Hello all.

A few months ago my very good condition S5 was totalled.

But, the engine seems like itll be ok, and the entire rear end is untouched, as is the really rare, black leather interior.

Now I have a dilemma and question for you all. Considering I've got a heap of great parts.

Would it be possible for me to buy a rolling S4 shell and trasnfer all my stuff in. My whole engine, gearbox, dash, interior.

The biggest challenge from research seems to be the loom. Is it physically possible/viable to trasnfer the whole loom into the S4 shell, in order to make everything plug and play, as well as make use of all the functioning electrics my S5 had.

Look forward to your feedback


Edit: I have searched various sites and forums and it seems most people do the S5 engine into S4 shell by adapting the front cover and so forth to essentially trick the S4 cpu. This is not an option for me, as most people blow their S4 engines and upgrade. I'm in the kind of the opposite situation. Also before someone recommends it. S5 Shells are almost impossible to find.

-Tones

 

You are in for some fun to get all the harnesses off and rehook them back up,But Yes it can be done.
After all it is just GUTS that you are transferring into a Steel shell.

If you attempt this,I highly suggest taking Pictures marking EVERY connector and wire that you can,especially under the dash,speedo area.(there is a ground or two there,so NOTE that!).
If you get it all together and haven't connected stuff correctly under the dash then you will be ripping it out again.

 

What you propose is tedious but not particularly difficult.

 

Thank you for the advice guys. When this semester finishes up. I'll have a **** load of time, but I'm not a mechanical expert my any means so it seems this would be the best option?

And yes thanks for the tip. I planned on at least labeling every connector, and it's connection.

It seems taking photos of the ground would be a great idea.


Thank you for the support and advice so far.

Is there any big things I should know before undertaking the endeavor?

And anyone have any tips and tricks to make the process smoother,faster, easier?

 

Yes, it's very tedious.

Download the service manual (Foxed.ca) and make big copies of the electrical schematic.

Unless you're willing to fully commit to the process, resist the urge to "prune out the unneeded stuff". Until you understand and are comfortable with the harness as a whole, you simply cannot make changes/deletions without significant peril.

On a technical note:
The harnesses are fastened to the chassis with a myriad of plastic clips/fasteners/gizmos.
You will destroy many of them during removal.
That's just the way it'll go, so get used to it and make plans how to deal.

The harness is MUCH bigger than you can imagine, you'll be amazed when you finally get it out of the car.

 

Tip if you do this.
I'd take the dash out to get a better look at the Driver's side fuse box.

Wait!..is this a Left hand drive or a right hand drive vehicle?..

 

The dash has to come out no matter what.
The sooner, the better.

 

Thanks guys! This is RHD as I'm from Australia.

I've got a Haynes workshop manual. That has all the wiring diagrams and pictures of where the ecu etc is. I'll have that with me.

I've also bought a set of trim removal tools to get the dash out undamaged.

Yeah I figure some clips will be broken, ideally the S4 will still have those anyway.

And I completely agree, I've seen it many times when someone goes through and starts ripping out emissions stuff etc.

I'm not ripping anything, I want this to be as simple a process as possible. And frankly the emissions stuff doesent bother me.

Australia has such strict car mod laws that the extra couple HP isn't worth it.

Second question guys. Is the loom in 2 parts?

Like is there a front and rear section?

I only say this as it might be a pain to disconnect the fuel pump?

Also, my model had abs, a shell is unlikely too, will this matter? If I transfer my ABS unit and so forth over, I'm hoping it'll all still work?

 

If you can get your hands on an S5 shell, it WILL save you the headache.

 

Yeah Ive looked for a few months, nothing around

 

its not all that bad.. I recently converted my s4 into an s5.. next time I think ill just swap motors instead! good luck im sure itll be simple enough!

 

Looks like its a doable endeavour! Thanks guys, now just gotta source a shell =)