A2 Frankenstein

Akeel

Member
So this is how I started my journey with the a2 1.4 petrolSe . I purchased an a2 non runner I got it incredibly cheap with the intentions of fixing it and keeping it. After bringing it home and setting up a temporary workshop in my drive I started to strip the front end taking the rocker and head off. it took me a couple of days to get to this stage as I have never done a project on this scale before. After taking the head of and inspecting cylinder one and 4 had no compression and most of the valves were bent .I felt sorry for this a2 because it was In a state and rather then repairing the 183K engine I thought maybe I could drop a new one in. There was also one thing niggling at me as well with the car, it didn't have a oss! Which was a must for me because must cars Iv had Iv always said I wish I had a sunroof never mind a pan lol. After some consideration and hours of searching for an engine this is when I found the perfect transplant car the black bean it ticked most of the boxes diesel 75 bhp , black , oss , low mileage and damaged = bargain number two to be discussed with the owner . So after meeting the owner and seeing the actual damage to the car and assessing (starts and drives) it I thought why not Iv got a car at home for parts so I can begin a rebuild. After hours of negotiating I managed to purchase the car which was just as cheap three figures just of two figures . Finally got the car home it was in a state because it was parked up for 6 months. Gave it a wash and parked it up next to the other one. Switched whole interior including dash everything has been cleaned carpets the lot whole front end has been switched over this included front slam panel radiator, ac rad , crash bar, steering pump, headlight, bumper, bonnet, wing. After all that I'm in the final stages of completing I have jet washed the seats and roof lining and waiting for them to dry , not sure to put on the roof lining because the oss is in need of repair it's crunching and skipping on the gear. So that's the project so far and this forum has been really helpful so Im glad I joined to meet all you nice a2 owners I'll add my pictures
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So the diesel engine is going into the petrol car? I've not heard of that before? How badly damaged is the bodywork on the diesel? I may have got it wrong .... just exactly what are you planning, here?

David
 
Diesel is the black one I'm not swapping engines , Iv used the blue one to fix the black one hope that helps

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Yes worked day and night to get it to this stage just need to get the whole car resprayed and the bodywork mint to match the interior wheels have been sent of for powder coating , shot blasted and primed rear drums , probably take the front calipers off tomorrow and get them shot blasted and coated too

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A great read. Easy to see that a lot of care and attention has gone into making a good car from two non-running examples potentially destined for the scrap yard.

Well done on saving one of these little gems, the restoration to-date, your longer-term plans and in offering a good deal to members on surplus parts.
 
Awesome project. Great photos. Was the dashboard change relatively straight forward once you could get to it? I have this up next.


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Thanks guys I appreciate your comments to know that my hard work is appreciated is a big thing and the support and also helping other members is no problem, even if it means sharing knowledge or helping with parts it's all good the dashboard was relatively easy just make sure you locate all the 8mm screws and the ones on the passenger air bag and give it a tug forward not forgetting the antenna in the middle of the dash pop the cover and there's a possy screw there and it should be loose enough to pull out. On the other hand fitting the dash I got help to align with the pegs on the back that slot in. Take the a pillars off to make it easier it was a bit of a ball ache because the centre vent underneath the dash kept catching so you have to go at an angle to get the back in and the vents to sit flush then push the dash down so it's sits in place

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I take my hat of to you, Great job you are doing to rescue another A2.

Were you able to ascertain that the black A2's spaceframe was not damaged - that to me must of been the biggest risks. Was it declared an insurance write off?

Do keep us informed of progress. I hope you can make good progress before winter sets in.
 
Cat c and the only damage was up-to the arm behind the crash bar which I replaced I'm not sure about any other damage , is it prone to damage because of the space frame? And yes I'm battling in the cold and currently ill as well

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is it prone to damage because of the space frame?

The protruding arms (longitudinal members) on the space frame are expendable (and replaceable) to protect the main shell. http://www.picgifs.com/wallpapers/cars/audi-a2/animaatjes-audi-a2-08517.png

"For example, the front longitudinal member is the weakest component in the front end structure. The bolted layout of the front longitudinal member means that small deformations can be repaired relatively cheaply and quickly by replacing the component instead of using additional bonding techniques. Only when the rear longitudinal member directly behind it has absorbed its maximum quota of deformation energy is the deformation force then transmitted to the occupants’ cell.
Source: ssp239_Audi A2 Body Construction and Function Self Study

The front longitudinal members comprise aluminium tubes that can absorb a high level of deformation energy and can be renewed without any welding work being required.
ssp240_Audi A2 Technology Design and Function Self Study

That suggests they collapse relatively easier. I doubt if there is any company that can now fix the main body of an A2's spaceframe - specialist aluminium skills, availability of space frame components, jigs, etc. No idea if the protruding arms are available but could get one from a salvage vehicle.

I guess you would have noticed if the arms were bent/crushed.

The spaceframe is a mixture of 225 sheet, extruded and cast aluminium parts and the whole lot was welded together by robots. The side and rear panels etc are spot welded / riveted / glued / bolted to the spaceframe.
 
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Wow thanks for the info and diagram I did not replace the protruding arms because they were straight I do still have spares just in case but Iv built it all back up now so I think it's okay , thanks again alan for the post

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