Some things can be approached full-on, with little research - as long as you trust your instincts, and know your ideas will work.

Some things however, require a different approach, and a degree of R&D. I bought an R&D car, in the shape of a 1996 A4 B5 1,8 20V.

Drives well enough, for the princely sum of £275, including collection fees.

I stripped the motor and manual tranny out over the weekend, and as a test bed for my S8 motor and 6-speed tranny, she's ideal.

Besides trial fitting, it gives me the opportunity to get custom engine mounts made.

I'll also be getting the engine running in the test car too, and map out any bugs while I'm at it. Updates via the usual pictures will follow sometime next week.