TheSamba.com :: View topic - Project Quattro-Syncro. 1.8t, 5speed, AWD, ABS,EDL

Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:05 pm

I have had a Syncro van sitting in my lot for many years, parked because of a broken transmission like many others out there waiting for the day the affordable syncro trans will come along.
I'm hoping to make it happen by attempting to use the very affordable, available, and reliable 01A transmission and front diff used in the Audi and B5 4motion Passat.
The engine I'll be using is the AEB 1.8t used in the Audi A4 and B5 Passats.

The wheel base of the Vanagon is 96.7", the Audi A4 is 103.0". The A4's with Tiptronic transmission had a driveshaft that was four inches shorter because the manual trans was shorter. If I use the shorter driveshaft, that will bring my front CV to rear CV length down to 99" or just 2.3" of the vanagon length. I believe the CV's will allow for that difference.
I'll first focus on making it drivable, then look into adding the ABS brake system from the Audi as well. The reason I want the brake system is more for the traction control than the antilock breaking. With this Quattro system, the brakes can grab a wheel that has lost traction so the wheel opposite it can drive or as Audi puts it, EDL (electronic diff lock).

Here is the Syncro being towed in the shop by our trusty "lot pusher" A6

This poor syncro has seen better days.

That's a 2001 inspection sticker, last time on the road was 12-13 years ago.

Andrew-

Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:23 pm

I was gonna say something about the spelling, but I just got the joke... :lol:

Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:36 pm

Geez, you sure know how to make a guy jealous.

Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:11 pm

I'm as useless as testicles in a bra, but I'm all over this thread.

Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:50 pm

Zeitgeist 13 wrote: I'm as useless as testicles in a bra, .....

ha. Reminds me of an old joke, which I won't tell, b/c it involves the pope. The punch line is "viola solo".

Andrew, this post made my day.

I know you know what you're doing, but for me to envision things.....

In terms of the CV's, could one ballpark by measuring the angle at CV's on a lifted Syncro, and its' CV lifespan, against the 2+" difference? (or is it more like 1+" per set of axles?) ..... if that makes sense.

Way to rock the VW thing man.

Neil.

Thu Aug 29, 2013 9:15 pm

Why not just have a propshaft shortened/lengthened to the exact length? All they do is cut out a section and weld it back together. That's what I am doing for my CV conversion. I'll be using a B6 propshaft with the center CV joint and carrier bearing, it's much lighter than the u-joint driveshafts.

Definitely looking forward to the conversion!

Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:01 pm

Will you be using the Quattro rear diff in the front of the Syncro?

Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:32 am

'nut-
Looking at my blue van with the 2wd version of the same transmission, there is plenty of room to move the axles back a couple inches.

Hans-
I know that is an option, I always try to use stock parts when I can. I'm hoping if I plan ahead I won't need the expense or have to rely on someone else to get it done. Thanks for suggestion.

'Tim-
Yes, the Audi rear diff will be my new front diff.

Andrew-

Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:18 am

:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

Gonna need lots of it for this thread.

LP

Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:14 am

This I have to see.. there's not alot of room up front and I'm curious to the fitment of the Trans with the Syncro fuel tank.

xoo00oox wrote: Yes, the Audi rear diff will be my new front diff.

Andrew-

*subscribed

Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:17 am

Spacing the driveline for more wiggle room is not a huge issue...as long as everything is equally spaced.

Looking forward to your project Andrew.

Will this need to retain 14" wheels and stock tire diameter as well?

Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:26 am

Could be a magical project.

Fri Aug 30, 2013 12:33 pm

so are you going to spin the engine backwards?

Fri Aug 30, 2013 12:49 pm

rs4-380 wrote: so are you going to spin the engine backwards?

yes, engine running backward.

Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:37 pm

I was able to spend a few hours today on my syncro. I actually have very little syncro experience, almost all the vans that come here are 2wd. I had never dropped the front sub-frame from one before. It is really neat that in just a few hours even with very rusty hardware you can drop this down like this.

here is the Audi rear diff compared to the syncro front diff

and here is the Audi diff in place on the Syncro sub-frame

The axles just bolt right on! I measure the distance between the left and right CV flanges, there is only 1/4" difference in that the Audi diff is narrower. This is all very good news.

The next step is to pull the springs off the struts and wheel this back under my van and bolt the frame back up. by having the springs remove, I can still bolt the top of the struts on to the body to locate the suspension correctly and be able to easily move the suspension up and down as well as steer the spindles left and right to check for and see if I have all the axial movement I need from the CV joints.

Andrew-

Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:16 pm

This is totally rad!

Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:37 pm

:popcorn: I love that you think of doing something and then just dive right in and make it happen. Looking forward to the results. :D

Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:42 pm

This thread is moving too fast. Slow it down

Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:13 pm

Yeah, slow it down some - I'm dizzy! Based on the pace of this thread, someone with a vinyl sign cutter needs to already start making a Quattro nose sticker in the Syncro font, 'cause by the time you make it and mail it, he'll be driving this thing! Heh.

So will it be a "SynQuatt", or a "Quancro"? Either way, one of those front to rear Audi emblem fades along the lower doors would look great.

DougM

Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:34 pm

I'd just call it SQuatt :D

What an awesome project you've started here...
I'm really looking forward to watching this come alive!