Swap it or No?

Try to bear with me. I'm looking to buy a TSI AWD in the near future, within the next couple of months. If I find a nice body, but with a lot of miles on it, should I think about just swapping a used 6 bolt in it with less than 60k? Or should I spend the extra couple grand on a nice body with very low miles. If I was to get the 6bolt swapped in, I could take care of a lot of things before hand, such as porting and swapping out some things. I want to hear all of your opinions on this, help would be greatly appreciated.

well,i allways look for a good body hands down.you can allways swap in another engine but you cant replace the car itself.this is my opinion on this and alot of peolple look for the engine performance and dont bother looking over the cars"s body and condition itself.

what year are you lookin at?? 1g or 2g? the stock 4g63 motors (1g and 2g turbos) can handle over 500 hp stock. unless you get crankwalk, i wouldn't worry about the swap. the stock 2g motor is very strong and can handle lots. on that note, try finding a nice car with a decent amount of miles for the best dollar.

it depends on how many miles are on it either way i would probally get it rebuilt instead of a swap

it depends on how many miles are on it either way i would probally get it rebuilt instead of a swap
2G for sure. I just want to do this for the overall learning experience, and I can also replace several things along the way. The body definitley needs to be in good condition. I'm thinking this is going to cost me much cheaper than going with a same year/model car with miles around 60k.

Also, what is the difference between the 6 bolt and the 7 bolt 4g63? I know the 6 bolts are only made on earlier 1g's but what is the difference performance wise?

(Thanks for the previous input guys)

the 6-bolts are supposed to be stronger and less prone to crankwalk.

gthompson actually its about 400 hp stock not 500. But even if you were running 400 hp stock im pretty sure something would end up breaking pretty quick.

the 6-bolts are supposed to be stronger and less prone to crankwalk.
Exactly the reason why I want to swap it. This is going to take some long hours and lots of frustration I'm guessing, I guess there is a first for everything.

gthompson actually its about 400 hp stock not 500. But even if you were running 400 hp stock im pretty sure something would end up breaking pretty quick.


it's been proven numerous times that the 4g63's can handle over 500hp, stock.

hmm seems like the numbers are changing every month. Oh well thats cool and are you talking about just the bottom end or a stock un open engine?

hmm seems like the numbers are changing every month. Oh well thats cool and are you talking about just the bottom end or a stock un open engine?
I'm askin you guys what you think I should do here, I want to get rid of the pos 7 bolt motor, dont want to even think about crankwalk. Im putting a 6 bolt in for sure now, but what could I salvage out of an alright running 7 bolt engine with crankwalk?

In reference to the "stock 4g63" question;

Bottom end. The stock headstuds would eventually allow the head to lift as such high power.

In reply to Luke.

You can salvage a lot. You can reuse the same clutch, but I would get a new one regardless. You will need a 6 bolt flywheel. You can also reuse the head, but to do so you will need to machine the stud holes to be 1mm larger (12mm = 6 bolt, 11m=7 bolt) to fit the 6 bolt block. You can reuse the 2g cooling parts; (water pipe, t-stat housing, etc.) This is essentially what I did. In short, it is possible to just swap in the shortblock itself, you don't need to do the entire 1g swap. You will need to get a hold of a 1g CAS to make it all work however, and then there are problems after that which are caused by this method (only feasible meathod anyway)


As far as what Coolguy has said in the post below this one, is very debateable as far as the head goes. But, that's neither here nor there.l

well besides like small things. nothing really the 6 bolts have a better head so the 6 bolt is just plain better
6 bolt > 7 bolt

well besides like small things. nothing really the 6 bolts have a better head so the 6 bolt is just plain better
6 bolt > 7 bolt
Hmmmm, now where can I find a nice 6 bolt at....

haha if you want a 4g63 that wont break with over 500hp then just buy a damn evo

haha if you want a 4g63 that wont break with over 500hp then just buy a damn evo
I only plan on putting 350-400 hp tops into this thing. Who said I wanted over 500?

Also, when looking into a 6 bolt 4g63 at a junkyard, what should I look for besides mileage? Are there any particular years of the "good" 6bolts? The rebuilding process is going to take me probably a while, so its gonna have some time to be by its self.

if u can find a car wit a good body and low miles deffinetly get that, if not then just rebuild the engine,

if u can find a car wit a good body and low miles deffinetly get that, if not then just rebuild the engine,


Well, I figured out what I am going to do. I'm going to go to a local junkyard and pickup a 6 bolt with some very low miles on it (under 50k). I'm going to work on the engine, installing new clutches, belts, waterpump, get some porting done, 16b, flywheel, etc.. After working on the engine for a month or two, im going to pick up a body, drop in the new engine and go. I might get a automatic car, and just take care of the swap on the way, it should be a breeze with me doing the 6bolt manual engine swap anyways. Thanks for all your guys' help, I aprreciate it a lot. If there is anything you thing I'm doing wrong please tell me.

If you only want 350ish horsepower keep the seven bolt, buying and swapping another motor isn't worth the money. If your seven bolt goes to hell, change it to a six. It's unlikely you'll have problems with a stock block at the numbers you're looking for, and reaching them will be cheaper if you save the money you were going to spend on the swap for a turbo and supporting mods.

It's unlikely you'll get crankwalk, and your changes of getting it aren't higher with more output. Hopefully that statement doesn't start an argument :)

The auto to manual swap isn't easy, either.

If you only want 350ish horsepower keep the seven bolt, buying and swapping another motor isn't worth the money. If your seven bolt goes to hell, change it to a six. It's unlikely you'll have problems with a stock block at the numbers you're looking for, and reaching them will be cheaper if you save the money you were going to spend on the swap for a turbo and supporting mods.

It's unlikely you'll get crankwalk, and your changes of getting it aren't higher with more output. Hopefully that statement doesn't start an argument :)

The auto to manual swap isn't easy, either.
Damn hooptie, your making me contemplate ideas here. I want to have this car for some time, take really good care of it. I love the DSM's so much. I jus dont want to experience crankwalk at all, but i guess it is rare... We'll see what unfolds after a few more grand comes into my pocket.

I've got a TSI AWD w/only 60K miles and I swear it looks brand new. It's got leather interior, a cold air intake, tinted windows, and new 18'' rims. I'm thinking of selling it.