



By N2H

Audi Tuning

From it’s creation in 1964 with the merging of Auto Union and the NSU Motorenwerke by Volkswagen, the Audi name has become synonymous with quality automobiles capable of winning some of the toughest rallies, the most prestigious touring car races, and even Grand Prix events like the Le Mans 24 hours.

The philosophy behind Audi cars lies in the tagline “Vorsprung durch Technik” translated into English as “Innovation through technology”, something most proud Audi owners would probably agree with. An Audi isn’t just a regular car, it’s a statement, and proves the credentials of the driver without having to state them.

Audi tuning is a major growth industry with a number of specialist workshops creating custom body kits and performance upgrades for all modern versions of Audi, from the A series to Quattro, S and RS series, all the way to the ultimate Audi, the R8.

The 1960s and 1970s was a time for Audi to redevelop it’s brand with the Audi 100 and Audi 80, two very popular cars that sold well throughout Audi’s markets, both becoming favorite cars for tuning and performance upgrades amongst young drivers, especially after spectacular success of the Audi Quattro in the early 1980s.

A number of engine modifications such as new air inlets, re-engineered cams, and exhaust systems started a trend with Audi vehicles that has never stopped, tuning specialists being in great demand. The best workshops are manufacturers themselves and certainly have the trust of their loyal customers.

Audi’s turbo diesel engines have been particularly well received by tuning workshops for the extra power output that can be obtained by rechipping, or remapping the ECU for power instead of longevity of life, although experts seem to agree the remapping doesn’t badly affect life of the turbo.

Performance parts such as carbon fiber air filter housings and silicone hoses that are insulated against engine heat are a popular tuning replacement in Audi performance cars, giving cooler air where it’s needed, rather than back at the filter, and with less friction in a bigger hose, more air gets to the engine.

No Audi would be complete without a new back cat exhaust system and chrome tailpipes, the difference in power output is astounding on some models with extra horsepower just there for the taking. The Factory standard exhaust was never designed with performance in mind, mostly they’re designed to satisfy legal requirements for quiet running. Even on the mid-engined R8, a custom exhaust can increase power at the wheels by an extra 20bhp.

Forgetting engine and running gear, tuning an Audi doesn’t need to start and stop with performance, not considering the range of options for body kits, spoilers, lights, and that’s just the outside. Interior trim adjustments such sport seats, smaller steering wheels, race pedals, or quick change gear shifters.

All in all, the Audi is a great automobile, made better with expert tuning to bring out the best in the design. Considering the price of an Audi with performance enhancements compared with more expensive fast cars, owners get a great bargain, and the four rings logo on the front grill is a sign the owner knows a well engineered car.

Learn more about Audi Tuning.

Tags: Audi, Car Tuning

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Audi A8 Tuning

Launched as Audi’s flagship executive luxury car, the A8 captures the imagination on first glance, it’s a big car that needs a lot of space, yet at the same time is a masterpiece of agility and tight cornering; a tuning experts dream come true.

First released in 1994, the Audi A8 is much lighter than it’s peers owing to Audi’s unique aluminum frame, the Audi Space Frame (ASF), which significantly reduces weight over steel framed automobiles. Sporting powerful v6 or v8 engines with petrol or turbo diesel options, the A8 is designed for executives who love to drive.

All wheel drive technology borrowed from the Quattro range comes as standard on the Audi A8, and is a significant difference from other executive cars in the same class which are mostly rear wheel drive, adding to the A8’s reputation for better handling in wet or winter conditions.

Style and comfort, with appropriately variable but typically soft suspension have made the Audi A8 a popular choice for use with limo companies, even more so with the top of the range model featuring a powerful 6 liter w12 engine.

With expert tuning the A8’s light frame and powerful engine could easily take the weight of protective panels and stronger glass, giving Audi an attractive entry to the armored limousine market, and curiously many buyers are looking to the A8 for exactly this purpose owing to the car not looking like a traditional limousine, especially in markets where security staff are required to chauffeur family members to school or functions.

The luxury market in fact tends to be where most tuning specialists dealing with the A8 focus their energies. Owners seem less interested in throbbing exhausts and extreme body kits, and more interested in subtle changes to bodywork that accentuates the image of the Audi A8 as a luxury vehicle.

New front bumpers with the bigger single frame grill introduced in late model Audi A8s are a popular addition that is very affordable and within minutes alters the look of the front end from classy executive car to a vehicle with a predators look, just the sort of image to inspire awe in other road users.

A large car like the Audi A8, with it’s very impressive v8 turbo diesel engine, means almost any tuning done under the hood is going to offer a very satisfying increase in power and performance. Remapping the ECU is guaranteed to give an extra few horses at the wheels, especially in high speed driving on the freeway.

Fitting 20″ multi-spoked alloy chrome rims and 275/35ZR20 sport tires adds to the overall effect in a large luxury saloon and shows an owner prepared to buy only the best accessories, and road handling at speed or in tight cornering improves, especially important when fast braking or quick overtaking are needed.

Internally, the Audi A8 is almost perfect with luxurious fittings, heated soft leather seats with lumbar support, driver controllable suspension settings, and gorgeous wood paneling. The audio whilst good is certainly not spectacular, fortunately, after market upgrades such as Bang and Olufsen’s 14 speaker advanced sound system are readily available from audio tuning suppliers.

Learn more about Audi A8 Tuning.

Tags: Audi, Car Tuning

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Audi 80 Tuning

Despite being an older marque, the Audi 80, and it’s quattro variants, is still regarded as one of the finest automobiles for the tuning enthusiast giving good power range at very affordable prices. The Audi S2, a sport version with 2.2 liter turbo petrol engine was produced in 1991.

First manufactured in 1966, the Audi 80 had a long production run into the mid 1990s, with final cabriolet models rolling off the production line in 2000. One of Audi’s most popular models, the Audi 80 changed significantly over it’s development, although still retained the same classic lines through most variants.

Tuning an Audi 80 depends very much on year and engine type, and some parts for older variants may be very difficult to come by, resulting in quite a few owners of 1960s Audis having to source parts from wreckers yards or pay a premium for new parts manufactured by Audi.

Engine capacity and power output varied considerably over the thirty year production of the Audi 80, beginning with normally aspirated 1.6 liter engines right through to the final years of production when 2.0 liter petrol and 1.6 liter turbo diesel engines were fitted as standard.

The same body shape with larger 2.3 liter five cylinder engine and more luxurious interior trim was also marketed as the Audi 90. The two models are essentially the same, and a lot of cross compatibility of parts exists. In fact it is possible to drop a 2.3 liter from an Audi 90 into an Audi 80 with minor adjustment and proper tuning.

Tuning the Audi 80 for maximum performance should probably start with getting the engine and drivetrain back to as near new condition as possible, a full service and diagnostic analysis should be undertaken to ensure the baseline measurements conform to standard.

Owners of the turbo diesel and MPFI engines will get more performance thru acceleration and top end by re-chipping the car with an aftermarket chip, then tuning again with the new baseline. Most kits provide full installation instructions from removal of the old chip to soldering in the new chip an the entire process can take less than a couple of hours with the right setup.

Some models of Audi 80 do not feature a removable chip, and the entire computer will either need to be removed and sent to the chip programmer, or the car taken to a custom tuning workshop with the capability to reprogram the ECU.

Audi 80s are known for needing regular coolant changes, usually every two years, and before starting your cars performance tuning it’s a good idea to change the coolant and check for head gasket leaks.

Catalytic converters on the Audi 80 and variants can also be problematic, unfortunately it’s a design fault, and replacing this with one from a wreckers yard may not entirely solve the problem.

A new exhaust system with chrome tailpipes is an affordable option for tuning an Audi 80, and used systems may be readily available from trade and exchange markets.

Learn more about Audi 80 Tuning.

Tags: Audi, Car Tuning

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Audi R8 Tuning

When Audi surprised the world with the unveiling in 2006 of their R8 mid-engined all wheel drive supercar, the motoring industry took notice, a new contender for Porsche killer had arrived. Adopting the moniker made famous by Audi’s race bred vehicles, the R8 is already proving a hit with thousands of vehicles produced and sold already.

Audi’s track record on the race circuit with it’s touring cars and recent successes at Le Mans, and the commercial success of the S and RS class of vehicles prove they are capable of designing a winning street car as well, the Audi R8 being just the latest in a long line of impressive performers.

Since then an Audi R8 has in fact beaten a Porsche 997, proving Audi’s credentials in the fast car stakes and pushing the R8 into the limelight. Borrowing components from the Lamborghini Gallardo, the Audi R8 sports a 4.2 liter v8 rated at 309kw and 430 N-m, or for the more adventurous driver, a 5.2 liter v10 which entered production late 2008.

Tuning an Audi R8 to perfection might seem like a waste of effort for a car that eats Porsches for lunch, yet serious owners of Germany’s latest addition to the supercar world disagree. Like all serious lovers of fine automobiles, we can appreciate the stock model for the excellent canvas it already provides, however further tuning is possible and produces a superb vehicle guaranteed to attract attention, certainly not out of place parked next to Porsches, Ferraris, Aston-Martins and their pedigree.

Tuning and modifying the Audi R8 primarily involves complete conversions of stock cars by race workshops and custom tuning outfits, usually including remapping the ECU, enhanced brakes and suspension, new exhausts, replacement of components with carbon fiber parts, and more aerodynamic body kits that work to push the vehicle down onto the road surface under acceleration and at top speed.

Several enhanced Audi R8s have been produced by tuning workshops that have gained a lot of press for substantially increasing power output whilst also redesigning the look of the base vehicle thru modifications to body panels. Workshops such as Wheelsandmore, MTM, PPI, ABT, O.CT are actively producing modified R8s some of which appear in race trim on the Grand Prix circuit in Germany.

To date, custom Audi R8s have all have all been modified adopting a holistic approach to tuning that is more than a simple remap, or part replacement, most choosing instead to redesign components under their own brand for resale, making it easier for owners of the Audi R8 to benefit from their expertise without purchasing a complete tuning kit.

Components currently available for the Audi R8 include body kits in carbon fiber, bigger turbos, silicone air hoses, race spec clutches, new exhaust systems, race brake components, carbon fiber wheel rims, kits for lowering an R8, and internal trim such as new seats, steering wheels, and dashes.

Tuning components and parts from these workshops are available through most reputable performance workshops and some Audi authorized service centers.

Learn more about Audi R8 Tuning.

Tags: Audi, Car Tuning

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Audi S3 Tuning

The Audi S3 is the 3 door or 5 door version of the Audi A3 with the quattro four wheel drive system, and is designed to compete in the sport market where drivers demand rally style performance, better tuning, great handling, quicker braking, and usually a more race oriented driving position.

Pricing is high enough to make the Audi S3 a status automobile, there is no way some backstreet kid out of high school is going to be tuning an S3 in his dad’s garage, but that’s part of the attraction, who wants to be driving a car every other street racer can afford to own.

The stock factory models are good, really good, and off the showroom floor are capable to taking on most other small sport hatches, but to really get the most from your Audi S3 it really needs some tuning and mods to kick it up a notch.

Like any performance car, tuning an S3 and the modifications undertaken are a matter of opinion, what works for one driver may not work for the next yet almost all drivers will agree faster acceleration, more top end speed, better cornering, sharper braking, and head turning looks are where to start, and the Audi S3 is no different.

Sure the car looks great anyway, but a custom paint job and body kit are going to make your S3 unique. Look at the side profile of a stock standard Audi S3 and you see an Audi A3. This is a car that needs a chunkier look that only a body kit can give it.

Under the hood the Audi S3 has an impressive engine just waiting to hooked up to an analyzer laptop while the ECU gets a software upgrade, a stage one remap could see the 1.8 good for an extra 40bhp while the 2.0 gets an extra 50bhp.

Of course if you’re serious about tuning your Audi S3 to perfection and hitting 0-100km in less than five seconds, or top speeds of 270 km/hr you’re going to need to the services of a pro workshop and a complete overhaul to clubsport specs.

A new free flow exhaust optimized for a remapped engine will help turn your Audi S3 into a Porsche beater. Consider buying a full system with back exhaust and new catalytic converter for a noticeable difference in power, and the all important sound of an S3 purring thru the gears. All that extra tuning will be worth the expense.

Driving an S3 with these tuning mods is going to be a challenge, and good brakes should be considered a mandatory upgrade, skimping here is not an option, only the best semi-perforated or fully-perforated discs with either four or eight piston calipers should be considered.

The Audi S3’s stock tires and wheels supplied from the factory are not going to be capable of handling a modded S3 at speed, standing starts, and fast braking, so swapping to 17″ rims with low profile tires needs to be budgeted for. Chrome rims are the most popular, followed by black rims.

Learn more about Audi S3 Tuning.

Tags: Audi, Car Tuning

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