Project Quattro-Syncro. 1.8t, 5speed, AWD, ABS,EDL

xoo00oox · Last edited by xoo00oox on Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:52 am; edited 1 time in total

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

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

This poor syncro has seen better days.

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

Andrew-

Syncroincity · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:23 pm Post subject:

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

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shadetreetim · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 7:36 pm Post subject:

Geez, you sure know how to make a guy jealous.
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Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!

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Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:11 pm Post subject:

I'm as useless as testicles in a bra, but I'm all over this thread.
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Casey--
Seven VW vans from T1 through T4 since 1985
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Vanagon Nut · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 8:50 pm Post subject:

hans j · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 9:15 pm Post subject:

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!
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1986 Canadian Syncro Westy TDI - 1989 Syncro Single Cab - 2001 Audi S4 - 1981 VW Caddy ABA - 1980 VW Caddy EV - 1973 VW T-181

shadetreetim · Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:01 pm Post subject:

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

Doing my best every time I drive it to dispel the myth these Vanagons have to be slow!

'89 Vanagon Bluestar/Country Homes 1.8T & .77 4th
'10 Wrangler 3.8 6SP Manual
'12 Ford E350
'12 Tiguan 2.0T 6SP Tiptronic - Lady Shadetree's

xoo00oox · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 2:32 am Post subject:

'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-

chojinchef · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 6:18 am Post subject:

Gonna need lots of it for this thread.

LP
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danfromsyr · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:14 am Post subject:

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.

insyncro · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:17 am Post subject:

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?

dixoncj · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 7:26 am Post subject:

Could be a magical project.

rs4-380 · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 12:33 pm Post subject:

so are you going to spin the engine backwards?
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Dave
87 EJ25 Syncro GL

xoo00oox · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 12:49 pm Post subject:

xoo00oox · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 4:37 pm Post subject:

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-

ute · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:16 pm Post subject:

This is totally rad!

dobryan · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:37 pm Post subject:

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

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'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

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Zeitgeist 13 · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:42 pm Post subject:

This thread is moving too fast. Slow it down
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Casey--
Seven VW vans from T1 through T4 since 1985
Volkswagens powered by Volkswagen
Respect the marque

IdahoDoug · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:13 pm Post subject:

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
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2016 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential. 1988 Mitsubishi Van w/ dual spinny seats, mid engine and solid axle.1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1992 Lexus LS400, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa project in pieces.

kirsplat · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:34 pm Post subject:

I'd just call it SQuatt Very Happy

What an awesome project you've started here...
I'm really looking forward to watching this come alive!
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86 Syncro|EJ253|Carat


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Project Quattro-Syncro. 1.8t, 5speed, AWD, ABS,EDL
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