aba or 3a

1lowcab · Post by **1lowcab** » Thu May 22, 2003 12:55 am

i'm thinking about doing a 2.0 bottom end swap. i wanted to go with an aba but my header won't fit anymore cuz there taller. the only thing i know about the 3a is that my header will still fit, and thats all that counts

what year and model audi did they come from? what else would i need for the 3a swap?

gimmefuel · Post by **gimmefuel** » Thu May 22, 2003 11:52 am

Im in the process of finding one myself. they were in Audi 80's, unsure of the years though. another option is a 2.0 out of an early Passat (16v) although w/o getting new pistons you'll be around 13:1 compression

but it would be fun

1lowcab · Post by **1lowcab** » Thu May 22, 2003 11:40 pm

13:1 compression would be a blast...till it blows up

how much does the 3a run from the junk yard?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 12:49 am

ABA is easier to find and a better choice. They both have the same HP rating (115), but the ABA has 18 ft/lbs more torque (135 vs 122) which has to do with the longer rod design (taller block). TT makes a downpipe that works perfectly for the taller block.

3A came out of Audi 80 2.0E

Blades · Post by **Blades** » Fri Oct 03, 2003 1:18 am

It fits. I talked to a few guys with ABA Scirocco

Step 1: Get plasticine
Step 2: find the higest spot in your engine bay (probably the intake)
Step 3: put 16.5mm high of Plasticine on it
Step 4: close hood
Step 5: reopen hood
Step 6: see it clears.

Put the 1.8 8v head back on it. Way easier.

Here's the setup I'm planning
ABA botton, 2H head, digifant chip, ajustable cam gear, 4-2-1 with homemade extender for the 16.5mm extra height of the engine. (or get the TT adapter for A1 with ABA swap) and 5th gear swap

Goal: as much torque as possible around 3000 rpm. Top end matters less.
Estimates are around 140 to 150lb-ft @ 3000rpm of torque at the flywheel.

The most costly part in that swap, the ajustable cam gear ..... (ABA are cheap in Quebec and bottom can be obtained for 200$CDN)

But that's going to be after I complete my AAZ engine in my 1992 Golf.

Edit: With the header, go 3A. Might be hard to find ....

1lowcab · Post by **1lowcab** » Fri Oct 03, 2003 11:01 am

cool, thanks for the info. there are guys out there running an aba swap with a header, it's like some fit and some don't. if everything goes as right i'll start looking abound for a block this spring.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 16, 2003 11:56 pm

In converting my 81 Caddy from 1.7l four speed:

I used the Audi 3A engine block from an Audi 80. Found one in a salvage yard that looked to be recently rebuilt. I then used the head and CIS injection and all of the knock sensor equipment from an 88-89 GTi. The dual outlet exhaust from the GTi and the Techtonics exhaust and downpipe made for easy installation and also passed CA smog as it looks as if it came from the factory.

I did purchase the Techtonics breather plate kit and I modified my Audi distributor rather than use the spacer/adapter which came with the Techtonics kit.

Techtonics makes everything you need to bolt in the ABA or 3A engine block. I really like the torque I get at low rpms with the 3A. It is extremely useful torque range when there is cargo in the back of the Caddy.

Post by **SoCal_Cabby** » Thu Dec 11, 2003 6:58 pm

how d the mounting point line up on both blocks?

Post by **Calimus** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 2:02 am

You talking head to block or motor mounts socal? I know the motor mounts are the same and I think from hearing about this kind of swap a few times, that the head to block are identical as well. though I think I also read somewhere that there is a swap where you have to file/grind off a pin or something like that. I could be (and probably am) wrong.

Post by **SoCal_Cabby** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 10:44 am

what i was getting at is the motor mounts on my jetta are different than on my cabby.

Post by **Calimus** » Fri Dec 12, 2003 12:26 pm

They shouldn't be that much different, however, all you really need to do is swap the mount brackets from the A1 to the new engine. All the mount points are the same, though the mounts themselves might be a bit different.

BigDaddy90Cabby · Post by **BigDaddy90Cabby** » Sun May 01, 2005 12:57 pm

Talking about the header not fitting.. header should fit, but have to extend to down pipe but ????????? let just say so many millimeters.. wouldnt be a big deal! its a cut , insert a spacer tube, and reweld it ! there ya go! THis is an other thread.. did you already do this?? This will be only major motor mod that I do to the cabbyl.. that is if i actually do it. My 90 is still like new only 68000 miles now, but i want a bit of a change.