In a message dated 97-12-10 19:25:14 EST, vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM writes:

<< What about the 5-cylinder motors in the South African T3's? These
 aren't the same as the dreaded, piston-slapping 5-cylinder motors as
 in the early Eurovans, are they?
  >>

yes, they are all Audi 5 bangers.
i think the "piston slap" thing is all HYPE  yes.. HYPE
I drive an '84 Audi 5000s Turbo daily with 150k miles, and aside from a little
lifter tap before it warms up (and it's done this since it was new - lifter
tap is a charachteristic of the Audi 5 banger) i dont notice ANYTHING, and
I've never even had the valve cover off...
the audi 5 is one helluva bulletproof engine...wish i could say the same for
the waterboxer...  I've never even HEARD of a audi 5 motor going bad...
if the boxer goes in my vgon, im putting in a 5cyl turbo...

chris