well we were referring to the 1.8T motors...

but you have a 1997 a4? then it would be DBC.
drive by wire wasn't until 2000 and some 1999.5 because that was a weird split year.

 

so is it going to be a challenge going from DBC to DBW? or is the AEB DBC also?

 

AEB is drive-by-cable, yes. The challenge wouldn't be getting used to driving one versus the other, they're not all that different. The challenege would be swapping a DBW motor into a DBC car. There are pretty significant differences between the two including engine accessories like the oil pump and water pump, ECU, wiring harness, coil packs, sensors, etc.

 

If the most you plan on doing for power is a K04 then find yourself a 2000 Part out car and get the engine, harness and ECU out of it. The small port head is actually better for the K04 since it helps keep the velocity and the K04 is not able to out flow the stock port head anyway. Best tune out there for the K04 is the GIAC J31 tune which only works for the 2000 ECU which is a 018P box. Yes the 2000 A4 1.8t is DBW but that didn't stop it fro making the most power with the K04-15 turbo. lol

 

^^ listen to him he knows best.

but curious mike... do you not have a AEB in your car? i was always under the impression that you had a Aeb head with different block...

 

If you're not extremely comfortable with doing wiring work and reading diagrams you shouldn't attempt it, it's a 90% direct swap but that remaining 10% involves making a small wiring harness from scratch and tons of little modifications. Plus you'll need to modify the ECU tune to get it running right and without a CEL. If you do decide to do this, get an AWM. If you stick with an AWM motor and electronics it won't be any more difficult to swap than an ATW but you get an extra 30 hp stock and the best tuning support you can get with a B5. Plus the 06A block looks much more modern than the 058, no ugly v-belt or that massive wart of a water pump housing.

 

i just confirmed today that my 97 A4 is a DBW... i didnt see no cable to the throttle body and i found a sensor on my gas pedal so im pretty positive its a DBW... also can anyone confirm whether or not i really do have to use the vag com to sync the instrument cluster or something like that?

 

Look again, DBW started in 2000 and your car is no exception. Maybe you should reconsider swapping a motor if you're a having trouble locating a throttle cable...

Unless someone converted your car, if that's the case I'll eat my words.

 

^ yea..... start eating your words guy.....

1996- 3.0 12v were DBC
1997 3.0 30V WERE DBW now there is also a cable but that is for the cruise control.

im so use to talking about 1.8T's i keeP forgetting that we're on 30v 3.0 V6

SO fisheye.. you are right your car IS DBW... **** me, so anyways jsut get an engine from a 2000 a4 like mike was saying

 

DBW started in 1999.5 btw