RE: A4 30v performance - what to expect?

[Dave Eaton <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>]

the 30v production has been halted to address concerns about the timing
chain breaking (according to car mag).  audi are unsure whether the
breakages are caused by the 5 valve heads or a problem with the
supplier.  one of our european listers may have more upto-date info.

as far as low-end torque is concerned, the torque figures for the 30v
are much better than for the 12v model.  i would expect this to translate
into better off-the-line performance, and the tests seem to bear this out.

-dave
'93 s2
'90 ur-q

..>From: Reiner Fink <reinerf@microsoft.com>
..>Date: Tue, 12 Nov 1996 09:17:23 -0800
..>
..>>Is there any reason to think the added hp (from 174 to 196?) will help
..>>the low-end performance significantly?
..>
..>Not really. From my understanding, the extra valves really help at
..>_higher_ rmp, where the engine can really benefit from the extra valves
..>by being able to cycle air through and exhaust out more quickly. I'm not
..>saying there wont be any low end improvement, just that the high end is
..>what really benefits as you add more valves. Also, 192 was what I recall
..>being the hp quote for the 30-valve 2.8L engine.
..>>
..>>I had heard earlier that Audi was expecting to use the new 30v in it's
..>>97 European models, but I haven't found any reviews yet.  Did Europe get
..>>the 30v for any 1997 models?  If so, are there any reviews/ performance
..>>numbers anybody can steer me to?
..>
..>Good question! Anyone know? I'm eager to hear of news of the 30v too.
..>The last post on it said Audi ran into a problem with something
..>breaking, and they were investigating whether it was a design flaw. Tom
..>W. Nas also said that the A4-based S4 will be comming out in Germany
..>this summer, based on the 30v engine with twin turbos. This startled me
..>since I had not even heard of the non-turbocharged 30v engines being
..>used in europe.
..>>
..>>Technical question:  what difference do the 3 extra valves per cylinder
..>>make in a similar sized engine, in general.  I guess the basic
..>>difference would be it breathes better, but how does this affect hp, and
..>>does it affect torque (which I would think is the real difference in
..>>low-end performance)?
..>
..>Remember that both torque and hp are a function of rpm. So what you
..>really want to know is, does the 30v provide more torque at a low rpm?
..>My guess would be not scignificantly. You will see the same off the line
..>lag that the 12v 2.8L has. But once you get close to 3000rmp, there
..>should be a very noticable difference!
..>>
..>>Finally, what's the latest about when the 30v will be available in the
..>>A4 here in US?
..>
..>The 30v wont be orderable until a year from now. Yes, _next_ november
..>was AoA's last guesstimate.
..>>
..>>Thanks.	Erik Bruce  (A4 soon).
..>
..>Your welcome,
..>
..> -reiner