Please read through the common questions below. If you have any further questions, please give us a call, email, or chat with us on social media!
How does the adapter work?
Our adapter kits make the back of a VW TDI engine look just like the engine it’s replacing. No drilling, no welding, no custom flywheels, and no hacked-down input shafts. If your transmission bolted to the factory engine, it’ll bolt right up to the TDI with our kit — simple as that.
Warranty Policy
We stand behind what we build. Every TD Conversions product (except Universal Engine and Frame Mounts) comes with a 1-year manufacturing defect warranty for the original purchaser, starting from the date the product ships. Please note—if a product has been modified without our knowledge, the warranty will no longer apply.
Why are there two adapter plates?
Our two-plate adapter system lets you rotate (or “clock”) the engine while keeping the transmission in its factory orientation. You can choose from three clocking positions — 0°, 10°, or 15° — to fine-tune fitment and driveline angles for your build.
Do I need special VW parts?
Nope. Our TDI adapter kits are designed to reuse the original flywheel or flexplate from the engine you’re replacing. That means no hunting down VW TDI flywheels, clutches, torque converters, or starter motors. Less parts chasing, less money out of pocket, and a much simpler swap.
How accurate is the transmission alignment?
We use an aerospace-grade CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine) to capture every detail of the original engine. That lets us reverse-engineer the bolt pattern with precision down to 0.0001". Why so exact? Because if things don’t line up, bad stuff happens — think premature bearing failure, clutch wear, and gears that bind instead of mesh. In short: your swap runs smoother, lasts longer, and doesn’t eat parts for breakfast.
How easy is a diesel conversion?
Converting your vehicle depends on which model you’re working with and how much mechanical experience you have. If you break the project into stages, you can often have the vehicle running in less than 5 days.
Stage 1 – Research & Planning
Start by researching your swap thoroughly and laying out all the required tasks, parts, and tools. Good planning prevents headaches later.
Stage 2 – Engine Install & Basic Wiring
Focus on getting the engine in place and the vehicle driving with minimal changes. Keep the wiring and modifications simple at this stage — the goal is to get it running.
Stage 3 – Refinement & Upgrades
Once you’ve confirmed the engine runs and drives, move on to performance upgrades, custom wiring harnesses, gauges, or engine rebuilds. By tackling improvements after the initial install, you minimize variables and avoid overwhelming the project.
Too many people try to make everything perfect the first time around, introducing multiple problems at once. The key is to keep it simple, make small changes in stages, and build from there for a reliable, successful conversion.
Tools & Skills Required
-Standard mechanic’s tools
-Engine hoist
-Welding machine
-Basic fabrication knowledge
-Some electrical knowledge
-Beverages for morale
Does TD Conversions install kits on customer vehicles?
Not at this time. We focus on designing and building the adapter kits that make your swap possible — everything you need to get the engine into your vehicle and bolted to the transmission. The actual wrench-turning is up to you (or your favorite shop).
What does a TDI conversion cost?
It depends on your vehicle and how wild you want to go. Here’s a ballpark breakdown:
-Adapter kit: Most of our kits run $1,229 USD plus shipping.
-Engine: A used 1.9L TDI can be found for around $500, while newer 2.0L common rail engines usually run closer to $1,500.
-Upgrades (optional but fun):
-Turbo upgrade — from $600
-Injector nozzles — about $250 (plus install & calibration)
-ECM tune — around $400
The stock TDI makes between 90–150 hp, but with just a turbo, nozzles, and a tune, the 1.9L and 2.0L easily push 175+ hp and 300+ ft-lbs.
Throw in some motor mounts and a little fab work with your favorite “electric metal glue gun” (a.k.a. welder), and it’s possible to get on the road for under $2,000 if you shop smart.
Can I save money by converting?
Yes. A TDI swap usually delivers at least double the fuel mileage compared to a gasoline engine. Diesel is often cheaper at the pump, and when you combine lower fuel cost with higher MPG, the savings add up — eventually paying for the swap.
That said… let’s be honest. Most folks do this because they want the torque, the reliability, and some sexy billet parts under the hood. The polar bears thank you, too.
Do automatic transmissions work with a TDI conversion?
Absolutely. Our adapter kits play nice with automatics — you’ll just need a standalone TCM controller for your transmission. The upside? These controllers are highly tunable and even let you run manual shift modes, so you’re the boss.
Just watch your torque converter’s stall speed and lock-up RPM. If it’s way off, the transmission can feel like it just chugged three energy drinks and forgot what gear it wants to be in. A properly matched converter keeps things smooth and makes the TDI feel right at home.
Can a full-size truck be converted?
Most definitely, yes! For half-ton trucks, we recommend at least a Stage 4 Malone tune (or equivalent) with supporting mods like a bigger turbo and upgraded injectors. With those upgrades, the little TDI can put down 315+ ft-lbs of torque. For comparison, a Chevy 1500 with a 5.3L V8 makes about 320 hp / 335 ft-lbs.
Will it turn your truck into a rocket ship? Not exactly. But it’ll pull strong, sip fuel, and surprise a few people along the way. If you want more grunt right out of the gate, consider stepping up to a 3.0L V6 TDI or the BMW M57 inline-six for even more power.