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Mon May 06, 2019 7:05 am

Hi all,

I just got an ‘04 Audi S4 with the V8 4.2L engine as a payment. The transmission in it is bad, so I thought to take the engine and stick it into one of my Vanagons (because I’m crazy). Of course, i could just get a new transmission for it and sell the thing. But I thought I should explore and see what it takes.
So I’m thinking to use a Porsche 991 transmission in the van and adapt the 4.2L to that. Kennedy Engineering KEP says they have never had anything to do an Audi V8 and do not have an adapter.

Does anyone know of someone or how they put an Audi V8 together with a Porsche 911 (996 or 997) transmission ?

Mon May 06, 2019 7:24 am

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Check out the end of this thread.

Mon May 06, 2019 8:08 am

Also, what is the history of that vehicle/engine (in regards to maintenance history)? Those chain driven V8s are notorious for timing chain/guide failure, and its a big $$$ job to replace them (engine has to come out). If you are serious about attempting this swap, I would very much considering replacing them while you have the engine out, unless you have history of them being done already.

Scary pic for reference...

Mon May 06, 2019 8:35 am

I think you are looking for trouble.
Do a 2.7T, better motor.
The V8 is know for failures.

Mon May 06, 2019 11:27 am

The Porsche 996 transmission already has the right bellhousing to bolt to an Audi V8. We've had a had a few cars with Audi V8s. The actual engines are durable and well-designed. As noted, the timing chain engines suffer from wear at the guides that can cause the engine to jump timing. But with the engine out, perfect time to change them. Also, the earlier ones have a lot of vacuum lines connected with the cloth covered hose and those that deteriorate and cause the engine to throw codes.

If you're up for the challenge, though, I'd say go for it. They sound great and they pull hard to 6500+ rpms.

Mon May 06, 2019 11:40 am

Agreed with the above on the motor reliability, but you likely already know that.

If this is just a fun experiment, then why not? There is a 2.8 v6 powered van I saw a while back, that might be a good one to look at. I'm wondering if the 8 is going to be to long to really fit in the engine compartment, but who knows. The 6 looked tight in there.

What style of van would this go in? Passenger? Carat? Westy? Etc.?

That Audi S4 is a fun car, so It would be super interesting to see this finished.

Mon May 06, 2019 1:52 pm

As stated above. Been done. Audi S8. Do it. Poor guy lost it due to divorce. Give us pictures.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...;start=180

Mated to 966 tranny
https://s690.photobucket.com/user/performanceghia/media/IMAG2108.jpg.html

In enginengine bay
https://s690.photobucket.com/user/performanceghia/media/20130421_212224_zps7456cafa.jpg.html

Tue May 07, 2019 10:52 am

Thanks for the links and comments. I’m still reading the Bluestar write up. Love the thread. Amazing, no adapter needed. I’m intrigued with the thought of a V8 powered Vanagon.
I knew about the timing chain issue before I took the car. Those have been done on this car not even 20.000 kms ago. However, I heard even after replacing the chains and tensioners that they could fail at any time. But I think I’ll go for it. It’ll go into an ‘89 Carat. I’ll use the brakes from the car on the van as well. Time is the issue though. I’m still not done with my Westy with the ALH TDI, mid engine traverse set up. But if I start collecting parts and knowledge, and marry engine and transmission before hand, set up the wiring loom and ECU, I wonder how long the swap will take ?

Tue May 07, 2019 3:26 pm

If I was going to all that work I would put the engine in the center with a front wheel drive transaxle. That would make the van balance nicely. Maybe you could get the Audi brakes on there to. Just food for thought when you are thinking. John