S6 C6 V10 manual swap

A6 All/ S6 All
#1

Hello,

Recently after going to meets, it solidified my idea of manual swapping my s6. Now I know its a monumnetal task to do something like that, and the part I dread the most is the coding for the car to recognize it. But I dont plan on getting rid of my S6 soon so it can stay un-driveable for a long time.

But back to the basics, I have a pretty detailed manual swap guide, but obviously with absolutely no information precise for the c6 s6, Im stuck at some prety basic steps, like what transmission would fit?

The 01E is pretty much the king of manual swaps in the Audi world, so it might be an option, but would it fight right onto the engine, or I would need like an adpater plate to bolt it down? Another thought I had is that since the 5.2 v10 is extremely similar to the 4.2 v8 with two more cylinders, would a manual transmission for it fit on the v10? Now if it can hold the power is another question too.

I’ve only really seen Jolio, rs6_jolio on instagram, do a similar thing, he manual swapped the v10, but swapped it entirely into a urs6 shell, but I’ve tried contacting him for info on his choice of transmission but he never responded.

I’ll need many more things, like:

  • Clutch master/slave cylinders
  • Clutch pedal assembly
  • Hydraulic lines for clutch
  • shifter and linkage
  • surround trim and shifter boot
  • front axles
  • Propshaft or trans/propshaft adapter
  • Rear differential
  • A 6 speed wiring harness to chop it up

And thats not counting what to do to cool the transmission fluid…

Like I said its a monumental task and a hassle, but I 100% believe it would be worth it. Just imagining a manual v10 makes my lower body heat up. The driving experience would be off the chart, and the car would be way lighter without the heavy automatic transmission.

Thanks for reading and hopefully helping me.

#2

I know ECU wise you don’t have too much to worry about I know JHM has tuned a few swapped V10s.

I think the general take for the swaps to M are the old B5 transmission and that’s kinda a shitty transmission given all the other options. At least gearing wise. I think there was a guy who did the swap with a RS4 transmission. I’ll try to look and check back in with that to be sure. But I think the 4.2 V8 is a great way to go and I think the bell housing might be close if not fit. It’s likely to hold the power with no issues as the V10 isn’t going to make as much power as a supercharged 4.2 car and those transmissions hold up just fine with over 600whp.

#3

Yeah, thats what I thought for the transmission, and thts great to hear that JHM could help, I just hope the price isnt steep…

#4

and do you think the axles and the rear differential could be re-used with a manual transmission? obviously I think the prop shaft woulld now become too short since the automatic box seems way bigger and longer, so Ill probably have to have one made, but if I can save on a rear diff and axles, itd be nice.

#5

I think the must have is a good donor car. As in theory you’ll want the transmission and the rear diff and corresponding 1/2 shafts. Since manuals are getting phased out they’re in older cars that you should be able scoop of cheap. I know it’s not what you are looking for but any consideration in upgrading the transmission to an 8hp? and not a manual? That’s a fantastic transmission

#6

oh yeah, there are a couple parted out s4 in my area, I should do some digging for one manual.
I’m really not looking for speed, I know a manual transmission will make the car even slower. I just really want a manual V10 you know? For fun, Its not my daily, just a fun car

#7

The 01E is obviously the older design but JHM and a few others do make some upgraded parts and shifters for them. With that said just swapping a 01E to modern full synthetic fluid will help it but the best 01E that is the strongest and best gearing is to get a later one from a Euro TDI car. They have what is known as the hardened first gear with flexible gear shaft. I did a 01E swap into my '03 RS6 4.2. I got the transmisssion and some of the other hardware from Scotty at Automotion. I believe https://audis4parts.com/ still sells some conversion parts for an 01E. I think the 01E will stand up to the V10 fine as long as you aren’t trying 1/4mi. standing drag starts. That is extremely hard on any transmission.

#8

So you’d recommend the 01E over an s4-s5 manual transmission?

#9

The choice may be more up to what is available for you. As was mentioned, even a stock 0A3 is going to shift better (improved Syncros) than a 01E. Both are close to the same strength overall. As I mentioned, the 01E with improved parts (if rebuilt), can shift almost, but still not as good as a 0A3.
One of the big decision makers when acquiring the needed transmission and parts will be the Final drive ratio, you need one that matches your rear Differential.

#10

Do axles matter when changing the transmission and diff? Do they influence the final drive ratio or if it fits I can re-use my stock axles? As for the prop shaft, I believe Ill have to have one custom made since the s4 and s6 arent the same lenght and even the automatic and manual arent the same size too…

#11

Not sure going from the 6HP to the 01E or 0A3 as far as axles. On my 5HP going to the 01E I had to use manual axles from an A6 manual. You probably have to do the same, manual axles from an A6. Also the length of the 6HP compared to the manual transmission are probably different. I think you can use a Bell housing spacer from one of the A6 models. Hopefully you can search the exact parts and find out exactly what is needed from Jolio.