Rebuilding an Abandoned 1.8t Audi TT ~ Buying Unfinished Project Cars

Is it worth buying an unfinished project? I bought this 1.8t 2001 Audi TT "barn find" with a completely disassembled engine and parts everywhere! The previous owner did buy some good Audi 1.8t Mods like turbo upgrade, forged engine internal and more. Join me here on episode 1 while we try and put this car back together. Thanks to Advance Auto Parts For sponsoring this series!
~AAP Discount code "humble" #humblemechanic
~ Full engine rebuild video ~ • Complete 1.8t 20V Engi...
~~~Series with ShopDap and Gears and Gasline~~~
EPISODE 1 ~ • Who Can Build The FAST...
EPISODE 2 ~ • Who Can Build The FAST...
EPISODE 3 ~ • Who Can Build The FAST...
EPISODE 4 ~ • Who Can Build The FAST...
Season One JDM vs EURO ~ • Can We Build the Fast...
Edited by the best video dude in the biz, Ray Youman
~~~~ Playlists ~~~~
Humble Mechanic Podcasts ~ • The Humble Mechanic Po...
Project White Wookie ~ • MK3 VR6 GTI Project Car
Failed VW parts videos ~ • How VW Parts Fail
Tool and Product Reviews ~ • Tool and Product Reviews
How To videos ~ • How To Fix Your Car
MK1 VR6 Swap Videos ~ • VR6 Engine Swap MK1 Ca...
~~~~ Be sure to follow me at ~~~~
humblemechanic.com
INSTAGRAM ~ / humblemechanic
FACEBOOK ~ / humblemechanic
TWITTER ~ / humblemechanic
Amazon Store ~ www.amazon.com...
disclaimer:
The content of this video is available for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for the professional advice of a mechanic who has personally inspected your vehicle, nor does it create a relationship of any kind between the Humble Mechanic and you. Every situation may be different, and the Humble Mechanic does not make any warranties, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy, fitness, or applicability of the information or automotive parts portrayed in this video to any project and makes no guarantee of results. The Humble Mechanic and any sponsors of this video will not be liable for any damages related to personal injury, property damage or loss of any kind that may result from the use or reliance on this video and/or any automotive parts represented in this video. You are using the information and automotive parts portrayed in this video solely at your own risk.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Stay Tuned for Episode 2 coming out 12/17/23 More 1.8t engine videos: How To PROPERLY Time VW/Audi 1.8t 20v Engine ~ Belt and Chain~ kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGrMfoKBYs2SrMU Complete 1.8t 20V Engine Rebuild ~ Forged Internals and BIG TURBO ~ kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqnCpJeGhL10mck

[@andymitchell368]

please do a collaboration with decimal tenths i would love to see you guys get together

[@MarkMyWordsXx]

Perhaps a week too late for me, uness I fucked up 😉

[@___asd159gh43]

I love the almost instant identification of parts. You've been doin this too long😂

[@Car_Cast]

Where on earth do you find amazing deals like this.

[@matthewhansen2549]

Awesome video coming from Audi service advisor - #part2!

[@jafinjohn7367]

Hey these are fun cars. I ended up building the engine and transmission. Roughly pushing about 453hp to the wheel. Sold the car to a young guy and he wrecked it 7 days later.

[@HumbleMechanic]

OH NO!!!

[@2strokeFORever]

Roughly? So was it dynod or no?

[@jafinjohn7367]

@@2strokeFORever dynode was hoping for more but that’s all she got. I even got racing IE cams intake and exhaust cams. Never installed it. Let’s just say lost interest. Now I don’t have the car no longer

[@evanrozsa]

​@@jafinjohn7367What are you driving these days?

[@4BillC]

I just finished up a 1.8T. Hoping to get 400-450hp out of it. The plan was to put it in a FWD 2001 B5 A4 but I just found a AWD 2001 B5 with no engine. It may end up in there.

[@ibrahimakram632]

A 40 minute video about a 1st gen TT project car? Sign me up. I'm here for the long haul 😂

[@MrAluntus]

Being an Audi fan, that was so cool to watch. I learned one thing. You need to be a pro to take that project on. It's also refreshing to find someone on KZbin that actually likes VWs and Audi's. I'm a fan.

[@audiguy1978]

The Audi community would appreciate a similar video on the 2.7t engine!

[@assarhadon]

I'd immensely appreciate anything 3.0 BiTDi related in depth. Ask me why :D

[@MarshalBeard]

@@assarhadon As far as I know, we don't get the 3.0 BiTDi here in north America. For example, my 15 SQ5 has the 3.0 supercharged gas motor, whereas in Europe and the UK it comes with that BiTDi. The 3.0 TFSI is faster and more tuneable, however something about that efficiency and sound of that motor is amazing. I'd take the diesel any day.

[@LeoNidasPlayForFun]

1300 $ for 5 million parts?!?! Mate, you just hit the jackpot!!!

[@HumbleMechanic]

100% did! I would probably have done better to sell the parts and shell and moved on 3 years aog. but the build was pretty fun

[@victorsantos9884]

I’m a dentist and now I feel like I can reassemble an Audi TT engine, you are a great teacher 😅

[@BasedEMT1776]

Not a VW/Audi guy by any stretch of the imagination, but I could watch engine assembly/building engine videos all day long. You actually were the one who inspired me years ago to be meticulous with torque specs on legit everything. Had a friend come over to help me drop a trans and I mentioned "Those bolts shouldn't be ungodly tight, I torqued them to spec" and his mind was blown. All he could say was "you actually torqued these?!" Lol. Kind of a proud moment for me. Good job Charles. I'm eager for the next and final videos. You should keep doing these kinds of videos! Love tuning and engine building of any kind.

[@J4rn0]

Wow thats an impressive amount of work and content in one episode. Realy enjoyed that, thanks!

[@jeffreyshepherd8488]

Most youtubers would've stretched this into 7 episodes. Great content

[@craigbomer8962]

You're giving me flashbacks to my days as an Audi/VW/Porsche tech from 2004 to 2009. Sooooo many 1.8s with cooked heads and squishy PCV hoses. A few of the dedicated VW guys at the shop ran a racket of buying blown 1.8 Passats, replacing the cylinder head, and flipping them.

[@roddyhaley3005]

i love how thorough you are. not a single detail overlooked

[@2pacKdot]

The Audi TT content is getting bigger. Thank's for choosing this project :)

[@djtribo8925]

I have been waiting a while for this project to begin, as I just got rid of my TT, LOL! It's all good, though, as I still love the video and I can't wait for the next episode!😃

[@nomad-zg3zu]

i often overlook you videos because you mostly just do vw. i am into audis i know they are similar but not enough i like the v8 cars mostly. i hope you can do more audi work as your videos are great. i mostly watch ytube on tv for big screen and sound. but will continue to watch when i remember because i learn good general mechanic tips

[@ypn8]

Always awesome and inspirational to see VAG Cars getting TLC they deserve. We all know it's very difficult for the average person to service their car and maintain it. Definitely appreciate your time and effort into these videos you do . New Series- Unfinished Project Cars : VAG Edition ??

[@pookcs]

always liked how the TT looked, and im glad they kept improving on the looks of the car

[@eponymous7910]

Mk2 was the pinnacle of tt design imo. Still lust over the s models but they've all been thrashed to bits where I live

[@mattalki]

I was absolutely engrossed in the video when it suddenly ended! GAH! Bring on part 2!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Set your alarm for next Sunday at 10am eastern

[@Anna-Husky-Puppy-Carski]

So satisfying to watch, as always. Appreciate the level of detail you always cover, exactly the kind of content that inspires me to one day take on a vw/audi engine rebuild project

[@vampalan]

Definitely not a novice project. Good to see a car put back together.

[@MarkMyWordsXx]

Don't even look at that dip stick tube or it'll shatter

[@300DBenz]

It came pre-broken

[@America_Countryhumans1]

Yea fall in the block

[@einfelder8262]

A 22 year old piece of plastic that has had maybe 20,000 heat cycles. I don't see that as an issue :)

[@ne2i]

Most of the plastics will just crumble. It's recycled plastic.

[@the_boonies]

I used to buy 5x at a time 😂

[@CalebBaker500]

Love my TT. Made 350 wheel with a 50 trim and upgraded rods last year. Upgrading to a 2867 right now to make a bit more/ have better spool.

[@UberWagen]

Great job on this, your editing is top notch! I'm in a somewhat similar scenario. I came into a half assembled 1.8t/02J combo to drop into a Scirocco which has also had some 'expert' (young/dumb me) work done to it.

[@FishyEngineer420]

I'm genuinely excited about this series

[@marcpalmer4144]

The wealth of knowledge you have Charles is great to see. Keep the videos coming

[@peterlowden3814]

I love my 3.2 V6 TT!! Great to see someone like yourself working on one 😍

[@kapteinsuperskoot6986]

I'm really glad I watched this video. Now I know why the lifters on my Mk1 are noisy after head off/on --- the oil holes. Never thought of aligning the oil holes! Facepalm. Thanks, Charles!

[@nickmcintosh9]

Thanks, Charles. I always like your talk-through assembly and how items fail videos. Keep them coming. Can you do a 09G transmission overhaul next? This 1.8T video reminded me of my very first vdubb it was a B5 Passat. this car got me hooked on fixing my own cars. But was not comfortable pulling the engine to remove the rear main seal. As a weekend warrior, I have come a long way in ten years, and now I am working on a Q5 2.0 TFSI with a burned valve for a winter project/family mover. Thanks for the great content along the way. I look forward to seeing this TT when you are done.

[@ricardobarbeito879]

Greetings from UK, I have an S3 8l BAM and this was by far the best instructive vid I've seen so far, I will rename you the humble master, a true master!! Thank you🙏👍🫶

[@pjmccracken]

Thanks so much for this video, I have a BAM 225 it's only got 70k miles on it but being 20 years old now it might well be worth considering a rebuild on it, this video has given me A LOT of good information, fair play Charles!!

[@MarkMyWordsXx]

If you haven't rebuilt or replaced it already, do so now

[@brandonakana185]

$1,300!!!! pretty close to theft for that parts hauls. The engine rebuild tutorial will come in handy, hopefully next summer, when I plan to tear down my 225 engine. Informative, clear and entertaining video as always, thanks.

[@jjoop]

This could be a tv show buying up abandoned project cars . Think i need to get going on my hoard

[@HumbleMechanic]

Would be super fun!

[@Youcallthesebagels_]

Should make a Humble Mechanic Tshirt that has all of your funky vocabulary next to nuts, bolts, and gaskets etc 😂 would be awesome!

[@HumbleMechanic]

HAHA I love it

[@michaelf.1891]

I absolutely look forward to these videos!

[@Noel127]

Thanks Humble for the thorough DIY I love these videos

[@nickwells20]

With your own shop, endless knowledge of that engine, and a YT channel, that car is a steal and should be converted AWD 😊. I will buy it for 3k when ur done 😜

[@gmcassell1]

Thank you for this Fantastic Channel

[@jamesteeple6984]

Very well done informative build thank you so much! Definitely going to save this video for when I finally do my 1.8t build.

[@HumbleMechanic]

thank you! there are a couple links in the pinned comment with 1.8t videos that will be helpful too.

[@Crustychevrolet]

As a small block Chevy guy I am pretty jealous of the ease you can move around and store those blocks. If I want to move a 350 at all it’s a whole production with the cherry picker.

[@bradmarshall5134]

Great series can't wait to watch more. I also recently purchased a mk1 TT 225 quattro for $1500 although it was running and driving and just needed a lot of maintenance!

[@HumbleMechanic]

thats a killer deal

[@jahndolo]

you make great videos out of technical stuff. appreciated.

[@fstap]

Loved my 2001 TT 225 I had back in 2018. Such a fun little car

[@Aldaiuss]

Hi, I have an MK4 GTI since 2016 and I think that it’s a good idea a video of “How to properly delete a secondary air injection on a 1.8T” because is something that I’ve been always looking forward to do but I didn’t find good videos…cheers from Spain!

[@betaboyz7220]

I put elevators in for a living , when you said “ we’re not making microchips “ it reminded me of a time I was battling with a 64th of an inch on elevator rail adjustment , and my mechanic said “WERE NOT BUILDING ROLEXES” hahhaah

[@HumbleMechanic]

Hahahha love it

[@peekaboo4390]

I am doing an 03 A4 3.0 convertible right now that was abandoned. Complete tear down and a swap from a FWD CVT to a 6 speed Quattro.. lots of fun but not for the faint of heart. Picked it up for 600 bucks Canadian.

[@sebastianlorenzo4935]

Another Great Video!!! As always very informative and entertaining 😄 Really think the 1.8t is the best VW engine to work on and build. Jus my 2 cents

[@jeffboyer8214]

Pcv system that's crazy is volvo a coolant line runs through the outer pipe to air intake tube to keep it warm . Sad when it leaks coolant into the oil . Nice find & never over kill at a machine shop. Happy holidays

[@Rhombus-inc]

As the owner of a mk1 audi tt Im glad you gave this one a new life

[@risinbison1106]

“Fun puzzle”….when you said that I laughed from experience.

[@ImranIsak]

Sunday night Charles uploads video 45 min Its an engine rebuild I love it

[@WayApp]

Sounds like a fascinating project!

[@USA_27]

Nice work of assembling the engine

[@robc5955]

Love seeing these being saved, here in the uk a lot are dissolving or just not worth saving after years of abuse, wish I’d never sold ours - but….at the time 😢 it was a nightmare.

[@patkelly7999]

Great stuff Charles, You must have been good at jigsaws as a young fella, fair play and good luck💯👌👍🙏🙂

[@mikehannigan848]

Hey Charles! Happy Holidays Brother!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Cheers dude! B

[@ruialmeida5217]

Great vid ! TT 8N 👍

[@Vaino_Hotti]

A 1.8t PCV story: A friend was driving home through nowhere, middle of finnish winter. The PCV system was almost clogged and ended up freezing shut, completely blew out the turbo seals and started billowing oil smoke. Saw the smoke when taking a piss by the roadside. When he got back in the car the oil level warning was on. He waited 3hrs for a tow in the nearby gas station, had he stopped earlier, he'd have waited 3hrs in about -20°C. A new turbo, cat and entire PCV system later, his Skoda is still chugging along happily with 300 000+ km and burning zero oil.

[@snoopy5736]

Awesome project

[@garrettnelson8469]

I love your videos like this one. Keep on doing these projects, the videos are great!

[@jeffboyer8214]

If you use atf as a cleaning agent you will get a bit more dirt off and keep things from rusting I like the way you are showing what can go wrong and it can get out of hand in a hurry. Thank you sir.

[@lonkyboi_]

My funny 1.8 experience: I decided to go with a 01 GTI GLS for my first ever project car. Previous owners deleted the SAI and I went through to clean up behind them as some EVAP lines were not capped. I also saw the combi valve body was still attached to the block so I had to get a block off plate for it. I was worried it wasn’t sealed but when I got the valve off I saw they used a quarter with some liquid seal to block it off 😂 still have the quarter, my first return on my investment

[@caydengatewood1190]

I’ll usually put on a KZbin video while I’m working. But I had to stop watching yours because I keep focusing on the video lol. Very very informative and entertaining. Seriously well done.

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you!!! I do the same thing. My go to is StarWars ep1 🤣

[@sotis.k4533]

im waiting for the next episode

[@MarkyMark-py9nu]

Hey Charles awesome video as always! I did want to ask an unrelated question, are you running an aftermarket wing on your 7.5 R? I just bought one not long ago and I’m really not sure which to go with! Love the videos as always!

[@HumbleMechanic]

Mine is the Oettinger VW accessory wing. 100% love it and recommend it.

[@paulp96275]

Charles thank you I’ve waited for this and pleased with the wait ,Fanbloodytastic here’s to part 2 👍👨🏻‍🏭🇬🇧

[@stevesloan6775]

I own a 225 bam… I’m not 100% sure what the differences are. It’s still good to see your workflow paced the way you do it. Looking forward to seeing your next investment. 🇦🇺🤜🏼🤛🏼😎🍀🍀🍀

[@AudiTTQuattro2003]

My little red 225 and I love your videos. Thanks again.

[@ivanb3303]

Always a wealth of information ..Cheers Charles

[@sabemoistowellette5341]

what a great build!

[@dil6969]

Sometimes I wish I wasn't a gearhead, because the cost associated with building a RELIABLE, high-horsepower car is immense. It's a ton of time, money and will always cost more and take longer than originally planned. The fact that the previous owner started with a working car and ended up with this is a real gut punch. I'm going to keep doing my upgrades piecemeal, as I know a full teardown and build has a high probability of turning into an expensive pile of parts.

[@garvysgarage]

Part of the lesson is get a second engine, and build that 🤣 instead of pulling your car apart to do it. Then swap over everything you’ve built into the car that’s been running the whole time

[@Thechriskraft]

Great episode.

[@tomkenworthy2320]

OMG! Soooo much work. I had a 2001 225 Quattro with the BAM engine and KO4 turbo. The car had 20k on the clock, so it was a proper time warp example. Stage 1 map and a forge diverter was enough for 260bhp. We have 99 octane fuel though. Loved that car, but UK petrol prices meant it was a bad daily! Should’ve kept it though.

[@1SaG]

What I might try with this one (other than definitely a respray) is rebuild it to sport quattro specs. Not sure if those were sold in the US, but it was a factory tuned, stripped out version of the TT, which was 70 kgs lighter and had the 1.8T engine tuned to 240 hp/PS. They only made around 1300 of those, but thanks to its more aggressive styling, lightweight racing seats and all that, it was probably my favourite Mk I TT ever. Anyway: A black Audi TT Coupé 1.8T FWD (180hp) was the first car I ever bought for myself back in 2000 - and I still miss that car. I know a lot of people thought it was a bit of a clown-car or a Golf in a fancy suit, but I suspect none of these people actually ever drove a TT. It was great fun on the road while retaining quite a bit of practicality. The trunk is huge for a car of this type and other than the uninitiated bumping their head on the roof while getting in or out, ergonomics, comfort and roominess in the front are pretty great. Also didn't use a ton of gas and was built very solidly. Other than the ND Miata I currently drive, no other cars I owned since the TT came close to its handling and responsiveness. OG TT must've been one of the last Audis before they started to give their cars super light and slightly numb feeling steerings. I did get to drive the Mk II later on which was probably the more well-rounded and grown-up car, but, IMO, you couldn't beat that first gen's looks and over-the-top styling. Mk I also felt more direct and connected to the road than the Mk II - probably because the Mk II had electric power-steering while the Mk I had a hydraulic one. Gotta remember that Audi back then was still viewed as a bit of a weird brand for boring people - and producing a car so heavy on design/styling both inside and out totally came out of left field.

[@supericeman1]

I had a 01 TT in this red, had a flower headliner, its a tt quattro, manual, had the bigger engine at least that's what the car part shop told me when I was buying a replacement starter for it, it was a fun car to drive

[@MarkMyWordsXx]

Please show the final bill if you can. 1300 sounds like nothing until you realize you have to replace everything. Like, everything right?

[@einfelder8262]

I'd rather a $10,000 Audi TT with new engine and huge grunt than a brand new Chinese POS for $35,000.

[@assarhadon]

Including work hours!

[@trw8777]

I recently bougjt a tt in exactly the same shape. Mine was a bit dirtier though. Today i finally filled all the fluids and i will probably start it fpr the first time this week. Mine missed some parts and they weren't easy to find.

[@emilianocruz11]

One of my dream cars since i own one like the same as your Audi tt mine was sitting 2 years and bring back and fall in love with the same car turbo 1.8 Quattro 2001 and 6 speed but sadly was sold after the pandemic AND miss that car si much because the tt Quattro turbo its very quick little machine

[@albinolofsson7269]

Hey just found your Chanel. Good video and awesome work. I hit that sub 💯

[@HumbleMechanic]

Thank you

[@almogharby]

Great series , great explanation , 👍

[@BrandonSiff-lb7ur]

Constrashtion did you just really make a word up 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I'm dead

[@HumbleMechanic]

Haha I do it all the time. Plus all words are made up so why not 🤣

[@saulrivera6462]

3 intake 2 exhaust... brought memories of my '86 Yamaha FZ750 "Genesis" engine.

[@weazleman36]

This has been a great video. Thanks.

[@markae0]

Hi! At 29:23 , myself , out of curiosity , would have tested the top height travel of each of the pistons. To make sure they don't go too high and have the correct compression.

[@street_wise_gamgee]

just did an oil pump and turbo on my mk4 1.8t jetta some how it survived a 15 mile drive with the oil pressure light flashing it did kill the turbo but after replacing the oil pump and turbo it actually runs better then it ever has. now if only i had time to convert it to manual.

[@drivewaybuilt2265]

Hey humble man how are you doing I like this find it very interesting not really a uro car guy but your changing that slowly can't wait to see how everything turns out coming to u from Jamaica ...👊

[@HumbleMechanic]

CHEERS TO THAT!@!!

[@rideepicdriveepic]

Hey Charles! Great work as usual, I've got one question. You mentioned that you'll run the car on dyno in the next video...but seeing that it's just after assembly - do you do a break-in of the engine? Like I dunno, 1000 miles of various easy driving, and then change oil and only then give it the beans? Also, thank you for very detailed videos and tips, watching you work on the car is super relaxing as well as gives assurance to any would-be DIY mechanic.

[@HumbleMechanic]

In a perfect world, id love to do a 1k mile break in. but for this one, we gave it the beans. Ive seen it done both ways and be great. And ive seen failures. TBH Im not sure what the "best" way is. LOL. It's one of those things that most people say the way they learned is right.

[@rideepicdriveepic]

Thank you so much for the reply! Good luck ahead with the build!

[@theilest33]

I’ve been wanting to buy one of these, this will determine whether I do or not. Lol

[@hugovivas1265]

I can’t wait for episode two

[@r0bb3rse]

Great vid! Here in sweden the 1.8t 180hp only came in fwd.

[@Scottie.Barger]

Literally trust everything that you say about vw/audi. What a great video.

[@mattpoulter3836]

This guy rocks. As bad of experience I've had with vw, i still have a secret love for them. Don't tell anyone.

[@kristijancoric3604]

Beautiful color, I dont think Ive ever seen Mk1 TT up here in Canada with that one.

[@supergoat94]

Been waiting for this episode!

[@mmllmmll22]

People in eu swap intake cam from n/a 1.8 20v into 1.8t 20v. Mostly from ADR (due to vvt). They will fit most standard 1.8t with vvt (but i think 225hp+ had same cams). It's cheap upgrade for 1.8t cars here :)

[@danieloshaughnessy8476]

Funny 1.8T story. I was driving on a four lane devided highway, doing about 55 when a lady pulled out in front of my in my 2003 Jetta Wagon 1.8T Auto. I T-boned her, and she ended up on her side, and my car went sideways almost came to a complete stop and tipped over onto its roof. I crawled out almost without a scratch. After all was said and done, what happened was right out of a TV commercial, an officer on scene looked at my car and looked back at me and said "You were in that car?!?" I resonded with a "Yes" and he said "Wow, I need to get my son a Jetta!"

[@dfraldas]

thats whata I call a jackpot! awesome! Just my kind of thing!

[@1nsanejochem]

These engines are awesome, they can take huge amount of torque and BHP without doing serious upgrades. I've seen healthy examples doing 500bhp with stock internals.

[@nutoriousclown4107]

Noting like a cup of coffee while watching some humble mechanic

[@HumbleMechanic]

[@michaelmerta8956]

When I seen what this fellow paid for the pistons and turbo plus the oil pump, you made an hell of a deal.

[@slimsteve8035]

5 trips to Advanced

[@Kiss__Kiss]

VW Master tech at work. The attention to detail is the phenomenon here.