Time for a build thread....big turbo

[S3Alex]

Parts list...eeek.
.
kW Clubsport kit inc topmounts.
Bellhousings skimmed and re-anodised.
New AP brake rotors
Mintex 1155 pads.
Rear silencer box replaced under warranty and centre section re-piped.
New secondary water pump.
New plugs,cam follower checked and catch can drained.

 

[S3Alex]

So...time for the pictures....

All taken outside in the freezing cold(not by me I hasten to add...Ben braved the elements)

Side view first...

And then a front view.....

That turned out to be a really neat and tidy bit of work by AMDTuning,every bit as good as anything they've done for me so far,even though this turned out to be a bit more challenging than some of the things we've done.

 

[S3Alex]

Couldn't get the AMD CAI to fit due to the custom turbo downpipe on mine,so we're having AS make up a special one to fit,and will report back on that later.

This thing makes it impossible until that's done....

 

[KentKid]

Looks amazing Alex - that's a serious weapon you've got right there!

I imagine with all the bits you've had fiited to improve the handling, the car would handle incredibly well anyway - but with the new wider stance, you're going to be able to go round corners and roundabouts at incredible speeds.

Nissan GTR's are going to have a bit of a job trying to shake you off of their tails...

 

[S3Alex]

Looks amazing Alex - that's a serious weapon you've got right there!I imagine with all the bits you've had fiited to improve the handling, the car would handle incredibly well anyway - but with the new wider stance, you're going to be able to go round corners and roundabouts at incredible speeds.Nissan GTR's are going to have a bit of a job trying to shake you off of their tails...

The GTR that lives locally already can't keep up,but that may be the driver as much as anything else.
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Here's a couple of the rear end...
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[Kelza]

Lovely pictures alex ,just needs a good clean ,and sealed with the new exov2 gtechniq

 

[S3Alex]

I wasn't sure how this was all going to work out,given that it's a pretty big change to suspension,wheels and brakes.
Obviously I knew there were going to be some improvements,but the feel is completely different,and turn-in is much sharper and immediate,with damping and body roll also being much better.
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As I said yesterday,the ride is pretty hard by comparison with the v3's which I think are a better compromise for anyone who doesn't want all of this,plus the associated costs,but the improvement is well worth it to me.
The tyres grip amazingly well for something aimed at warm dry weather,and apart from a fair amount of road noise,they're quite something even now,and to cap it off,changing the brake rotors and pads has also vastly improved feel,and braking.

 

[S3Alex]

Lovely pictures alex ,just needs a good clean ,and sealed with the new exov2 gtechniq

Thanks very much,and the credit goes to Ben@AMDTuning.
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The grime has become a bit of a joke down at AMD,as my car is usually cleaner when it comes out....we live in a rural area and the mud right now is everywhere,so that's my excuse this week!

 

[S3Alex]

A few of the cleaner side of the car....
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[Cozza McA]

Looks great Alex. One thing missing though...
Your exhaust is hidden is that the stealth look haha.

 

[S3Alex]

Looks great Alex. One thing missing though...
Your exhaust is hidden is that the stealth look haha.

Let me find that exhaust for you...!


Here it is....

And another one....

Taken while it was all nice and clean.

 

[Cozza McA]

Ah that's better. Put my mind at rest.
Does look good when you see it like that.

 

[martinivw]

Let me find that exhaust for you...!


Here it is....

And another one....

Taken while it was all nice and clean.

Alex, have you put your battery in battery box in boot?? Your pic has just reminded me of this,
I remember a loooooong time back Devonmikeyboy saying he stuck his battery in "boot box" which had cables and battery terminals iirc already in there from factory, shame that my fwd oil burner doesn't have it

 

[S3Alex]

Ah that's better. Put my mind at rest.
Does look good when you see it like that.

The original backbox had a weld fail after about 40 000 miles,and a mixture of Stg2+,Stg3,and Stg4 power,and the first solution I tried was basically a straight-through system,keeping just the Milltek centre box.

This was seriously loud,even at idle,and once the Milltek backbox was replaced under warranty,the answer was to replace the backbox and cut out the centre to basically make it a non-resonated system.

It's not loud,works well,and keeps the neighbours happy.

 

[S3Alex]

Alex, have you put your battery in battery box in boot?? Your pic has just reminded me of this,
I remember a loooooong time back Devonmikeyboy saying he stuck his battery in "boot box" which had cables and battery terminals iirc already in there from factory, shame that my fwd oil burner doesn't have it

No....that's where my water/meth kit lives!

The pump sits in the box and keeps everything neat and tidy.

 

[jimojameso]

Loving the pictures Alex, look forard to seeing this car in the flesh

 

[S3Alex]

Loving the pictures Alex, look forard to seeing this car in the flesh

Thanks very much!

Anytime you're at AMD or maybe another meet somewhere.

 

[S3Alex]

I'd like to say a quick thanks to everyone who's sent me thanks for posting up this mammoth effort,and also to all of my friends down at AMDTuning for putting up with the ever-changing list of things to try.
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The encouragement from everyone here and at VAGOC has always been amazing,and that,coupled with the engineering skill,and clever solutions to all of the problems we've encountered,from AMD,have made this possible.
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I don't think we've found anything yet that we couldn't fix,or get around,and it was pointed out the other day when I picked it up,that I could have bought an R8 by now(Thanks Ben!),but when you still need 4 seats and some boot space,and you end up with a hatch that stops,goes,and handles like this,and is way faster than a V8 R8,I'm happy.
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It's beginning to look a little less stealthy than before with those big wheels and tyres,but I think that's been more than worth it,as I'm still surprised by how well it all works together.
Yes,the ride is a bit unforgiving,but not too much so,and the benefit of vastly improved roll control,and damping,better turn-in,and getting the brakes to what they should have been is enough to make me smile every time I drive the thing now(if I didn't before).....the problem is that every time you improve something,you realise what you'd been working around before.
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Then you want more......and there is more.

 

[NHN]

I have to say this is one build thread I follow always, the detail & info given is exactly what we need more of, its a real build thread imho, keep it up Alex & god knows how much this has cost thus far lol.

 

[S3Alex]

I have to say this is one build thread I follow always, the detail & info given is exactly what we need more of, its a real build thread imho, keep it up Alex & god knows how much this has cost thus far lol.

Mutual congratulations time!

I wouldn't have got going on this without all the help I've had from here and VAGOC.

I've had plenty of help and advice plus the superb work of everyone at AMD and all the parts suppliers.

I've had the good fortune to have tuners who also run race teams through 3 cars now and that makes a huge difference when it comes to building a car and solving problems.

I wanted to make a contribution for anyone else who's thinking of the same and hopefully make it easier.

 

[MB RS3]

So...time for the pictures....

All taken outside in the freezing cold(not by me I hasten to add...Ben braved the elements)

Side view first...

And then a front view.....

That turned out to be a really neat and tidy bit of work by AMDTuning,every bit as good as anything they've done for me so far,even though this turned out to be a bit more challenging than some of the things we've done.

One word... Stunning! So low key! Im loving the stance looks wide but not over the top!

This is one special car Alex! You do the 4 rings proud lol!

 

[S3Alex]

One word... Stunning! So low key! Im loving the stance looks wide but not over the top!

This is one special car Alex! You do the 4 rings proud lol!

Thanks very much!

I'm not a great fan of really in yer face cars and tried to keep this as near stock look as possible.

The wheels and tyres are about as wide as we could manage but really it needed that plus the suspension upgrade to deal with the power.

Previously I could get it to break traction up to 3rd gear or so on dry ground and the wider track and tyres now should cut that.

It's been real fun all the way.

I couldn't have done it without this place plus VAGOC and the incredible work from AMD.

The advice I've had especially at the beginning when I knew nothing about tuning an Audi(my previous ones has been Cosworths) has been fantastic.

 

[Cozza McA]

Glad you are getting so much pleasure out of it.
like u said as good as a R8 if not better lol.

p.s the last coule of post read as if you are near finished?
surely a car is never finished haha

 

[S3Alex]

Glad you are getting so much pleasure out of it.
like u said as good as a R8 if not better lol.

p.s the last coule of post read as if you are near finished?
surely a car is never finished haha

It would certainly deal with a V8 comfortably and even the local dealership were good enough to say so.

A V10 might be harder work!

And no,it's not finished....

In the pipeline is adapting and testing the AMD intake on the car,plus something like a GTX 3076 or 3576 with some clever parts from Owen Developments.

There's also one other part under development which is still under wraps but will be very exciting when its ready.

 

[coreythorny]

Amazing car and work.

 

[Cozza McA]

It would certainly deal with a V8 comfortably and even the local dealership were good enough to say so.
A V10 might be harder work!
And no,it's not finished....
In the pipeline is adapting and testing the AMD intake on the car,plus something like a GTX 3076 or 3576 with some clever parts from Owen Developments.

There's also one other part under development which is still under wraps but will be very exciting when its ready.

Would put many cars to shame!! i like how you say a V10 MIGHT be harder haha
glad its not finished would have nothing to read then
Their new intake does look nice i must admit and the other add on sound nice too.

Bet its good too have your car as a developer.

 

[S3Alex]

Would put many cars to shame!! i like how you say a V10 MIGHT be harder hahaglad its not finished would have nothing to read then Their new intake does look nice i must admit and the other add on sound nice too.Bet its good too have your car as a developer.

Thanks again....plenty yet to come!

 

[S3Alex]

Amazing car and work.

Very kind again....all compliments gratefully received..!
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I can only lay the blame here at ASN,and also at VAGOC,for making me want to do this to the car in the first place,and thank Audi for producing a car with so much untapped potential in the first place.
If it was quick from new,I probably wouldn't have done all this,but it always felt like it could cope with a lot more power,and so it has.
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There are still a few things to come,but the bank balance needs a bit of recovery time after the suspension and brake upgrades,and I need some decent weather to see how it really feels now,although 2 weeks on,I'm still amazed by how good those tyres are.

 

[S3Alex]

Now...I do need a new boost guage.
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I've got a NewSouth guage and pod,but it only runs up to 25psi,which is some way short of what it runs at full boost,and more so if I change the turbo later in the year..
NewSouth Performance
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Had a look at both the Podi... Podi.ca | Gauge solutions for Audi and VW ......
and Autometer guages.... Auto Meter
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And also Racetech,but I'm a little stuck for choice here as there aren't many that go to 3bar aside from those above...any other offers?

 

[Kelza]

Hi alex you should speak to hektor aka eddie ,he maybe able to help?
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/group-buy-discount-forum/156842-podi-boost-gauge-group-buy.html

 

[S3Alex]

Hi alex you should speak to hektor aka eddie ,he maybe able to help?
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/group-buy-discount-forum/156842-podi-boost-gauge-group-buy.html

Brilliant.

Thanks very much indeed...I've replied to it.

Love that digital one that can be programmed for different scales etc.

 

[Kelza]

Hi alex yeah the digital one looks great

 

[S3Alex]

Hi alex yeah the digital one looks great

Thanks for the heads-up on that...it might just be the one to have,as it can be rescaled and virtually all the others I've seen run to 2bar max or look like something from the early 50s.

 

[gogz s3]

Just read through the whole thread and well impressed and full respect to you Alex.

Can't wait to see the next update.

 

[S3Alex]

Just read through the whole thread and well impressed and full respect to you Alex.

Can't wait to see the next update.

Thank you!

It's been a lot of work(not so much for me as AMD!) and a heap of fun.

 

[Kelza]

Hi alex hows things ,did you get a gauge sorted !

 

[S3Alex]

Thank god the temperatures are going up.

Means I can trust the tyres a bit more and see what it feels like to have more grip than before.

Car really feels much more alive than before but needs a lot more input as the tyres and suspension transmit every bump on the road and it tends to follow that under acceleration.

The front brakes are SO much better now that the rears need a bit more bite to balance that up so a set of Mintex 1155 pads will be next.

 

[Ben S3 8P3]

Do you have any videos?

 

[S3Alex]

Do you have any videos?

Too busy holding onto the steering wheel. Lol.

Seriously though its something I must try and get done soon.

Maybe another trackday when its not sub zero outside and the tyres are at working temp.

The day last year is what made me do all the suspension work and give AMDTuning so many headaches so its about time I got to try it all out.

 

[Reevesy]

The original backbox had a weld fail after about 40 000 miles,and a mixture of Stg2+,Stg3,and Stg4 power,and the first solution I tried was basically a straight-through system,keeping just the Milltek centre box.

This was seriously loud,even at idle,and once the Milltek backbox was replaced under warranty,the answer was to replace the backbox and cut out the centre to basically make it a non-resonated system.

It's not loud,works well,and keeps the neighbours happy.

Amazing car and excellent write up. Just a quick question, have you still got the straight through back box?