My S3 will be a stage 2+ soon :)

DJ-S3

DJ-S3

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Had my S3 for just over a year now, and I've accumulated all the bits needed for Revo stage 2+. Getting the last bits fitted this week (up rated intercooler and Milltek down pipe), then I'm not sure whether to go straight for the remap or wait until after Xmas and get the extra money for a new clutch...?

Yes I know a new clutch would be a clever idea, but I don't do standing starts ever. It might last until I have the extra funds. Plus I've heard good things about the loba/Sachs smf clutch, but a bit weary about whether to get that one as I haven't experienced or heard it myself...

What's everyone's thought?

Car has been on stage one for nearly a year now (January)

Oh and some 10mm spacers.

Dom
 
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Hi Dom,

I am about to tread the same path! I have had Stage 1 since Jan 2012 and my plan is to slowly accumulate parts to go to stage 2+ in Jan 2013.

I am not sure about your question but I've heard that you will need to get a remap because the exhaust causes the CEL to come on.

Btw what intercooler and CAI have you gone for?
 
I ran stage 2 on my OEM clutch for over a year with a couple of track days, have been on 2+ for less than a month.
No clutch slip at all so far.
i don't do hard launches and I don't really give it full gas in the higher gears.
Have been doing plenty of WOT in 1st, 2nd and 3rd and the clutch seems nice and strong.
I've got 51k kms on my car btw.
 
I went for the Airtec intercooler that AMD are selling. Direct replacement I've been told (will find out tonight). CAI ITG Maxogen. I know you don't need a uprated intercooler but the price I got it for was a steal!! So I couldn't not buy it. Ha. Yeah I know the CEL comes on, that's why it's going for its MOT before we put the down pipe on so I can tax the car before the end of this month.

Thats good to here, my car is on 49000 miles but it is a fair bit older than yours... 56plate. I also don't do standing starts but do like to give it some through 1st 2nd and 3rd once the clutch is fully out.

Just need to find someone who's nice enough to show me their car with a smf. Heard horror stories about Sachs dmf uprated one and not too keen on incurring the costs twice!
 
Congratulations Dom!

I went from standard to Revo 2+ around 6 or 7 months ago now – and I’m LOVING IT!

Stage 2+ requirements:

Turbo-back Exhaust System.
High Pressure Fuel Pump.
Cold Air Intake.

Stage 2+ extras worth considering:

Suspension.
Clutch.
Front Mounted Intercooler.

Your S3 is a 56-plate, so you may need to replace your standard circulation valve with either the ‘later fitted’ (08 onwards I think) Audi Rev D circulation valve, or the Forge DV which some people also go for.

My advice to you would be some sound advice that was given to me by S3Alex – if you can afford it, get the suspension done!

It will be a decent leap in performance from Stage 1 to Stage 2+, and there’s little point in having that extra performance if you can’t use it.

The addition of Coilovers made a world of difference to the handling of my car, and I couldn’t recommend them enough. I have since got uprated Anti-roll Bars and an Anti-lift kit, but the decision to initially get Coilovers fitted was the best decision I made.

I’m still running my manual S3 with the standard clutch, and touch wood I haven’t yet had any problems with it. I don’t tend to hammer my S3 from a stand-still, so I’m hopeful that it will hold out for a while yet. I reckon you should wait to see if your clutch actually needs replacing before spending £1k+ getting it replaced…

England’s going to be pretty miserable and cold for the next 6 months, so a replacement FMIC isn’t something you really need right now as it’s unlikely that your S3 will be over-heating anytime soon. This is something you can think about when it starts to warm up or if you start to do track days – as the uprated FMIC will help to keep the engine cooler when driven hard.

Take a look at my bio underneath to see what parts I have fitted to my S3, all of which were fitted by AMD Essex.

Good luck pal,

Dan
 
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Yeah I don't really need a uprated intercooler as when ever it's nice weather here in England I go out on the motorbike, so it's very unlikely to over heat. Ha. But at the price I got it for I couldn't not buy it. Plus my mechanic friend does stuff for beer money so the fitting price isn't an issue :D

I've already uprated the DV with the newer version from Audi. I did that before getting stage 1 as I heard it was a clever idea.

Yeah been looking into coilovers but never been in a s3 with coilovers with comfortable suspension... And I don't want to ruin it, done that before and then hated the car. Bought a Ibiza cupra tdi and that suspension was awful standard. Felt like a chav driving around in a lowered corsa!! Oh and where I live, there isn't many roads without speed bumps!!
 
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Maybe uprated bushes & ARBs is a nice compromise, as I know what you mean about not wanting to sacrifice the current ride of the S3.
 
Well the ride was a lot firmer after having the Coilovers fitted.

It's definitely not the most comfortable, but it's still bearable.

In my opinion, the firm ride is well worth the sacrifice of comfort, as I never really have to do long journeys - just little 10 or 15 minute local journeys to be honest.

The overall handling is fantastic though - the S3 corners very level and flat after having the Coilovers fitted - whereas the car would usually lean quite a bit when cornering with any real pace...
 
I think that a good set of coilovers like the kW V3s are a great addition,but the v3s need a LOT of fiddling to get to an individual's requirements,but I can't say i find them too hard or harsh in use.
I didn't bother with an uprated intercooler until the Stg3 build,but at that level I think it's a must,as is a really solid clutch with an SMF,but you will find it quite rattly at idle by comparison with the car's stock DMF setup.
 
That's what I thought a smf did... Which is what I don't really want. But on vagoc.com (as you'll know S3Alex) people are saying there's doesn't with the loba/sach smf set up. Just need to hear one...
 
For what it's worth, a mate installed a Sach's SMF with his Sachs clutch on his 08 S3 and I was really surprised by how little difference it made to the vibrations and noise.
I thought it would be really noticeable but in all honesty, it just wasn't.
 
poli84 said:
For what it's worth, a mate installed a Sach's SMF with his Sachs clutch on his 08 S3 and I was really surprised by how little difference it made to the vibrations and noise.
I thought it would be really noticeable but in all honesty, it just wasn't.
Click to expand...
When the car is running,you wouldn't think mine was any different,but at idle you will hear and feel most SMF setups.
 
S3Alex said:
When the car is running,you wouldn't think mine was any different,but at idle you will hear and feel most SMF setups.
Click to expand...

i think my main worry with dmf setup is that if it goes (like I've heard with a few s3 owners) it's going to effectively cost me double. Am I right to think no ones destroyed a smf?
 
Sachs DMF kit has lasted me 14k miles so I am going to follow Alex's advice and get a Spec or maybe a Southbend. Also ready to go back to 2+ but need to save for the clutch kit and fitting.
 
RedDejavu said:
I go Stage 2 next week with AMD Essex:D. Cant wait and I get ARB fitted along with it so the car should be transformed massively.
Click to expand...
You'll love it.....makes a huge difference.
 
DJ-S3 said:
i think my main worry with dmf setup is that if it goes (like I've heard with a few s3 owners) it's going to effectively cost me double. Am I right to think no ones destroyed a smf?
Click to expand...
I think by the time you're using a clutch good for 600lbs,the gearbox or propshafts will go first!
 
S3Alex said:
I think by the time you're using a clutch good for 600lbs,the gearbox or propshafts will go first!
Click to expand...

True but there has been quite a few horror stories about sachs dmf kit giving up after not so many miles. Obviously dmf set up isn't rated to 600lbs but it's certainly enough to cope with stage2+ power.
 
DJ-S3 said:
True but there has been quite a few horror stories about sachs dmf kit giving up after not so many miles. Obviously dmf set up isn't rated to 600lbs but it's certainly enough to cope with stage2+ power.
Click to expand...
I know....I can only speak from my own experience,which was the Sachs/DMF being good enough for many thousands of miles at 440bhp/440lbs.

It was very gently run in,and never dragged,and it lasted well,and had plenty of meat left on the clutch when it was swapped out for the Spec.
 
Alex do you track your car? What does one do with a 500+bhp S3 on public roads?!
 
S3Alex said:
I know...but one leads to the other.....
Click to expand...

The next course of action after the clutch would be mega expensive wouldn't it? Or am I going to be moving on to the next stage faster than I thought?? Ha
 
S3Alex said:
I know....I can only speak from my own experience,which was the Sachs/DMF being good enough for many thousands of miles at 440bhp/440lbs.

It was very gently run in,and never dragged,and it lasted well,and had plenty of meat left on the clutch when it was swapped out for the Spec.
Click to expand...

This is good to hear.
 
DJ-S3 said:
The next course of action after the clutch would be mega expensive wouldn't it? Or am I going to be moving on to the next stage faster than I thought?? Ha
Click to expand...
Stg3(i.e. a big turbo kit,IS expensive,and going to Stg4,with an engine rebuild is even more so,and I reckon you'd be at the thick end of £7k+ to get there)...but it is fun.
 
JamesS4cab said:
Drive mine fairly sensibly. Did 7k on 2+ and 7k on stage 1 where I am now. And now it's ******. Happy days........
Click to expand...

I know...I can't explain it other than a manufacturing fault,but that doesnt help.

Hope you're sorted soon.
 
As and when I can persuade the wife that bringing a Spec stage 3+ in hand luggage from the States, I will be another step to being sorted!
 
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