[V8] it wouldn't be an Audi if...

[S_Matus]

Dave - 

I have to ask what is the inherent driving pleasure we derive from driving a "a long steep grade that the V8 loves to 
fly up?"

I have a similar hill near my home that I "Love" to drive up fast.  Is it the power full on?  the confidence of a constant radius curve? the g-forces experienced? control?

I occasionally drive mountain canyon roads here in Colorado, but enjoy the uphill much more that down hill.

Scott
Too many V8s

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Message: 4
Date: Sat, 1 Jun 2013 18:34:12 -0600
From: Dave Saad <dsaad at icehouse.net>
To: v8audi List <V8 at audifans.com>
Subject: [V8] it wouldn't be an Audi if...
Message-ID: <696D65AA-0395-4BAF-8194-DA8AF69BAC0D at icehouse.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

something didn't go wrong on a simple little road trip.
I
 got to take my normally garaged V8 out for a spin today and overall it 
ran great. The total trip was about 80 miles and included the very fun 
Horse Shoe Bend Hill - which is a long steep grade that the V8 loves to 
fly up.  It easily did it in 5th gear with power to spare, and mileage 
appears to be very good. The problem was that I stopped about 15 minutes
 after the hill climb to do a little shopping for a graduation gift. As 
we pulled into the parking lot my wife noticed the smoke coming from 
under the hood. I think this is only a small oil leak that of course 
drips onto the exhaust.  I have not yet found the leak and in fact the 
motor appears to be very clean and dry with very few minor exceptions. I
 think this is only an embarrassment at this point - no major problem or
 cost involved - it just makes my wife not like the car. Nothing new 
there. The problem though is when I left the store, the engine stumbled a
 little as I pulled out into fast moving traffic. The store is o
 n a
 60MPH highway and you need to pull out and get moving fast. At the next
 stop light I noticed that when I "blip" the throttle, the tach 
initially drops to about 200RPM and then takes off like normal. Power 
seemed to be lagging a little -  it came on eventually but there was an 
uncomfortable delay. Earlier in the trip I did not notice this. I am 
thinking it may be heat related.
I do recall the check engine light 
flashing on briefly a few weeks ago but it went away and I never 
bothered to read the codes out.
So - enough rambling - does this symptom ring a bell for anyone?

Dave