Re: 1991 90q modifications

[cmice@mke.ab.com (Christopher Ice x2136)]

HP gains are difficult and expen$ive.  You say that you want to preserve
drivability, but improve track performance?

That depends on what you mean by "track".  For AutoX, if you don't plan on
putting $$ into performance gains, you will want to be sensitive to what the
SCCA will let you do and preserve your stock class.  Without HP/torque
improvements, going into a prepared class will KILL you in AutoX.  Therefore,
you'd be concerned about what few mods you can make and not jeopardize your
stock classification.

1st - TIRES.  A good set of tires is probably your best bang for the buck when
it comes to handling.  You must maintain your orginal rim size and I believe
the offset as well.

2nd - K&N filter is allowed by the SCCA in stock class.  Better breathing and
a little more grunt.  Results are subjective.

3rd - drop the mid muffler and tube it back to a SuperTrapp, Leistritz, etc.
performance muffler.  Again, this is allowed by the SCCA (cat back is free,
cat to engine is not).  You may sacrifice torque for better breathing at the
top end.

Lastly, the suspension is somewhat open in SCCA stock class.  You can change
the shocks, and REAR anti-roll bar...but that's it.  Be cautious!  Read Puhn's
book, "How to Make your Car Handle" before planning ANY suspension mods.  Any
poorly thought out suspension mods will only degrade the already sedan like
handling of the 90 (or any car for that matter).  90Qs tend to plow easily
because they weigh so damned much.  Moving the battery seems like a lot of
heart-ache for little gain.  It's difficult to squeeze performance out of
suspension mods because the suspension geometry was designed to produce a
desired effect.  Tampering with this means you're second-guessing the
designers...so you'd better have done your homework.

Otherwise, if you want S4 like performance....buy an S4. ;-)  It'll be
cheaper!

Feel free to disagree...
Chris
-- 
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  Amiga 2000/030@33MHz  --------  1988 Audi 90 Quattro