My names Von, and this is my 2001 Nogaro Blue Audi S4 6MT.
I bought this for just shy of $10k sight unseen as my first car in 2022 when I was 18 without knowing a single iota about what was about to happen.
Cue classic teenager + B5 S4 story, a car that was definitely not as advertised, and it's now been sat in the garage for 1 1/2 years.
Here's the current situation
The bad:
- Car was Tip-01E swapped, done by stevie wonder and ray charles
- Paint is bad. Front respray, some sunspotting and chipping
- They were not BW K04s as I was told, but two completely different china units, both trashed with lots of shaft play
- the SPEC Stage 3 6 Puck Clutch was on the way out the door and I pushed it over the edge
- Rear diff mounts were blown, same for motor mounts
- Sunroof drain problem
- Central locking went bad
- Cali Car means wiring harness is a cracked and dried mess
- Not original motor
- Valve cover gasket and cam seal leaks
- Upper oil pan was cracked and repaired badly
- Carrier Bearing is bad
- New shifter needed, some play
- Front axles went bad
- No-Name suspension setup, coils in front and lowering springs in rear
The Good:
- Motor is a healthy BF block APB, and has less miles than chassis
- Transmission is also healthy, no 1-2 issues
- Have a Ringer Racing Stage 5 clutch to replace the SPEC unit - $920 + an accidental second free one they sent me and told me to keep or sell, got $650 for the spare
- Have Valve cover gaskets and Cam seals - $150
- Have a new manual Wiring harness - $150
- Diff issues dealt with via Apikol Red mounts - $310
- Wagner Tuning V2 intercoolers - $893
- Walbro 450 pump - stock failed one night n left me stranded :/ - $100
- Having spent all but 1 of its years in Cali before my ownership and it only going thru one Chicago winter it's relatively rust free
- I have a spare motor - $175
- It's still a double Nog S4, its pretty as it sits and its worth saving (at least that's what I tell myself)
- Guy I ended up buying the spare motor from gave me a bunch of free stuff
- Have some parts for preventative maintenance
The Conversion:
- Sourced a set of Brilliant Black OEM RS4 front fenders from Texas - $1400 + $400 shipping
- Sourced a decent Y Pipe from France - $530 and 1 1/2 months of French customs nightmares
- Sourced a set of Bi-Pipes from Steve Green (UK) - $840
- OEM Carbon Covers - $900 (Local)
- NOS RS4 side skirts - $550 + $700 shipping from Denmark
- Converted Gauge Cluster from Eric Warner on FB - $350
- OEM RS4 airbox from Jake Antoniou (UK) - $420
- RS4 Accordion Hose - $60 from New Jersey USA
- RS4 Steering wheel - $200 from UK
The Plan:
My first order of business is to do the oil pan, FMS, RMS on the motor, then top end reseal. From there I have acquired a new late-style intake manifold from the spare motor deal in the free parts horde. It has new cam chain tensioners done by myself back when it was on the road, and while there was no issue with the tensioners, my sealant job on the valve covers was a bit - enthusiastic - if you will and that's what caused the valve cover leak, along with using autozone sealant. I will clean the motor, possibly paint the block, and to prepare for the processes of disassembly and reassembly in the cars motor I will first be doing the same to the spare motor I have to get an idea of the processes and potential issues that could arise. I also have a bunch of excess parts from the spare motor I will be listing out in a later post for anyone who needs parts and/or wants to help the cause and get me some garage space back cause it's at a premium right now. After the motor itself is assembled it's time to put the transmission back on then back in the car. From there I will be doing suspension, then interior, and finally finishing the build with an OEM widebody. I work at an Audi dealer thankfully so I admittedly do get discounts on parts and I have access to the all the service manuals I'll ever need.
What I need help with:
- I need help with picking a set of RS6 or K04/RS6 hybrids to go with, leaning towards JHM as TTE wants to send me into generational debt for turbos, this car will see miles and need "reliability"
- I'm most likely going to go with the Ringer Racing flywheel, though I am debating between the 20 and 16.5 pound weight. This car will see stop and go traffic daily but will mainly be a highway and backroad bomber for my commute.
- Procedures and hangups, if there's anything I'm overlooking, should know about before I do it, or am doing wrong you see let me know
This is what I have so far but as I've started working on it again I figured now would be a good time to get back into the content side of automotive stuff again, hence my post.
As for the other content I will also be making short and long form videos across YouTube, Instagram/Facebook, and TikTok, the first one is set to release Friday the 14th, links will be below.
If you're reading this I really do appreciate you joining me on this journey and taking the time to read thru til the end.
Thanks,
- Von
Media Links:
- Instagram - vondrasek
- YouTube -Idiot Responsibly
- TikTok - vondrasek
- Website/Clothing - Idiot Responsibly