I have a running '99.0 A4 FWD 2.8l needing a clutch, and recently picked up a 97 A4 Quattro 2.8l with a new clutch. The '97 quattro is a parts car now. it was in a 30mph front end crash. I'd like to swap the 4wd drivetrain, trans, clutch out and put it in to the '99 FWD car and make it a quattro. Is this possible? The 97 is in good shape just not worth fixing now. hood, fenders, glass, airbags ect. But the mechanicals and frame are good, so I should have every part needed.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

I seem to remember it being impossible. Could you swap the front end off the fwd onto the quattro, or is the damage that bad?

 

The front end damage is not bad. hood and fenders bent up, radiator fan is gone but the radiator is untouched. Swapping the front end however is not something I'm up for. I wouldn't think that there would be that much difference in the 2 cars. The gas tanks appear to be different. And I wonder the if ECU, ABS, ARS or some other computer would take exception to the swap.

 

It's not possible. This came up over on Audizine, something gets in the way of allowing you to do it and I'm pretty sure it had to do with the gas tank. And from my point of view even if it was possible swapping the drivetrain would be a lot more difficult than swapping the front ends (as long as theres no frame damage).

 

I think you have to swap sub-frames, gas tanks, and several other major parts for it to be even possible. Too expensive unless you have tons of cash laying around, and if you had that much why not just buy a quattro?

 

I appreciate all the quick responses, and for the tip about Audizine. It would appear that it may be possible but a whole lot of work and maybe some fabrication. I don't have a lot of cash but i do have a whole car for parts and time. BUT maybe not the skills.

 

It honestly might be cheaper and less time consuming to get the '97 back up to speed if it's salvageable. If it's an R-title parts car then it might have damage to the components you need. On most vehicles these days everything is made to give before the crash-cage that surrounds the passenger area. That being said, 30 mph front end collision on an R-Title makes me think that there was enough damage to major components that it being even driveable isn't a consideration.

 

It's not an r-title. The guy only had Liability coverage. I could title it but have no interest in doing so. The overall condition of the exterior is only ok. While he was selling it the hurricane/storm dropped a branch and broke out the back window and rained in. Plus air bags deployed, seatbeats, windshield cracked. So it's just got a lot of good parts.

 

O well even if he had full coverage it would have been totaled. Repacking airbags is extremely expensive; I think it's around $1000/bag.

 

Get under both cars you will see that it's not worth it