WTB: 3a from Audi 80

[jdbubb at ix.netcom.com (Dan Bubb)]

For all intent and purposes the cranks in the 3A and early ABA are the same with the exception that
the ABA has a crank position sensor wheel. Later ABA cranks are reputed to be cast and may be
weaker.
ABA rods are longer, but if you calculate rod length to stroke ratio you will find that the 1.6 L
with 136mm rod has a ratio of 1.7, the 1.8L has a 144mm rod w/1.67 ratio, 2.0L 9A w/144mm rod is
1.55. With the ABA VW just wanted to get back to a ratio around 1.7. It makes the engine smoother by
reducing second order vibrations and also somewhat enhances the power.
As far as where they're made, companies generally have COMPANY standards and procedures. i.e. the
inspection procedures, quality control, manufacturing processes are the same throughout the company
irrespective of country. It's not like there's a German master machinist carefully producing every
crank to 0.0001" tolerances. Engines are manufactured by machines.
But to each his own personal bias.
Dan

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Utley" <mr.utility@highstream.net>
To: "Dumitru Hociung" <greasemonkey@veryspeedy.net>
Cc: "Scirocco list" <Scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 07, 2004 2:12 PM
Subject: Re: WTB: 3a from Audi 80


The 3A is the same height motor as ours, unlike the ABA which is 15 or 16 mm
taller...  Because of this, the crank and rods are different to make up for
the lack of height...  Also, all years are with a forged crank, and ALL are
made in germany, while the ABA are all made in Mexico...  I am biased, but I
would rather have a german engine over a mexican one...  Way to many
failures...

HTH

David Utley
Quoting Dumitru Hociung <greasemonkey@veryspeedy.net>:

> just curious, if you're going to rebuild it (as in with new pistons) why
> does it have to be a 3A? Afaik the 9A is for all intents and purposes
> identical, same block, crank, rods, squirters, etc. The oil pump and
> intermediate shaft might be different but aren't they otherwise
> interchangeable?
>
>
> On Tue, 6 Apr 2004 20:36:11 -0500 (CDT), "stetson"
> <tim@unrealexpectations.ath.cx> said:
> > Hey Mr.
> >
> > I have JUST been down this road! The 3A block is in the shop right now to
> > get checked for tolerences.
> >
> > It took me 3 mo. to find one.
> >
> > Look for 4 cyl. 80's and 90's (you probably already know this) and TELL
> > NO
> > ONE if you find one.
> >
> > I know of 2 sources right now. Patrick said a friend of his that was
> > interested in a 3A project but went another way and had one (I was never
> > able to find out if he wanted to sell it or not) and there is the one I
> > was going to buy from Michigan until I found mine in a local boneyard for
> > much less.
> > It had 100K+ mi. on it and was EXPENSIVE (even though I was going to pay
> > it) at $395 for long block Maybe it'll be less for short block). Email me
> > direct if you want this guy's email. This guy had distributor AND knock
> > sensor harness to sell too but the cost was just under $500 w/o
> > shipping!!!
> >
> > While I'm on the subject, why you need short block only? You going to run
> > w/o a knock sensor/distributor setup? Everything I've seen says you get
> > marginal gains for that and true performance is found w/ the knock
> > sensor harness and electronics.
> > Just a heads up.
> >
> > If you DO go knock sensor route, get the 3A distributor as then you don't
> > need a cheater for a 8v/16v(knock sensor) VW distributor.
> >
> > GAK motorsports sells the breather block off plate and so does Peter at
> > www.scirocco.com, but GAK sells them that are already milled to accept
> > the
> > fuel sending unit in it's stock place. Peter's are much cheaper but not
> > milled that way.
> >
> > That's as much as I know right now but when the block gets back from the
> > machine shop I'll be able to give you a bit of a map as to the gotchas
> > that can happen as I'll (hopefully) be putting mine in before yours.
> >
> > Now......need to know anything about 9A tranny gotchas?  ;^}
> >
> > HTH,
> >
> > Tim
> >
> >
> >
> > Life.  Don't talk to me about life.
> > - Marvin the Paranoid Anroid
> >
> > On Tue, 6 Apr 2004, Bryan Rankin wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > Lookin for a 3a, miles don't matter, looking for SHORT BLOCK ONLY.  I've
> > > called every yard in my yellow pages, and have had no luck, so i'm open
> to
> > > all offers.
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > >
> > > Bryan
> > > 81 Volkswagen Scirocco
> > >
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David Utley
-----------
Cable Volkswagen
405-470-3129
1-800-522-6793

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