Jason_wlp

So i decided to sell the 2.8 30v due to its limitations and weight after installed. And go with a 1.8 turbo route. I've done some research and read that the pre-1988 b2 transmissions either have a i5 bolt pattern or i4 only. that the newer b3 transmission has the dual bolt bell housing you can bolt anything to. is this correct? i dont know exactly what trans i have, a 016/FWD i think. If this is true, could i just swap the bell housing onto my trans?
-thanks

Jason_wlp

nobody has a clue?

Rogviler

Yeah, the transmission you have will only mate to 5+ cylinders. You can run an 01A or 01E with any engine. I would rather swap the whole transmission than swap just the bell housing.

-Rog

Jason_wlp

thank you good sir, i thought so too. The 01A or 01E, whats the difference between the two, will it fit in the place of my old trans fine and the axles bolt to it? I've read the 01A is alot weaker then my current 016. I have a guy that agreed to tune the 1.8t for me bumping it up to 215 horses and 240 ft-Ibs. id hate to destroy the trans right after i swap it in. and i also just paid for a new clutch and slave cylinder to go in my 016. I thing ill swap the bell housing, if it can be done.

Rogviler

You would be fine with either with that amount of power. The 01E is indeed stronger though. On the 01E, the output flanges are too large, so I know that would take some digging to figure out what to do. The 01A is I think the same as the 016 but might have other things you'll have to do some figuring out with to get it to fit. I will readily admit that I know next to nothing about transmission swaps... This is probably one of those times you'll want to see what the guys on Motorgeek have done (and I know it's been done).

As far as I know, to swap the bell housing would require some precise cutting and welding. That's what I've always seen done. Could be an easier way that I don't know about though.

-Rog

Jason_wlp

well thanks for your input anyway, any information helps. Ill check get their forum and see if i can figure it out. the tune i mentioned was just on a stock 1.8t, i would eventually add performance parts and re tune it to about the 300hp/ft-Ib mark.
oh the bell housings dont bolt on and off?

Rogviler

No, the closest it unbolts is behind the axles, so basically the whole differential.

01A so you can visualize:



I think the consensus is that the 01A is safely good for 350hp, although I've heard of more.

-Rog

Jason_wlp

thanks rog. i see.. is that 01A a quattro transmission?

Rogviler

The one in the picture is, but you can get a FWD 01A pretty easily. I'm not sure if we got a FWD 01E in the U.S. though... I hear a lot of people talking about importing them, but that could be a specific version of it. Again, you'll definitely want to find a transmission expert so you don't start hacking things up only to find that none of it works.

-Rog