S3 AMK hints and tips!

[Keefo13]

Hey!
New to forums, but used this site a lot when choosing my newest toy... a 2001 Audi S3 Quattro running the AMK!
Looking to ask questions, get hints and tips on making the little beaut reliable and fun and a little different as well!!

Any help appreciated!

First up..... hoses!! I would appreciate any info/a list on what hoses to get... I'm gonna do the lot, all cooking, turbo etc! Not so much brands, but WHICH hoses!

Thanks guys!

Be gentle...I'm new.

Beef (Keefo13)

 

[Tj 0785]

The main hoses that need changing are the pcv breather hoses these split and leak,you can buy full kits on eBay or replace them with original one from Audi/tps. I'd also replaced the tip with the badger5 80mm tip

 

[Sandra]

Hey!
New to forums, but used this site a lot when choosing my newest toy... a 2001 Audi S3 Quattro running the AMK!
Looking to ask questions, get hints and tips on making the little beaut reliable and fun and a little different as well!!

Any help appreciated!

First up..... hoses!! I would appreciate any info/a list on what hoses to get... I'm gonna do the lot, all cooking, turbo etc! Not so much brands, but WHICH hoses!

Thanks guys!

Be gentle...I'm new.

Beef (Keefo13)

Keith we doing a mad Monday event in our parts request system for one day only. Parts at cost + postage. Link below

http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/support-tickets/open

 

[Stuart B]

hello and welcome to the forum - that's a stylish 2001 Noggy you have there.

 

[superkarl]

WOAAAAHHHHH an AMK!?

 

[Keefo13]

Hey! Thanks guys for replying!
Tj0785, thanks! I'll have a scan on eBay. I want to uprate, so will go silicone. I'm assuming I can get those in silicone?! Also, you've mentioned the 'tip' and to replace with an 80mm part from Badger5....what is this part? Sorry, trying to learn a bit!
Stuart B, thanks for the welcome. Yeah I'm really pleased with it. It's clean and everything works so I'm very happy. Only cost £3k so smiling all the way. Love the colour...going to start touching up where I can, getting the engine ready for a stage one map and stay reliable as possible. It's a project/second car, but I want it tidy!
superkarl, lol yes the AMK. Did a lot of research, was looking for a slighter newer S3 running a BAM, but when this one came up I couldn't resist and the engines are pretty much the same and remap the same so went for the AMK....feels tight, strong. Pulls well. I've deffo got a leaking hose though as when u hear the turbo spin up there's a slight whistle...hence why I'm going through changing them all out!!
I can see this little car becoming another obsession already!

Cheers everyone!

 

[Tj 0785]

Tip= turbo intake pipe it goes from air filter down to turbo

 

[Gops]

You did the right thing getting an AMK rather than a BAM. You saved lots of money

 

[superkarl]

You did the right thing getting an AMK rather than a BAM. You saved lots of money

But lost all his street cred

 

[Stuart B]

Isn't the whistle normal? it might be £300-£400 cheaper to do a smoke test rather than replacing everything as a matter of course. there are common issues with the PCV pipes around / under the inlet manifold, just be careful not to break them whilst looking as the hoses near the rocker joining the hockey puck and running under the inlet fall to pieces.

A stage 1.5 / 2 is only really 3/4 components more than a stage 1, which you will probably change in any case - if they are not already changed.

 

[Keefo13]

Tj: thanks mate, it's obvious now you've said it! But if you don't know something you don't know...now I know! Badger 5 are a good outfit then by the looks of it?

Gops: money wasn't really the reason for going AMK...I did loads of research around the engines and after deciding what I'd want to do with the car, it literally made no difference which one I went for. So this one came up, a face lift but on the AMK (I love a crossover), immaculate interior, decent miles (85k) and very good body work. No rust, no dents or marks. And the price means there's plenty left in the budget for all I wanna do, straight away

superkarl: the fact you've mentioned the words 'street cred' automatically puts mine above yours! Cheers BRO!

Stuart B: it's not the normal turbo whistle we all know and love (telling my girlfriends youngest daughter to 'listen to that' when I took them for a spin last night ), it's a whine that kicks in after the normal sounds, around 3500-4000rpm (the turbo kicks around 2800rpm). It only seems to do it after properly warmed through and keeping revs there so I'm thinking it's just a hose after heating up. I'm going over to our local Audi-VW specialist (independent) today, I'll see what they say.

I was only going to go for a stage 1 as a matter of not going too far and risking any reliability...by if it's worth going up to a stage 2 without any worries...that's where we will go!

I'm going to get the coilovers sorted today. Came with bilsteins on (6months old), but the back is about 15mm lower than the front and it just doesn't look quite right.

Thanks all, keep it coming! Even you superkarl!!

 

[<tuffty/>]

Thanks all, keep it coming! Even you superkarl!!

Made me chuckle (sorry SK )

Everyone on the internet seems to get hung up on AMK vs BAM when the reality is mechanically they are no different... BAM coded cars (and parts for that matter) all seem to carry an over inflated price tag because someone on the internet said BAM is the best...

Mines an AMK but it no longer has an AMK engine in it.. in fact the block is from a 180ps TT quattro and the head from a 1999 A4

You have gone the right way about it... found a decent clean car for the right money irrespective of engine code...

Welcome to the slippery slope of S3 ownership....

<tuffty/>

 

[Keefo13]

Made me chuckle (sorry SK )

Everyone on the internet seems to get hung up on AMK vs BAM when the reality is mechanically they are no different... BAM coded cars (and parts for that matter) all seem to carry an over inflated price tag because someone on the internet said BAM is the best...

Mines an AMK but it no longer has an AMK engine in it.. in fact the block is from a 180ps TT quattro and the head from a 1999 A4

You have gone the right way about it... found a decent clean car for the right money irrespective of engine code...

Welcome to the slippery slope of S3 ownership....

<tuffty/>

Thanks Tuffty,
Yeah like I said, after deciding what I want to make of my S3, AMK or BAM didn't matter. Plus the need for a second car now that me and the Mrs are expecting means I needed something soonish. I've been looking for months and all the BAM's with decent mileage (under 100k) were asking what I deemed too much seeing as they were usually messed around with, tatty interior or just didn't float my boat. So the second car was my toy bonus is the Mrs likes it too

Been a while since owning German, but I remember all too well that slippery slope...it was my 'rado VR6 Storm that sent me over the edge about 5years ago do miss that car though.....

 

[<tuffty/>]

Two cars is the future lol... I have an A2 I use as a daily.. modified S3's can be a little prissy

<tuffty/>

 

[Keefo13]

Two cars is the future lol... I have an A2 I use as a daily.. modified S3's can be a little prissy

<tuffty/>

Certainly is! I'd always had two growing up! One working, one in bits Mk1 golfs usually!
Hey, prissy is interesting No one likes normality...
Back to business now though:
Local specialist has got me in for full service, cam belt, oils, fluids, including Haldex oil and filters...a new cam belt tensioner in the price too..£380. Thought that was pretty good. They are good guys.

Also today.... a speed warning symbol came up on the DIS, yellow circle with MPH in the middle, a small number one just outside the circle at the '10 o'clock' position... but this was changing from 1st to 2nd... so no great speed (honestly!).
Just a sensor?! Has happened again...popped up, went, didn't come back. I'll get it checked when it goes for the service.

 

[tomjol]

You can program a warning at a certain speed by prodding the buttons in the cluster...think you just hold down the left one to clear it? Weird that it was a one-off...

Tuffty could have left "modified" out and still been accurate, these cars make for a great game of "what's going to die next?". This week: boot won't latch. Awesome

Welcome to the club

 

[Keefo13]

You can program a warning at a certain speed by prodding the buttons in the cluster...think you just hold down the left one to clear it? Weird that it was a one-off...

Tuffty could have left "modified" out and still been accurate, these cars make for a great game of "what's going to die next?". This week: boot won't latch. Awesome

Welcome to the club

Hey tomjol, yeah been out playing with it and found all that out! Thanks for the info!
Ah great I'm looking forward to all the little niggles! :'D
Just been out for a spin and that's when I know why you got one! Smiles for miles!
Cheers again!!

 

[hydro s3]

I recently changed all my hoses to silicone ones. I got full coolant kit,boast upper and lower,intake,cam breather and 2 turbo hoses all from sfs hoses all £620 not bad i thought. Put ramair cone on. Have just ordered my Airtec intercooler and forge recircular dump value its 008 so can change the spring in it.

 

[<tuffty/>]

I recently changed all my hoses to silicone ones. I got full coolant kit,boast upper and lower,intake,cam breather and 2 turbo hoses all from sfs hoses all £620 not bad i thought. Put ramair cone on. Have just ordered my Airtec intercooler and forge recircular dump value its 008 so can change the spring in it.

You don't really need to change the spring... the springs thing is a bit of a myth... its designed to be a return spring for the piston... it shouldn't be considered to be there to hold the valve shut... it was based on the fact that the valves used to leak from the metal to metal 'seal' of the piston face.... this has since been resolved by using an o-ring on the piston face to allow a decent seal.

Too stiff a spring will result in it struggling to open at all and do more harm than good... stick to a green spring... under boost the top and bottom of the piston sees the same pressure and is equalised so there is no need to have a stiff spring to hold it shut...

Forge valve will need servicing at least once a year to replace the o-rings and regrease everything... these service kits are available from Forge..

OE valves are more than capable of working in an environment of 30psi without leaking by the way

<tuffty/>

 

[hydro s3]

Thanks tuffty for that. Just so i have this correct r u saying to just put in a original boosh 1. It has a cheap dump value on it at the min thst u can adjust for more woosh or less woosh but if its up to high it throws up a fault code and was told a forge 1 is best to put in ?

 

[Alex C]

WOAAAAHHHHH an AMK!?

hey don't mock; i roll in an AMK too

 

[badger5]

Thanks tuffty for that. Just so i have this correct r u saying to just put in a original boosh 1. It has a cheap dump value on it at the min thst u can adjust for more woosh or less woosh but if its up to high it throws up a fault code and was told a forge 1 is best to put in ?

Oe one works fine for £40

 

[<tuffty/>]

Thanks tuffty for that. Just so i have this correct r u saying to just put in a original boosh 1. It has a cheap dump value on it at the min thst u can adjust for more woosh or less woosh but if its up to high it throws up a fault code and was told a forge 1 is best to put in ?

Forge one is one of the better aftermarket valves available as long as you don't use a split-r as they are complete and utter sh*te... but... they offer very little over a new OE one these days bar a bit of bling... early OE ones were a little prone to split once a car was mapped... new versions don't have this trait so are fine especially from a TCO (total cost of ownership) perspective... given that a 40 quid OE valve should arguably last you a fair few years vs 100 plus for a Forge plus 20 ish per year to service...

Depends if you want bling in the bay really... operationally there is no real benefit until you start considering power beyond hybrid levels then you may need to consider the Forge supersize to cope with the larger pressures/volume of air

<tuffty/>

 

[Keefo13]

I recently changed all my hoses to silicone ones. I got full coolant kit,boast upper and lower,intake,cam breather and 2 turbo hoses all from sfs hoses all £620 not bad i thought. Put ramair cone on. Have just ordered my Airtec intercooler and forge recircular dump value its 008 so can change the spring in it.

HydroS3.... yeah I'll look at doing all the hoses eventually. Gonna go with turbo related first, then grab a set for cooling. Or whatever goes I'll replace!
I wanna keep the car OEM looking from the outside as possible...or at least how I THINK it should have looked rolling off the production line I'll fiddle with the guts to create a bit of a sleeper, surprise those new Scirocco and TT owners
Defo dres the engine bay up a little...minimise and hide away what I can. I'm a bit of a clean freak.

We'll see how long this all lasts after my missus pops the sprog in December mind haha!

 

[hydro s3]

Same here mine is amk aswell

 

[<tuffty/>]

I have a whole thread covering AMK "hints and tips" (as mines an AMK too )

<tuffty/>

 

[Keefo13]

I have a whole thread covering AMK "hints and tips" (as mines an AMK too )

<tuffty/>

Ah sorry Tuffty, I'm not trying to steal your thread thunder!! I jumped straight in covering all bases
I had a look at one of your threads from the link in your signature...about the turbo build? but that was old, so I'm assuming that's all in and done!? I'm liking the AMK love....I'm glad I got this engine and managed to get it in a crossover as well...
I don't think I'll go that far with turbo's etc...just want reliable, quick, tidy and mods that aren't noticeable to the untrained eye... like a luxury watch on the wrist, only certain people will appreciate it!

As soon as this service is out the way and the boys don't find any major issues with the running gear, gearbox, engine etc...I'll be getting into changing out bits and pieces....need a nice exhaust in my life....Porsche breaks too.....

 

[<tuffty/>]

Ah sorry Tuffty, I'm not trying to steal your thread thunder!! I jumped straight in covering all bases
I had a look at one of your threads from the link in your signature...about the turbo build? but that was old, so I'm assuming that's all in and done!? I'm liking the AMK love....I'm glad I got this engine and managed to get it in a crossover as well...
I don't think I'll go that far with turbo's etc...just want reliable, quick, tidy and mods that aren't noticeable to the untrained eye... like a luxury watch on the wrist, only certain people will appreciate it!

As soon as this service is out the way and the boys don't find any major issues with the running gear, gearbox, engine etc...I'll be getting into changing out bits and pieces....need a nice exhaust in my life....Porsche breaks too.....

Its a little more than a build mate... its more of a blog... its ongoing and yes while the 'build' is arguably finished the work on the car isn't...

In fact its arguably two "turbo builds" in one as the second part (from page 53) includes an engine build and other stuff...

My thread includes everything from an oil change to tubular manifold fabrication, detailing to car audio installation, being stupid and clipping a curb damaging a tyre to full suspension upgrades inc poly bush and ARB fitting...

There isn't much that I haven't covered off in terms of things you can do/mod on an S3 bar a hybrid turbo upgrade as I jumped straight into big turbo..

Its not a small thread but it covers pretty much everything I have done to my car in the past 8 years of ownership... there may well be something in it thats useful to you

<tuffty/>

 

[Keefo13]

Its a little more than a build mate... its more of a blog... its ongoing and yes while the 'build' is arguably finished the work on the car isn't...

In fact its arguably two "turbo builds" in one as the second part (from page 53) includes an engine build and other stuff...

My thread includes everything from an oil change to tubular manifold fabrication, detailing to car audio installation, being stupid and clipping a curb damaging a tyre to full suspension upgrades inc poly bush and ARB fitting...

There isn't much that I haven't covered off in terms of things you can do/mod on an S3 bar a hybrid turbo upgrade as I jumped straight into big turbo..

Its not a small thread but it covers pretty much everything I have done to my car in the past 8 years of ownership... there may well be something in it thats useful to you

<tuffty/>

Where's the link to that thread Tuffty? I'm sure I'll be able to bastardise some ideas out of it!!
I'm pretty handy with most things so will have a go at anything...if I have the tools in my shed...so a decent how too will help.
You have links to a gallery of your car then too? wouldn't mind seeing your S3!!

 

[Erikn89nl]

Where's the link to that thread Tuffty? I'm sure I'll be able to bastardise some ideas out of it!!

In his sig...

 

[Keefo13]

In his sig...

Yeah clicked that and it seemed to go straight to the turbo section, I thought Tuffty meant it was a sort of 'how to' guide, I guess I'll just have to trawl through it!! I clicked the 'blog' link too...but that wasn't what I was after either.
Just logging on while I'm in work, but when I get time later I'll have a proper look.
Cheers!

 

[<tuffty/>]

Yeah clicked that and it seemed to go straight to the turbo section

The start of my thread was originally meant to be about the big turbo conversion but it evolved at the same rate as the car into a 'blog' of my cars evolution over the years...

I thought Tuffty meant it was a sort of 'how to' guide, I guess I'll just have to trawl through it!!

There are plenty of pics though to support what I am posting about and they are laid out in a 'how-to' fashion rather than a random pic of a part with the strap line of "got this and fitted it"

Its not step by step for the most part but more of this is waht you can do and roughly how to go about it...

I clicked the 'blog' link too...but that wasn't what I was after either

Thats more about me and my photography than the car... but the car gets a mention once in a while

You have links to a gallery of your car then too? wouldn't mind seeing your S3!!

My thread is littered with them tbh so never really bothered with a gallery but to be accomodating...

The car...

The interior...

The engine bay...

<tuffty/>

 

[Keefo13]

The start of my thread was originally meant to be about the big turbo conversion but it evolved at the same rate as the car into a 'blog' of my cars evolution over the years...

Tuffty...thanks for clarifying! When I get home tonight I'll pay your thread more attention than my girlfriend!
Car looks very tidy. Was the sat-nav standard or did you get it retro fitted? I have looked into that...does it have blue tooth?
Interesting intake manifold too...engine bay is clean mate, loving that...exactly what I'd like to achieve, with my own little twists...
So glad you kept the hoses black, that's my cup'o'tea indeed. Nothing against the colours, but I want to make something that looks like it came off the production line, so understated is the way I'd like to go.

I appreciate the accommodation Sir

 

[Keefo13]

Tuffty...thanks for clarifying! When I get home tonight I'll pay your thread more attention than my girlfriend!
Car looks very tidy. Was the sat-nav standard or did you get it retro fitted? I have looked into that...does it have blue tooth?
Interesting intake manifold too...engine bay is clean mate, loving that...exactly what I'd like to achieve, with my own little twists...
So glad you kept the hoses black, that's my cup'o'tea indeed. Nothing against the colours, but I want to make something that looks like it came off the production line, so understated is the way I'd like to go.

I appreciate the accommodation Sir

 

[<tuffty/>]

Tuffty...thanks for clarifying! When I get home tonight I'll pay your thread more attention than my girlfriend!
Car looks very tidy. Was the sat-nav standard or did you get it retro fitted? I have looked into that...does it have blue tooth?
Interesting intake manifold too...engine bay is clean mate, loving that...exactly what I'd like to achieve, with my own little twists...
So glad you kept the hoses black, that's my cup'o'tea indeed. Nothing against the colours, but I want to make something that looks like it came off the production line, so understated is the way I'd like to go.

I appreciate the accommodation Sir

Sat nav is an OE RNS-E unit from an A4 modified to fit (there is a post or two in my thread covering this)... bluetooth would be through the additional OE bluetooth unit I believe but not something I have bothered with

I set out to keep my car looking as OE as possible... this will be evident as you read through my thread...

I could post my latest dyno graph but wouldn't want to spoil it for you... the 'interesting intake manifold' is there for a reason

<tuffty/>

 

[Keefo13]

Afternoon All,
Well its been a hectic couple weeks with work and normal life....so apologies for not posting much or being involved (BAD FORUM MEMBER!!).
So the machine went in for its complete service and is back. Cambelt service completed, all good and does feel a little nicer to drive! The boys couldn't carry out the Haldex in the time frame I'd asked for as they broke a tool trying to remove a nut on the rear diff...so its back in on the 31st to complete that and replace the rear brake pipes which have corroded.

This week I have been compiling my birthday and christmas list. my choices have been based on what I'd like to achieve in the engine bay; nothing but black and brushed metal.

I'd like to ask what you guys think of the following mods to get started:

1. K04 Charge Pipe from trackslag.

http://trackslag.com/index.php?id_product=8&controller=product#/30-charge_pipe-oem_style_twin_spur/33-charge_pipe_finish-brushed

2. Charge Pipe Hose Kits from trackslag.

http://trackslag.com/index.php?id_product=19&controller=product&search_query=nomex+lined&results=2

3. S3 Induction Hose 80mm 1.8T with ESP BAM/AMK from sfs hoses.
http://www.siliconhose.com/content.asp?inc=product&catalog=CKIT101

and then there's the matter of the induction kit.
The inner boy racer in me kind of wants to go down the cone and heat shield route...so what does everyone recommend? Remember, I want black and metal. I used to use pipercross on my golfs and corrados and thought the were pretty good, and smart looking...but should I stick with the pipercross panel filter I have in there and just modify the airbox with a cold air feed?!?!

Other than that...all is pretty normal. OH...apart from I might have to change the YAW sensor as the ABS and ESP light came on once or twice...I'm ok with this however, as the boys in Pembs Vee-Dubs reckon they can get me a sensor for a lot less, around the £100-£150 mark.
The machine is going back in end of the month, where once that's all done, I'm hoping for thumbs up to continue with the above! Interior is sparkling, exterior WAS but it rained last couple days and I've driven it into work today....so that wont be perfect anymore

Hope everyone is good...and looking forward to Christmas! I got a slightly mental one as I'm expecting my first sprog on the 21st of December...I'm determined not to let the machine fall by the wayside however. Baby can sleep in the car seat while I'm under the bonnet!

Ciao for now.

 

[Keefo13]

Forgot to ask, what are peoples opinions on Creations Motorsport hoses? they are slightly cheaper than the rest I've looked through, but seem to do all the ones I would like to change out.

Cheers!

 

[Stuart B]

what yaw sensor is it?

if it is the latitudinal one under the passenger glove box it is only about £40

 

[<tuffty/>]

The boys couldn't carry out the Haldex in the time frame I'd asked for as they broke a tool trying to remove a nut on the rear diff...

I am struggling to understand what you mean by this?... haldex oil change is through a small drain/filler at the underside of the haldex unit... its a 5mm allen key to undo.... can't imagine breaking a tool... rounding the inside of the plug off is more likely and its worth buying a new replacement plug and sealing washer from Audi... if the haldex oil has been changed properly they tend to get a little past their sell by date

OH...apart from I might have to change the YAW sensor as the ABS and ESP light came on once or twice...

I assume there was a fault code to support this diagnosis?

<tuffty/>

 

[Keefo13]

what yaw sensor is it?

if it is the latitudinal one under the passenger glove box it is only about £40

Since reading up on the YAW sensor, I've learned there are two, long and lat. I didn't know that at the time so didn't ask. I'll be calling them tmrw to find out!!

I am struggling to understand what you mean by this?... haldex oil change is through a small drain/filler at the underside of the haldex unit... its a 5mm allen key to undo.... can't imagine breaking a tool... rounding the inside of the plug off is more likely and its worth buying a new replacement plug and sealing washer from Audi... if the haldex oil has been changed properly they tend to get a little past their sell by date



I assume there was a fault code to support this diagnosis?

<tuffty/>

All he said Tuffty was that they broke a tool trying to undo the 'nut'.
I'd assume you're right and they rounded the allen fitment then.
The Haldex was documented last at 46k it's now at 95k so needs doing. I wouldn't say it's been done since 46k (all tools of leverage when knocking the price down....).
When I call him tmrw I'll go through the lot. That jobs paid for anyway.

I've since decided to go for modding my air box and using a panel filter....
Just need to decide on ****** hoses now.
Then I can crack on with tidying the engine bay up and saving for the exhaust system so much to do....