Jay A3 's 1.8T On-Going Build Thread

Don't forget your helmet! And driving licence required at sign on.

Ideally you'll need to lower your tyre pressures before you go out, so bring a pump to pump them back up again at the end of the day for the drive home.

Apart from that, as long as the car is in good condition, and the brakes are healthy, you're good to go!
 
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Helmet, camera, license. Brakes are still meaty. What tyre pressure will I need to run on track? Normally I'm at 32psi for road use
 
It's a hard one to judge without testing really.

As a rule, on an A3, the front tyres will heat up much more than the rears. but all 4 tyres will heat up, and pressures will rise considerably.

Jojo might be a good person to advice on pressure increases on 18's.

I'd expect the fronts to rise by at least 6psi, and the rears by 4psi at least.

With that in mind, I'd try starting the fronts at 26-28 and the rears at 28, although I often drop the rears a few psi lower than the fronts anyway to keep the back end in check, so start them the same all round cold.

JoJo and others should be better placed to comment on track pressures for 18's. I've only ever used 17's, where I aim for 30 HOT.
 
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How come you used the s3 front ARB?

The stock A3 1.8T sport ARB is supposed to be 21mm?

Good luck and enjoy the track day, I bet you say you want an LSD after you done it, haha
 
Thanks prawn, hopefully Jo will be along soon with some advice. Never knew the tyres would heat that much up on track! Wow learn something new everyday.

Yes the stock arb was bigger but the s3 one sits differently making it more stable by connecting to my suspension tabs. You can really feel the difference in improvement!
 
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factory 21mm bar connects to the wishbones, so half way along a leverarm, thus it's effectiveness is reduced.

The S3 bar goes under the shafts, so does away with rubbing issues on a lowered car, and is also more effective due to being connected directly to the strut, so loaded up 1:1.
 
Thanks Nick, I was struggling to find pics in google of the s3 front arb in situ
 
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Jay A3 said:
So I'm tracking the car at Adi. First ever tracking session in this car.

Powerflex rear beam bushes fitted
Front s3 arb 17mm bushes fitted
New tyres on Thursday
Oil and fluids all checked

Any other bits / tips I can do to prep the car?
Click to expand...

Some new underwear! :D

RE:Tyre pressures, it's going to be a cold day, and we have nowhere near prawn's power level! I'm running 30 front and 34 rear, on your, I reckon 28-30 front, 30-32 rear at a guess that your car is lighter than mine. If you are worried about lift off oversteer, then drop the rears to match thew fronts.
 
Thanks jojo. Yeh forecast looks a bit cold and wet... I normally run 32 so few psi drop should be enough
 
power doesn't increase tyre temps. cornering and braking does :)

I'd say drop them at LEAST 4psi when cold.
 
I shall be driving at my own pace till I am comfortable with the track. Between 2 and 4 psi seems to be the one... Looking forward to it now
 
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With castle Combe just gone. I tried to prep the car as much as possible. Sorted out an oil leak which I was told could be the rocker cover gasket. £18 plus vat from Tps.



Quick check over and all good to go. Dropped on 4 new tyres, decided to go with the michelins pilot sport 3s at £108 per corner.

Ran 2 sessions at castle Combe. First track experience ever but really enjoyed it. The track is very unforgiving. It might look easy but can not take it for granted imo.

Some pics and videos to enjoy.













On board
Tbc

Overall a successful day for me. Tyres were spot on. Engine ran great. Little bit of smoke in the higher revs. Suspension was nice but needs more stiffening up. Tempted by KWs but maybe next year
 
Last edited:
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2 vids. Excuse the knocking noise think I may have use too many brackets so it picked up some vibrations



 
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Finally got round to sorting out the dis screen. With age the pixels have started to go missing...

Cluster repairs uk done it in about an hour



Really happy with the results and comes with 2years warranty
 
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audi upgrades
Great Thread JayA3, I have the same model AGU as you but not nearly as potent....lol :icon thumright:
 
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Thanks Giovanni85. All cars has it's problems and mine is a blowing exhaust or manifold :(
 
Blowing sound sorted! Turns out the bolt that blocked off the the egt sensor on the turbo had come off. Weird one where it caused the car to change exhaust tone. Did really sound like a gasket had gone. Didn't lose performance but nothing a m10 x 10mm didn't solve. For now...
 
Jay A3 said:
Blowing sound sorted! Turns out the bolt that blocked off the the egt sensor on the turbo had come off. Weird one where it caused the car to change exhaust tone. Did really sound like a gasket had gone. Didn't lose performance but nothing a m10 x 10mm didn't solve. For now...
Click to expand...

What a bodge job ..... Only playing mate

Car has improved massively since I seen it have to catch up again
 
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It has changed indeed Lee! Yeh deffo catch up next time in back up north. Bolt seems to be holding up just been to see vag-slag for some new rear seats :) car drove fine there and back
 
Been away from the forum for a few weeks.. Not much to update just been really enjoying the car. Taking it out for a spirited drive once in a while. Spotted the exhaust had a slight crack under the tail pipe but miltek replaced it straight away. No more spending till after Xmas. I am thinking either brembos, new wheels or maybe a 6speed conversion....
 
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Just read your whole thread, you've put a lot of work into this car, looks good for it :)
Keep up the good work! And FWIW, I vote Brembo´s ;)
 
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Cheers guys, I will look for some brembos in the coming year and see what's about. Tempted to look into the 6speed as people are saying it's a worthy upgrade...

Miggz your car is looking nice in those photo shoots. Looks like your becoming a celeb!
 
your user name should have been jay3
not jay a3
defo a missed opputunity
saw you going round at coombe shame we didnt get to meet
was that jojos crash in your vid??

also like the car and the colour choice
 
Yeh I think so too daz, problem was going back 2 years ago when I started thinking about mods I didn't think it would have come to this! I thought an induction kit would of been enough :p

We will catch up at the next meet I'm sure, and yes it was jojo in the vid.
 
Bwahahahahaha scotts become a troll

729698b813ff82a5703fbf0753aece54.jpg
 
That is brilliant Scott! I'm so glad I have received the damo seal of approval
 
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