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Thread: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

  1. #1
    Hybrid booster
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    Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    I remember a while back there was a guy who swapped a VW TDI motor and trans into a mini. It was a white mini if I remember right and the vw axles and mini axles were pretty much welded together...

    I had the link and pics saved on my old computer which of course crashed...

    Anyone still have that link for saved those pages or pics??

    Thanks
    Bryan

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff 135sohc's Avatar
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    Davidsfarm on youtube.

  3. #3
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Vigo's Avatar
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    Probably one of my favorite k-car swaps ever.

    Id want to do one with a newer motor but id LOVE to do it if i could just get my hands on a cheap donor Stupid VW diesels resale too high to just stumble onto a cheap one.

    Dont push the red button.You hear me?

  4. #4
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    yeah I know, tell me about it... I'm still looking for a donor.

  5. #5
    turbo addict
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    It'd be GREAT to get one from the 2010 model....125 mph, 140 hp/ 236 ft lbs tq...42 mpg!!!

    35 time NHRA/IHRA Drag Race Champ
    05 SRT4 / S2 / 12.87 @ 110 / DOTs
    05 Mustang V6 / wifes / 15.17 @ 92 BONE stock
    96 Geo Metro / 3 cyl - 1 ltr - 55 hp / 19.84 @ 66
    84 Horizon / used to run 13's no power adders

  6. #6
    Mom Says I'm Special. :-) Turbo Mopar Staff Subliminal's Avatar
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    Seems like, other than the cool factor, it probably wouldn't be worth it.

    Say you get 40 MPG out of it when the stock setup would get you 20 MPG. Say gas is $2.50 a gallon. Say diesel is $2.75 a gallon. Say you drive 200 miles a week. Say you get the donor motor/trans/axles/everything you need for the swap for $1000.

    It would take approx 2 yrs for the swap to pay out, from a fuel mileage perspective...and thats with the moderate numbers above.

    That being said, if the goal is the cool factor, it'd definitely be cool.
    Damon

    "America is all about speed...hot, nasty badass speed."
    -Eleanor Roosevelt

  7. #7
    Super Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff contraption22's Avatar
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    Quote Originally Posted by Subliminal View Post
    Seems like, other than the cool factor, it probably wouldn't be worth it.

    Say you get 40 MPG out of it when the stock setup would get you 20 MPG. Say gas is $2.50 a gallon. Say diesel is $2.75 a gallon. Say you drive 200 miles a week. Say you get the donor motor/trans/axles/everything you need for the swap for $1000.

    It would take approx 2 yrs for the swap to pay out, from a fuel mileage perspective...and thats with the moderate numbers above.

    That being said, if the goal is the cool factor, it'd definitely be cool.


    People buy Hybrid cars everyday with a much longer term before payoff.

    At least with the TDI, you could theoretically tow. Plus there are tons of upgrades available for TDI's.
    Mike Marra
    1986 Plymouth Horizon GLMF "The Contraption" < entertaining sponsorship offers
    Project Log:
    http://www.turbo-mopar.com/forums/showthread.php?69708-The-Contraption-2013-14&highlight=

  8. #8
    Mom Says I'm Special. :-) Turbo Mopar Staff Subliminal's Avatar
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    Quote Originally Posted by contraption22 View Post
    People buy Hybrid cars everyday with a much longer term before payoff.
    That's true. Doesn't make it a good choice for mother nature or for the checkbook...but people do do it.
    Damon

    "America is all about speed...hot, nasty badass speed."
    -Eleanor Roosevelt

  9. #9
    turbo addict
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini


    This one and a couple related videos. I really should drive out there one day. He's only, like 2.5 hours away.

  10. #10
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Vigo's Avatar
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    Yeh, I would consider the power of a TDI a major benefit. i dont know the nomenclature but i think any tdi 00-up hooked up to a 5 spd feels pretty good bone stock, especially at low speeds. On the highway they are just NOT fast when stock, but there are people modding stock motors to over 200 whp all the time.

    Of course, putting any motor in a minivan is an uphill battle to go fast, and thats the same with our gas motors. A stock TDI/5spd in an omni wouldnt be much slower than a stock GLHT until you get up past 70 mph imo.

    Dont push the red button.You hear me?

  11. #11
    boostaholic
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    Id love to put one in a 95 4dr 4lug Neon with manual steering.

  12. #12
    turbo addict
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    I'd love it in my 3 banger Geo Metro!!!

    If Matchbox wasn't so darn consistant and making money that'd be a cool way to nearly double the mpg and go up a bunch on hp too!

    35 time NHRA/IHRA Drag Race Champ
    05 SRT4 / S2 / 12.87 @ 110 / DOTs
    05 Mustang V6 / wifes / 15.17 @ 92 BONE stock
    96 Geo Metro / 3 cyl - 1 ltr - 55 hp / 19.84 @ 66
    84 Horizon / used to run 13's no power adders

  13. #13
    turbo addict
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    Hmm, in an omni this combo could probably easily get over 50 mpg. The guy I rent a storage unit from bought a TDI and he average 47 mpg going to Georgia and back. He was saying a friend of his with an older Jetta sedan was getting over 50 consistently overall. Apparently he changed the chip and the injectors to achieve this. Sounds like an excellent swap for towing and fuel mileage.

  14. #14
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    I just bought a VW Passat TDI and its no hot rod but, damn does it get good mileage.. If I ever wreck the car, the motor is going right into an omni for sure.. I love that diesel rattle

  15. #15
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Vigo's Avatar
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    Start a thread an throw up some pics/info in the 'other vehicles' section.. im curious!

    Dont push the red button.You hear me?

  16. #16
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    As soon as I get it back from the shop. Its getting tires and tie-rod ends. I'll get some pics up prob by monday I hope.

    Bryan

  17. #17
    Moderator Turbo Mopar Staff Vigo's Avatar
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    I still wanna see that tdi

    Dont push the red button.You hear me?

  18. #18
    Hybrid booster
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    Re: Lookling for link to vw tdi swap into mini

    I keep forgeting... I'll try to get some later today, once I wake up. Time for bed...

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