Looking for a donor engine for a Porsche 924

[mike.gamble]

Hi.
I’ve struggled to find a suitable section so I’ve plumbed for here and hopefully, if I’ve got it wrong, I can be directed in the right direction!
I have a 924 with issues and in essence, I’m looking to source a donor vehicle which I can use to supply the engine and all the electrics/loom etc.
My car has some nasty electrical gremlins that can’t be located so the plan is to basically strip my car completely, drop in the engine and loom into the 924 and work it out from there.
However, I already seem to have hit a snag! I bought a TT to use as the donor as even the 180 brake version is far quicker than the original ‘24 was. However, when the TT lump is rotated 90 degrees to be mated up to the torque tube, the sump fouls the crossmember which isn’t a massive issue - the sump can be modified but, the oil pump is at that end so, that scuppers that plan!
I’ve been told that the A4 1.8t 2002 - 2004 came on some versions with a BEX 190 brake engine which has the oil pump at the opposite end, making it perfect for my conversion. The snag however is the fact that they seem very thin on the ground!
So, in essence, is anyone aware of a VAG group engine, at least 150 brake with the oil pump at the gearbox end?
Hopefully this knowledge will provide me with a few more engine options/donor vehicles?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

[Scott K]

Hi Mike,

I was going to move your thread but can't really think of an appropriate section!! Have you tried contacting Crasher on this site? He knows these motors well and could probably advise you.

[Crasher]

You need a longitudinal installation engine so A4 or Passat 3B and its not just the sump! What I don't know is if the torque tube bellhousing will mate up. Interesting conversion though as that 2 litre lump is a bit of a dog.

[mike.gamble]

You need a longitudinal installation engine so A4 or Passat 3B and its not just the sump! What I don't know is if the torque tube bellhousing will mate up. Interesting conversion though as that 2 litre lump is a bit of a dog.

I have access to a fabricator who can make an adapter plate and ‘apparently’, with the right engine, it’s not particularly difficult.
Is it the case that any A4 engine would be suitable? My main issue is location - south west Cornwall - and I’d resigned myself to having to travel miles for a suitable donor vehicle but, there may suddenly be more options?

Apologies for what is probably an obvious question to many here but, is the B3 Passat the early naughties version?

[mike.gamble]

Hi. Still new to navigating the site. How do I locate of them members?

[Crasher]

I would use a late A4/A6 1.8T with VVT and DBW but you may find the simpler electrics of an earlier engine such as an AEB less daunting

[mike.gamble]

In all honesty, my biggest concern is the electrics. I’m not too concerned about fitting it but, the electrical side of it terrifies me!

[Crasher]

That is nothing unusual, the electrical side of jobs like that is what often causes projects to fail. Personally I get all warm and moist at the thought of making harnesses and interfacing different generations of wiring technology, I get a huge amount of pleasure from it. There are web sites dedicated to such odd and unhealthy obsessions, sort of wiring porn if you like. Having a muse over this I would try and find a late type 8E A4 with the BFB engine which can easily be taken up to double its factory output, have the ECU immobilser deleted as well as it looking for such items as air bag, ABS etc but then install as per factory using the A4 accelerator pedal or possible y one from a Golf 4. Using it properly would mean a cat and pre/post lambda sensors but that's easy and very environmentally responsible. The only area I can think of that could be stressful is giving the fuel tank an evaporative emissions system, you may have to dig into the US market Porsche 924 spares bin for that side. What you must do is join https://erwin.audi.com/erwin/showHome.do when you get the donor car and download all the relevant manual's and extremely importantly, the current flow diagrams which you must teach yourself to read, somewhere I have a copy of the VAG Self Study Manual for it. Initially this post 73 style of VAG wiring diagram makes people see starts but when you grasp it, the concept is along the lines of a London underground map. The layout does not make sense physically but it is extraordinarily logical. I ask people why they can't grasp it over a schematic and ask, why do you need to know where the left headlight is on a schematic, you know where the damn thing is, on the front left of the car so why follow lines all over a page?

[mike.gamble]

Cheers for all the info, it’s appreciated.
I’ve been trying to read up on things and if I’ve read right, the 8E version was available up to 2008?
im going to have a look at a couple of salvage sites and see what’s available.
I take it the oil pump set up BFB engine will not foul the crossmember on the 924?

[Crasher]

Yes the 8E with the 1.8 20v went up to 2008 but don't forget the Seat Exeo up to 2010 and Skoda Superb as potential donors, pretty rare things though. I don't know how the sump will work with the cross member, that is a bridge you will have to cross.