TDI scirocco?

[scirocco at vintagewatercooleds.com (Eric S)]

Ok, I've been mentioned, and you've had some good replies, but I'll chime
in with a bit more specifics.

Cory Langford said:
> With the price of fuel constantly climbing up here in the north, I have
> seriously been thinking about the next fall project being a TDI conversion
> into a roc.
>
> I know a while ago a couple lister were going to attempt it.  Did anyone
> manage to get a competed conversion?

I heard rumors of a TDI Mk1 running around in Quebec...again, only rumor,
no proof.  I know several Rabbit Truck TDIs both running and in progress.

As has been pointed out so eloquently by Koabi, my project has been
stalled almost as long as Mr Box o Parts Brian Honnold has. ;)

> I have not done any research on the topic, but I figured if it was done
> before this would be the best place to get info.
>
> So a few questions to start off with:
>
> 1.  Are the TDI's drive by wire arrangement or do they have the mechanical
> TB?  IE: when I go looking for an engine do I need more than simply the
> engine harness and wiring, do  I need to grab the pedal assem and all
> electronics that go with it?

All TDIs are DBW.  You do NOT need the entire pedal assembly however, just
the pedal position potentiometer (convieniently, it has a connection
almost identical to a throttle body, and uses a cable! lol).  But, you
will need ALL the wiring, ECU, etc.  And, as has been pointed out, diesels
have no throttle body, they control engine speed purely on the amount of
fuel injected.

> 2.  Do I need to swap out the fuel distrib for the Diesel or can I reuse
> the rocs current fuel delivery system (in tank pump, main pump and fuel
> accum.)?

Your fuel distributor will be removed, as would the main pump and
accumulator.  The intake pump can be left as a low pressure lift pump,
really comes in handy to prime the injection pump after fuel filter
changes, etc.  The injection pump on a diesel is responsible for all the
functions your CIS pumps, distributor, etc did before.

> 3.  Did VW finally chance the block design with the TDI engine, or do they
> still have the bolt holes to mount up A1 motor mounts?

Yes, they changed the block on the A4 chassis cars, best TDI engine to
source (in my opinion) is a A3 Jetta or B4 Passat (engine codes AHU or 1Z
respectively).  These blocks have the holes for the proper side mount,
and, as has been mentioned, do not have the immobilizer system to worry
about in the electronics.  They also use a more reliable, normal
wastegated turbo, where the later TDIs use a VNT turbo.

> 4.  If anyone did the conversion, what did you use for a tranny?  Will an
> 020 bolt up and is there any issues with torque etc?

Pretty much everyone is going cable shift, because they are worried about
blowing up the 020s with the rather large amounts of torque a TDI can put
out with minor mods.  If you wanted to go totally stock TDI, no mods, a
properly rebuilt 020 should handle the power, and it will bolt up with no
issue.  I am going cable shift. ;)

Hope this helps, feel free to ping me with further questions, I have done
a LOT of research on this and am on a rather active email list for TDI
conversions.

-- 
Eric
www.vintagewatercooleds.com

1979 Dasher Coupe 2.0 8v
1981 Scirocco S (TDI swap project)
1990 Corrado TDI
1990 Fox Wagon 1.6 Heron Head 8v
1991 Cabriolet (2.0 crossflow 8v project)