Re: quattro mods

[Howell Benjamin J <howebj0@clem.mscd.edu>]

On Thu, 9 Nov 1995, mike wrote:

> 
>      Ben,
>      Sounds like quite a machine! I have and '83 and an '85 Quattro coupe 
>      up here in Toronto. The '83 is in bits in the garage undergoing (a 
>      slow) rebuild, 10 years of Canadian winters and 230K km having taken 
>      there toll. Both cars are stock except for some body work 
>      modifications on the '85.
>      
>      I have been, since the early 80s, a big quattro fan, growing up in the 
>      UK where the cars are more common. Anyway, I would like your advice on 
>      increasing the horse power to somewhere around 230 (I like the idea of 
>      variable boost). Money is an object, and solutions like computer mods 
>      that can be easilly ported between cars would definitely be an 
>      advantage for me.
>      
>      I'll probably have to replace the turbo on the '83 during the rebuild 
>      and I am in two minds whether to rebuild the original motor (which was 
>      running well when I took the car off the road) or try and find an '87 
>      turbo motor with a knock sensor? I have spoken with a very 
>      knowledgeable mechanic here in Toronto and he strongly recommends the 
>      knock sensor equipped motor as the starting point.
>      
>      As for computer mods, I have Ned Ritchie's literature and some from 
>      two other companies all three offer about 230hp, one of them (a 
>      British company Turbo Boost?) offers 265hp for a 150 pounds sterling. 
>      Now I know the European cars are 200 hp stock but 265 hp for 300 
>      candian dollars seems extremely good value, even if I have to buy a 
>      new cam? 
>      
>      I guess the point is I am rather confused about the best way to modify 
>      the 160 hp North American model and don't want to make an expensive 
>      mistake. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
>      
>      By the way since all the parts are out of the car at the moment, I was 
>      wondering if you knew if there are parts available to modify first and 
>      second gear to longer ratios. One change to 60!
>      
>      I was also reading the Audi Quattro Gold Portfolio (excellent book) 
>      article on the '84 rally spec quattro which had larger vented rear 
>      brakes and possibly larger fronts (I need to check the spec on the '84 
>      rally car tonight). They consistently recorded braking times ol less 
>      than 3 seconds 60-0 mph, with a "Car" test best of 1.9. This apeals to 
>      me almost more than increasing the hp. What brakes are you running and 
>      what would you recommend.
>      
>      thanks and regards, Mike
> 
> 
> 
Mike, I would like to start off by saying "good luck" with the rebuild. 
This is exactly how my car started out! It was on jack stands in the shop 
where I work for almost two years, getting a very, very complete rebuild. 
Luckly you have one that you can drive while the other is down.

I am going to address you questions one at a time.

1. as far as adj. boost goes, this is hands down the easist and cheapest 
way to get power. However, there can be problems if you don't take 
preventitive measures to begin with! You are going to have to replace the 
stock head bolts with the head STUD conversion from Raceware (or 
comparable company). The reason is that the stock ones are designed to 
stretch when you torque them down and when you start exceeding 15psi 
(approx.) they stretch even more! Now, unless you have a lot of spare 
time and a stack of head gaskets, I suggest replacing them. These little 
numbers run about 150 U.S. dollars and you don't even have to remove the 
head to put them in (I am assuming that your head is already off though). 
Another consideration might be Total Seal (gapless) piston rings, as you 
start running more boost these gapless rings control blow quite well. 
Now, for actually varying the boost you will need an air pressure 
regulator. These can be had at most industrial wharehouses. I got mine at 
a place here in the states called Grainger. It cost about 12 U.S. 
dollars. The installation is extremely straight forward.

2. The computer mods are easy as well and shareing a modified computer 
between two cars should not be to difficult either. The computer is 
hidden to the left of the glove box. Removal of the glove box is a breeze 
(one screw inside and to the left, another underneath the passenger side 
vent and the one at the very back is just a pull out job), but be careful 
pulling that boost hose off! That would be my only concern with the 
computer sharing, that is the wear and tear on the barb that the boost 
hose (into the computer) slips over. I really don't have any experience 
with any other companies computer except for Ned Ritchie's and it has 
worked beautifully for me. I'm not going to mention any names, but I have 
been told to avoid Total Audi Performance at all cost (can you say 
"MELTDOWN")! I personally have never heard of the company Turbo Boost, 
but the price you listed seemed to cheap to be real. All I can say is 
"you get what you pay for".

3. Gearing is a tough one. I seem to recall an article from Road & Track 
,when the car first came out in the states about the Tresser Quattro. 
They had replaced The first gear with one out of a 944 Turbo. Please 
don't quote me on this on because I really don't know for sure! I do know 
that I read it somewhere, but the source I just listed is probably 
incorrect. Do some more checking on that one. I've got news for you 
though, I'm only doing one gear chance to 60mph and I do it at about 
45mph (of course I'm reving my motor to 6500rpm).

4. I believe that your braking choices are very limited (or very costly). 
Up front I am running the twin piston calipers and rotors off a 90' 
200TQ. I had the rotors gas slotted because cross drilling takes its tool 
on brake pads. The rear brakes are stock. This setup works extremely well, 
but you have to replace the stock proportioning valve with an aftermarket 
on (i.e. Tilton, Willwood, etc.) or the rear brake are just along for the 
ride! According to John at Sport Wheels, In Glenwood Springs Colorado, 
Willwood is the only aftermarket company that is willing to make a direct 
bolt on system for the Quattro. This system includes huge 13in. rotors 
and gigantic 4 piston calipers. This kind of setup is what is being used 
by a lot of racers in america's Trans Am series and I feel is overkill 
for the 4,500 dollar price tag it has attached to it! You could always 
try AudiSport, but I promise it will cost a bundle. I don't even know 
what they offer, if anything.

In conclusion: It's really hard to be on a "buget" with these cars. You 
might save a few dollars here and there, but sometimes it can cost you 
more in the end. Usually, There is a reason people charge less than 
someone else. Ask a lot of questions.

Good luck, Ben
howebj0@mscd.edu
83' TQC
87' 4KCSQ