The actual transmission bit - the part opposite the bellhousing end - is
swappable.  The supporting stuff like the ATF filler tube, shifter cable and
a few other external bits are different.  Yes, there are different gear
ratios out there too.  Golf and Jetta use the same setup as well.  No
personal BTDT but I have heard of a few repair shops doing that for Audi
5000s when they pack their transmissions in!

David Marshall

Fast Forward Autobahn Sport Tuning
4356 Quesnel Hixon Road
Quesnel BC Canada  V2J 6Z3
mailto:info@fastforward.ca      http://www.fastforward.ca
Phone: (250) 992 7775           FAX: (250) 992 1160

. Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions
. Transporter, Unimog and Iltis Sales
. European Lighting for most Audi and Volkswagen models

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of email99@BELLSOUTH.NET
Sent: January 23, 2001 9:38 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Audi 5000 Automatic Transmission in a Vanagon?

Does anyone have any actual experience using a Audi 5000 automatic
transmission (not including the differential/bell housing unit) in a
Vanagon?  A search of the archives picked up a lot of discussion last
year but I didn't find anyone saying they had actually done the swap.  A
search of the VW/Audi parts list confirmed my suspicion that >99% of the
parts of the transmission unit are identical.  The difference seemed to
be related to the input shafts (turbine and oil pump) and the output
pinion shaft (pinion gear next to transmission in Audi and next to
engine in Vanagon).  Maybe there is some difference in the gear ratios?

Has anyone done this?  What year/model did you use?

Please no remarks about turning over the transmission so it won't have 3
reverse and 1 forward gear.