Re: Audi upgrades

[Brett Dikeman <brett@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net>]

>I would like to thank the Audi list for some great information!  I was on
>the verge of getting a Volvo 850 light turbo AWD wagon, and parting with my
>1991 200Q 20v.  The biggest reason was the lousy headlights, and some minor

Lousy headlights is far from a reason to abandon a beautiful, powerful
luxury car for a LP-turbo Volbox(what you get when it's late and try to
type Volvo and Box at the same time.)  We bought a top-of-the-line 960
wagon and it wasn't nearly as nice as my 200q, even my old 5kCST.  The
styling on the 960 wagon is very nice, but the interior feels excessively
"plasticy", like a Chebby/Dodge.  Everything is cheezy plastic.  Stupid for
a top of the line model.  A comparable A6W would have been MUCH
nicer(albeit, a lot more expensive as well.)

Speaking of slightly odd turbo setups, Saab now has a non-identical twin
turbo, with two turbos designed to provide response at different power
bands.  Seemed cool but slightly overboard because of the tremendous
increase in plumbing and control complexity.  OTOH, Saab has plenty of room
thanks to sewing-machine-sized 4 bangers :)

>repairs that the car needed.  I had the pleasure of talking to Alex Neckas
>and Al Swackhammer, and they both mentioned that the headlights could be
>replaced by Euros for about $550.
Beats a Sweedish brick for a base of low 20's :)

> thanks listers ), and they are terrific.  Anyone that does not do this is
>risking their life.  This got me going.
This is a slight overexageration.  One should NEVER "overdrive" their
lights.  One of the first things a new driver should be told.  But yes, the
lights suck so it's very easy to overdrive them.  I will agree with you
that they are dangerous, but note that I had one light replaced on my
5kCST(with about 130k on the clock at the time) and the difference between
the new and old unit was simply _astounding_.  Most of the problem is
degradation of the reflector and pitting of the lens.  Brand new, the
lights are much better.

At the time, I did not have the resources, and the parental units were
unconvinced that spending 1/4-1/3 the value of the car on headlights was justified.
I added a few months later a set of Hella XL's and the situation was remarkably improved.
I really wish there were factory slots in the air dam for fogs; a friend's
'90 Legend has spots where aftermarket lights could be installed if he
wanted to(but the lights on that car are Euro spec and terrific!)  My
father's 944T(87) has fog lights that he swaped for Euro fog/driving lights
and they are aptly called "laser beams of death" on the Porsche
list...<sigh>


>Next was a stage three chip modification by Ned Ritchie.  This is an
>outstanding upgrade and several people here in the Northwest recommended
>doing this.  I am very pleased with the work done by Ned.  My only complaint
>is that he gave me a ride in his car, and it is so damn fast that I may
>spend some more major bucks for more power.  This man knows what he is
>doing!
Which car?  Not only does it have more HP, but it could be as much as
700-800 pounds lighter(if both cars are mostly stock regarding body panels,
which I don't think they are :) which is a fair chunk of metal.  My 200q
20v weighs in at 4700-4800 according to the EPA sticker, and the 5k weighs
in at around 4100.  It's one of the reasons the 217hp of the 200q doesn't
"feel" like 217hp to a 5kCST owner <sigh> :)


>I am so fired up over those upgrades, that I have planned on more.  I have
>added a Bosch programmable wiper relay ($30 at Wolfsport, phone
>510-525-0157) which works great here in the NW.  A one minute upgrade.  I
Yep, I'm gonna do that myself.  Just been procrastinating/forgetting.
Should have, since we've gotten(and will continue to get) a whole lot of
rain.

>also purchased a set of DOT approved stainless steel brake lines from
>Wolfsport for $100.  Looked like a good price.  These will go on this
>weekend or next.
$100?  For stainless lines?  I don't really see the point.  I'm sure
there's some minor benefit(less contamination?), but it doesn't seem worth
it to me(ie, I think there are better things to do with $100 :)  If someone
would like to explain the benefits...I would think stainless-steel
clutch/brake cylinders would be a MUCH more useful item; they seem to go
constantly for the single reason of corrosion :(
Umm..actually, aren't the existing lines SS?

>Last but not least, I am going to get a good set of tires for my 17" BBS
>rims in the garage.  Does anyone have a recommendation for tires that work
>well the rain, do not wander in deep pavement ruts, and handle well in the
>dry.  If you do please let me know.
Wandering in ruts has to do with the fact that there was road, and then
there isn't any anymore :)  Tire looses grip on road(any would, since
there's no more road) and the car will tend to go a little sideways if
you're in a turn since the body/suspesion isn't perfectly rigid.  This can
be aggrivated by (I think) bushings that are worn, a bad alignment, and of
course made much worse by worn shocks because the suspension will take
longer to "recover", ie, meet the ground again/not bounce.  The best tire
in the world wouldn't help "wander" when you hit a bump on a curve or a rut.

Brett

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Brett Dikeman
brett@pdikeman.ne.mediaone.net
~)-|
Hostes alienigeni me abduxerunt.  Qui annus est?
Te audire non possum.  Musa sapientum fixa est in aure.
Ita, scio hunc 'sig file' veterem fieri.
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