View topic: Ruby conversion to mk5 r32 with DSG

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Hi all,

Starting this thread to keep track of my upcoming project. Currently got a k04 1.8t S3 conversion in my mk1 (a.k.a. Ruby - couple pictures below) and I'm looking to move to an R32 from the mk5 golf platform with the DSG box.

At this stage I'm gathering information and quotes while I look into the build. I know people have done R32 and people have done DSG…but I'm not aware of anyone doing them combined. (likely for good reason!)

A few things below of what I've discovered so far, what I "think" I know, and then really any help / details you guys can provide are going to be really gladly received!!

- I've been looking at the Epytec r32 conversion mount kit (Eurowise copy) and they should fit the r32 itself ok. However, apparently the DSG box (I believe this is the 02E box) is that much bigger than the o2j and so it "shoves" the engine sideways in the mk1 bay and then the r32 conversion mounts don't fit anymore…meaning either getting the mk5 mounts and cutting chassis to fit or modifying the Epytec r32 and 02M mounts somehow…
- The DSG box would also need custom shafts and work to the hubs to fit abs rings; correct?
- Stock ECU should be fine, but I'm not sure about coding out the 4WD aspects of the DSG box. I'll need to keep mostly full MK5 loom because of how much the DSG box feeds into all the electronics.

At this point I think that the majority of the "heavy" work here is simply going to be getting the R32 / DSG combo to fit and be mounted into the bay due to the DSG box being large.

I'm not sure if people haven't done this simply because it isn't viable…I've seen 2.0TFSI DSG conversions but wonder if this is because the conversion mounts for 2.0TFSI fit even with the DSG box…not sure.

So, still looking into things…any help or advice really gratefully accepted!

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Been looking into this and seems a better way to go is actually to grab the 3.2 v6 from an Audi A3 as you can get the whole car for really quite cheap and use it as a donor, meaning I'll have all the stuff I need in one place.

Plan is to shoehorn in the big components (will need some fabrication help from others who can actually weld for this lol) and get it all running basically before doing any rust repairs / paintwork etc.

So, step 1, I guess grab an old 3.2 DSG A3!

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Hi mate,
Have you had a look into 3.2 DSG mk1 TT's? They go for quite cheap now, my brother bought one last month and it seems okay.
What's made you want to go from the 20vt to this?
I love the 20vt! :ninja:

- '82 Diamond Silver Golf GTI *20vt conversion in progress*
- '84 Mars Red Golf TDI

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MikeBott93 said

Hi mate,
Have you had a look into 3.2 DSG mk1 TT's? They go for quite cheap now, my brother bought one last month and it seems okay.
What's made you want to go from the 20vt to this?
I love the 20vt!

I'll have a look mate, cheers. Basically anything with the R32 engine and DSG (02E) box will be a fine donor for me. Hopefully I'll find something that someone has written the back end off and grab it nice and cheap

Well I've only ever owned turbo cars and although the kick is fun, they can be a pain with the added complexity and I fancied something naturally aspirated for a while…and also I love the sound of the R32

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squirrelofdoom said

MikeBott93 said

Hi mate,
Have you had a look into 3.2 DSG mk1 TT's? They go for quite cheap now, my brother bought one last month and it seems okay.
What's made you want to go from the 20vt to this?
I love the 20vt!

I'll have a look mate, cheers. Basically anything with the R32 engine and DSG (02E) box will be a fine donor for me. Hopefully I'll find something that someone has written the back end off and grab it nice and cheap

Well I've only ever owned turbo cars and although the kick is fun, they can be a pain with the added complexity and I fancied something naturally aspirated for a while…and also I love the sound of the R32

I suppose that's a good enough reason haha!
I doubt it'll be as fast as what you have currently though, however, i do agree on sound though, they sound immense.
I am looking forward to seeing how you get on with this one! :thumbs:

- '82 Diamond Silver Golf GTI *20vt conversion in progress*
- '84 Mars Red Golf TDI

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Thanks mate. Yeah, it won't be as fast, but honestly the current 210hp is plenty in the mk1! And a 250hp v6 (although indeed heavier) I imagine will be plenty too

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So I've been doing a good amount of research onto the R32 DSG combination…and it's looking to be rather cost inhibitive. Although the combination may be "possible", there are some good reasons why it hasn't been done before such as:

- R32's never coming with a 2WD DSG (given they were all 4WD cars). Meaning the DSG box would need to come from a TFSI car and then be modified to fit the R32…expensive
- The DSG would need some playing with to accept a significantly different rolling radius (i.e. 15 inch wheels on the golf vs. something like 17s before). Might seem only an aesthetic thing, but I'm not keen to put 17s on the golf
- Extra wiring trickery to get the DSG working "properly" in the car (with downshift blips, abs etc) all add cost
- Mounting the DSG alongside the R32 lump in the bay will be an entirely custom job

So, all said and done, anything is "possible", but for me this is going to be cost inhibitive to get the DSG working with the R32 in the mk1.

Therefor, going to switch to a 6-speed manual (likely an 02s or 02q box) instead. I still want to put a 6-speed in, because even with a diesel 5th, having a 5 speed annoys me currently in my car, so I want to set it up with a 6 speed. Although the ratios might still be a bit off given rolling radius etc, plan at the moment is to fit a quaife LSD and mess with the ratios there to get suitable on road rpm bands for the R32.

Watch this space.

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Interesting thread.

What will you be doing with your current set up? I've been looking into a 20v set up so if you were to sell as a package when your ready, I'd be interested.

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Super_ted said

Interesting thread.

What will you be doing with your current set up? I've been looking into a 20v set up so if you were to sell as a package when your ready, I'd be interested.

I'll be selling it once I pull it out of the car (in the next couple months), so watch this space

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Getting on with removing the 20vt…

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squirrelofdoom said

Getting on with removing the 20vt…

also interested in buying the 20vt setup once out and ready to be sold

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daviesa6573 said

squirrelofdoom said

Getting on with removing the 20vt…

also interested in buying the 20vt setup once out and ready to be sold

Join the q 😘

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Haha, well I just need to undo the gear linkage, hub nuts and engine mounts and then it will be out of the car ready to sell as a complete package (engine, gearbox, driveshafts, ecu, mounts etc).

Not sure when I will get this done as I need to get an engine crane, but it will be advertised when done.