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chillzombies Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2008 Posts: 55 Location: Long Island, New York
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Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 4:31 pm Post subject: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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I’m looking into swapping an 07k 2.5 5 cylinder into a vanagon. Curious if anyones done the swap recently. I found a thread from 2007 saying a company called overland parts sold a kit. Unfortunately they are long gone. I know that the 07k uses the same bell housing as an inline 4 so I can use the Fast inline 4 cylinder kit, I’ll have to fabricate mounts to the engine itself that can bolt to the bar’s 2 hydraulic mounts. Im thinking spending on the angle I would need to modify the intake manifold to fit. Integrated engineering makes a short runner so that might help as well. I was told the syncro uses spacers to lower the engine down, can anyone confirm that? Hoping I can make this happen as the 5 cylinder has nice torque and hp numbers, decent fuel mileage, they’re cheap and abundant. Thanks in advance. |
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chillzombies Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2008 Posts: 55 Location: Long Island, New York
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Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 4:44 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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Zeitgeist 13 Samba Member

Joined: March 05, 2009 Posts: 12167 Location: Port Manteau
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Posted: Sat Nov 19, 2022 5:20 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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I'm not too familiar with the 07k, but I've heard good things about their robustness. When I installed my ALH, in order to get it to fit under the decklid, I dropped the drivetrain down to Syncro height. This entailed adding a spacer to the transmission mount and then custom extensions on the engine crossbar. I also cut out the "firewall", which wasn't necessary for my install, but it would help with a longer engine like the 07k.
Good luck and let us know what you find out during your swap. _________________ Casey--
'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik? |
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NASkeet Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006 Posts: 3200 Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2022 12:59 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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For those in Europe who craved more power, there was the Ötinger 3•2 litre flat-six, water-cooled engine, developed from the VW flat-four, water-cooled engine, an example of which I saw in a VW Transporter T3 Syncro, at a VW show in Essex, England.
The Audi derived 2•3, 2•5 & 2•6 litre, in-line five-cylinder engine, was a factory-stock installation in the South African built, 1993~2003 VW Transporter T3 (i.e. Vanagon in USA parlance!) where they chose to further develop the Transporter T3 rather than manufacture the VW Transporter T4 (i.e. Eurovan in USA parlance!).
Production of the VW Transporter T3 ceased in South Africa when the VW Transporter T5 was introduced, which in turn was super ceded by the VW Transporter T6.
I recall there being at least one article, possibly two, featuring more than twenty years ago in the British published magazine, VW Motoring; one of which was entitled "Van with Vroom".
I think on those post-1992 South African vehicles, the engine compartment ceiling might have been raised and I think the engines were canted to give the necessary vertical clearance, so the engine would have had a different sump, similar to what was fitted to the 1•6 & 1•7 litre diesel & turbo-diesel engines, that were used in the 1982~92 VW Transporter T3; many of which had five-speed transaxles.
_________________ Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.
Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper
Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)
https://vwt2oc.co.uk |
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ALIKA T3 Samba Member

Joined: July 30, 2009 Posts: 7196 Location: Honolulu,Hawaii and France
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uberaudi Samba Member
Joined: June 24, 2013 Posts: 626 Location: Hi-top Country
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 11:01 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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Coming from a long list of older Audis, I've come to love the 5 cyl, especially that sound!
ChillZombie, it looks like you've got a 3B 20vt pictured there with a 7a intake. In order to bolt one of those (7a/3b/Aan) you would need to find the elusive SA Bell housing. Great motors that pull like a freight train and no doubt an excellent match for a Vanagon but not really what this topic is about. An 07k shares very little with the older gen 5cyl aside from the number of cylinders.
That's quite the clean install in a Vanagon though and after seeing those pics it really makes me wish I still had my old '91 Avants!
I'd be curious to see what it would take to bolt an 07k up to a stock 6 rib 4spd. Any word from FAS if they can accommodate with the adapter and clutch/flywheel? After that, it's the same as any other motor swap, hanging the motor with a compromise between decklid and ground clearance.
I was curious if TDC-Shop made swap harnesses for the motor and of course he does!
https://www.tdc-shop.com/new-page-2
172hp/202tq at the wheels sounds pretty incredible if you ask me! _________________ '84 Adventurewagen 1Z TDI, '08 Audi Avant Quattro 6spd BHW TDI |
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danfromsyr Samba Member

Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15357 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 8:13 am Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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We did a custom 5cyl to vanagon automatic adapter.
but iirc you can use a VR6 adapter plate to the 4spd from Kennedy
but do some due dilligence on that.
I had a SA bellhousing but sold it to a enthusiast in NH for his 5cyl project
it's a brave path to go 5cyl, as there are very few (in US) who've taken that path..
here's the Eurovan 2.5l 5cyl in Mom's 86 automatic..
driveline is lowered and forward as we wanted to fit under the lid if possible..
challenge was accepted and accomplished.
_________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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NASkeet Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006 Posts: 3200 Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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In my part of the World, automatic transmission is mainly for people who are principally involved in congested urban driving, the physically disabled, those unable to pass a driving test with manual transmission and wimps! _________________ Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.
Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper
Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)
https://vwt2oc.co.uk |
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chillzombies Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2008 Posts: 55 Location: Long Island, New York
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Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 3:26 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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uberaudi wrote: |
Coming from a long list of older Audis, I've come to love the 5 cyl, especially that sound!
ChillZombie, it looks like you've got a 3B 20vt pictured there with a 7a intake. In order to bolt one of those (7a/3b/Aan) you would need to find the elusive SA Bell housing. Great motors that pull like a freight train and no doubt an excellent match for a Vanagon but not really what this topic is about. An 07k shares very little with the older gen 5cyl aside from the number of cylinders.
That's quite the clean install in a Vanagon though and after seeing those pics it really makes me wish I still had my old '91 Avants!
I'd be curious to see what it would take to bolt an 07k up to a stock 6 rib 4spd. Any word from FAS if they can accommodate with the adapter and clutch/flywheel? After that, it's the same as any other motor swap, hanging the motor with a compromise between decklid and ground clearance.
I was curious if TDC-Shop made swap harnesses for the motor and of course he does!
https://www.tdc-shop.com/new-page-2
172hp/202tq at the wheels sounds pretty incredible if you ask me! |
TDC shop is run by a buddy of mine actually, Dave’s a good dude.
The 07k shares the same bell housing bolt pattern as a vw inline 4 cylinder, so the fast kit should work
Fine for that, engine mounts are the issue more than anything. |
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MarkWard Samba Member

Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 18753 Location: Retired South Florida
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Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:27 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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NASkeet wrote: |
In my part of the World, automatic transmission is mainly for people who are principally involved in congested urban driving, the physically disabled, those unable to pass a driving test with manual transmission and wimps! |
You should try driving your stick during rush hour around Atlanta.  |
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NASkeet Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006 Posts: 3200 Location: South Benfleet, Essex, UK
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Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 2:11 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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MarkWard wrote: |
NASkeet wrote: |
In my part of the World, automatic transmission is mainly for people who are principally involved in congested urban driving, the physically disabled, those unable to pass a driving test with manual transmission and wimps! |
You should try driving your stick during rush hour around Atlanta.  |
I have all too often driven (with manual transmission) during the peak period (before 4:00 pm until after 8:00 pm) in and around the "North Thames Corridor" of southern Essex, east of London, England, where an average of 10 mph would be fast!
I suspect that Atlanta, Georgia is an afternoon picnic by comparison.
Try Cairo, Egypt during the rush hour, where it's been a good day when you don't incur any bumps or scrapes and one is deafened by the endless blowing of horns! The densely populated cities of India, where the standard of driving would probably make even the USA's drivers wince, is probably much the same!
My father's best car for driving in congested urban traffic, was his 1968 Daf 44 with 850 cc, two-cylinder air-cooled engine and constantly-variable-ratio, Van Doorne variomatic transmission, which would probably beat most American muscle-cars away from the traffic lights for the first 100 yards.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variomatic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DAF_44
For those who liked greater luxury as well as a water-cooled engine, there was the Daf 66 in disguise, rebadged as a Volvo 66 and available with the super-powerful 56•2 horsepower, 1289 cm³ displacement engine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DAF_66
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_66
Forget all those over-engined 4, 5, 6 & 7 litre displacement, petrol-guzzling, overweight American cars, these light, nimble cars are what you really need for urban driving! _________________ Regards.
Nigel A. Skeet
Independent tutor (semi-retired) of mathematics, physics, technology & engineering for secondary, tertiary, further & higher education.
Much modified, RHD 1973 VW "1600" Type 2 Westfalia Continental campervan, with the World's only decent, cross-over-arm, SWF pantograph rear-window wiper
Onetime member, plus former Technical Editor & Editor of Transporter Talk magazine
Volkswagen Type 2 Owners' Club (Great Britain)
https://vwt2oc.co.uk |
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danfromsyr Samba Member

Joined: March 01, 2004 Posts: 15357 Location: Syracuse, NY
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Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2022 6:50 am Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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in my part of life these condescending thoughts on what equipment other people have in their own cars are considered jerks..
seriously.. wth does it even matter to you regarding an other's van..
NASkeet wrote: |
In my part of the World, automatic transmission is mainly for people who are principally involved in congested urban driving, the physically disabled, those unable to pass a driving test with manual transmission and wimps! |
_________________
Abscate wrote: |
These are the reasons we have words like “wanker” |
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MrPolak Samba Member

Joined: June 20, 2004 Posts: 1381 Location: AG ,atnaltA
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Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2022 2:16 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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I take comments like NASkeet's as a joke.
I live in the Atlanta area and all my cars are "sticks". While it makes one a better driver, it has no impact on making one a better person.
danfromsyr wrote: |
in my part of life these condescending thoughts on what equipment other people have in their own cars are considered jerks..
seriously.. wth does it even matter to you regarding an other's van..
NASkeet wrote: |
In my part of the World, automatic transmission is mainly for people who are principally involved in congested urban driving, the physically disabled, those unable to pass a driving test with manual transmission and wimps! |
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vwhammer Samba Member
Joined: May 20, 2006 Posts: 1010 Location: Boulder CO.
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Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2022 10:43 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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I have also been thinking of an 07K swap.
Thought about it so much that I even picked up a donor car.
This thing was pretty abused but it runs and drives.
The plan is to attempt a full Colorado emission legal swap by using all of the emission stuff from the stock car.
Anyway, that's a whole other topic.
Few things to note:
Yes, this technically will bolt up to all the VW inline 4cyl transmissions but you have to clearance the upper portion of the bell housing (or in van swap instances, the adapter) for the timing cover which is located on the rear of these engines.
As you can see the intake is pretty low on these engines so if one was feeling ambitious and wanted to fab an oil pan and pick up so you could do a 50-degree swap I would bet you could get really close to getting it under the deck lid.
other than the 50-degree arrangement you will definitely either need to drop the engine or raise the deck or some combo of both.
My 07K is part of a larger 4x4 swap so a lot of the things I am doing will not really apply to stock vanagons but I am thinking about a faster, lower, 2wd version that will use the same engine and be a relatively regular van.
All I need to do now is finish the 5 other projects I have going on an get started on a van. |
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vwfreek61 Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2004 Posts: 360 Location: Green Bay, WI
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Kdj Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2017 Posts: 272 Location: Naptown
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Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2024 2:45 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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Thought I would bring this thread back from the past. Just wondering if anyone has completed a swap with the late model 07k engine? And wants to share! Other then the Panzer one, info is still pretty limited with reguard to a vanagon swap. Seems they fit and will bolt up to our transmissions. Parts for swapping into other chassis are available. They are really popular with mk2/3 groups and even the Porsche 944/24 guys are using them. |
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chillzombies Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2008 Posts: 55 Location: Long Island, New York
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Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2024 9:11 pm Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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Kdj wrote: |
Thought I would bring this thread back from the past. Just wondering if anyone has completed a swap with the late model 07k engine? And wants to share! Other then the Panzer one, info is still pretty limited with reguard to a vanagon swap. Seems they fit and will bolt up to our transmissions. Parts for swapping into other chassis are available. They are really popular with mk2/3 groups and even the Porsche 944/24 guys are using them. |
Albeit late, I am currently trying to buy a van finally. I had a stroke December 1st 2022 about a week after making this post. I had a guy coming from Oregon to buy my rabbit pick up and had a van lined up to purchase from Boston. I sold the truck and used the money to live until I went back to work. I now 2 years later am finally back to sorts where I’m gonna buy the van I wanted. And again I’m researching swaps and this thought pops into my head. I have no progress at the moment but I may take this route especially seeing that panzer did it. |
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Kdj Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2017 Posts: 272 Location: Naptown
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 10:20 am Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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Been doing more research myself. Pretty close to pulling
the trigger. Messaged Panzer He said he used a kennedy adapter and mounted it straight up. They lowered it 1/2" to synco height also. In golfs and jetta they mount at 15 degrees which could help with the height. I have a Diesel bellhousing so it will bolt straight up to that, but at 50 degrees which is a potential can of worms also.
He also also recommended a different intake to help with clearance. There are a couple different styles available mostly from the Porsche community. Lastly he said go standalone management. As the wiring was a big hurdle. Somewhere around 2012 VW changed to a newer bosch system that doesn't seem as friendly to living in a chassis not designed for it. Most of the longitudinal swaps I've seen go that route, which does add to the cost but most of the Honda swaps do that also.
I'm mostly interested in this swap to keep it VW and the fact that not a lot have been done. But the Honda K24 is very appealing also and has a lot of fans for good reason. The easiest and probably smartest for me is to just upgrade to 2.0 8v from my 1.8 8v and add a power booster(low boost turbo) or go TDi. But I do like the idea of being different  |
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markswagen Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2018 Posts: 1555 Location: san diego
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Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2024 10:50 am Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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steering wheel holders.
l spent 11 years living in central London, l drive through LA from time to time, it's mostly been peak driving time, lucy and l do just fine.
T3's vanagons are 99% if not more manual, l'd never seen one until l came stateside, in fact l'd never ''driven'' anything with an automatic transmission until l came here.
l'm not sure RHD vanagons ever got power steering either, l've certainly NEVER seen one.
MarkWard wrote: |
You should try driving your stick during rush hour around Atlanta.  |
_________________ markswagen {mobile mechanic} san diego area all early VW's cared for.
619 201 0310 |
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Kdj Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2017 Posts: 272 Location: Naptown
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Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2024 7:20 am Post subject: Re: VW/Audi 2.5 5 cylinder 07k swap |
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I’m moving forward on 07k swap. Sourced a low mileage 2010. Still have some details to sort out but should keep me busy over the winter!
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