[V8] Recent V8 seat time - long post

[QSHIPQ at aol.com]

Tony
As the builder of the modded 5speed you drove, and an owner/tweeker/driver  
of many v8's, I will put in my random thoughts on the subject.  The 5spd is  
nice, and it's well balanced to the big chassis.  Much better IMO, than the  
later C4 S cars.  In stock form, it's a bit doggy down low, and really  gives the 
driving edge to the slushbox in sport mode.  With head work and  those big 
cams (in the 3.6 or the 4.2) these engine wake up in a big way that  really give 
the edge to the manual.  Hands down, either engine with this  work has the 
edge, and can show a lot of other flagships some tail.   However, that's a 
pretty expensive set of mods.  Worthy?  I'd say so,  especially with the 17in 
wheels and big reds.  Very much the  qshipq...
 
Going back to comparing the 3.6 to the 4.2...  I've gone back and  forth on 
that one for a while.  It took me several years to come to the  conclusion that 
the 3.6 with the chip, is my favorite.  IMO/E it lacks a  bit of low end 
torque compared to the 4.2, but it revs faster and smoother to  redline than the 
4.2...  I suspect the cam profile on the 4.2 is what clips  it a bit for 
emissions, but it doesn't have the  rev-me-to-redline urging that I always felt in 
the 3.6.
 
The slushbox in sport mode on either car is so well matched, I really doubt  
a 5spd could take either in a routine race, since bobble-heading with the 5spd 
 can get you a head clip (btdt).  I've run our 3.6's to redline in sport  
mode without waking up either the front or rear seat.  That's cool!   And I'll 
insert my 'torsen boy' issue with the 5speed as well.  I put 4  snows on the 
autobox, and it has a lot more dynamic stability to it when the  center locks up. 
 Opposingly, I ran one of Ingo's Papyrus v8's (er, PPRS#1  I 'think') at CO 
Motorsports Park almost 10 years ago now, and with just big  reds and 17's and 
suspension, was able to chase down just about every other  quattro there, of 
any chassis.
 
What's first prize at the county fair?  I think it depends on what you  are 
looking to do.  I like the gas mileage out of the 3.6, how it revs, and  the 
kickdown with the modified ECU is really well matched.  I like the  *torque* hit 
out of the 4.2, but it feels too flat at high rpm's for me.   And a big 
difference in gas mileage if you are going after that torque  IMO.  For a DD in 
Chicago traffic = 4.2...  For a road trip with  sport mode ability = 3.6...  For 
a sleeper 5speed in lieu of some other  manual shifter - either a 3.6 or 4.2 
5/6spd.  But for occasional  foot to the floor, chase down the rabbit, I 
thoroughly enjoy the 3.6 with  the ecu upgrade.  It appears to be exactly half way 
between the stock 3.6  and the stock 4.2 with all the goodness I find more 
inherent in the 3.6.
 
And Tony, I like the custom headliner you made for Ingo...  Like a  surgeon, 
very nice!  :)
 
My .02
 
Scott J
'91 v8 slushbox 



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