Audi S4 4.2 V8

stealthyspeeder

Hi guys,

Thinking the next car will be an S4 which i want to turn into the ultimate sleeper with a few performance mods. (once I get the monaro sold which should be a laugh in the current climate!)

I know the older 2.7 (i think) engine was extremely tunable but do any of the VAG drivers crowd know the potential/ease of tuning the 4.2 engine?

Gains? expense? problems?

Thanks in advance lads!

Gary ITR

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

Hi guys,

Thinking the next car will be an S4 which i want to turn into the ultimate sleeper with a few performance mods. (once I get the monaro sold which should be a laugh in the current climate!)

I know the older 2.7 (i think) engine was extremely tunable but do any of the VAG drivers crowd know the potential/ease of tuning the 4.2 engine?

Gains? expense? problems?

Thanks in advance lads!

Get yourself over to vagdrivers.net

stealthyspeeder

Onkle wrote: »

Get yourself over to vagdrivers.net

The purpose of me posting here was to not have to go that hassle.........

Squall19

Your Mazda 3 Mps was a better sleeper imo, it looked liked a plain old 1.4 petrol:D

Suprisingly its a driver race between a stock 3 Mps and S4 too from a rolling start, the mazda is incredibly quick from 80-120kmh, 3 seconds, thats nearly a second quicker than the s4.

http://www.zeperfs.com/en/match1203-1388.htm

Mazda being turbocharged would be cheaper to tune as well.

Thats just straight line though, every other area the s4 is tops

Bonito

Debadge. Anything chrome and tacky, gone. Light tints.

You've got the grunt there so just make it look like a 1.9 teeeeedidlyeyeeeee (Obviously keep it lookin' sweet and mint.)

stealthyspeeder

Squall19 wrote: »

Your Mazda 3 Mps was a better sleeper imo, it looked liked a plain old 1.4 petrol:D

Suprisingly its a driver race between a stock 3 Mps and S4 too from a rolling start, the mazda is incredibly quick from 80-120kmh, 3 seconds, thats nearly a second quicker than the s4.

http://www.zeperfs.com/en/match1203-1388.htm

Mazda being turbocharged would be cheaper to tune as well.

Thats just straight line though, every other area the s4 is tops

dont say things like this to me

I do miss my MPS, it was a great sleeper but im goin to put a TDI badge on it and maybe get A4 alloys and A4 sideskirts once shes up above 400 brake.

Is 450 brake achievable? what sort of mods and costs would be involved?

stealthyspeeder

Bonito wrote: »

Debadge. Anything chrome and tacky, gone. Light tints.

You've got the grunt there so just make it look like a 1.9 teeeeedidlyeyeeeee (Obviously keep it lookin' sweet and mint.)

Mindreader!

Bonito

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

Mindreader!

Are the S4's N/A? What year you looking at?

Squall19

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

dont say things like this to me

I do miss my MPS, it was a great sleeper but im goin to put a TDI badge on it and maybe get A4 alloys and A4 sideskirts once shes up above 400 brake.

Is 450 brake achievable? what sort of mods and costs would be involved?

Ahh dont be sad, I took inspiration from you and traded my old fabia vrs for a 07 ferrari red mazda 3 mps, I have it debaged and got it mapped in the north by autotune.ie

I havent put it on a dyno yet, I reckon its around 300bhp and with alot more torque.Best 11k I will ever spend:D I put in a K & N Filter like i did my fabia for peace of mind as well.

As the S4 is N/A I reckon you would need to bolt on a superchager to get around 450bhp.I dont know if there is a charger kit for the 4.2 kit, superchargers are not that expensive but the extras to make it safe are, superchargers develop alot of heat

Something like a twin turbo 3.0l petrol 3 series would be my starting point if i wanted a sleeper.

challengemaster

but they also come with such a lovely whine

tossy

Forget about tuning a 4.2 V8 s4 super/turbocharger kits are mental money! and i mean mental,even a full SS exhaust from miltek is as dear as a small second hand car.

stealthyspeeder

Squall19 wrote: »

Ahh dont be sad, I took inspiration from you and traded my old fabia vrs for a 07 ferrari red mazda 3 mps, I have it debaged and got it mapped in the north by autotune.ie

I havent put it on a dyno yet, I reckon its around 300bhp and with alot more torque.Best 11k I will ever spend:D I put in a K & N Filter like i did my fabia for peace of mind as well.

lol

The one that looks a little orange?



Nice one though, class car! If you modding parts shot me a PM as I have a mental library of info on that car i gathered when I had it!

Squall19 wrote: »

A

As the S4 is N/A I reckon you would need to bolt on a superchager to get around 450bhp.I dont know if there is a charger kit for the 4.2 kit, superchargers are not that expensive but the extras to make it safe are, superchargers develop alot of heat

Something like a twin turbo 3.0l petrol 3 series would be my starting point if i wanted a sleeper.

I think there are kits but from the videos I have watched dont seem that impressive, it would require a big ass intercooler to deal with forcing induction on such a large engine!

I really want to get a plan together before I get the car but im sure where there is a will theres a way!

stealthyspeeder

tossy wrote: »

Forget about tuning a 4.2 V8 s4 super/turbocharger kits are mental money! and i mean mental,even a full SS exhaust from miltek is as dear as a small second hand car.

Turboing would be an even bigger operation i take it?

Gary ITR

Look for one that's been done already, I'm sure there are a few across the pond

Bonito

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

I really want to get a plan together before I get the car but im sure where there is a will theres a way!

Just make sure that way doesn't turn into your will.

stealthyspeeder

Bonito wrote: »

Just make sure that way doesn't turn into your will.

I think the monaro will kill me financially and physically if I mod it! so that why Im thinking the S4!

Bonito

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

I think the monaro will kill me financially and physically if I mod it! so that why Im thinking the S4!

How long have you had the monaro? Pick something that you can keep and get your moneys worth from and not get bored.

stealthyspeeder

Bonito wrote: »

How long have you had the monaro? Pick something that you can keep and get your moneys worth from and not get bored.

had her about 8 months, Im not bored of her, I just think she will kill me one day when in the wet (I cant even imagine what the ice and snow will be like :eek:)

If I get an S4 I can make a project out of having the ultimate sleeper and avoid boredom!

Bonito

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

had her about 8 months, Im not bored of her, I just think she will kill me one day when in the wet (I cant even imagine what the ice and snow will be like :eek:)

If I get an S4 I can make a project out of having the ultimate sleeper and avoid boredom!

Projects are expensive. I don't want to count what I spent already. Half the stuff is sitting in bubble wrap under my bed and that 'til I get some tools and know how. :pac:

Then multiply what I spent by about 8 and that'd be your figure. :pac:

Midnight_EG

The better question is what's your budget

tossy

The S4 as a moding project is a non runner Rick if you want to buy one and enjoy it for what it is go for it,if you want to buy one and wish you had more by an B5 RS4 a remap alone will see 420bhp.

stealthyspeeder

tossy wrote: »

The S4 as a moding project is a non runner Rick if you want to buy one and enjoy it for what it is go for it,if you want to buy one and wish you had more by an B5 RS4 a remap alone will see 420bhp.

Doesnt really have the sleeper effect as much though...

tossy

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

Doesnt really have the sleeper effect as much though...

You mad? the B5 RS4 is the original sleeper audi sleeper estate(apart from the RS2 which only holds cult status),not as loutish as the B7,it is every bit the sleeper if you remove the badges.

Bonito

tossy wrote: »

You mad? the B5 RS4 is the original sleeper audi sleeper estate(apart from the RS2 which only holds cult status),not as loutish as the B7,it is every bit the sleeper if you remove the badges.

For arguments sake. Say he bought the 2.7 Bi-turbo. Remap, fmic, etc, what sort of gains would he be looking at?

Stepping away from the Vag, what would his best option be, while trying to keep it sleeper.

tossy

Bonito wrote: »

For arguments sake. Say he bought the 2.7 Bi-turbo. Remap, fmic, etc, what sort of gains would he be looking at?

Stepping away from the Vag, what would his best option be, while trying to keep it sleeper.

How big is his wallet? MRC tuning have a B5 S4 putting out 785PS the are a very tunable lump.

Stepping away from VAG?...cough...cough... my throat feels dry and i've an ill feeling in my stomach

Atomic Pineapple

tossy wrote: »

...cough...cough... my throat feels dry and i've an ill feeling in my stomach

That must be all the smoke from that diesel your driving damaging your health!

tossy

draffodx wrote: »

That must be all the smoke from that diesel your driving damaging your health!

Diesel for the win its all about torque*

*its not all about torque having no BHP sucks

Blitzkrieger

Probably not going to be a super helpful post, but I think we're speaking the wrong language. If it was me, I'd get my Polish friend Marek to do some googling for me. They love their Audis over there, and parts wouldn't be as expensive as they would be off German tuners.

here.from.day.1

How about a return a Focus ST to stock (looks wise) for a non-gash sleeper project? :pac:

stealthyspeeder

here.from.day.1 wrote: »

How about a return a Focus ST to stock (looks wise) for a non-gash sleeper project? :pac:

I had a 3 MPS so been down the FWD with silly amount of power before!

Squall19

You will probably be angry with me for suggesting this, but what about a big diesel?

Audi A8 is a class machine and the 4.2 V8 in that has some serious grunt.

Probably out of your budget, but what a sleeper.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201040369865866/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/engine-size-cars/4l_to_4-9l/model/a8/make/audi/page/1/radius/1501/postcode/m52ty?logcode=p

A good custom remap will see it with over 400bhp and 800nm+ of torque.

Atomic Pineapple

Squall19 wrote: »

You will probably be angry with me for suggesting this, but what about a big diesel?

Audi A8 is a class machine and the 4.2 V8 in that has some serious grunt.

Probably out of your budget, but what a sleeper.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201040369865866/sort/priceasc/usedcars/fuel-type/diesel/engine-size-cars/4l_to_4-9l/model/a8/make/audi/page/1/radius/1501/postcode/m52ty?logcode=p

A good custom remap will see it with over 400bhp and 800nm+ of torque.

Ya may delete that quick before stealthy sees it!

knifey_spoonie

Squall19 wrote: »

but what about a big diesel?

RUN FOR COVER

Drummerboy08

knifey_spoonie wrote: »

RUN FOR COVER

And stay out of the Basement!

stealthyspeeder

Squall19 wrote: »

You will probably be angry with me for suggesting this, but what about a big diesel?

But on a more serious note an RS6 saloon will be being purchased within a week of me sellin the monaro!

Bonito

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

But on a more serious note an RS6 saloon will be being purchased within a week of me sellin the monaro!

Grand, we can lock this now.

Gary ITR

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

But on a more serious note an RS6 saloon will be being purchased within a week of me sellin the monaro!

So in about 2033 then?

2hellr2conaght

What about one of these-

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201036367539999/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/9-3x/make/saab/quicksearch/true/postcode/ha71nt/page/1/radius/1501?logcode=p

Good starting block 4x4, turbo etc, can probably use opel-gmc tuning parts and if I remember right there was a saab-subaru 9-3 for sale in Japan years back, called a 'SAABARU' (no joke). No need to debadge as nobody would believe you anyway. They'd just think your a dentist or something.

stealthyspeeder

Onkle wrote: »

So in about 2033 then?

:(

2hellr2conaght wrote: »

What about one of these-

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201036367539999/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/9-3x/make/saab/quicksearch/true/postcode/ha71nt/page/1/radius/1501?logcode=p

Good starting block 4x4, turbo etc, can probably use opel-gmc tuning parts and if I remember right there was a saab-subaru 9-3 for sale in Japan years back, called a 'SAABARU' (no joke). No need to debadge as nobody would believe you anyway. They'd just think your a dentist or something.

Twice the price, half the performance..... i'll give it a miss.

Gary ITR

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

:(

LOL.. Just be sure to advertise it over the water

stealthyspeeder wrote: »

Twice the price, half the performance..... i'll give it a miss.

Not to mention fugly

Pkiernan

Regarding "sleepers".

Is the purpose of a "sleeper" such that when some knob-end in a tackily modified piece of junk revs his engine at the lights, the driver of the sleeper car can then out accelerate him, thereby getting some level of "jollies"?

Atomic Pineapple

Pkiernan wrote: »

Regarding "sleepers".

Is the purpose of a "sleeper" such that when some knob-end in a tackily modified piece of junk revs his engine at the lights, the driver of the sleeper car can then out accelerate him, thereby getting some level of "jollies"?

Nope, its to have a very powerful car that looks standard so doesn't draw attention like that.

tossy

draffodx wrote: »

Nope, its to have a very powerful car that looks standard so doesn't draw attention like that.

exactly!

A sleeper comes into effect more when some knob-end in his so called 'high powered' car revs his engine at the lights and you wave bye bye.

Plug

Get a smart car, it is the ultimate sleeper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5S1NAMnYKM

stealthyspeeder

Pkiernan wrote: »

Regarding "sleepers".

Is the purpose of a "sleeper" such that when some knob-end in a tackily modified piece of junk revs his engine at the lights, the driver of the sleeper car can then out accelerate him, thereby getting some level of "jollies"?

there is that of course however I try and under-promise and over-deliver whenever possible in my professional and personal life so I think the sleeper car idea just is "my cup of T"

stealthyspeeder

Plug wrote: »

Get a smart car, it is the ultimate sleeper.

Im 6ft 6".... no matter how fast it is, a smart car wouldnt work for me!

Manic Moran

Bonito wrote: »

Debadge. Anything chrome and tacky, gone. Light tints.

Frankly, it seems to me that so few people can identify an S car that the small red badges front and back and the silver wing mirrors go un-noticed. Everyone knows an 'M', but it takes an afficianado to know the 'S', I think.

I am the happy owner of an S4 4.2V8, and have been since 2005. Here's your first problem when it comes to modding: That is a huge engine to put in such a small car. When you open up the hood, you can throw a handful of peanuts on top of the engine, and not a single one is going to fall through the compartment and reach the ground. You will have pretty much no possibility of adding in a turbo, for example, I don't think you could even put them in the passenger seat as there's no room to run hoses! Pretty much your only options will be rechipping the thing. (I see a 37hp boost for US$950) Note that the RS4 B7 didn't have a turbo either, I think it's a non-starter. I think that's why the B5s are so popular in the modding world, they've got a bit of expansion room.

Now, bear in mind, though I've been very happy with my car, drag racing is not why I bought it. The V8 is silky smooth, makes a beautiful noise, and the 340hp going to all four wheels is still plenty fast enough for me to pull ahead of most anyone at the lights. Combine with the interior quality, this is not a car for racing. This is a car for the sheer enjoyment of driving around. As a result, the only change I've made to the thing is that I replaced the Symphony II head unit with an RNS-E, and I did that last night.

So what do you want out of it? I love my S4, it's occasionally put a hell of a smile on my face as I throw it around the mountains, and works as a good long-haul cruiser as well (I'm driving it some 7 hours today). But if you think that 0-60 time is more important than overall, well, I'll say 'class', chances are that a V8 S4 isn't for you.

[Edit: As I hunt around, I did find a supercharger kit to about 480hp for $9,500)]

NTM

tossy

Some good points

Manic Moran wrote: »

I replaced the Symphony II head unit with an RNS-E, and I did that last night.

RNS-e is a must,did you install bluetooth also?

Drummerboy08

9.5k is an insane amount of wedge for a Supercharger! You'd want to keep the car for life if you done that. Mind you, it would be a very special machine.

stealthyspeeder

Cheers Manic Moran! I have the heart pretty much set on an RS6 saloon now as althougth the S4 is class, coming from the Monaro, I dont think it would take me too long to need more, and modding in a tight engine bay is soooo costly (a lesson learned from the MPS!) Hope the car keeps you satisfied and health to drive.

Manic Moran

tossy wrote: »

RNS-e is a must,did you install bluetooth also?

No. I'm not on the 'phone enough to warrant it.

I'm actually not too sure if the RNS-E actually is worth it on my car. There are some operational features (Such as being unable to rapidly switch between programmed stations without turning off the 'song info') which I think are a step back from the Symphony II. (Bear in mind, I have the 6-button multifunction wheel which worked great on with the old head unit.). As for SatNav, all it's done is replace a Garmin iQueue, and it's not as user-friendly doing it. (But does at least dispense with the charger and doesn't fall off the dash when I throw the car around a corner). Looks cool, but was it worth the US $1,200? (Especially when the screen can get washed out when I have the roof down). That's difficult. On the plus side, at least it was a very easy install, I just need to grab a Vagcom from the local dealer for a few minutes.

I have a C5 A6 Avant as well which I am considering putting RNS-E into. As the 'family' car, I would at least add in an iPod integration, and am considering a rear-view camera if I can figure out an elegant and vaguely affordable way of doing it. That might be more worth the money.

SS, if you can get an RS6, I'd take that over the S4, assuming about the same era. May cost more, but you'll get a lot more car as well.

NTM