A4 Hopeful

I posted this in the main A4 forum, but figured this may be just as appropriate. I am interested in a 97 A4 1.8TQ with an auto... not tiptronic. Id really prefer stick to either, but like tiptronic a lot too. Is it possible to get either stick or tip. put into the car? Is it extremely expensive? Please help... with my current car (1983 MBz 240D) it is a common swap, but with todays technology i wasnt sure. Thanks

brian 4.2

I found that there could be incompatability between the ECU and the Tip-computer. I believe the VAG tool called it mismatched power train and trans. In my case the tuner was able to load the right software on the new chip to make them compatable. While the trans will physically bolt up, you may be opening a can of worms with incompatable software, different year and series of ECUs and Tip computers.
Also these transmisions are very expensive.

Rich L.

Look for Cameron's experience in the archives.

MikTip

I'm currently swapping my auto for manual in my 90. I've accumulated all the parts, and await a good weekend to accomplish.

I've extensively researched every concevable avenue of information to see if it can be done.

I've found a donor car in a salvage yard for all the parts, and believe I have everything to pull it off. I'll know for sure real soon!

Certain Audi models it cannot be done. The body wont allow it. Other models its a "bolt-in".
Research is you best bet. Or find someone who has done the swap on your specific model.

For mine, It seems no one has ever done it?

If you do the work yourself, you can save a small fortune!

D.Ross

you don't even need to replace the tranny, just the transmission computer, and then get the tip gear selector. Soemone on the A4 forum did it.... ask over there.

Audiboy

to an Automatic. Cost like $1100 at that time. It will perform basically like a Tiptronic but you won't be able to chip the tranny as you can do with 98 and up Tip trannies.

Shifting to a manual tranny is quite some work and costly. If you look around, you will be able to find a rebuilt manual transmission (transaxle included) for about $2500. Then you need the drive shaft, pedal box, master/slave cylinder and then there is the electronics to communicate the tranny's condition to the ECU and need to change the tranny ECU - that's where it could get difficult. My recommendation, is no.

RangeR BoB

check the registry (if its up) for details.