W8 engine and running gear

[Henny 0]

'lo all,

 

Bit of an odd one this...

 

A mate of mine is on about building a kit car from scratch. He wants to keep it VAG powered as he's a big fan of their engineering, and parts aren't too horrific to get hold of should anything go wrong. ;)

 

Anyway, he's managed to find himself a Passat W8 4motion which has been written off due to being T-boned by something else. He's thinking about buying it, stripping off the drivetrain and engine (and probably wiring loom!) to use as a base to his project... Thing is that he's asked me if I know anything about the W8 engine and I know nothing about it...

 

Anyone here got any experience of it? Having been comprehensively left for dead by one in his BMW, he knows that they're fast, but neither of us have even seen one up close...

[Timo. 0]

One word.......... BEAST!!!

 

Sounds very interesting.

 

T.

[potatonet 0]

friend of mine's mom's BF had one, got rid of it because the 4 motion was being wierd to him. but I think it was the frame, I dunno, all I know is that is was faster than crap and was VERY crammed in there, but hey if it fits in a passat it should fit in a corrado.... or at least thats how all the previous generations have worked out ;-)

[dr_mat 0]

W8 in a kit car? Now that's going to pull some skin off many a rice pudding...

Can't see why not. You'll need a degree in computer engineering, however, since like all new engines there's more electronics per square inch than anything else!

[Henny 0]

dr_mat, I've got an electronic engineering degree (specialising in Mechatronics - basically the control of something mechanical via software and an electronic interface) and my mate's been a mechanic for a good few years, so we think we'll be able to get it running between us... ;)

 

potatonet, Think more spaceframe chassis, not Corrado... ;)

 

Timo, yeah, that's what we're hoping for... I've found out a few bits and bobs about 'em and it's looking like it could be interesting as long as the one he's found is a manual and not a tip-tronic/automatic... 8)

 

Anyone got any more details?

[CoxyLaad 0]

so long as you keep the original loom then you dont have to worry about how complex it is *much *

[Kevin Bacon 5]

You could probably dump a lot of the sensors as obviously you only need the engine. You won't need yaw sensors for the lights, A/C sensors, rain sensors etc etc or probably any of the Spandex stuff if just going straight RWD.

 

Should be quite simple after it's all been pruned down to your requirements :-)

 

They're only about 280hp aren't they? Must be scope for a lot more surely?

[Henny 0]

The W8 engine produces 275 bhp at 6,000 rpm from its 3,999 cc engine, and a huge 273 lbs ft (370 Nm) of torque at just 2,750 rpm. On the road this translates into a 0-62 mph time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed (limited) of 155 mph, while such high torque and eight cylinders mean effortless and flexible performance

 

(nicked off Google... )

 

So if it's doing a 6.5 second 0-60 in a 'Rat which'll weigh about 1.75 tonnes, imagine what it'll do in a space-framed, aluminium bodied custom built car! :crazyeyes: :lol:

 

Of course, then you could always lob a pair of superchargers like you have on your VR in there too for a bit of a giggle... ;) :lol: :twisted:

[Andy665 0]

What gearbox would you mate it up to

[Henny 0]

the complete engine, wiring loom, braking system, drive shafts and the manual 6 speed gearboxe would inially be used, although the shafts would probably be shortened and the wiring loom would be pruned of all the crud that Kev listed above, oh, and the diffs would probably be treated to some LSDs!

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Of course, then you could always lob a pair of superchargers like you have on your VR in there too for a bit of a giggle... ;) :lol: :twisted:

 

Just what I was thinking :-)

 

Although personally I'd go for sequential turbos on a big brute of a lump like that, Bimmer 535d style 8) A constant 2.85 bar boost delivered to it's IC from 1000rpm to the redline....which is why it kills the M5 in the midrange :-) Do it.....you know it makes sense!

[Henny 0]

oooh, sequential turbos? Never read up on that idea, sounds fun though, although turbo selection would have to be made very carefully I'd guess...

 

Personally, I just like Superchargers... ;) 8)

[Andy665 0]

Obviously not a UK market engine then as they were all autos weren't they?

[Henny 0]

nope, they were brought over from 99 to 05 in either manual 6 speed or 5 speed auto flavours... My mate's just confirmed that the one he's found is a 6speed manual and it all runs OK with just a VERY VERY large dent in the passenger side where a car T-boned it... 8) :D

[gaz the geezer 0]

....... tbh Henny, i cant see whats stopping you, what with your `tech` head :robot: and matey`s spanner ability 8) , i reckon you should just get on and get it done fella :thumbleft: , looking forward to seeing this project elvolve :wink:

[double-6s 0]

Do it you nutters! A W8 engined 700kg monster would be quite un-slow I reckon :)

[dinkus 10]

Superb plan! :D

 

Any hints on what the kit car he's planning on putting it into is?

[Dub_nut_g60 0]

niiiiiiice.....

 

will it be making an appearance at a future CF rolling road day???

[Dr Forinor 0]

I reckon you need to start a thread in the Members forum onyour friend's behalf and keep us all updated with constant pics and updates :D

[potatonet 0]

wow that one dude had 4 smileys in his post, o.O insano...

 

well henny I envy you, if I had a W8, I would be using it up in an instant, and the driveline and the whole everything else, and it would go into a corrado (small mods need to be done, :lol: ).... yeah sequential turbo's on those things are like 535 hp and 630 ft/lb of torque.... or thats what I read somewhere....

 

I like henny's supercharger Idea, how about an AMG charger henny? I got one sitting here already chopped up and ready to go it fed a 6 cylinder wil 13 psi, was going on my car but Im doing something a little more feisty and far fetched. hahaha :twisted:

[Henny 0]

Superb plan! :D

 

Any hints on what the kit car he's planning on putting it into is?

 

He's thinking of doing something like Noble did and building a sports car of his own design around an engine/drivetrain, so it'll be something completely new... 8)

 

Dr Forinor, as he's on about doing it for a new project that could turn into something of a business (obviously he'd need VAG backing/supplies!) it'll have to stay closely under wraps, but I'll drop some hints if I can... ;)

 

potatonet, the Eton was up there on my list for chargers if we went down that route... ;)

[Lippy 0]

Ian this sounds like a piece of pi$$. Expect it will be ready for the end of summer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

;) :lol: Good Luck!

[Henny 0]

erm, the timescale's looking to go along the next 2 years, so progress ain't gonna be quick... although the end result sounds like it should be! ;) :lol:

[potatonet 0]

hehe henny my charger is lysholm :-D

[Chris VR6nos 0]

I've been doing some reading up on the various engines and founf the W8 to be the worst.

Worst for vibration and worst for modifying but you will get a 4litre 8cyl engine so might be worth it.

 

This website offered interesting reading on the VR6, W8, W10 and W16

 

Clicky

 

 

Chris