? For the mechanics/engineers

**BLN355** · 04-02-2013, 04:41 PM

Just been having some wild thoughts of dropping the running gear out of a MK4 R32 in the Polo. Seeing as they are very similar in dimensions it may work.
Does anyone know would be involved in such a swap? Im thinking buying a wrecked mk4 would be the best way to start things off.
This is just a thought atm but once the little pog gets older it could be a fun project

Thoughts/suggestions welcome.

**Lucas_R** · 04-02-2013, 04:49 PM

As far as im aware - its not legal to put an engine from an older vehicle into a newer car.

If you have a 1973 Corolla, you can put a newer engine into it (like a motor from a 1990 model car), but not the other way around.

Apart from that legal/roadworthyness aspect, i dont believe the Polo chassis is made to accomodate a AWD platform - but it would certainly make for an interesting vehicle.

Personally, i'd go for the 2.0T from a GTI/R and 6 speed manual/DSG gearbox.

**readerr0r** · 04-02-2013, 05:57 PM

The Polo does have a lot of it's roots in the Mk4 Golf and the PQ25 the Polo is based on does supposedly have AWD capability. But I don't think they just left room in there for a AWD axle under the car for hoots.

Volkswagen Group A0 platform - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**gavs** · 04-02-2013, 08:26 PM

Hail is looking at this as a track special.

As Lucas said, there is no way you will be able to get the car legally on a public road because you can't swap an older engine into a newer car.

To give you an idea though Nick, you basically need to cut the entire floor out of the car from the B pillar back to the rear bulkhead then cut and shut in the floor pan out of an A3 quattro / R32. You will then need to find someone who will machine up a custom gearbox housing so you can add the haldex setup as well as introducing the centre diff.

Seriously, not worth it unfortunately. Not unless you put in the running system out of a Golf R to be legal but it won't fit.

**Hail22** · 04-02-2013, 10:27 PM

Yeah I'm looking forward to it if the Mrs doesn't crack the whip...she believes me owning the RSR and the Moffat is over the top and I would be pushing the "boundaries" If I dare contemplate to go through with this project.

Sometimes women perplex me :/

But as most have said above...for Example you cannot fit a 2008 VR6 3.2ltr MKV R32 unit/drivetrain/haldex etc etc in a 2011 Polo TSI chassis and expect to have it made road legal...it would purely go the way of the Track/Drag car dodo pile.

Simply put...its a bloody tough thing to plan, design, engineer and go through as nothing ever goes to plan!

For now...I'm tip toeing as the Mrs has her evil gaze upon me....kill joy.

**BLN355** · 05-02-2013, 06:18 PM

In that case what options are there to run a custom awd set up with the 1.4?
Would it be possible to keep the DSG or would it need a new box which incorporates a transfer case?

**LunchboxVRS** · 05-02-2013, 06:47 PM

With the money it would cost for doner parts and the rest of the bits including time and engineering sign off. you could add that to the value of your polo as a trade in on a nice low km second hand golf R

**gavs** · 05-02-2013, 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by BLN355

In that case what options are there to run a custom awd set up with the 1.4?
Would it be possible to keep the DSG or would it need a new box which incorporates a transfer case?

As far as I know mate, the 1.4 tsi is only available with a FWD drivetrain. BUT, overseas it is offered with a manual box, which one I don't know. Maybe there could be something that ties up to it....
That being said, there are LSD's being developed for this drivetrain and the penalty in weight of an AWD setup and development cost, just buying a LSD and putting that in will give you the grip advantage I think you are after and save a pretty penny. Plus you will save about 150-200kgs.

**Diesel_vert** · 05-02-2013, 08:05 PM

Your creativity is only bound by the limits of your overdraft.

Or you could just get some custom made body panels to make the R32 resemble a Polo.

**Vdubboys81** · 21-04-2013, 06:09 AM

Originally Posted by gavs

Hail is looking at this as a track special.

As Lucas said, there is no way you will be able to get the car legally on a public road because you can't swap an older engine into a newer car.

To give you an idea though Nick, you basically need to cut the entire floor out of the car from the B pillar back to the rear bulkhead then cut and shut in the floor pan out of an A3 quattro / R32. You will then need to find someone who will machine up a custom gearbox housing so you can add the haldex setup as well as introducing the centre diff.

Seriously, not worth it unfortunately. Not unless you put in the running system out of a Golf R to be legal but it won't fit.

Just wondering about the legality of it. I remember the husband talking about when he was a member of the Mini Car Club NSW, and that some members would actually put in a slightly older Honda VTEC into a newer Rover Mini, as to make it more reliable than the Rover engine. And I recently saw a '85 Vette with a '70 454 V8 in it for sale and registered here in NSW. Just wondering where you might find info, as been looking at a 1975 Jensen Interceptor body only and a seperate 1972 tri-carb 440 V8 to fit in it. I can't find anything that tells me if I can do that, hahaha I don't want to buy the pair then be stuck cause its not legal. Could you possibly give me some advice as to where you've seen that law where you can't install an older engine in a newer car? I'm still trying to learn all the laws here concerning cars etc, been in Oz 2 years and there's so much to learn! Thanks Gavs