Here we go. After learning how similar the chassis of the A4 and A6 are, I set to finding a donor for a V8 swap. I found a wrecked 2000 A6 for $650 and I knew it was ON. I had a friend pick it up for me and we set to work.




The transmission (these only came in auto in the US market) had already been removed and sold.

Some quick work with the cherry picker and we had this:


A common problem on these 40V motors is that the variable intake flaps get stuck, so I freed both of them up and replaced all of the vacuum hoses with silicone.


Another common issue is the coolant pipe that goes from the block to the oil cooler cracking. I replaced it with an aluminum one from a forum member on AudiWorld. I underestimated the amount of coolant remaining in the block and did not take any pictures because I was dealing with the waterfall of coolant/oil.

Next up was cleaning the engine and valve covers. The whole engine is in sort of a greasy state and the valve covers were leaking oil. I found this under the passenger valve cover...



An now we're at a stop while I wait for new chain guides to come on Monday.

 

Very stoked to see this project completed

 

Nice project. This will be good.

 

Made some more progress today. You guys need to start buying A6 parts from my parts car to fund the rest of this project...

Just for giggles I called the local VW/Audi dealer to see what they wanted for the tensioner pads. $800 for each tensioner. At least it came with new pads . Got all 4 pads from ebay for $54.







Currently working on reassembly now that I have the gaskets. Then I get to do the other side...

 

Subscribed. Glad you got a deal on the tensioner pads, $800 a piece is absurd. Do you have a part out thread for the A6? I'm in the market for a black tiptronic airbag...

 

Chris - Sorry, not much help on the steering wheel. The A6 is a gross brown color and doesn't seem to have the TIP controls on it like I'm used to seeing, though it does have radio, phone and heat... Just pay shipping if you want it.

Made some more progress last night. All cam chain tensioner pads replaced. The driver's side head was much better than the passenger side, though you have to pull the timing belt to remove the intake cam and tensioner.



Got the timing belt service finished up too.


I'm glad I didn't try to run it. The hydraulic tensioner was shot.

 

I appreciate the offer, but it was going to be for my girlfriend's TT. The igniter on her steering wheel airbag is throwing an airbag light and I've been trying to find a new bag for it.

The red valve covers look awesome! Is that wrinkle paint or powder coated?

 

+1 I like.

 

Sweet!

 

It's the wrinkle engine paint. I may have gotten a little carried away on the driver's side. It's wrinklier than Clint Eastwood's *****.

The plastic engine covers were missing when I got the car. I think I'll just make some aluminum pieces to cover the fuel rails at some point.