engine and gearbox conversion for citroen h van

engine and gearbox conversion for citroen h van

Author
Discussion

ade61

Original Poster:

13 posts

111 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
quotequote all
i have a 1965 H van which i would like to modernise.
i know that the following conversions are possible:

Rover V8 and Renault 21 Turbo box
VW/Audi 1.9 TDi engine and box
Volvo B230FB and Peugeot J9 box
Ford 2 litre Pinto(?) and original Citroen box

All these work with, i think , no cutting.
But, i don't want a diesel or a V8, the original box is the weak link and the J9 is too rare.

It obviously is a front-mounted north-south in-line configuration driving the front wheels, and the output (i.e. drive) shafts are below the level of gearbox input shaft.

What i'm thinking is 2005-ish VW/Audi Passat 2 litre petrol (not Turbo or FSi, to keep it simple) plus matching box. I'm assuming that the gearbox mated to the TDi (which i know fits easily) is the same pattern as that fitted to the 2 litre petrol engine (??).

Any other ideas?

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
quotequote all
I'd nearly suggest going older than 2005...as you're still into some silly modern cars with OTT emissions crap to deal with, silly CAN communications with devices in the car which can make swaps difficult etc

I'd say aim for late 90's Passat, 96-01 models.

They're all inline engines with a transaxle behind them so there should be plenty of options and complete cars shouldnt cost the earth

Or I think most Audi A4's, A6's etc of similar vintage were all inline engine with transaxle too, so maybe a slightly wider range of engines.

Doctor Volt

336 posts

124 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
quotequote all
stevieturbo said:
I'd nearly suggest going older than 2005...as you're still into some silly modern cars with OTT emissions crap to deal with, silly CAN communications with devices in the car which can make swaps difficult etc

I'd say aim for late 90's Passat, 96-01 models.

They're all inline engines with a transaxle behind them so there should be plenty of options and complete cars shouldnt cost the earth

Or I think most Audi A4's, A6's etc of similar vintage were all inline engine with transaxle too, so maybe a slightly wider range of engines.
I'd nearly suggest going older than 2005...as you're still into some silly modern cars with OTT emissions crap to deal with, silly CAN communications with devices in the car which can make swaps difficult etc

I agree with stevieturbo, this is good thinking in my opinion

ShiningWit

10,203 posts

127 months

Wednesday 4th February 2015
quotequote all
ade61 said:
I have a 1965 H van which I would like to modernise.
I know that the following conversions are possible:

Ford 2 litre Pinto(?)
That wouldn't be modernisation. wink

shalon

47 posts

149 months

Thursday 5th February 2015
quotequote all
E36 318i 16v engine and box is a good engine with reasonable power and reliability

ade61

Original Poster:

13 posts

111 months

Thursday 5th February 2015
quotequote all
thanks for the advice....i'm also told the REnault 25 had a transaxle and there may be adaptors to fit a Ford Zetec to it

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Thursday 5th February 2015
quotequote all
ade61 said:
thanks for the advice....i'm also told the REnault 25 had a transaxle and there may be adaptors to fit a Ford Zetec to it
Stick with an engine and trans from one vehicle...and a vehicle that is easy to source replacement parts for....off the shelf, without any fancy kits.

That means cheap and easy maintenance and repairs. And parts will be available from any motor factors.


kosi

7 posts

107 months

Sunday 12th April 2015
quotequote all
Hi, you can i have look at the posting on matty cox facebook profile.He has a interesting build but very complicated on his hy van- 2.4l audi engine and gearbox.There is one conversion on classic car sales 2.2l hy van as well. I am also looking for a 2l petrol engine and gearbox conversion for my 69 hy van ,did you find any more info on that conversion?

Cheers


imagineifyeswill

1,225 posts

165 months

Monday 13th April 2015
quotequote all
The Renault 25 did indeed have a transaxle, I had a 2.2gtx which was a very powerful car of its time in mid eighties, a complete engine a box swap from one of those would be a good idea.

kosi

7 posts

107 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
quotequote all
Hi ade61, did you get any success with your conversion? Any info on the a4 petrol engine and gearbox if that would work?I would like to get started on my swap but i am looking for the similar idea on your enquirers. Much appreciated if you could share those details.I did have a look at the Renault box but its a expensive route. Any help please.

Kind regards

kosi

7 posts

107 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
quotequote all
Hi,soory i looked at the the un1 gearbox which is very expensive and its normally mated with a v8. I could not find the Renault 25 gearbox for sale, i checked on e/bay with no luck any other suggestions? can a audi box be mated with a ford zetec engine?

cheers

hidetheelephants

23,779 posts

192 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
quotequote all
Why bother changing the engine and making work for yourself? Those boxes come with a variety of Audi 4, 5 and 6 pot petrol engines already attached.

kosi

7 posts

107 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
quotequote all
Hi, can the 2l ford zetec engine be mated with a audi 1.9 tdi box or the same layout on the other audi boxes? The reason i am interested on this engine is because of it being a petrol and a non turbo with less complicated injection system.

cheers

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
kosi said:
Hi, can the 2l ford zetec engine be mated with a audi 1.9 tdi box or the same layout on the other audi boxes? The reason i am interested on this engine is because of it being a petrol and a non turbo with less complicated injection system.

cheers
Why do you want to make your life difficult? The VW transaxle was used with several normally aspirated, 4 cylinder petrol engines. The Audi A4 had the 20v engine making about 136 bhp, and if you want a really basic engine the Passat had the old 8v SOHC engine which makes about 115bhp. There are plenty of variants that will fit as well, the 1.8 20V, the 1.6 8V etc..etc..

kosi

7 posts

107 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
Thanks Mike but will these engine and gearboxes fit into the citroen hy van? I am looking at the same measurements as the audi 1.9 tdi engine and gearbox but as well a strong motor and gearbox with simple management,injection etc.

cheers


Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Thursday 23rd April 2015
quotequote all
kosi said:
Thanks Mike but will these engine and gearboxes fit into the citroen hy van? I am looking at the same measurements as the audi 1.9 tdi engine and gearbox but as well a strong motor and gearbox with simple management,injection etc.

cheers
The petrol gearboxes are very similar to the one used for the 1.9TDi, they were all fitted in the same cars after all. The engines are in general no larger than the zetec, though you'd obviously need to check that exhaust and inlet manifolds etc. have clearance.

If you want to use the original ECU then obviously the simpler the better. There's a lot of compatibility between VAG engines and boxes, so you may be able to use and engine from an even older car e.g. Mk3 Golf which will have a simpler ECU system.

kosi

7 posts

107 months

Saturday 25th April 2015
quotequote all
Thanks again, i am very pleased to read some excellent reviews on the mk3 2.0l 8 valve engine which i think thats the route i will take for my citroen hy camper van. What would be your choice from the VAG list of audi transaxle gearboxes for this engine if you looking at good torque on the hills? A perfect match would be blessing but i am willing to have a adapter plate made up.

Much appreciated

stevieturbo

17,229 posts

246 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
kosi said:
Thanks again, i am very pleased to read some excellent reviews on the mk3 2.0l 8 valve engine which i think thats the route i will take for my citroen hy camper van. What would be your choice from the VAG list of audi transaxle gearboxes for this engine if you looking at good torque on the hills? A perfect match would be blessing but i am willing to have a adapter plate made up.

Much appreciated
Try and by an engine and box complete from a single vehicle, or better still buy the complete vehicle.

It will save no end of grief in the long run, plus buying the entire car means you'll have the most chance of an easy conversion because of having all the parts.

kosi

7 posts

107 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
Hi,thanks but the mk3 2.0l 8 valve engine does not come with a transaxle gearbox.

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

254 months

Sunday 26th April 2015
quotequote all
kosi said:
Hi,thanks but the mk3 2.0l 8 valve engine does not come with a transaxle gearbox.
No it doesn't, the Golf has a transverse engine.

What I suggested is that you can very probably bolt the 2.0L 8V engine from the Mk3 to a Passat/Audi transaxle to take advantage of the simpler ECU system. Obviously you should to check this first with someone with more VAG expertise.