[Nollywood]

Hello guys!

I've always loved big-engined cars, especially of the VAG variety. And last week, I picked up a peach of the D2 chassis - a 2001 S8 in Aqua Blue.

All in, a lovely car. It's marred by just one thing - it's Tip only in the UK. From what I gather, the German market got the 01E 6-speed manual, as far back as the PF models. The original Audi V8 D11 was also available with manual - 5-speed in 3,6, and 6-speed in 4,2.

I have started gathering parts for the conversion. I have just realised the driveshafts I have are off a C5 S6 manual. I also have my doubts as to the origin of the prop I bought from the same seller.

The Tip. 5-speed is a wider tranny, so running an 01E will mean the driveshafts will be too short. I don't want to cut and lengthen, so my approach is going to be different.

I am having distance pieces made up. These will be machined out of aluminium. 12 holes will be made - 6 will be non-threaded, and machined down to allow the OEM driveshaft bolts to go through, bolting the spacers to the 01E output flanges. The remaining 6 will of course be threaded, allowing the original driveshaft bolts to be bolted to them.

I'm going to borrow a vehicle lift, and measure the length of my current Tip. tranny, from engine mounting face to propshaft flange. This will give me the length required for the prop. If the Tip. prop is shorter, I'll employ the same approach used for the driveshafts. If too long, it'll have to be cut down, shortened and balanced.

The clutch pedal clearance issues with RHD cars has been well documented. I don't want to find out what's behind the "bulge" in the tranny tunnel, I don't like the sound of cutting it down, rewelding or bashing it flat either.

I'm looking at a different approach to the 3rd pedal issue. I'll keep you guys posted.