It`s time…
The planning is done, the RS3 DAZA conversion has been purchased and we even cleared a space in the diary for the work to happen. The way that we would attack this job was simple. Myself (Nick) and Cal would do the strip down and also build-up of the engine and drivetrain. Once that was completed, which we anticipated to take a couple of days it would solely be over to myself to carry on with the rest of the custom work – mainly in my own time. The joys of being busy…
But fear not! I love a project and I’ve always had just the right amount of passion mixed with stupidity to attempt this kind of thing. Remember, there is still an aspect of the unknown at this point considering it is still transplanting the full engine and drivetrain from one heavily immobilised vehicle to another heavily immobilised vehicle. It would make sense at this point to cover some of the similarities that the VW Mk7 Golf R and Audi 8V RS3 share which make this project so tempting.
The same or different?
In 2012 the Volkswagen Group released their new MQB (Modularer Querbauskasten) platform which translates to Modular Transverse Matrix, and is the design system for Transverse mounted engine vehicles. So, if the vehicle has a transverse mounted engine then it will follow this design principle with regards to axle location, pedal box and engine positioning. Both the Mk7 Golf and 8V A3/S3/RS3 share this platform which means that despite having different engines, track dimensions, and even branding… they are essentially all the same underneath.
It is this similarity in chassis design that allows the 8V RS3 engine and drivetrain to be bolted up in to the Mk7 Golf pretty easily. Yes, the engine mounts are of a different makeup for the two engines – but they bolt up into the chassis in the same location. The same rule follows suit for the rest of the drivetrain components.
So it’s an easy bolt in job right…?
Yes, and No. The main components such as engine, gearbox, diffs etc will definitely bolt up in to the Mk7 Golf using the RS3 mounts – but this is where the similarities end. All of the ancillaries such as coolant system, heat exchangers, air con system, charge pipes, power distribution and wiring are completely different.
So yes this is a bolt in conversion, but it does need a lot of work to fully convert.
Let`s go!
So first order of the day is as you would expect. I’d have to charge the batteries up and learn how to talk to the camera again. Lol
Yes I have decided to record the whole process, so if you have found this Blog without knowing, we have a YouTube channel where you can watch the action which ties in with these posts too. Go Check it out! —> https://www.youtube.com/@DecimalTenths
Very closely followed in second order was the strip down. I had already decided by this point that this wasn’t an RS3 “engine” conversion. Instead it would be a full RS3 drivetrain swap out too. So on top it would look like a Mk7 Golf R, but underneath it would be all RS3.
This meant that everything had to be stripped off the Golf – so we set to removing the engine, gearbox, subframes, prop, selector, fuel tank, rear diff assembly, suspension… You name it – if it bolted up underneath then it got removed. Then it was time to dig out the RS3 parts from storage and give them a final inspection before we look to fit them. The donor RS3 only had 53k miles so we decided to use the parts as they came, as long as they were in good condition.
Mix and Match
The suspension that came from the RS3 was good quality adjustable KW units so we planned to use that over the Golf R`s Eibach springs. I had previously fitted Integrated Engineering Anti Roll Bars to the Golf, and I like running uprated parts here for the improved driving experience. Sadly these couldn’t be moved over to the RS3 subframes as the rear diff is a bigger unit compared to the Golfs. Luckily Whiteline sell a kit which cover both Golf R and RS3, and they do this by making the rear roll bar bigger for both models, so we went with that as an upgrade whilst it was apart.
Both cars share the same front wishbone and rear trailing arm design which I had previously upgraded to Powerflex Polyurethane items on the Golf so we decided to swap them over to the RS3 subframes. The RS3 also utilises an aluminium front subframe which is lighter, but also has extra clearance to allow the RS3 DQ500 gearbox to be used which was a must.
We did plan on running the RS3 brake setup, but sadly they didn’t fit under my Pretoria Alloys, and this isn’t something I wanted to compromise on. Plus I have Tarox 8 pot front brakes, along with VBT rears so I opted to keep these in the end.
For info, the wider track of the RS3 actually comes from different wheel bearing design vs the Golf`s, so we also kept the Golf track width too.
With all of this ironed out its time to crack on…
