Coupe Quattros...(long)

[schulz@tif623.ed.ray.com (Peter Schulz)]

I sent this to the list, because a number of newbies have been asking 
similar questions...

Michael Craghead asked the following questions about the 1989-91 Coupe Quattro..

>1) Are there any items that I should pay particular attention to during a 
>pre-purchase test drive and inspection.

...nothing you wouldn't normally check on another quattro - cv joints, boots, 
   bushings, shocks.
   - timing belt should be replaced before 90 k miles
   - the 20v motor tends to leak oil through the valve cover factory-installed
     gasket, replacement seems to take care of it. 

>2) Are there any idiosyncrasies associated with this vehicle/engine that I should 
>be aware of in terms of drivability an maintenance?
...see above..the engine compartment is very cramped. Changing the belts, 
   including the timing belt, requires removal of some bodywork and shrouding
   behind the front grill- I had my mechanic do it...
    
   on the bright side, the car does not seem to have the steering rack problem 
   of the 5000 series....
>3) Any recalls on the vehicle?
   
    nothing of significance

>4) What are the common performance upgrades on this car?
>5) Can the displacement on this engine be increased? How much?
>6) Is there anyone that makes a reliable turbo kit/supercharger kit for this car?
>7) Are there any US based tuners/shops that to particularly good engine/forced
induction/performance work?

...Forget the chips, they're probably not worth the money, although one list member with either a 20v 90Q or a Coupe Q installed one, and said that there was a noticeable difference.

The exhaust is pretty free breathing, but you could spend some large $$$$ and have a custom bent exhaust with a turbo style muffler installed.  That may get you a few hp, but you would lose the benefit of the oem exhaust being stainless.  

To the best of my knowledge, there are no aftermarket turbos available for the 20v motor.  If you really want a turbo, and have the capital, contact Intended Acceleration, or IA as its commonly referred to.(Phone # is in the majordomo archives under "parts_vendors".  I heard that Ned Ritchie has installed 20v turbos (from Audi 200s?) into the Coupe Q.  But it was verry expensive (around $10k).  But that would put you close to owning an S2...  
Hmmmmmmm...

I believe that Total Audi Performance (TAP, phone also under "parts vendors") had a 215 hp conversion available for the motor for about $2500.   This included alot of head work and new cams.

Eurorace which is supposed to be coming out with a 2.5 liter conversion for the 2.2 motor, may have something available.

Rons Parts carries Audi cams.

There is, unfortunately no "cheap" hp upgrade for the 20v motor, no magic spring for the wastegate, no IA stage I or II cpu mods. 
You WILL have to "open up" the motor if you want some real HP. 

You can improve your performance by changing your driving style to "use the motor" better - Hp and torque peaks are over 4k rpm- so wait longer until you shift.  Being a former
16V Scirocco owner myself, this is nothing new.

I tried a K&N filter mod from Schaumburg Audi in Illinois, which eliminated the airbox and put a "Cone" style filter into its place, with associated hardware.  Its similar to the ones that you can buy for VWs.  It was probably good for a few hp, but the car definitely does breathe better at higher rpm (and sounds it ,too).  Don't know how it will work this winter, though - I may have to reinstall the airbox.  So far, so good, though.

You may want to try the K&N replacement for the stock filter...

Bottom line, if you lust is for power, buy a turbo - quattro:  UrQ, 5000, 200 or S4.
If you want exclusivity and some practicality that comes with a hatchback, buy a coupe Q.

If you want some other tips, e-mail me offline.  Frank Deutschman and Dorab, fellow 
Coupe Q listers, may have additional tips...

Peter Schulz
1990 Coupe Q
Schulz@ed.ray.com