S4 Upgrading

[Carlos]

Hi Dave and all!

Sorry if it has taken me a while to respond - I've not been online for a while cos we're expecting our first baby and the missus has got me decorating the spare room! [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Anyway, this is what I've got, then we can put it into perspective..

- 99 S4 (2000 mod year)
- AmD remap
- Milltek cat back
- Milltek downpipes, cats etc
- Forge DV's
- upgraded pipework (inc F & Y pipe)
- Alloys 18x8.5 (225/40/18)
- Toyo Proxes T1-S tyres
- Next week [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] H&R full kit, Porsche front brakes

Mine pulls 344 or so ponies and around 430ish lb/ft. Can't remember exactly.

OK, rating...

- Chip, is subjective, but I wanted a R/R beforehand too (which in my case was very worthwhile cos they spotted the MAF was knackered and loosing me about 70hp - no wonder it felt sluggish!) I have to say I prefered AmD cos they R/R'd it 1st, fixed the probs, R/r'd it again, did the tweaks to the exhaust/cats etc, then chip'd it while on the R/R. Result: Splendid. Am a happy man! [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

- milltek stuff. Well, it depends how far you wanna go. I intend eventually going all the way (turbos etc) but I didnt wanna do it all at once (which I know would've saved me some dough, but I'd have probably crashed it in the 1st week! [img]images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] ) So I've been doing a lot of preparatory work, eg pipework, cats etc etc. If your not into long term big gains then the cats/dps etc aren't for you. I feel that just a stright cat-back would help it breath a lot better though (though I wouldnt really expect much of a performance gain), but I've found that my engine actually runs cooler now than it did before the mods!! Just the chip on its own would make a hell of a difference to how the car drives.

- DV's/hoses etc. As I was intending putting so much through the engine I wanted to keep the reliability. The hoses etc will help to do that (though I'll definately change the bi-pipe like Dippy when I do the turbos). The DV's are again a good move in this direction, plus the recovery times are so much better than stock, so you can feel the power coming in much quicker.

- Alloys - just a matter of taste. Mine are BBS, but it was a tough decision especially as I originally intended keeping the car looking as stock as possible. But its only the alloys [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] One good thing is the weight.. or lack of it. Much better feedback now too. Am happy. Stock rims arent bad, but they stick out over the tyre and mine were getting a bit to scuffed. [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

- Tyres. Toyos mate. Don't look elsewhere. I was a strong S02 addict, but these leave em standing. V quiet for me, more grip than you can shake a stick at and bloody great wet handling. Helped by my lighter alloys, the feedback is much improved. Not sure how long they'll last yet - I've only had em a month, so I can't say about wear. Haven't noticed a loss in ride quality either thought I've only dropped from a 45 to a 40 profile. Bonus

- Suspension: I've been told by many peeps that H&R do the best S4 kit. I've been in cars with H&Rs and with other vendors. Definately prefer the H&Rs. Better match of damping/springs. Seems to take away some of the straight line harshness, yet give you firmer control in the corners, which is where you need it. At least that was how I found it. Can't wait to get mine done!

- Brakes. Now there's a tough one. Thought long and hard here. I was thinking about APR 6-pots for a while before finally deciding on porsches. I dont think I'll do the back just yet cos
a) it costs a packet,
b) I wanna see how I get along with just the fronts
c) I dont expect it to cause any dive on braking with the EBD which is about 80/20 F/R anyway, and then with updated susp/dampers too, I dont expect to notice it.
If I wasn't changing the brakes themselves, EBC greenstuff is an absolute must. Been in cars with, been in mine without. No comparison. Nuff said.

- Other things. Completely agree about turbo timers/boost guages etc. Not too keen about putting em in the car tho! [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] Am actually looking into one thats integrated into the DIS, so no bits sticking out!! [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Will probably get that done when I get the turbos done.

- Short shift. Well, funnily enough, and I know everyone will laugh at me here, but I'm actually ok with the stock one! [img]images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] It's not that its good, cos its not. It's just that I'm used to it, and I can whip through without too much trouble. Having said that, for 100 or so smackers, I'll probably get it done anyway. Not sure which one myself actually tho.

Anyway, hope the modding goes well. If you've any other q's lemme know and I'll try to respond a bit quicker this time!!

See ya...
C. [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[img]images/graemlins/s4anogaro.gif[/img]

[Joshie]

Great review Carlos and great to have you on the board.

Very interested in what you wrote abot the TT and boost gauge built into the DIS. Please keep us posted.

Agree with your comments on the brakes, I have the Porsche fronts and they instill so much confidence. I would like to have the rears done too but hard to justify the price/benefit. I use EBC greenstuff in the rears.

Regarding the shortshift I wasn't sure if you'd driven an S4 with a shortshift in. If not you can try mine at the next meet. I must admit when I fitted the Tanoga I couldn't help changing gear [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] - such a pleasure, worth a try I would have thought.

Good luck with your impending new arrival [img]images/graemlins/clap.gif[/img]

[Carlos]

Thanks Joshie!

I'll keep you posted on the DIS stuff. Should be at the meet on Thurs... See ya there.

C. [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Joshie]

Hi Carlos,

Won't be able to make Thursday - no wheels. Car offf the road at AmD with blown turbos [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

Will update later

[Carlos]

No worries mate - I realised that when I saw urs at AmD! [img]images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Joules]

Sorry guys,

Not much time to write now but I have been extentsively researching Chips and re-maps. Most of the info on Audizines forum... but now I have found this one and it is UK based ..maybe I'll stick here.

Anyway... I at this time am holding out for the REVO flashing of the EPROM in the ECU. Quite simple really...YES they have no proven history yet... BUT they will falsh a 2 hour map onto your ecu for free then you decide???

So ... its upto you from there..a trip to a R/R or place an order for the switches to switch between maps STD or Modified.

Should be available Early April...

Joules

[Golich]

Dippy,

Thanks for the reply. O it's so difficult to decide when you've not tried something and £1K is a lot of dosh to gamble. Rattles and clonks from suspension/bushes/steering is real pet hate of mine. But so is a sloppy sports car.

I can't help but hope Jeff Wiltshire is right. The problem is finding a company/product who/which will give me slightly lower, approximatly the same stiffness (steady..) This is what I thought I could achieve by going the fully adjustable route and was the justification for shelling out £1K!

Think I'll have a chat with these Leda chaps.

Jeff have you established if this is possible? Or anyone eles got any ideas?

[jeffw]

I'm planning on visiting Leda this week....

The other possibilty is a company called KW (german company) who have a adjustable kit for a S4 which is TuV approved. This kit

You can get Koni dampers for the S4 but these need to be removed from the car to adjust (not a 5 min job). The Leda & KW set-up have adjustment on the bottom of the suspension unit which should be adjustable by reaching around the wheel (Leda Suspension) . The major difference with the Leda dampers is that they are adjustable in Bump & Rebound seperatly whereas the KW dampers have a single adjustment for both.

I'll report back any findings.

[jeffw]

I've spoken to the UK importer for KW Suspension and the Variant 3 system for a S4 is £1031 inc VAT. This does not include fitting or alignment.

Variant 3 Features are

Race technology for the road - The new Variant 3 KW Coilover suspension allows independent adjustment of compression and rebound damping with its unique, patented valve technology providing the basis for a full racing technology setup.

The new, separately adjustable "low speed" compression damping supports the vehicle during spring deflection and so prevents excessive diving when braking or in cornering directly effect on steering quality. A second control valve reduces the power of the damping at "high speed" and thus guarantees comfort and safety when driving over rough, uneven surfaces.

These "racing suspension systems" are supplied with a road-compatible and TÜV-tested set-up and, with their simply operated technology that can be adjusted externally. These combined features represent the ultimate suspension solution.

[Nige_RS4]

Does anyone know if GmbH do a suspension kit for the S4? The RS4 GmbH offering is highly regarded.

[SJS]

Joules.. You mention a REVO flash. Who does this in the uk and what sort of cost?

When i get an S4 chipping will be high up the list, and £1k for AMD to do the work is a bit pricey for my liking.

Have you tried www.upsolute.com

They have a few guys in the uk now and are very reasonably priced. Also have a 30 day money back guarantee so if you dont like it take it out.

[DavidT]

Thanks for the replies, I've corrected the figures.

Tune/power/torque/cost(+VAT)

Standard/265/295/£0
Remap/315/389/£850
Remap + catback/320/400/1265
remap + full Miltek exhaust inc cats/343/430/£2415
RS4 turbo upgrade + full Miltek exhaust inc cats/400/475/£4000

[Joshie]

I think the figures above are a representative sample only and do vary considerably for car to car. The big turbos and full Miltek only generated 395 HP and 416lb/ft even though my engine was in great shape in standard guise - pushing out 273 HP with a standard ecu.

There are no guarentees that you'll get 460lb/ft (which is a monumental amount of torque)by simply adding the KO4's plus full Miltek. I had to add a number of additional mods to get 450lb/ft. And the price is £4400 plus vat which is c£5200, I thought

Don't want to play down the figures for the sake of it, I just want to share my experience.

I think we all realise as well that it isn't just about performance figures being taken in isolation - drivability and smoothness of response is very much the key objective.

[RobK]

David, if you'd like another opinion on the hardware you're considering, I had most of it on my S4 and there are pictures and comments etc. at nogaro.org.

[Bushy]

Joules.. You mention a REVO flash. Who does this in the uk and what sort of cost?

When i get an S4 chipping will be high up the list, and £1k for AMD to do the work is a bit pricey for my liking.

Have you tried www.upsolute.com

They have a few guys in the uk now and are very reasonably priced. Also have a 30 day money back guarantee so if you dont like it take it out.

I dont think these are highly recommended on an S4, anyone had any experience?