manual to auto diesel swap

This is a place for us to share progress on and upgrades to our vw diesels.

Moderator: Fatmobile

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godsend789
Glow Plug
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 2:48 pm

manual to auto diesel swap

Post by godsend789 »

hey all i am new but was was wondering.... i have an 85 jetta diesel n/a love it but is time for some changes. the rings are bad i think. its hard starting when cold and there is blow by when i take off oil cap. i am planning on pulling the motor and repairing the rings. in the mean time i came across a diesel automatic trans from 82 or 83 rabbit 1.6. will it fit the 85? what type of gear ratios are with the auto trans. i really could not find much on the auto diesel trans and info or experiences on this type of change or the auto trans itself would be nice thanks -kevin-
Fatmobile
Global Moderator
Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: manual to auto diesel swap

Post by Fatmobile »

I don't have much love or faith in the VW auot trany,..
so I can't be much help on this one,..

I'll have to sit back and learn something.
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
godsend789
Glow Plug
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 2:48 pm

Re: manual to auto diesel swap

Post by godsend789 »

ill let everyone know how it goes i found the trans for dirt cheap $250 it had 60k on it ill get my tranny guy look at it first tho.
just wondering if u have had any experiences with emiata.com turbo upgrade from n/a or should i start a new post about that?
godsend789
Glow Plug
Posts: 13
Joined: Sun Mar 13, 2011 2:48 pm

Re: manual to auto diesel swap

Post by godsend789 »

i get love but why no faith in the auto tranny? any stories?
Fatmobile
Global Moderator
Posts: 7564
Joined: Wed Oct 30, 2002 10:28 pm
Location: north central Iowa

Re: manual to auto diesel swap

Post by Fatmobile »

I've read some things on the vortex;
saying they have some flaws that need to be addressed.
I can't remember what the upgrade is, but they can be made good.
'91 Golf gasser converted to a 12mm pump, M-TDI.
'84 1.6TD Rabbit with a VNT-15 turbo, still setup to run on vegetable oil.
'84 GTI with 1.7TD pistons and intercooled.
2003 TDI wagon
2000 TDI Jetta.
joat
Turbo Charger
Posts: 215
Joined: Sun Nov 11, 2007 7:28 pm
Location: Ottawa , Canada

Re: manual to auto diesel swap

Post by joat »

the starter also bolts behind the block and between the exhaust pipe and the tranny ....... B*tch of a place to get into .... and the starters cook from the exhaust heat..... and turn in the opposite direction from the regular starter....
1992 Jetta (gasser to TD 1.6)
2000 TDI Jetta
1990 Jetta (Gasser RIP @ 875,000Km)
1976 Rabbit (RIP)
1972 Superbeetle (RIP)
1971 Fastback (type 3 RIP)

A pessimist is a well informed optimist
lyeinyoureye
Turbo Charger
Posts: 301
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:40 pm
Location: Mojave Desert

Re: manual to auto diesel swap

Post by lyeinyoureye »

I don't think I've ever heard of an automatic starter solenoid making it past 200k miles...
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