Porsche 550 Spyder (1300lbs) + DIESEL?

[Nathanabbott]

Hi, folks. Noob, here. Just bought a Thunder Ranch 550 Spyder (replica of James Dean's Porsche) & had a bad idea (my favorite kind):

Can you install a modern VW diesel engine (ala Top Gear's "Project Sipster")? In a 550? Has anyone tried?

I'm aware of the many reasons NOT to do it, but is it POSSIBLE? A 1300 lb car + a motor that pulls 40+MPGs in a 3000 lb Jetta has to be good for at least decent gas mileage, right? If a watercooled Subaru WRX engine, will work, why not a diesel? Tom @ Thunder Ranch told me it could be done... with a little creativity in the motor mounts/half shafts dept.

I'm no mechanic so I reserve the right to be wrong about everything.

But if If anyone can, I'm hiring

[WestyPop]

Of course, given enough time, money, space, tools, and vision or insanity... anything is possible. Don't know your location, but one of the 2.5L-to-2.7L-or-3.0L Audi turbo diesel V6 engines (up to 245hp and 406lb/ft of torque) could provide some substantial motive force and still return excellent fuel economy. Many were matched up with 5-speed manual transaxles, although some used/use 6- or 7-speed manuals or automatics. Most states get pretty picky on the dates the final 'kit car' is registered as, and that can reflect on emissions requirements also. Location-specific info is needed, but the diesel engine could help... or hurt the overall effort.

Subaru has had a 2.0L flat-four turbo-diesel (150hp & 260lb/ft torque w/6-speed) available in Europe for a couple of years now... Somebody has to have wrecked one by now!

Sounds like a fun project.

J.R.
SoCal

[WickedWagens]

I'm sure it can be done. I have seen a TDI in a 356 kit and it got 74mpg! It should have plenty of power also.

[Bugskinner]

I'm not sure there would be enough room. I have the 2.0 common rail jetta and I just got done changing the timing belt and got a good look at the engine. That engine is very tall. I could do some measurements if you would like. I would say the height is almost twice what a standard type one vw engine.

T

[Piledriver]

Welcome to the STF!

The VW I4s get laid over on their side at an angle some in a lot of apps.
On the Vanagon, the I4 diesel was ~15 degrees from horizontal, IIRC it required a different head gasket and oil pickup/sump. (That's an app the desperately NEEDED a turbo, and didn't get one)
A std V6 can be pretty compact in all directions.

That TD suby would be cool...
Always wanted to put a 911 style fan housing on a wasser or suby with the radiators/cooling plumbing all in the fan housing.