'87 4KQ Engine Swap Guidance Needed

[ihampotato]

Hey all,

New to this site, as well as general forum etiquette, so apologies in advance if I make any blunders. I'm a younger enthusiast with minimal engine swap/fabrication experience. Currently I'm building a Subaru 2.5 Vanagon with the guidance of a friend. However, I also own an '87 4KQ, and I desperately need it to make turbo noises. I have briefly considered something cheap and plentiful, e.g. 1.8T, but in my heart I know it needs to retain five cylinders. So my options, as far as I'm aware, are 20vt a la MC2; 20VT, either 3B, AAN, or 7A frankenmotor; and lastly, and most enticingly, 07K. Although turbo five swaps on 4KQ's have been done to death, many build threads are on dead/dying forums, lacking photos, etcetera, which makes the barrier to knowledge a little harder for me to overcome.

Despite their well deserved place in Audi legend, I am leaning away from the 80's/90's motors due to their increasing rarity, expense, and difficulty in finding essential parts. Additionally, the 07K's compact size is rather intriguing from a vehicle dynamics perspective.

So, I'm seeking guidance. I'm generally on a tight budget, with both time and money, as I'm trying to get through school right now, and am working on some other projects in addition to this one. Additionally, I love the manual lockers on the 4k, so I'd prefer to keep the original drivetrain than modernize. My power goals would be between 250 or 300 hp, which I've read is within the capabilities of the factory components. Does it make more sense to go tried and true with an older motor, run an 07K with an adaptor on my stock trans, or bite the bullet and go 07K/01E? Trying to account for simplicity, longevity, money, and time. Additionally, if anyone has any good build thread recommendations to comb through, I'd appreciate it.

[Marc]

07k is a great engine, but the cost and complexity of getting that to mate to the 4kq is going to be a show stopper unless budget is no object.

250-300hp is easy AAN territory. yes its 90's tech but there is a reason everybody does it. fairly easy, it works, and makes great power.

turboing the stock motor is also possible. but the compression ratio is really too high and you wont make 300hp on any kind of budget with it.

my vote is AAN.