Bit of a maintenance update this one and some prep for the drag race
So having spoken with @G24NTR about his tyre experiences with the new Accellera 651 Sport Xrtra I decided to buy a set while they were on offer (silly cheap). At that stage, I could not get my hands on a set of light weight 18's so just went with 235/35/19 with the intention of just swapping over onto my stock wheels. Will see if they will make a difference in my 0-60ft at lower pressure increasing grip off the line
They arrived end of June so since then I have been trawling
ebay, facebook, gumtree, etc... for various 19" rims like Revo's, Team Dynamics, Motec's, etc... all +/- 10kg each
I then added to the search another set of OEM 19's which surprisingly are 9.7kg each which would probably be one of the lightest 19" wheels available for sensible money. Low and behold, I found a set in Edinburgh on Gumtree which have been off the car more or less from new and put in storage. Now for sale since the car was sold.
Problem was collection/delivery and for the money, I had to have them so a friend in Fife collected them for me and coincidentally my parents are in Scotland so are bringing them home in the next couple of weeks - they are immaculate! Might swap them and make them my daily wheels with the Michelin PS4S'
Now on to the maintenance - I had the car fully serviced at the start of June (DSG, Haldex removal and Engine Oil) ready for the Runway Club event which I didn't end up going too
Since then (within last week or so) I have experienced some boost issues and been suggested that I change my spark plugs (March 2021 was last time) and the coil packs (on originals at 70k miles).
So the car is going into TG Performance this week for:
- Spark plugs (NGK Racing)
- Coil packs (OEM Audi B9 S4 - recommended by AwesomeGTI)
- 02 sensor (OEM)
- Low pressure fuel pump filter (Walbro)
Installed some new front wipers - an oddly satisfying replacement but a hateful thing to buy :joy:
Hopefully the above cures the issues and has me ready for the drag racing in September!! Roll on 10 seconds!
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Finally got my Accelera 651 XTRA’s on the new replacement, all be it the same, rims.
To recap, I couldn’t for decent money find a suitable, lightweight wheel in 18/19” anywhere or people were looking too much or wouldn’t ship to Belfast.
Found these on Gumtree in Edinburgh for a bargain so got the tyres on earlier in the week and on last night.
My Miltek res delete arrived yesterday too so somehow have to try get it on before Sunday.
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Weekend past was the Irish Drag Racing event - I have been doing these events now since I owned my S3 and due to covid, there sadly hasnt been an opportunity to host another event this last 3 years
So above, my res delete arrived last week and I tackled this job throughout Saturday
Jacked up, reasonable access, happy days...
So first, the back box had to come off - bit of a wrestle, some twisting and bashing but got it off - some weight in it!
Next was to tackle the resonated centre box
what a MF PITA
This thing would not budge - drowned in WD40, I could get a bit of a twist on it but required my entire body weight under the car plus leverage from a bar. Gave up to go pick my wife up from work to calm myself down :joy:
The barstard in question:
I had a mallet which wasn't making a dent so frustration got the better of me and brought out the sledge - this was after picking up my wife and having a think about it - few whacks sorted it.
should have done this from the start - at this point I think I was 5-6 hours in
Thankfully the res delete slipped on like a dream!
Now the back box, with its awkward shape and weight proved a bit more difficult but got there in the end with a bit of wiggling, flaring and swearing
Now it does look off at this angle but looks as it should when on the ground. There is no shifting in it what so ever but will look at it again to see if there is any movement
Next job was to strip the car for the drag event, this took me up to 22.30 on Saturday night lol nothing like last min prep! Still no idea how much weight is stripped from the car, keeping meaning to weigh everything but time always gets the better of me
Anyway, onto the event which was fantastic despite the weather - I wasn't expecting records to be broken on such a wet day but the times were good none the less with my best being 11.69 on Dragy with a 0-60 in 3.61 in the wet :joy:
My Dragy times vs Straightliners
Big thanks to Chris Burns for letting me jet wash the travel off the car before scrutineering - I need a heated jet wash in my life!
Some action shots that I have seen so far - I have requested more hi res pics
(this was a bad start where I had to disengage launch control as the lights were taking too long to change)
As you can see, was a swimming pool but still, great craic!
Love this car, daily driven, weekly cleaned, 100+ launches under its belt with 72k now on the clocks. Stripped for the drag event and ready for work the next day
Plan is to keep it well maintained and keep it another while!
Typical dealership mark up eh , daylight robbery !
www.awesomegti.com
thoughts?
