Naths 2for1 Maintain, Improve & Track! Thread

Nath1790

Nath1790

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I currently own a 98 Silver 1.8T AGU As well as a 02 Black S3 BAM; the A3 is intended to be a track devourer whilst the S3 is my daily. I hope to outline & share my experiences with both cars and I’ll probably end up asking a load of questions too.
I’d like to start by stating that I’m not a mechanic and up until now I never went near a car with a spanner so I have to rely on garages that I hope I can trust to carry out the majority of work. Over time however I hope to at least be able to change simple parts and do service’s myself.
Please ask any questions you may have, I’m not clued up and I don’t have any mates in the know or who can work on my car but I can at least share my experiences. I’ll also try not to be sooo long winded :tapedshut:

IMG 20140621 202953859

:kissmyrings:
 
I’ve wanted to mess around with a 2nd car for ages now and unknowingly passed up a very cheap offer to own Jardo's old car. The owner did point me towards ASN though where my fascination began! Upon reading mostly Prawn's thread I had decided this was the car I needed! The forum itself with all the people involved and the knowledge about these 1.8T’s was too good to pass up :meeting:
 
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A3
Bought the car for £1,300 with fresh MOT, 6 Months Tax, FSH & 115K; the paintwork and alloys aren’t great but I only notice when I clean it. I got the car ‘health-checked’ straight away and there was nothing major although the rear brake lines were corroded so I got these changed at my local garage. £250 to fit pads, change oil/filter, clean down rear brakes (sticky) & completely replace the rear lines.

IMG 57988765493562
Unfortunately I didn’t know that your No Claim Bonus can only apply to 1 car as opposed to the driver. Therefore the insurance cost an eye watering £800+!!! This destroyed my hopes of getting on with the car straight away :3sadwalk:. I did however start removing the interior though as that’s free performance! Apart from fiddling with some connections here and there it was a doddle and a nice introduction to DIY car stuff.

IMG 20140502 173951601
The more I drove it and the more I thought about it, the longer my list of fixes was becoming even before performance mods. The last thing I wanted was to unleash 1,0000bhp only to find the car disintegrates around me.
What I’ve had to have done:

· Cambelt/Waterpump/Thermostat - £400+
· 4x New Tyres (GY Efficient Grip) - £280
· Clutch & Flywheel Conversion (£200+ Parts) - £500 Labour!!!

As you can see, this car is costing muchos money and I barely drive her! I did have a problem with not being able to change gear at high rpm but hopefully it’ll be alright now. There’s still things bugging me though; for example the car is very jerky when you come off the throttle as well as the throttle not being particularly sensitive. I’m hoping to clean the TB and give the MAF a little clean too otherwise mo money! The car is at least driveable in my eyes now but I still have a large list to waste non-existent money on with the immediate being:

· ECS complete Dogbone Mount (Could cure some of the jerkiness??)
· S2000 Filter (Just need a reducer hose)

More of the interior has been taken out since and I'll get another pic up soon. I do have a bucket seat too but I got the wrong subframe :distress:

IMG 20140627 175544325
 
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S3
As the S3 is my daily I’ve not got major plans for her, having 2 cars which are costly to maintain in the first place is a huge drain on resources as is!
I bought for lots of money (regretful?) with fresh MOT, FSH, Tax, 86k. Out of the few I saw, this car was the nicest by far! It has full leather electric and heated seats, electric sunroof, Bose speakers and already had a TIP fitted. Overall nice condition for age!

IMG 57980153851221
Insurance was cheaper than my old focus diesel at £330! And after being health-checked didn’t find anything wrong at all; she has had to have the following though:
· Cambelt/Waterpump/Thermostat (no history on this, T dead) - £400
· Full service & Haldex Service - £250
Almost annoyingly the S3 has actually had 2 cheap mods, these being a TDI Dogbone mount and the S2000 filter. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the S2000 filter went on, it also makes lots of whooshing and choo’s now. Happy days! :rockwoot:
I’d love to get her mapped with a catback, get some nice alloys and fit lowering springs but it’s all money that would detract from the A3 and money I don’t have so I’ll hold off because I spend too much on these as it is. After all a credit card is a path to the dark side even if they do have cookies. :grey:
 
I’ll outline my plans for the A3 below:
· KO3S Hybrid
· FMIC
· DP/Decat/Single Exit Jap Style Exhaust

Images
· Coilovers (AP prob)
· Suspension Refresh inc uprated bushes
· Bucket Seats (have 1no. but the wrong Subframe!)
· 2.7 Rack
· Gearbox Recon & Strengthening
· Cage
· Manifold
· Injectors
· Lots of boost hoses etc
· Remap
· Tidy up the bodywork inc rust!
I know I’m possibly ideally located for all this :ninja: but it’s seriously a lot of money when you have to pay labour as well. In all likelihood most of it will never happen but I’l be happy even if I forget the majority of engine work and just map the crap out of the pap (KO3). I almost know it’ll never happen because I have a house and am recently engaged, life sucks sometimes right. :sob:
 
Where abouts are you located in the UK?

£500 on clutch labour is pretty steep
 
Oh, old layout used to show that. I'm in Gloucester pal.

Tell me about it! They have a clutch and flywheel conversion down as 5.7 hours plus VAT. Was actually 480 with a health-check too. I tried searching to find out how long the job should take a garage but didn't come across anything but I imagine it's a pig of a job just like everything else with these cars haha.
 
5.7 hours is pretty slow going for a garage with tools and a ramp!

Takes me about 3-4 hours to do a 5 speed swap on the driveway!

Good thread Nath, I look forward to seeing how it comes along :)
 
audi upgrades
Probably something to do with ripping your everyday average joe off :uhm: Maybe it was done 1 handed in which case I would be mightily impressed. The actual mechanics I've met are sound, happy to talk about anything VAG. Just the front men are a tad clueless.

'Lack of interior didn't help healthcheck', really? Everything is exposed and I've removed things for you to check. Hell I'm making your job easier!

Cheers Prawn, prob a tad slow but I'm determined.
 
One comment about the car being jerky on/off throttle. My a3 had the exact same problem and I fitted a dogbone engine mount and it removed it 100%. Best thing I've done to my car.
 
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I recommend you got to Halfords and buy one of those 150piece tool kits with lifetime warranty, then try some DIY on the weekender car. Get a few friends around if you get stuck, or offer beer tokens to an ASN member!, that works too.
I purchased my mk2 with the same intentions, albeit, not to make it a track weapon. But I did a complete suspension swop and front brake upgrade on my drive. Gave me more confidence to tackle my S3s suspension afterwards, and I can do a complete Brembo brake swop aswell!
 
I guess the theory behind the dogbone mount is that if the existing is done for, there will be excessive movement and more so the higher the revs? This is deffo on the immediate to do list and I'll be doing it myself :aggressive: cheers Jenno!

Hey Jojo, I actually have the professional kit you speak of as well as axle stands and jack :undwech:I was going to service it myself and strip the brakes down; full of optimism I went at it. Only to find none of the wheel bolts wanted to budge, nor the sump plug. The garage even had to cut some bolts off. I got very frustrated very quickly. I will be at it again though sir! :weight lift2:
 
I'm still waiting on my 80-70mm reducer for s2000 filter annoyingly, it's made a big difference on the S3. I'm thinking I'll order a complete dogbone mount with uprated bushes next and the correct subframe for my bucket seat :racer:
 
nath i have the same seats as you!! where did you buy them?
also get the seats fitted on weld in bars.
do it right first time unlike me.
much better job!
your in a similar situation as me. having to pay labour really holds up progress!!!
 
Hey Daz, I took your advice and watched them on Amazon. Strangely the seat halfed in price after I bought it, frame too! Seat seems ok but I might use it as the passenger and get myself an awesome one (in my dreams). Really, bars? Oh man that sounds expensive. Paying labour sucks mate.
 
aahh ok.
i like mine so hope your are happy lol
as for weld in bars i think they could end up being not a lot more expensive.
how much are tailored frames?
 
We are going to weld in bars for our track a3. Weirdly in the same colour as yours. It has taken us about 2 hours with a ramp to do clutch so far but we are changing the box to an 02m at the same time. Keep up the good work will be watching to see how you get on maybe even get some inspiration.
 
Nath1790 said:
I guess the theory behind the dogbone mount is that if the existing is done for, there will be excessive movement and more so the higher the revs? This is deffo on the immediate to do list and I'll be doing it myself :aggressive: cheers Jenno!
Click to expand...

I'm no expert but I did this myself and it's just as easy as the s2k air filter mod. When you get the old rubber mount out you can feel how soft it has gotten compared to the new one. I can now be in second gear at 3k revs, take my foot straight off the accelerator and barely feel anything
 
Daz - I can't wait to get the seat in that's for sure. Aftermarket frames seem to be around £70. Amazon product
I like the idea of being able to order what should be the correct frame and just fit it as opposed to finding somewhere that will weld in bars for me. It's all just new territory :sadlike:

Nick - Blimey you guys are flying now with yours! Good luck getting it all ready for the track day :arco: I'd love to get an 02m box in. Being able to drive the cars back to back it's night and day difference. I like not changing gear as much in the a3 but it is a tad slow haha.

Jenno - This is exactly what I wanted to hear:jump:

Enough with the fact I got shafted on labour for the clutch/flywheel everyone. It makes me sad :crying:
 
Right, had a chance at fiddling with the car tonight so I removed the front seats to cut away a load more of the carpet. Who needs it anyway!
IMG 20140822 185449658
IMG 20140822 185502554
Drivers seat was a pain to put back again but that was just my own stupidity :3sadwalk:

IMG 20140822 191807085
Totally found £3.25 under the seat and carpet too. Clearly worth removing your interior if you need change fast! Well....

In other news I've ordered the ECS dogbone from Awesome and it shall arrive Tuesday, not that anyone will be in.

Also is there anything that is easily cleaned / replaced or uprated on these? Such as something from the s3 or siblings? ECP as usual have an offer on all weekend and with the BH I have a little more time :)
 
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Thought I had the dreaded broken regulator clip on the window this morning. It just fully lowered itself then couldn't raise itself.
10639549 10152398735725958 1313156999613893110 n
But thankfully I just lubed the runners for the window and it's ok again. Phewww! :audibash:
 
Got a few bits delivered today, luckily when the fiance was in:
IMG 20140826 134332509
Ash heatshield (doesn't fit S2000 filter :( ), 80-70mm reducer, various hose clips & ECS dogbone mount. Mount will have to wait for a nice day unfortunately.

Annoyingly the reducer doesn't fit over the filter neck so I chopped the larger section off. The smaller section is thankfully big enough to fit inside the neck but also fit over the MAF:
IMG 20140826 185252834

Remove airbox, remove Ignition thingy plug plus module thingy (currently just sat here, should prob protect somehow???)

IMG 20140826 191034065 HDR
Cable tied up and turned engine on all fine. Sounded very 'blowy' and very unlike my S3 but I'll go for a drive later. I think the DV may have had it.
 
I think the DV is ok, it chirps when I change up and let off the gas. Just don't get the induction noise without a decent TIP.

Tonight has been an epic fail. Worst jack coupled with worst DIY enthusiast. I only wanted to change the dogbone mount but the jack barely got the wheels off the ground. No way was there space to get under the car. I could reach the bolts but they're not coming off just with me asking nicely unfortunately.

More money, can anyone recommend a good reliable trolley jack that lifts quite high? Mine only just got the axle stands on the lowest setting plus the trolley had a fit too :no:
 
cant you keep covering them in wd40?
do it each night for a week and fingers crossed they will free a bit.
as for doing the work just be safe fella!!
where are you from?
 
Yer I sprayed plenty on there bud. I'm thinking some little car ramps could be a useful investment for me. Might be no good for wheels, suspension etc but good for engine stuff & exhaust right :uhm:

From Bracknell, living in Glou-cest-ter-shireeeeeeeeee.
 
The standard Jack that comes with the car goes quite high then just put a large block under the wheel and repeat on other side. Then use a block with a trolley Jack for extra height. As for the bolts breaker bars are the way forward for undoing bolts. Just don't do stuff up with them unless you want it stupidly F.T.
 
Nath1790 said:
Yer I sprayed plenty on there bud. I'm thinking some little car ramps could be a useful investment for me. Might be no good for wheels, suspension etc but good for engine stuff & exhaust right :uhm:

From Bracknell, living in Glou-cest-ter-shireeeeeeeeee.
Click to expand...
the chassis rail/jacking points on my car are absolutely raped from being on axle stands for at least half of my ownership, so now i have two small, but big enough, drive on ramps. Much better and safer
 
Right, got a couple of things done over the weekend on the A3:

Washed it.
Changed the spark plugs, turns out it had the exact same plugs that I replaced them with:
IMG 20140830 110102541 HDR
The last one is by far the dirtiest but I wouldn't say they are too bad? Replaced anyway. Very simple case of undoing the 2no. bolts for each coilpack and moving out the way. Made no noticeable difference though.

Finally replaced the dogbone mount.
Up on my new ramps:
IMG 20140831 110249266 HDR
Decent amount of space under there but still a crawl in and out.
Old mount out:
IMG 20140831 111953884
I soaked the 4no. bolts (2x 13mm/2x 16mm) in penetrative oil a couple of times through the week and had no trouble removing. Getting the bolt to initially budge at all was by far the hardest part but done with a socket and extension.

New mount in:
IMG 20140831 112002402
IMG 20140831 112018292
I was expecting it to be quite harsh and to feel the vibrations at idle but it's absolutely fine. It looks like the rear bush is the Tdi spec powerflex bush and I imagine the front will be similar. The car feels much more responsive now but it hasn't totally cured the jerkiness when coming off throttle.

As I have a yellow front bush laying about I may experiment by getting that in the old mount as well as renewing the rear bush and see if that makes it more hardcore! Or even putting the yellow on the S3, as that has recently had the red bush already. Decisions...
 
Very minor update but money is tight atm :sob:
The stickers clearly add about 15bhp each, easy....
IMG 20140907 170814810 HDR
IMG 20140907 170827322 HDR
My Granddad bought me this for some reason so I thought it'll be cool to have him belted up wherever I go (Audi Sport bear lol). Passenger seat back in too because it was unwanted in the house.
IMG 20140908 182303037

Aside from that, both cars had a wash and I keep finding more and more marks/scuffs & scratches and I haven't made any of them :shrug:
 
In my infinite wisdom & my fiance moaning that I actually need to do trackdays if I supposedly have a track car, I have decided that I'll do a trackday at Hullavington or Abingdon in Nov or Dec. Both airfield tracks and both seem fine watching on Youtube. Really cheap compared to recognised tracks too!

In preparation I'll get some S3 discs on and some performance pads, no idea what else I'll need and no money to do anything anyway lol. First track day here I come! :yahoo:
 
yes nath!!!
i did that!
spent more time stripping and worrying ahout what to do next over actually doing track time lol
make sure tyres are ok as you dont want to drive home not legal
good brake pads and fluid are essential if you are still on 312mm set up
post when you book
if its abingdon and im available ill try to go aswell if i can
only if ok with you of course
 
I keep putting it off, telling myself I need to get the car sorted first but that'd be ££££'s and years later at this rate so when she's right, she's right. At least then I'll know the most important parts to sort first.

My tyres are brand new as they were all different brands and 2 were flat so all Michelin Efficient Grips now (ok for now).
A3 is the track car and they only have 288mm discs as standard so hoping a standard car with 312mm discs and Tarox Strada pads should be fine. Fluid is new too but only crappy DOT4. I expect I'll want decent fluid and braided hoses afterwards!

Abingdon dates are 14th Nov or 5th Dec
Hullavington 7th & 21st Nov.

So far I'm thinking 7th Nov for Hullavington & 5th Dec for Abingdon but I'll let you know when I book Abingdon and of course you're more than welcome to join! Otherwise I'll just be some sad lonely t**t in a crappy A3 :audibash::thumbs up:
 
get on track and learn asap mate.
tuning while you go and noticing more improvements
you will wonder why you didnt just book right away after your first go
 
Winter Update:

No money; life costing lots and things need paying off. All plans put on hold until at least early next year.

I'm going to either have to sorn my a3 or get the airbag light fixed for it's MOT in March ish. It'll either have to be fooled or car made safe, i.e. buckets & harnesses professionally fitted to negate need for airbags. I think you can do that anyways.

Been using A3 for work this week, no problems, reliable as ever. Went to start S3 last night though as had a long journey for a meeting today and it was dead. Bought jump leads, jumped fine. Drove around. Got petrol. Dead. After much messing around and trying to jump again, a garage over the road managed to start it and then came round after 9pm and fitted a new battery. Luckily they had a s3 in that had just had a new battery but he wasn't collecting until Sat so I got his haha. Cars all fine again and will get some lovinnnn in the form of a clean this weekend.

Big apologies for my lack of monies & progress. Just looks like it'll have to be next year for me. :3sadwalk:
 
ahh man thats no good!!!!
tbh im dying to do bits as im impatient but its winter which isnt the most enthusiastic of seasons!!
get it ready for a good 2015!!
i had my mot today
airbag light was obviously on but had the bulb removed by my mechanic
apparently not too hard of a job
so no track time till next year after all??
 
New Year Update:

Further sadness in that I've had to sell the S3, it's gone to a friend and hopefully she'll treat it well.

Sorry for not replying Daz, I'm going to cover the airbag light as it shouldn't be a fail if I've understood the MOT rules, depending on the tester though I guess.

Just left with the A3 which is coming up to it's 18th birthday and just gone over 117k. I've ordered a suspension kit from DPM and with any luck I'll have a go at it myself (Youtube clips make everything look easy).

A problem has arisen in that it's smelt hot (yes) after just my short commute and I believe it to be a binding wheel/caliper. I have a long weekend ahead and if it's dry I'm hoping to strip the brakes and at least clean it all up.

More may follow.
 
shame about the s3 fella
think you kept the right one for tracking though!
pics be good
 
Few pics Friday as apparently it's going to be mostly dry! I've got a long weekend as it's my birthday Sat so I may replace front discs & pads.

My alloys are all f***** so I ordered some new ones last night. Hopefully they'll turn up Monday when I'm off.

Also a new dv and panel filter on it's way.
 
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