All Golf R's in certain years are AWD, can the manual and DSG transmissions be used in a Goblin kit?
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Rauq
Goblin Guru
Full disclosure, I know very little about VWs specifically, but my thoughts are as follows... I believe on AWD Hondas, the transfer case that sends power rearwards is fairly plug and play. I think in many older applications, the transfer case can be unbolted and a cover installed to delete the 4wd system, or reverse to install it. Early K-series CR-Vs also had the benefit of the rear half of the system consisting of a viscous coupler, so no further computer control was needed.
I don't know whether a Golf R's transfer case is as easy to remove, but I think it's likely that it's significantly more integrated electronically. I think they have torque vectoring and whatnot on the rear axle, or am I wrong? Then again, it is also my understanding that VW electronics are in some ways much more open, from what I've seen with OBDEleven and VAGcom stuff. Total speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that there's a single computerized off switch that would make the computers not look for anything outside the transmission other than wheel speed sensors.
I realize I haven't answered your question at all, but maybe I've helped to point in a direction for you or someone else to find some answers. I don't think there's much of a V2 Goblin userbase yet. If there were a similar V1 Goblin technical question, there's probably a half dozen folks that'd have the answer off the top of their heads. I think the community will get there with time. I'll continue to search around to see if there's any answers to your question specifically out there. I hope you get the answers you're looking for.
I don't know whether a Golf R's transfer case is as easy to remove, but I think it's likely that it's significantly more integrated electronically. I think they have torque vectoring and whatnot on the rear axle, or am I wrong? Then again, it is also my understanding that VW electronics are in some ways much more open, from what I've seen with OBDEleven and VAGcom stuff. Total speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised to hear that there's a single computerized off switch that would make the computers not look for anything outside the transmission other than wheel speed sensors.
I realize I haven't answered your question at all, but maybe I've helped to point in a direction for you or someone else to find some answers. I don't think there's much of a V2 Goblin userbase yet. If there were a similar V1 Goblin technical question, there's probably a half dozen folks that'd have the answer off the top of their heads. I think the community will get there with time. I'll continue to search around to see if there's any answers to your question specifically out there. I hope you get the answers you're looking for.
Rauq
Goblin Guru
I came across a post and lost it claiming that the AWD MQB transmissions are basically just FWD transmissions with a different passenger side output housing with a "bevel box" in VW terminology. That whole assembly is pictured here. I'm sure someone that knows VW the way most folks here know Cobalts could more easily give you a better answer. Looks to me like the hardware side is probably feasible, still no idea from me on the software side. I'm curious how far the DF crew has gotten into the electrical and computer side on the V2. I'm sure they'll have a decent path figured out for straightforward builds, i.e. GTI donors as strictly advertised.
MeltedSolid
Member
This is correct. The performance pack GTI (or any GTI with a VAQ) and the R share the same transmission in terms of external connections, the only difference is the R has shorter gear ratios. Software wise, an R might throw an error due to not having the module for the rear haldex coupling plugged in, but it won't actually cause any issues (people do it all the time to dyno the car in 2wd).
Also, a note for the OP's title, all Golf R's period have awd, not just in certain years.