Former VWDieselParts.com Forum

I'm going to look at a Craigslist listing tomorrow for an '87 Quantum Syncro that has a 5 cylinder non-turbo gas engine. Would it be possible to put in a 1.6 turbo diesel and have enough power to drive it at 75mph on the freeway. I have the engine and am VERY interested in having an all wheel drive vehicle.

Thanks for the data! I'll know if I'm still interested after I look at the car tomorrow.

I looked into this it will be a labor and money intensive project if you use a 4 cylinder but if you find a 5 cylinder diesel it will bolt right up.

Excellent link, thank you. I was aware of the existence of the 5 cyl TD but have never seen one. Maybe if I start looking I can find one.
I am scheduled to look at the car in two days and will make a decision then.

out west I hear they are common. in audi 4k series of the late 80's. Or if you could find a 5 cylinder tdi that would be a nice swap with an mtdi pump.

It looks like the 2.0L Turbodiesel Audi will fit right in, engine code DE. It also appears there's a later European version, code NC that has 100hp. There was one (the DE) on eBay for $750 that someone just bought. Was that you bbob203??

It also appears they come out of the 1981-1987 Audi 100's as well as the Audi 5000's

I'd look at the AEL 2.5 inline-5 TDI.

Libbybapa, I want to stay away from any of the electronics of the TDI's. I have no experience with creating an MTDI or working on any of the TDI's so it's likely out of the question for me. I only have 1.6 TD and Cummins 12 valve experience and feel confident working on those from complete rebuild to routine maintenance. If you could convince me that it's easy I will look into it. Any ideas who would have an AEL 2.5?

I am concerned with the radiator's ability to cool the 2.0TD!!!!!

10-15% better efficiency with the TDI and 1/2 the heat load on the cooling system. If I had an AEL eTDI pump I could build an mTDI pump for it fairly easily but I build and sell the 4-cylinder versions. As with anything, if you don't know how to do it, it's hard. If you do know how to do it, it's easy. There's a fair bit of info on the GTD forum in the FAQ section. I don't have a source for an AEL.

Quote: As with anything, if you don't know how to do it, it's hard. If you do know how to do it, it's easy.

Libby, that is so true!!! I know I could do it if I did it once. Just like riding a bicycle the first time. You have to get the "feel".

Quantum-man wrote:
The big diesel stuff all a tight fit, but this will use your 1.6TD... just plug 'n' play so to speak...

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Differential-VW- ... 3cc906daf8

I did purchase the '87 Quantum Syncro Wagon with the 5 cyl non-turbo gas (petrol for you limeys) engine and it is an amazing vehicle. The guy I bought from has been a VW / Audi service tech and mechanic for over 20 years. It's not cosmetically perfect but the drive-train is solid (he put in a new center driveshft bearing amongst other things) and the engine is strong and leak free. He owned it for six years and it's got 197,000 on it but it was taken care of so I'm very impressed.

About your link to the differential....is that the rear diff? Wouldn't I need both front and rear? Am I missing something very basic here?

As with all potential projects the more "thinking" that goes on the more I think of other solutions. The gas engine turns at 3,300 rpms at 70mph so I'm not sure any diesel, TDI or TD, would be a good fit to that drivetrain. It seems I would need different gearing between the engine and the final drive in the front transmission and/or in addition to a change in the rear differential. You're the Quantum expert so what do you think? I know I'll drive this as is until I figure out the exact configuration I want.

One more time, this is an amazing vehicle to drive!!!