgrade.149561/
 

TDIMeister

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Not that you'd sacrifice your S8 to do this, but since you mentioned a desire to save on fuel costs for your commute...

A member in Finland modified a D2 A8 for the purpose of hypermiling. He swapped the original engine with one off a 3L Lupo (1.2L 3-pot TDI), made it FWD, inspired from another existing, running project ( http://www.wardtro.de/html/3l_audi.html ) -- with future plans to make it an AWD hybrid. As of his last update in 2016, he got a best of 66 US MPG (!).

Edit: Vekke posted somewhere else that he hit 83 US MPG with this car: https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/70-mpg-1100-1200-mile-club.187311/post-5121173
 

v8 coupe

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I'm sure something like a properly built ALH with like a GTD1752VRK on it could get like 65ish mpgs in this, but at the speed of a snail.

I'm not real sure what the mileage from a 3.0TDI would be from the gearing and tire combo. I already have a European TDI 6-speed here. Has 4.11:1 R&P and a 0.56:1 6th. I'd hope that even as big as the S8 is I could get like 45mpgs from a properly setup 3.0L. I won't have most of the emissions stuff on it so that should help.

3.0L is 10 bolt is it the same as the old Audi V8s? I know they brought it back for the C5 RS6 and I believe the R8 and W12 are the same. If that is the case clutch masters has options. Personally I love my Dodge with twins so I'm thinking about going twin 8.5s on like a 22lb steel flywheel.

@V70 what did you or are you doing for the fuel tank/system?

On the Fabrication of parts I don't mind doing it and have welders and implements of destruction. If I'm swapping the engine removing as much S8 unique parts as possible would be nice.

What to do about the cluster can I use the stock gas one or do I need to get a European TDI one?
 

V70R

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2005 Passat TDI Wagon
I think 45mpg highway is an obtainable number for a 3L with a decent exhaust and other supporting mods. First off, I didn’t realize a D2 S8 was so heavy! Curb weight for a D2 S8 is almost the same as my TDI donor, a 2016 A6; they’re both tipping in right around 4,100lbs.

Yep! Same 10 bolt pattern. Only thing I’ve noticed is the crank sensor tooth spacing for the TDI is different when compared to 078-079 RS V8 motors. I’ll get some pics today, but I am not sure if a B7 RS4 flywheel would work. I’d say contact a company like TTV Racing to get the specifics whether there is a difference. They also do custom stuff like twin disk setups and have some of the best flywheel machining I’ve seen.

Fuel stuff- if I can get a euro diesel tank sent over, I’ll rock it, but at this point no one is interested in sending one across the pond. The plan is to modify the filler neck to accept a diesel handle, use a set of B5 in-tank pumps and most likely a Bosch 7.3 Super Duty pump in-line where the fuel filter location is.

I’d say rock the stock S8 one for now, and down the road you can do a diesel D2 A8 cluster if ya want...especially if your TFT display in the center is in great shape 👍🏻👍🏻
 

v8 coupe

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Dropping the Tiptronic saves like 100lbs. I'm just not sure what the weight difference between the existing V8 engine and related stuff, and the same for the 3.0TDI is.

The D2 S8 does have a few advantages over the B5 weight unfortunately isn't one. Room anywhere up front is available for extras like intercooler, oil cooler, transmission cooler, etc. 6-speed conversion is actually possible with all factory stuff if you look right. They are also stock 4.11:1 so that opens up transmission options. They also run 26.5" tires but 27s fit fine.

What I'm thinking would be my best route of execution is just get a B7/ early B8 3.0TDI engine, harness, and ECU. If possible get it from a manual car to aid in ease.
 

V70R

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You’re not joking in the weight difference; I didn’t realize the 5HP24 trans was so stinking heavy. I’m not sure of the exact flywheel weight of a stock V6 TDI DMF, but there’s an easy 100lb loss in doing the conversion.

Keep us updated on the donor search and what you end up going with. I’ll have some wiring conversion schematics here soon that might be applicable to using the B7 harness and ECU converted to run in our older cars.
 

v8 coupe

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Ok so with fuel prices where they are currently and no signs of that changing in a good direction soon this needs to happen.

I'm seeing a few early Treg and Q7 donors in junkyards near me. What all is needed to run a B7 BKN harness and ECU on a CATA?
 

V70R

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I’m slacking on doing anything related to the V6 TDI project. Unfortunately the good ‘ol 5HP19 has started to lose reverse in my daily 2005 Passat TDI Wagon, so instead of buying an 0A3 for the B5, it went to an 0A2 conversion for the Passat. Rats!

Granted I don’t have any specific knowledge since I haven’t done this, but I’m almost certain it’s fairly straightforward and doable. The BKN and CATA motors are the same Generation 1 V6 TDI with both using 3K turbos and a belt-driven HPFP in the front, so the harness should fit fairly well to a Treg/Q7 motor.

Which vehicle ya thinking of this for?
 

v8 coupe

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My 01 D2 S8. It's current 4.2L needs a reseal and the auto is leaking so I was originally just planning on dropping the drivetrain reseal the V8 and go 6-speed manual. I just don't see a reason not to spend the 2-4k more to go 3.0TDI. I already have an 01E with a 0.56:1 6th here. The biggest difference is going to be the mounts.

I was kind of thinking nows as good a time as any to do the CP3 conversion unless the 09s are CP3 equipped.
 

iwannajettatdi

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Any idea how you're going to get the auto ecu converted to manual? There are some adaptations that can be done in VAG-COM, but it still needs manual maps. Is a euro ECU an option? Or have the legends st Malone figured out how to crack the EDC17 ECUs? I would LOVE a 2009-10ish allroad, manual, with a 3.0 TDI. I love my Q5, but I miss the gear changes. Any thoughts about converting a Q5 to manual gearbox? With the right 01E gearing and propshaft, could it be done?
 

Koehn

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Any idea how you're going to get the auto ecu converted to manual? There are some adaptations that can be done in VAG-COM, but it still needs manual maps. Is a euro ECU an option? Or have the legends st Malone figured out how to crack the EDC17 ECUs? I would LOVE a 2009-10ish allroad, manual, with a 3.0 TDI. I love my Q5, but I miss the gear changes. Any thoughts about converting a Q5 to manual gearbox? With the right 01E gearing and propshaft, could it be done?
While you can certainly bolt up an 01E to the engine, your Q5 or any B8+ based vehicle would require an 0B4 transmission or newer. An 01E/02X/0A3 won't work as the clutch setup was changed dramatically to get the front differential closer to the front of the vehicle. Checkout what the flywheel looks like in a B8 A4 and you'll see what I mean!
 

V70R

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^ just as Koehn stated, the B8 chassis was the first attempt to move the engine father back to create a more favorable weight distribution, and doing so put the front axle output flanges literally right in the way of the clutch and flywheel.

There’s some folks in Europe who can convert the ECM to a manual file yes. The later generation V6 TDI has been converted in a few B5’s in Poland, and they’re both running manual files on their EDC17VP44 ECM.
 

v8 coupe

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I am completely removing the TCU and all it's assorted BS. Had I been keeping it the stock V8 I'd have just had that tuned accordingly. I will not be attempting to wire in the Touareg harness and ECU I will most likely back date the engine to a B7 3.0TDI ECU and harness. I will likely have a European tuner help me on that. I will also likely do a CP3 conversion while it's out. I'm not going to do anything else but EGT/EGR deletes, swirl flap delete, ASV delete, and 3" turbo back exhaust.

If I can get to Stage 2 280hp 435ft-lbs that'll be fine. Probably won't make it slower or not by much. I've got an 01E with a 0.93:1 4th, a 0.73:1 5th, and a 0.56:1 6th. Paired to a set of like 245/45-19 tires cruise will be nice and low.

I likely will have to modify the existing Subframe to run B7 mounts since the D3 setup is expensive and less desirable.
 

V70R

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I have a spare BKN harness I believe in my TDI parts stash. That’s a B7 3.0L TDI. If you want it, PM me (y)

I’m pretty certain you can get that no probs. Bobby Singh has been able to modify ECMs like the BKN to accept newer Hella VGT modules like that found on the newer TDIs, so you could easily get a 2260 takeoff from a later US-spec TDI for very reasonable.

are D3 subframes compatible in a D2?
 

v8 coupe

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I have a spare BKN harness I believe in my TDI parts stash. That’s a B7 3.0L TDI. If you want it, PM me (y)

I’m pretty certain you can get that no probs. Bobby Singh has been able to modify ECMs like the BKN to accept newer Hella VGT modules like that found on the newer TDIs, so you could easily get a 2260 takeoff from a later US-spec TDI for very reasonable.

are D3 subframes compatible in a D2?
I'll send you a PM on the harness and details.

The goal for now is just to get this running. I am not 100% sure I'm going to leave it in the D2 forever as I have a B6 Avant I'd love to put it in and go a different route on the D2, but I want it to run first.

I've scored a 3.0TDI swap from a 10' Touareg from Canada has ~212k miles on it (342k km). At that mileage I'm doing the CP3 as preventative maintenance. I do at some point want to do a GTD2872VRK on it with nozzles/ injectors and such, but not funds. I'll probably also do a twin disc Clutch 8.5" variety for street manors on a manual with 400+ft-lbs down low.

I've got a spare S8 Subframe I'll modify to use B7 mounts, and just get some upgraded units for those. The D2 S8 mounts are electronic and expensive (500ea) with not many options as they are D2 specific. The D3 is a drastically different setup than the D2 so not interchangeable.
 

MJF

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What kind of immobilizer BKN has? Could it be deleted? I am looking for simplest 3,0 swap for older Audi.
 

Adama6c5

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You’re not joking in the weight difference; I didn’t realize the 5HP24 trans was so stinking heavy. I’m not sure of the exact flywheel weight of a stock V6 TDI DMF, but there’s an easy 100lb loss in doing the conversion.

Keep us updated on the donor search and what you end up going with. I’ll have some wiring conversion schematics here soon that might be applicable to using the B7 harness and ECU converted to run in our older cars.
I wonder how you wired the 3.0tdi in the b5? I am working on a 3.0tdi project in an a6 c5, which are the same connectors as from the b5. do you have a scheme? I appreciate any help.
 
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