Update!
Yesterday was a huge day for progress on the project.
I located an adequate donor vehicle for $2,200 and made arrangements to have it delivered to my shop. Not only that the person whom I am getting the donor from has been in the VW TDI business for the better part of his life and can get me just about anything I will ever need whenever I need it! I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with him moving forward and build a solid business relationship that will be lasting.
So what about the donor? Well it is a 1997 VW Passat with low mileage 128K approximately! So there is a ton of life left on this engine before I will most likely need to do a complete run through. Once I get it home I will most likely get the timing belt done and go over it with the usual inspections. The car was purchased at a local insurance auction up in Vancouver BC. the 1.9 Liter TDI has the engine code 1Z which is very similar to the AHU engine code except the conrods have smaller wrist pins.
Anyone that knows about the Passat realizes this year model was very desireable.
Pros:
-Usually the least expensive due to age and trim levels
-The 1996-1997 passat wagon has the largest fuel tank (~28 gal) and longest range of all the VW diesels, 1000 miles/tank is possible
-The sedans offered 18 gal tanks with 700+ mile range ability
-Easiest for do it yourself maintenance, simpler systems
-Lightest weight, similar engine as later cars
-Steel oil pan reduces chance of damage to engine from road damage
-Excellent choice for running biodiesel
-Front airbags
-Loosest emissions standards
-Manual transmission only
Being that the Passat only came in manual transmission this makes the conversion to any manual much easier as the ECU will not interfere. These engines came with AC which will save me money converting it to electric drive as well!
Looking forward to getting it home next week sometime!
GH
