BDE into AUE

[LeStig]

ok.... South Coast Bora has had a heart attack and is now dead. A small hose behind engine below the heater matrix inlets had split and proceeded to let all the coolant out.... no indication by temp gauge which I'm putting down to the fact that the sensor can't measure whats not there... sluggish up a hill and then the stop light came on and engine stopped with no other warning... no smoke, no steam, no misfire nothing... once id stopped obviously there were indications from under the bonnet and the leak was there to see...
Car trucked home and there's no compression in 4 of 6 cyl... its been suggested the rings have lost their tension... i haven't pulled he head off to check but whatever has happened its catastrophic failure !!!
Bugger....
AUE engines are hard to find ... a couple of higher mileage units out there and they aren't cheap... $1800 - $2500
i can get an R32 unit with 147k on it and its $1500 more than an AUE
i can get a complete low mileage BDE for sensible money but I'm trying to find out what the differences are and what needs to be overcome to get it to work in my chassis....
Has anyone any experience on this ??

[RubAVeeDubDub]

As far as I'm aware, the only real differences of a AUE vs BDE engine is the ignition system and VVT i.e. the AUE has a centralised coil pack and the BDE had them individually.

This is could cause some extra wiring/electrical work but I cannot for the life of me see how a BDE engine wouldn't bolt up - it's the same block, engine and car.

The first thing you'd probably want to do is find a comprehensive service manual that would include a wiring diagram and part numbers.

You'd compare and contrast the wiring diagrams for a AUE vs BDE engine vehicle and then check if the part numbers for the ECU (and any other engine related electronic module) would be any different.

Being that it does have VVT, there may be some exhaust plumbing differences as well.

At 1.5k, wouldn't it be close to the cost to have the engine rebuilt? (excluding labour charges to remove/refit)

[LeStig]

Yes rebuilding the original motor is certainly an option. I'll have it removed over the next few days and stripped to see what's required to fix. Currently researching performance mods - cams, head work, exhausts and induction but not finding a lot of local sources ....
Whatever goes back in will have timing chains, clutch, water pump and all the hoses replaced to give maximum service life ... On my 306 GTI I have an aux temperature sensor and digital readout that takes it's reading from the cyl head - not coolant reliant ... The Bora will also get one of these !!

[grtuned]

Replace your reservoir the sensor in that must not work it should let you know there's coolant loss!!

[Neroo]

The engine will bolt in fine intake exhaust etc etc you won't have any issues the only different components as said are the vvt and single coil pack vs individuals , I think from memory one of the two used 1 different cam sensor but don't quote me on it ( was a long time ago ) you could use one block with the others head as long as you swap over the timing components ( provided your head isn't damaged )

[LeStig]

I've sourced a low km BDE engine/box - in fact a complete running car (<90,000km) so my plan for this was to replace the 200,000 km AUE now sitting broken in my car.... The issue is that in my locality there are no mechanics with any experience with these things - what's a haldex ?? So it has to be plug n play or very close to make it possible ....