Well I finally got the prototype for the engine
carrier made.  It looks pretty good and is very
strong. Since nobody wanted one for a 2WD we made it
specifically for Syncros which simplified the
fabrication a bit, but it was still challenging to get
the compound angles right. You could, however, use one
on a 2WD but you will have to modify the flanges on
the frame rails where the carrier mounts.

I posted a few picures of the prototype in place at:
 http://photos.yahoo.com/neeemo
Ignore the C clamp and wood block which are holding
the engine in place for the pictures.  You'll also
notice that the carrier will need to be spaced down
for use in Syncros. You'll need to source some square
tubing for that. 1.5" will work, but I'm going with
1.75" for extra clearance below the oil pan and to aid
the use of the carrier to support the  modified
factory skidplate-which will be pretty slick after
some work and two custom brackets are welded to the
carrier.

The engine carrier will come to you in 6-8 weeks and
unpainted so you can fabricate and weld the skidplate
brackets to it if
you like and/or have it powder coated like I'm going
to. The price is $525 plus shipping for a mild steel
version or $675 for a chrome-moly version which will
be  stronger--but probably not necessary unless you're
a hardcore off-roader AND your bus is really heavy.

They will be checked in a wooden jig I'm making, but
are
being made one at a time by hand so there will be
variations from one to the next.  Luckily there is
tons of adjustment room in the Audi engine mount
brackets, and you can weld the spacers where you need
to on the van. You may have to shim here and there to
get the engine aligned just right--you didn't expect
this to be easy did you?

Notice the left mount--mounts are Audi 100 parts and
aren't included--has washers under it, I'm spacing
mine down another .25" than necessary as mentioned
before. I'm also using a .5" spacer in the bellhousing
to clear the dual mass flywheel on my AEL Tdi, so the
engine sits further back than a gasser or non dual
-mass diesel will.

If you have any questions let me know and I'll try to
answer them and share them with everyone. Pmail me if
you're interested and for a shipping quote.

Thanks
Tom Sinclair
Preston, ID

http://photos.yahoo.com/neeemo

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail