Planning on buying a S3

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Jenno007

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Hi Guys,

I have tracked down a tuner in Perth (my home town) that can hopefully custom tune a 8L S3. If that falls through I will use a piggyback ECU.
I plan on buying a S3 (most likely BAM) and I would like to make 300+whp.

So I can budget and get a better understanding I thought I would start a thread to get peoples opinion on what I plan on doing. I recently purchased a welder and will soon have a hoist. Now I have very little experience but I am a fast learner and have some friends with extensive mechanical knowledge (JDM cars so they can't really answer the questions I have but can help with installing parts).

Firstly, I have a list of the parts that I believe I will need from reading other threads.

1) Turbo - GT28RS / GT2860R / GT2871R (really open to everyones feedback about this especially regarding hybrids)
2) Manifold with T25 flange (any recommendations, would prefer cast)
3) Suitable dump pipe, cat and exhaust (will get this custom made)
4) Inline fuel pump - Walbro GSL392 Inline Fuel 255LPH Pump
5) Bosch 550 injectors (what adaptor do I need, do these have the correct spray pattern)
6) Intercooler (was going to go an eBay cooler 550mm x 225mm x 64mm + 2.25" inlet and outlet - enough for 300hp in a warm Australian climate?)
7) TIP - Will get custom made
8) Rods - this is where I know nothing, can someone link me to what I need
9) MAF Housing and Throttle body (I was hoping I could keep both these parts standard - please let me know if that is not the case)
10) New coolant lines, Oil feed lines for turbo - will get these custom made
11) Clutch - Can I keep the DMF or should I replace that along with a new clutch - I'm basically after the cheapest clutch of a good quality (no eBay unbranded clutch!)
12) Standard Gearbox

Now I believe this to be everything apart from consumables so if it isn't please let me know!

Also, will I need to take the engine out to install a new turbo? This is all very new and exciting to me.

I'd appreciate any feedback or help! Especially if you link me to suppliers that will ship to Australia! That would be amazing

Thanks
 
Piggy back ECU? don't think they actually do one for ME7 and pretty sure ME7 would have something to say about it as its massively protective...

If all you are after is a stage 1/2 then I know a man that could help... failing that try eurodyne maestro

<tuffty/>
 
<tuffty/> said:
Piggy back ECU? don't think they actually do one for ME7 and pretty sure ME7 would have something to say about it as its massively protective...

If all you are after is a stage 1/2 then I know a man that could help... failing that try eurodyne maestro

<tuffty/>
Click to expand...

I received advice from another Audi Forum that an ECU like Unichip would be suitable to piggyback and then tune - I don't want to go down this path but I was going to use it as a backup. I would provide a link but I don't want to link an external forum (is this against the rules?)

May I ask who this man is that could help? The Eurodyne seems quite reasonably priced as an alternative.

Thank you for highlighting this. Do you see any obvious flaws in my list of planned mods? I would love to get Tuffty's tick of approval and advice.
 
Jenno007 said:
I received advice from another Audi Forum that an ECU like Unichip would be suitable to piggyback and then tune - I don't want to go down this path but I was going to use it as a backup. I would provide a link but I don't want to link an external forum (is this against the rules?)

May I ask who this man is that could help? The Eurodyne seems quite reasonably priced as an alternative.

Thank you for highlighting this. Do you see any obvious flaws in my list of planned mods? I would love to get Tuffty's tick of approval and advice.
Click to expand...

Hummm... interesting... I see what you mean about the 'unichip' thing... I have long dismissed this type of tuning as something rice racerists do and due to the ease (in any country other than Australia it seems) of which an ME7 can be mapped and knowing enough about its architecture its not something I would even consider...

Couldn't possibly comment on that route of tuning tbh... good luck if thats what you have but I think I would prefer the eurodyne approach... at least you are tuning the actual ECU then..

What I would do now of course is a bit of research... you clearly have done a little but rather than ask for everyone to supply you with links have a read of other builds and search for a list of parts that you can at least get hold of and then ask questions accordingly...

I would suggest starting a build thread of some description so that your questions don't get lost in the forum somewhere and also provides context to what you are asking

<tuffty/>
 
<tuffty/> said:
Hummm... interesting... I see what you mean about the 'unichip' thing... I have long dismissed this type of tuning as something rice racerists do and due to the ease (in any country other than Australia it seems) of which an ME7 can be mapped and knowing enough about its architecture its not something I would even consider...

Couldn't possibly comment on that route of tuning tbh... good luck if thats what you have but I think I would prefer the eurodyne approach... at least you are tuning the actual ECU then..

What I would do now of course is a bit of research... you clearly have done a little but rather than ask for everyone to supply you with links have a read of other builds and search for a list of parts that you can at least get hold of and then ask questions accordingly...

I would suggest starting a build thread of some description so that your questions don't get lost in the forum somewhere and also provides context to what you are asking

<tuffty/>
Click to expand...

I haven't purchased the unichip yet, I'm not going to buy anything until I have planned every component. I will look into the eurodyne more, I had never heard of it before you mentioned it.

I'm not asking for links to every product I've listed, I can find that easily enough. What I was after is if anyone has a preferred supplier due to price/quality that ships to Australia to please share it with me. I have no experience dealing with any suppliers so I don't know where to start really.

The only two items I cannot find a direct link to purchase are for a hybrid turbo (part of the reason I've only listed GT28's above) and suitable rods. Scrolling through google I cannot find a link that has a price to purchase either of these items.

All the other items I can happily source myself, but then again if there is a "go to" supplier as such it would be great if people could share that knowledge. I am still reading many build threads (yours included) to try understand what is required to reach my 300bhp target and how to go about it. So any feedback on the items I have listed would be amazing.

Also, I feel I cannot start the build thread until I purchase the car :p
 
you're putting together a shopping list for a car you don't have yet...?

first thing I would ask is how deep are your pockets, as that is quite a shopping list
 
May be better buying a 8p rather than 8l, look's like big bucks.
 
epox said:
May be better buying a 8p rather than 8l, look's like big bucks.
Click to expand...

I have my mind set on an 8l. They are a lot more unique over here and nobody would expect it to be quick, it will be a real sleeper. Plus I love the look of them.

jamiebennett81 said:
you're putting together a shopping list for a car you don't have yet...?

first thing I would ask is how deep are your pockets, as that is quite a shopping list
Click to expand...

Well that is the point of this exercise, to see how deep my pockets will need to be. I'm going to buy the car before I buy any parts for it, but I want to make sure I consider everything and don't miss anything out.

It's the small things I'm worried about stuffing up, for instance I don't want to buy injectors with the wrong spray pattern because that would be a waste of money. The idea of this thread is so I can keep spending to a minimum by buying the correct parts
 
I'm in the same boat and i posted up on a few different forums and everyone said different things so its made things worse for me now but I've now made friends with someone that's building a few high powered s3 and Ibiza and he knows what he is doing so I've found a tuner for my parts but I'm just waiting on prices for other bits then I can buy everything at once :)
 
Drue1 said:
I'm in the same boat and i posted up on a few different forums and everyone said different things so its made things worse for me now but I've now made friends with someone that's building a few high powered s3 and Ibiza and he knows what he is doing so I've found a tuner for my parts but I'm just waiting on prices for other bits then I can buy everything at once :)
Click to expand...

Drue, cheers for the reply mate. Do you have a build thread? Or can I pm you for more detailed. I'd love to see the parts you're using for the build
 
I'm still waiting on one more company to get back to me so I will let you know my findings ;)
Ive started a tread but its stuff I am doing at the mo and when I buy or do bits I update the thread
 
Hey Guys,
I've been looking into buying an s3 8l (bam) for awhile now but undecided on getting one that's already modified or completely stock. Yes i will be modifying the car when i get it. i will be aiming for 250-350hp. I did some research on apr and revotechnik and some others. They all have similar power figures but don't know which one to go with. Also been doing some research on the ATP GTRS Eliminator Kit 350hp, but everyones been saying the same thing that the kits wont produce the power it says... need help please!!
thanks matt
 
250-350 HP is a huge range. 250hp will be possible just from a tune. 350hp will cost thousands.

Decide what you're willing to spend first
 
Yeah i totally understand where your coming from. But i know a mate who has a s3 8l for sale which has been fitted with a atp gtrs 350 kit. Its making 200kw all four on 20 psi. bigger injectors. adjustable fuel reg. bigger fuel pump, front mont intercooler and ect. If i wanted to exeed 200 kw figure would i need to start internal work ?? I've heard the 8l rods aren't the best??
 
Personally I wouldn't go past stage 1 without rods because they could go at any time. It's a real lottery. Up to you when you do them though..

Not many here are a fan of the eliminator kits, I think they run pretty hot! 200kw at the wheels would be a fun car. For comparison there is one in new Zealand with similar mods but a gtx28 instead with 300kw atw (built engine)
 
Yeah true, How much can these bam engines handle (psi) ?? My mates car is a daily and he hasnt had any problems with it. I dont know alot about these audi s3's, thats why i'm getting some feed back from you guys.
 
It's the torque spikes you need to worry about. Given the size of the k04 turbo they deliver all their power very quickly.

Search "bent rods" and see what spec the cars are that have suffered from bent rods. I don't want to put a number on it because I only know what I've read on here and I'm no expert by any means. Personally I think it's worth the reassurance.
 
malaz44 said:
Yeah true, How much can these bam engines handle (psi) ?? My mates car is a daily and he hasnt had any problems with it. I dont know alot about these audi s3's, thats why i'm getting some feed back from you guys.
Click to expand...

Don't get fixated on boost.... a GT35 can make 300hp or more on the same boost the S3 runs as std.. Boost is a facilitator...

The 20v can handle power in excess of 600hp if built properly and using the right turbo and supporting mods

BAM engine code is nothing special, mechanically its more or less the same as the older APY/AGU/APX engines...

You are looking at stage1/2 boost levels of 18 to 22psi depending on supporting mods

With my setup for example I can run 30psi as my setup will support it without issue....

Ultimately the boost level that your engine will tolerate/is safe will be dictated by the hardware you have (turbo, FMIC etc) and the wear and tear of the engine

<tuffty/>
 
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<tuffty/> said:
Don't get fixated on boost.... a GT35 can make 300hp or more on the same boost the S3 runs as std.. Boost is a facilitator...

The 20v can handle power in excess of 600hp if built properly and using the right turbo and supporting mods

BAM engine code is nothing special, mechanically its more or less the same as the older APY/AGU/APX engines...

You are looking at stage1/2 boost levels of 18 to 22psi depending on supporting mods

With my setup for example I can run 30psi as my setup will support it without issue....

Ultimately the boost level that your engine will tolerate/is safe will be dictated by the hardware you have (turbo, FMIC etc) and the wear and tear of the engine

<tuffty/>
Click to expand...

alright no worries. Thanks for the help guys really appreciate it. Tuffy what have you done to your s3??? got any pics???
 
I couldnt find tuffys build. And what should i be expected in a car which has done 130000 kms?? anything which i should know about?? thanks.
 
audi upgrades
Yeah I purchased a S3 and sold my A3. Never looked back since
 
Oh nice, So you love it?? What have you done to yours??? any modifications??
 
Only a couple of mods atm. Silicone TIP, Pod filter, heat shield, FMIC (still not happy with the pipework so I'll be redoing it on the weekend).

Saving for a stroker big turbo build.
 
oh yea awesome.. How much power you aiming for?? Are these s3's easy to work on yourself??? And are parts hard to find or are they alright?
 
audi upgrades
I'd like 400bhp.

They aren't the easiest cars to work on in the world. Japanese cars are a lot easier to work on IMO.

Where are you from? Here in Australia I need to get almost all my parts from overseas
 
400 hp would be a nice figure. That would be a weapon on the streets. And oh yeah, that's my biggest fear on buying an s3. damn parts!! I'm from Australia, Melbourne.
 
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