Which Audi FWD gearbox to use in a 400BHPmid engined configuration?

[Mick The Cabbie]

As the title states, I am building a mid engine car & aim to use a gearbox from a FWD Audi.

The gearbox needs to be able to cope with circa 400BHP going through a big sticky wheel & tyre combination. It is fairly essential than an LSD can be fitted too. Quaife offer a good selection.

http://shop.quaife.co.uk/catalogsearch/advanced/result/?vehicle=4&product_type=11&sub_type=16&manufacturer=27&model=&q=

After some research I came to the conclusion that a type44 Audi 100 turbo gearbox would be fit for purpose. After all, it is often used in Ford GT40 kit cars using big torquey V8's for power. A derivative of this transaxle is also used in the Porsche 944 turbo. 016 I believe?

Before committing to this option, I would like to gather further opinions of possible alternatives. One reason being that the old 100 boxes are getting thin on the ground & replacements may be difficult to source in the event of transmission failure.

I'd rather steer away from diesel gearboxes as, over the years, I've been led to believe that the ratios aren't ideal in a petrol car. Long gears and big top speed is not what I'm wanting to achieve. Sprinty/lively through the gears is what I need.

It also needs to be relatively compact, so that it isn't hanging right out the back of the car. Some of the Audi boxes look quite long.

Is the B5 A4 / Passat 1.8T a viable option? I have searched the net and am struggling to find any examples running any more than 290BHP. This box would be useful in that the standard selector cable linkage looks like it can be easily extended to run to the back of the car.



Secondly with reference to driveshafts and legs.

I intend to use FWD B4 80 4 stud front legs and driveshafts, with driveshaft to gearbox adaptors if required. I have found three different shafts listed for this model.

SHAAU186AL 1.6P 33 52KW SPLINE Driveshaft £130.94
SHAAU192AR 2.8 V6 P ABS 45 TEETH 128KW Driveshaft £138.95
SHAAU109AL 1.9TDI ABS 45 TEETH Driveshaft £ 74.58

The bigger 45 spline V6 or diesel shafts appear to be the ones to use. However there are two different part numbers. What is the difference likely to be and which would be the best to use?

Opinions & advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mick

[Error404]

It would be helpful to know what engine, rev range etc you going to be using as there are loads of options & ratios etc to think about.
Personally I'd be looking towards a more modern box than the 016, the newer boxes shift a lot more smoothly and most are smaller and lighter.
If you want ultimate strength, wide gear the 01E is the way to go, but in fairness 400hp is not a lot for an Audi gearbox, most in good order will easily handle that

[Mick The Cabbie]

The planned engine is a modern quad cam 2.5 or 3litre V6, Jag or Ford duratec with a couple of small quick spooling T28 turbos. All in all, not dissimilar to a Noble M12 set up.

[Mick The Cabbie]

The car will weigh approximately 1000kg

[Error404]

Sounds good. Why not 2.7TT from an (R)S4? No messing with bell housing & I believe the K04 turbos will do IIRC 450hp with ease.

[caterpillar]

some of the trannys from porsche 924/ 928 are in the rear end with the transaxel.... and lsd diff...= audis 01e i think.... and 01e have 5 gear and some 6 gear...
other things; mostly does audi have the 4,111 ratio ( finals), but you DO have some 3,889 verson... some vw passat 98-2005 with engine longtude mount, does have trannys 3,875, and3,700
some of the 01e does also have dual pattern in bellhousing.. for all verson of audi engines, also diesels...
why not try diesel engine in... from eurovan ( 2004-2009) the AXE engine.. 174 hp and chipped to 210 hp easy ;they are in alu i think, and goes like a burned cat...
all audi vw trannys does have a year/ ratio code, mostly by the leftside att the top of bellhousing.. fx CBL stamped in , and 12345 figs...

[Mick The Cabbie]

Sounds good. Why not 2.7TT from an (R)S4? No messing with bell housing & I believe the K04 turbos will do IIRC 450hp with ease.

Although this is a good choice, the Jag/Duratec will be the engine that gets used. I just need an Audi box to make it work in the back of the car

[Mick The Cabbie]

some of the trannys from porsche 924/ 928 are in the rear end with the transaxel.... and lsd diff...= audis 01e i think.... and 01e have 5 gear and some 6 gear...
other things; mostly does audi have the 4,111 ratio ( finals), but you DO have some 3,889 verson... some vw passat 98-2005 with engine longtude mount, does have trannys 3,875, and3,700
some of the 01e does also have dual pattern in bellhousing.. for all verson of audi engines, also diesels...
why not try diesel engine in... from eurovan ( 2004-2009) the AXE engine.. 174 hp and chipped to 210 hp easy ;they are in alu i think, and goes like a burned cat...
all audi vw trannys does have a year/ ratio code, mostly by the leftside att the top of bellhousing.. fx CBL stamped in , and 12345 figs...
caterpillar is online now Report Post Multi-Quote This Message Post Tools

As great as modern turbo diesels are, it really wouldn't be at home in this vehicle!!

Yes all 924 & 944 have the rear mounted transaxle. It's the 944 turbo which uses the 016 or 01E internals as you say, albeit in a slightly different casing, so I have read on a couple of other kit car & Porsche forums anyway...

The 4:111 diff in the early box does appeal. However, the 3:875 of the Passat box is not too far away for what I need. Would this ratio be found inside the 1.8T box???

[caterpillar]

The 4:111 diff in the early box does appeal. However, the 3:875 of the Passat box is not too far away for what I need. Would this ratio be found inside the 1.8T box???

ONLY the gear code will tell about this; then you need the org familiealbum, to decode this.... go to some of the yards, and have a close look...( some does have the VIN nr tag, so you may see thsi..( in the servicebook or in the car...)..the tranny may seen in diesel versons too...fx.. vw passat 2,5 v6, or bigger..or some of the bigger audis...after 95 the mostly are 6tr tranny

[bluequattro]

Mondeo x type jag or Mazda turbo?

[Mick The Cabbie]

ONLY the gear code will tell about this; then you need the org familiealbum, to decode this.... go to some of the yards, and have a close look...( some does have the VIN nr tag, so you may see thsi..( in the servicebook or in the car...)..the tranny may seen in diesel versons too...fx.. vw passat 2,5 v6, or bigger..or some of the bigger audis...after 95 the mostly are 6tr tranny

To be honest, up to now, I've only looked on eBay as they're all in one place. Would you know from this vin tag exactly which box is in this vehicle? (2001 Passat)

[Mick The Cabbie]

Mondeo x type jag or Mazda turbo?

Dave, the engine needs to be mounted longitudinally, hence the need for a transaxle type transmission

[Error404]

Do you already have the Ford engine?
I can't get my head around why you would go to the trouble of fitting an NA V6 and then turbo charging it, given there are purpose built FI engines all over the place that would be far cheaper and easier to fit

[david1980]

Do you already have the Ford engine?
I can't get my head around why you would go to the trouble of fitting an NA V6 and then turbo charging it, given there are purpose built FI engines all over the place that would be far cheaper and easier to fit

plus helpful people here who know them

[Mick The Cabbie]

It's partly for aesthetics & partly because I know Fords like the back of my hand. I've turbocharged N/A engines in the past.

I am building a replica of something & the Jag / Ford V6 kind of in keeping with the original, partly due to the fact that these engines actually get fitted to the original vehicles to replace the fragile & expensive motor.

Noble turbocharge the Ford / Jag engine to great effect with their sports cars