Thanks Pete. I am thinking about just that or something custom. i like the long header style. With the IPD plenum I would like a corresponding header muffler setup so am looking around.

 

I have a question. I am ready to connect the tiptronic transmission to the engine. However how do I attach the torque converter to the drive plate. This looks kinda impossible. Anyone have a how to on this? My buddy thought you just bolt the two together. However I advised him that may not be the case. The drive plate is connected to the engine with about 6 bolts. The torque converter is inside the tiptronic housing. My understanding is that the drive plate is bolted to the torque converter so they both can turn. Am I on the right track?

 

Just based on my experience with my old C43, the flex plate is bolted to the driveshaft (I think of it like the flywheel on an MT car). The torque converter slides onto the inout shaft of the trans, inside the bell housing. The torque converter bolts to the flex plate. Six bolts holding those together sounds about right. Getting at those bolts can be hard, especially if the engine is in the car. There should be a way to access those bolts though, through the bell housing somehow - because the trans is generally removable with the engine still in the car.

 

Yes , drive plate bolted to the torque converter.
Assuming access to the bolts is through the starter hole, once the starter is removed.

 

Re the headers... 997.2 X51 headers come from the factory with a flattened bottom for clearance. Maybe these aren't damaged but it's a feature? Just something to consider.

 

Engine is out of the car. So is tranny. Trying to mate them. How do I bolt the drive plate to the tranny. Drive plate is currently attached to the engine.

 

Remove the starter, or an access plate if there is one.
Mate trans to engine and bolt them up.
As you are looking through the starter hole, rotate engine crankshaft to line up drive plate holes with the threaded holes in the torque converter.
Reach through the starter hole or access plate hole with bolts (no.4 in drawing, there are six of them) pass them through the drive plate and thread them into the torque converter.
Now I am just assuming this, if this engine/transmission is like any other.
At this point you really need a shop manual or something of equivalent for torque values and correct procedures.

 

Here is a pix I just took of the engine and tranny tonight. I think a few of you said I wasn't up high enough. Well you were correct. I needed about 3 inches more clearance. I went to the Depot and got some 2x12 cut it in 12x12 pieces and got the car up the 3 inches. Now the engine and the cart fit right under with no problem.



The last 3 inches needed for clearance. Up about 38".



The cart with the engine on it fits perfectly underneath.





Once I mate the tranny should have good space to bolt everything up.

Wolfk that process sounds really narly. I also can see me dropping something in something. Here is a pic of the engine and tranny as they currently sit.



These two need to make nice.

I have a Pet pdf. The torque values are in the 63-67 ft/lbs from what the install sheet says for the torque screws. I am waiting on a lot of screws. My dealer's parts database has been down. I am hoping to have 1st crank sometime before Thanksgiving. Will have video footage of that.

 

Thank you for the referral! We would love to be a part of the project

PM sent, and I look forward to helping out with the build in any way I can

 

So this morning was spent removing the starter. Took a few hours but it is out. How can I test it so I don't miss a chance to replace it if needed. However I may want to replace it so I know it's "new". But don't want to go crazy here.

 

Autozone will test your starter for free. Do you know how many miles on your donor engine?

 

Thanks for the tip. However these headers are really bent not just dented. To bad it's just the one side. I think I'll have to get the whole exhaust setup as I don't have cats either.

 

I was thinking about them. 70k miles on the donor engine and 25k miles on the tranny. Engine is a 2007 S engine.

 

Thanks Wolf this was exactly what I did and it worked out perfectly. Except for the 6th bolt. I don't think it has threads to screw it in. It's the one with the XZN. All the others went in ok.





Removed the starter and now can see where to bolt down TC and drive plate. The Germans could have been a bit smarter on this part I think.



My days work. One of my buddies was in Sacramento and stopped by Qualified German Salvage. Picked up the screws I needed and we mated the two together for a test fit.



Fits nicely

Next up is sourcing for more screws. The axle screws and not sure about the spacer ring, is that a standard part? Also I need one more screw for the transmission and some nuts and bolts. I guess now with the starter out I can replace my broken oil funnel. I also see I may need to replace the water reservoir as there is a crack coming. Hopefully if I get all my screws and bolts I can have a weekend install.

 

There are 3 holes in the drive plate yet only two receiving holes on the Torque Converter. Should I just use the first two holes?