[V8] 2 days/1300 miles in the newest 4.2 5spd V8

[DasWolfen at aol.com]

 Needed to rack up some serious seat time and make sure everything was 
working as it should so what better way than a VA to Ohio run through the long 
mountain runs of I-64 and I-77. Clearance from the owner for the long trip and the 
Mission is a go.

 Run up to Ohio was pretty uneventful..had my 2 sons in the car so I didnt 
wanna pass on any bad habits. Did learn one thing though...

 5th gear, cruise set, 3200 on the tach and here comes Sandstone mountain...8 
miles of 7.5% grade. Up we went, exhaust howl bouncing off the side of the 
mountain as we passed cars like they were parked. Tach locked on 3200, oil temp 
just above 60C, coolant temp just under 100C. The other V8's I've made this 
run with wouldnt do that empty and I was carrying about 500lbs of cargo and 
passenger weight this time. Fuel mileage sucked though...17mpg average for the 
trip up to Ohio..dammit, need that O2 sensor fixed ASAP!

 O2 swap results in an immediate change in the exhuast note even at idle, 
very crisp and sharp now with the idle note very unstable as you'd expect from 
the big QSHIPQ Stage 2 cams. Fuel mileage is way up resulting in being able to 
make the run from Springfield OH to Teays Valley WV on the bottom half of the 
fuel tank. 

Picking up I-77S and I park on the back bumper of a Yellow C5 Vette and end 
up running together all the way to Covington VA. Mostly just some relatively 
sedate higher speed cruising but the Vette wanted to play on occasion so some 
real leg stretching was done....no details at this time. =0)

 Drop off west of Richmond so the cars owner take his first drive with the 
new powerplant/exhaust...gas up again south of Richmond...21.8mpg...not too bad 
considering how it was driven from Teays Valley to Covington...plus Mark's 
lead foot getting his first experience with his new engine.

 Lessons learned...the chipped 3.6 Motronic is fat, dumb, and happy despite 
feeding a cammed up 4.2 w/4.2 injectors in place and one incredibly free 
breathing custom exhaust. No codes, Basic settings well within range, coolant/oil 
temps rock steady....damn I love modifying a Motronic car! I do need to figure 
out how to modify the MAF signal so the ECU isnt so dependant on the O2 sensor 
in this configuration....I really like being able to unplug the sensor in an 
emergancy without having the car try to burn through so much gas. Might be a 
good thing though, a definate encouragement for keeping the O2 circuit in good 
condition.

 Driving it on a long trip is obviously the best part of the car, but..... 
The reactions of people who see it, or more correctly that hear it!, is awesome. 
You can spot car guys from a mile away...their heads snap around as they 
stare wondering what kinda Audi makes THAT sound. Idling at a light gets guys 
craning their necks try to ID the model. I even had two young guys in a p/u I was 
following on US 35 turn around to ask me about the car when I stopped for 
gas..."What is that?" "I didnt know Audi's had V8's" "Damn it sounds great!"

#1 on the List...my friend for 30 years, Scott W, a Mopar fan and owner for 
as long as I've known him......"THAT's how I want my 440 to run....a great cam 
lope without smelling fuel constantly!"

 Even better... not one hard headed American Muscle head or Ricer boy making 
snide 4 door or German car comments.

 Its definately not the car for many Audi owners especially the exhaust...but 
if you like an unstable big cam idle, a torque band the really comes on hard 
in top, and an exhaust that roars under low rpm load, howls up top, cackles in 
the pipes under  decel, and sings while cruising...you would fall in love 
with this car.

Keith