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Tue May 10, 2016 4:00 pm

Just acquired a 2006 Jetta TDI with a hole in the tans. We wanted the engine for our 82' Westy. After taking the TDI to the local mechanic he told us he cannot swap that engine because it has the BRM engine code (not happy they neglected to tell us about the engine code deal). Was it just my luck that it was coded this way? Can they swap into a Westy? Can you re-code the engine? Thoughts?

Thank you!

Tue May 10, 2016 4:13 pm

You can fit anything in there your heart desires. It's going to be more work than an AHU oz AAZ, but it works. Check out Foreign Auto Supply for conversion bits.

Tue May 10, 2016 4:23 pm

The BRM is a PD engine (pumpe düse). That is the newer generation tdi's where the old 1,6 JX sump does not fit. So you cannot easily mount it in the standard 50 degree angle using stock Vanagon diesel parts. Maybe that is what they ment?

Tue May 10, 2016 4:45 pm

Update:

Talked to a much better mechanic in town and he said to put feelers out to see if anyone has swapped this engine into a Westy before and has a kit to do so. Anyone done this?

Thanks!

Tue May 10, 2016 4:51 pm

There are several folks here with PD engines in their vans, so it certainly can be done. FAS has all the mechanical bits needed to fit these at fifty degrees. The wiring and ECU management is really the only remaining piece, and I think FAS can handle both those, as well.

Tue May 10, 2016 6:50 pm

nickgiles101 wrote: Was it just my luck that it was coded this way? Can you re-code the engine?

I'm not sure if I'm following you, but you can't "re-code" this engine and turn it into something else. You are stuck with the BRM variant of the TDI. You can't just flash the ECU or something and turn it into an AHU. It is mechanically very different from the older TDI variants that are more commonly used in conversions.

The BRM has a reputation for excessive cam wear. Before you get too carried away, you'll want to pull the valve cover and take a look.

Wed May 11, 2016 8:37 am

Thanks for the good advice. I am not mechanically inclined so all of this is foreign to me. Waiting to hear back from FAS on the parts. Cheers and happy trails!

Wed May 11, 2016 8:40 am

You can get similar performance and fuel economy from a mk3 TDI (AHU, 1Z, or AFN) and the cost to install would be much less. I imagine you could purchase a new long block for the installation cost difference. The earlier engines did not earn the reputation for eating camshafts either.

Wed May 11, 2016 8:55 am

Supposedly the PD cam wear issues can be reduced by installing a newer camshaft with a different heat treat regimen. Also using a good synthetic is reported to help. I have heard the stock unit should last 200k miles. At which point lifter and camshaft replacement is needed. It is about 500$ in parts I believe.

Thankfully a cam replacement is not a bad job when combined with a timing belt change.

The BRM will need a stand-alone ECU (or re flashed OEM ECU). As mentioned I believe FAS has done this conversion. They should be able to help you.