S3 8l owners in Aus, (Melbourne)

malaz44

malaz44

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Hey guys,
I've been interested in buying a s3 8l for awhile now, But not knowing what to buy. Need someone around town to give me some info on these cars. I have read all the pros and cons for these cars, and now i know what to look out for in the future. (lets hope nothing happens) lol
When i do purchase one i will be modifying the car. Mainly just engine mods. Standard these cars have about 165kw. i would be chasing just over 200kw atw. Also read up on these engines and pistons and crank are good for power but the rods are the weakest links. whats everyones thoughts on brands for rods??? And would anyone know where in Melbourne that would actually work on these older s3's.
cheers malaz!
 
Your main concern is finding someone that will tune the car in Melbourne near where you live. I would have a search on google and call around.

You're going to have to spend quite a bit of money on 200kw atw. Realistically it will be well over 10k, so make sure you budget for that.

Rods, I would go for integrated engineering.
 
Yeah thats one of my concerns... i think i may need to do that. And 10k for 200kw?? Gee that seems alot of money for not alot of power. And intergrated engineering for rods?? Can they handle decent amount of boost??
Thanks
 
Parts in Australia aren't cheap for European cars. And you just said you won't be doing the work yourself. Taking the engine out for a rebuild and new rods will take a few hours at a workshop.

Trust me you will be very surprised how things get expensive very quickly.. Put together a list of the parts you think you need and post it here. Then I'm sure I'll be able to add a few things.

Why not just get a tune and do a few bolt on mods. You won't get 200kw atw but you'll get close and it will be a lot cheaper. Then you won't need to worry about rods.
 
Badger 5 tip, pod filter, downpipe and cat + tune. You should get close enough to 200kw without breaking the bank.

Maybe even a FMIC.
 
Yeah i guess. I was thinking of doing the usual pod filter, full exhaust, front mount intercooler, injectors and pump. Then retune and see what i get. How much power can these little 1.8lt hold?? Like psi?? People are saying 22-25 psi max. Standard bottom end.
 
Oh and i forgot, maybe even go a eliminator kit too. Btw whats your thoughts on these atp eliminator kits???
 
Google frankenturbo f23. I would recommend that (because it comes with everything you need) or a bbt hybrid. I wouldn't go a eliminator kit Tbh, hybrids sort of replaced the need for it.

It's the torque that will bend the rods, not psi. If you're changing the turbo, change the rods.
 
Alright ill have a look at those kits. Which out of those two would you go? And yeah thats true. The pistons and crank are forged from factory yeah??
 
I'd go the frankenturbo because you can customise your order to include software, injectors etc.

Bbt hybrid is Just the turbo, you'll need to get the other stuff yourself.

Doug from Frankenturbo is a great guy


Pistons and crank are forged and will handle anything you're going to throw at them
 
Alright awesome! Thanks heaps for that!!
Why couldnt the make the rods forged got damn it hahah.
 
Tell me about it haha, if they used stronger rods from the factory it would make things a lot cheaper. But just think how much better it will run with a fresh rebuild
 
Cant go wrong with a rebuild. i looked up the rods and there not that expensive!!
 
CTS turbo sell them at a good price. Plus a rod install kit with everything you'll need to get them in.

It will be the labour that costs the most
 
Funny you say that. I was just on cts turbo then. And yeahh labour will be the the most. Finding some one to install the rods will be a mission i think
 
Any mechanic could do it. Some might even do it without removing the engine. Just google for a vag or European specialist
 
malaz44 said:
Yeah thats one of my concerns... i think i may need to do that. And 10k for 200kw?? Gee that seems alot of money for not alot of power. And intergrated engineering for rods?? Can they handle decent amount of boost??
Thanks
Click to expand...

Don't get fixated on boost...

IE rods will handle pretty much all the power you can throw at them...

<tuffty/>
 
Don't forget about your transmission, deffo need a stronger clutch , fresh gearbox oil, haldex oil and filter, fresh diff oil, just to be on the safe side, you may want upgrade your brakes and suspension while you're at it.
 
ayfreetee said:
Don't forget about your transmission, deffo need a stronger clutch , fresh gearbox oil, haldex oil and filter, fresh diff oil, just to be on the safe side, you may want upgrade your brakes and suspension while you're at it.
Click to expand...

While I'm not sure you will definitely need a new clutch with this level of power (basically stage 2), it will certainly highlight an aging clutch. But if your clutch has a lot of miles, it will need upgrading.

Personally for brakes I would definitely go some good pads + fluid at a minimum.
 
Yeahh IE rods are the way to go i guess.. and i wouldn't have to touch the crank and pistons? they can handle good power?? I will be defiantly putting a heavy duty clutch in it. other mods ill slowly add
 
malaz44 said:
So the standard rods will handle 200 + easy tuffty??? I will put a heavy duty clutch in it for sure. and other stuff ill slowly do later on down the track.
Click to expand...
No he's saying the IE (integrated engineering) rods will handle whatever you throw at them.

Standard rods is like just down to luck / torque spikes. Personally I would upgrade them but there is no definite torque / power / boost level as to when you need to upgrade them
 
malaz44 said:
Yeahh IE rods are the way to go i guess.. and i wouldn't have to touch the crank and pistons? they can handle good power?? I will be defiantly putting a heavy duty clutch in it. other mods ill slowly add
Click to expand...

Crank and pistons will be fine. Will need new piston rings but those are included in the rod install kits
 
Checks bores for wear and ovality... best off doing a compression and leak down test prior to stripping the engine to give you and idea of where to start from... if these are good then chances are the bores are ok... still check them though

<tuffty/>
 
Does Anyone know what size rims fit s3 8l's
How wide can you go??? and tyre sizes???? If people have pics please send and show!
 
Hey mate,

V2 TIP, forge 008 dv, r8 coilpacks, fmic and stainless pipe work, phenolic spacer, turbo back catless 3", all that cost me about $1800 here in Aus with eBay/aliexpress grabs. Did almost all the labour myself except the exhaust. (And Coilovers and all the polly bushes)The only fully custom dyno tuner for these with ev 14 injectors provided is in Sydney he'll charge you about $900 and custom write your car on dyno and road for a whole day to squeeze out every bit of performance with free unlimited tweaks for life. So for as close to 300hp as possible (without the $$ of internals) will cost you $3000 all up if your patient, diy and tune with ed in Sydney.

(Buuuut this probably won't be atw, after wrestling with my car for over a year if you want more power cheaper, start with a more powerful car)

There is also however brakes and clutch if things get hectic after the tune.

Any questions hit me up man I live in Melbourne.

Also, I'm running a $50 power track insert which gives me permanent 50/50awd so I actually run thinner tread all round. 210 instead of 225 if I remember correctly. So thinner lighter rims

All up with my Coilovers, bushes, all engine mods and tune I'm in at a total of around $4500 on a bam code with 190,000 that cost me $10k
 

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J Eyo said:
Hey mate,

V2 TIP, forge 008 dv, r8 coilpacks, fmic and stainless pipe work, phenolic spacer, turbo back catless 3", all that cost me about $1800 here in Aus with eBay/aliexpress grabs. Did almost all the labour myself except the exhaust. (And Coilovers and all the polly bushes)The only fully custom dyno tuner for these with ev 14 injectors provided is in Sydney he'll charge you about $900 and custom write your car on dyno and road for a whole day to squeeze out every bit of performance with free unlimited tweaks for life. So for as close to 300hp as possible (without the $$ of internals) will cost you $3000 all up if your patient, diy and tune with ed in Sydney.

(Buuuut this probably won't be atw, after wrestling with my car for over a year if you want more power cheaper, start with a more powerful car)

There is also however brakes and clutch if things get hectic after the tune.

Any questions hit me up man I live in Melbourne.

Also, I'm running a $50 power track insert which gives me permanent 50/50awd so I actually run thinner tread all round. 210 instead of 225 if I remember correctly. So thinner lighter rims

All up with my Coilovers, bushes, all engine mods and tune I'm in at a total of around $4500 on a bam code with 190,000 that cost me $10k
Click to expand...
Hey.
Thanks so much for that information bud. I am thinking of buying an s3 8l but not knowing how much power people have sqeezed out of them. Ive heard you can make big power with forged internals. but thats like any car!
300hp would be my goal if i ended up getting one. Trying to find someone who would actually help rebuild an engine in these is very hard.
Rims on the other hand. Im hearing you on that, Changing the bias to 50/50 i guess you cant have massive rubber. Where abouts in melb are you??? I will defiantly hit you up if i need anymore questions. How much power is your beast running??? Im curious on how these s3's go with close to 300hp.
Thanks
Matt
 
I'm going for my tune in August, have been told a safe 285bhp/320lb torque, which I do believe is comfortably possible. You really want torque not bhp, find a bam engine model, strongest internals of all the mk1s. Ed may be able to net you 300bhp which will get you some top end speed, maybe, but it won't do much for your off the line power. With lower bhp and 320lb of torque (especially if you get yourself 50/50awd) you'll be dragging almost anything on the road and be properly pinned to your seat. Otherwise stronger rods/hybrid turbo will get you 350/400bhp+ but you'll be looking at $10k worth of mods and work, this will get you stupid torque and top end speed. Personally for that man I'd save your money and find a third hand $25k Rs, amg, m series etc or even go jdm, crazy power for low $$

I dragged a new vw R yesterday with just my bolt ons and it was neck and neck. With my tune it'll be more than enough, lots of tracks here in Melbourne so will be a regular. I want a strong, safe tune, my clutch will eventually die but a lightweight racing was always in the budget.

Beautiful cars, but dated, they weren't designed for drag racing power hence the biiiiig $$ to get it there. Newer lower figure cars are faster sad to admit.
 
I like your enthusiasm but with 285bhp and 320lb you won't be dragging almost anything. With that level of power you still have a very slow car haha.

Around 400bhp and I would start taking it seriously but Commodores/Falcons with a little bit of $$ spent will still give you a run for your money.

Everything else you said seems right though. But I think it's worth spending the money and getting big power in the s3. Sleeper spec, nobody would expect it to be quick. Plus no attention from the cops (I have friends with jdm cars who get targeted all the time).
 
Bam engine is the same as any other s3/225 TT engine. Don't let anyone fool you and pay more than you have to.
Called BAM tax over here

Also to anyone thinking of buying one of these as a 'fast car', yes they can be made fast, very very fast, like any car, but they are not a fast or even potentially fast car in standard trim. Imo people don't buy these as 'fast' cars, they buy them because they look effing beautiful, mean, classy, and generally just a great car.
 
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Isn't it the difference 20 v 19 mm wrist pins?

Here in Australia there is no difference in license/insurance or purchase price for the models. However, you're looking at around 5,000 pounds for just a normal s3 with 100,000 miles completely standard. Makes me sad when I see car prices over there
 
Jenno007 said:
Isn't it the difference 20 v 19 mm wrist pins?

Here in Australia there is no difference in license/insurance or purchase price for the models. However, you're looking at around 5,000 pounds for just a normal s3 with 100,000 miles completely standard. Makes me sad when I see car prices over there
Click to expand...
That's the difference between ko4 engines (20mm) and the ko3 engines (19mm excluding AGU)
 
Ah right my misunderstanding I've seen people say before that bam is the only s3 engine code with 20mm. Seems a few people are posting incorrect things on the Internet, I've never heard of that before!! :p
 
Well there you go, if you want fast fast get a falcon or ss man, v8 power or twin turbo, jdm. Unless you want to spend big big big bucks, as mentioned just for athetics definitely an s3, one of the most beautiful 2doors ever, period. If you have the $$ the skies the limit. I guess that's the main reason right, to have a car you personally like the looks of over a car that's a lot cheaper and a lot faster?

For me 320lb with permanent Quattro in an old quite cheap sexy as 2 door is moooore than enough for me. (Though my car does look a lot more track than road, definitely not a sleeper, sadly atm quite the opposite, looks as fast as hell but still stock tune) My WA based brother has an oldish hsv gts, no where near as fun to drive as my s3 even in stock 225 form, mostly due to my entire suspension upgrade but his will spin at the rear all day. I can already tell that tracked the stock 8l would hold the road infinitely better and probably win.

Id happily drag anything and see who's wheels spin their power into burnt rubber and who's plants ever inch of that torque, I really mean that, very excited to hit the drags to see where permanent 50/50 Quattro vs rwd/fwd stacks up. I want to take on a 500hp rwd v8 off the line. To 100 will be great, after this admittedly my 1.8 is gone no matter what a stock k04 puts out.

There's quite a few bmw m3s on line second hand for $20aud that's a great starting point to build power on. Skyline r32 gtr, twin turbo 6 for anywhere between $10-20. Lancer evos will start you at the point a fully pumped k04 ends. A few simple mods will net you 400+ easily

A custom tuned bolt on 8l is a very very quick car but no not crazy fast, but your wheels will never spin, your torque will kick in at a road friendly rpm, you'll use every inch of the power and maintain fairly good mileage and it's easy power to throw around a track and it's cheap. A stock k04 can't proudce intense race figures no matter what, for wanting huge figures man just spend the money it's really that simple, if you've got the $$$ and you really really love the 8l chassis you've got the build.
 
Yeah I see where you're coming from. I have a 5.0L Supercharged GT-P with 530 at the rears. It lights up the wheels in first or second no matter what speed, and you get a little bit of wheelspin in third (you're doing 170km/hr at the top of third as well!). It's crazy and unbelievably fast.

But I have just as much fun in my s3, and hopefully that will be making 400-500hp when all my parts get fitted! I'm sure it will be the most fun you can have on 4 wheels, plus I should get no attention from the cops, as apart from the big brakes and black wheels, it looks 100% standard.
 
audi upgrades
Friking amazing drive with that much power, how much is the build setting you back if you don't mind me asking?
 
J Eyo said:
Friking amazing drive with that much power, how much is the build setting you back if you don't mind me asking?
Click to expand...

Over 20k in parts.

Turbo kit = $6k
All engine internals (stroker kit, etc) = $6k
plug in and play ecu + flex sensor to run e85 = $3.5k
misc items = $?? (hard to put a price on this, but they add up)

Then there are other things like a custom made exhaust which I'm unsure how much that will cost me. Big brake kit, front mount intercooler which I got a while ago plus many many other things haha

But it will be a one of a kind over here in WA. I can race my friends in their JDM cars and if a cop sees us who do you think they will pull over :p

I plan on never selling this car
 
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J Eyo said:
I'm going for my tune in August, have been told a safe 285bhp/320lb torque, which I do believe is comfortably possible. You really want torque not bhp, find a bam engine model, strongest internals of all the mk1s. Ed may be able to net you 300bhp which will get you some top end speed, maybe, but it won't do much for your off the line power. With lower bhp and 320lb of torque (especially if you get yourself 50/50awd) you'll be dragging almost anything on the road and be properly pinned to your seat. Otherwise stronger rods/hybrid turbo will get you 350/400bhp+ but you'll be looking at $10k worth of mods and work, this will get you stupid torque and top end speed. Personally for that man I'd save your money and find a third hand $25k Rs, amg, m series etc or even go jdm, crazy power for low $$

I dragged a new vw R yesterday with just my bolt ons and it was neck and neck. With my tune it'll be more than enough, lots of tracks here in Melbourne so will be a regular. I want a strong, safe tune, my clutch will eventually die but a lightweight racing was always in the budget.

Beautiful cars, but dated, they weren't designed for drag racing power hence the biiiiig $$ to get it there. Newer lower figure cars are faster sad to admit.[/QUOTE
Oh nice!!! Lets hope you hit your figures.
Click to expand...
 
Thanks so much guys for giving me your opinions.
285hp and 320lb torque is pretty good, considering! See if i do end up buying an s3 bam engine! I want 300 plus hp. The only problem is finding someone to build the engines up. I would seriously consider fuel pump, injectors, fuel pressure reg, custom turbo plus manifolds. Front mount cooler, custom exhaust and ect! Problem is if i was going to head down that track i would need forged pistons. :(
Im hearing you guys on jdm, v8s and all but as j eyo said prior ^^^ they are little sexy pocket rockets... classy and sporty.. you cant beat them... they rule over golfs and any other hatch on the market..
Or even i would consider buying an s3 8p maybe. They fly!!!!!! My mates uncle has one.... dead stock and it absolutely flys!!!
But 25k plus!


Does anyone know places in melb who actually builds these engines??? And at reasonable prices???

Jenno007 i would seriously love to see this thing on the road when its all done!!! 400-500 hp is serious power!!!!
 
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