How many parts can I break? - an rs4 build thread by komseh

B6/7 S4/RS4
#1

I should have started this thread when I got the car, but now is a good time since I’m beginning to journey away from a mostly stock configuration.

I picked up the car from an ebay auction in Louisiana in March of 2013. The car had 65k miles at the time with the only mods being JHM 380mm front rotors and apikol diff mount. I immediately purchased a JHM 93 tune and full catless/resonated JHM exhaust. It has been a dream to drive ever since.

Other modifications I’ve made since then include hotchkis rear sway bar, 034 spherical rear sway bar links, full 034 drivetrain mount upgrades, intake manifold spacers, JHM rear rotors, and a JHM shifter.

Future modification plans include the following:
-JHM 3R clutch/lwfw, shifter linkage, shifter bushing, and crossrod (all will be installed the week of september 7th)
-Coilovers - probably going with KW V3 and a modest drop, mainly to even out the front and rear ride height and improve ride quality/performance
-JHM supercharger - this may or may not happen around april 2016 :slight_smile:
-Some day I will probably turn the RS4 into a track rat. Supercharger will likely be removed or bypassed at that point since I think heat will be an issue.
-Full respray. Rock chips have done a number on the front bumper cover/hood/quarter panels. It’s hard to look at, such is the life of a black car.


http://i.imgur.com/0oyrnCC.png

Today I got the updated version of the JHM 93 tune with the SAI and IM flap sensor delete options. I will be removing the filthy SAI system this weekend so my neighbors will hate me less when I start my car in the mornings.

I don’t have many pictures of the car, but here’s one:

http://i.imgur.com/vIdVfFkl.jpg

My car didn’t come with the premium package so I installed the RNS-E:

http://i.imgur.com/IRr8lVr.jpg

PO let his wife drive the car, I think that’s why the paint is scratched off the AC fan speed buttons

She gives me warnings in German:

http://i.imgur.com/aT3xjMG.jpg

#2

Looks great! Need moar pis! What’s car’s have you had in the past and how does the rs compare?

#3

This is the first “fast” car that I’ve had. My last car was a b6 a4 with a 3.0L V6… night and day difference between the two obviously.

#4

Here’s a good clip of the exhaust from when I was testing my smoking issue(it doesn’t smoke anymore): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGInfVQrarg

#5

We secretly know the 3.0 was a beast and you wanted something more tame. lol
What a great car to jump into. Its top of the list of great audi cars to have. Great mods as well with that list of mods the car is transformed again into a real monster.

My 3.0 makes me love my 4…2 great idea to start a build thread. Keep the pictures coming.

#6

SAI pump is out!

http://i.imgur.com/G7in8Ha.jpg

But I took a coolant hose stem with it during the process :frowning:

http://i.imgur.com/8jGET3U.jpg

JHM to the rescue, hope they have it in stock: https://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalog/elbow-union-plastic-on-upper-radiator-hose-for-b6b7-s4rs4-p-440.html

Jake, if you read this can you help me get this across the country asap? lol :slight_smile:

Car will be down for another few days until I get the elbow so I’m gonna go ahead and pull the IM to remove the flap system and the SAI valves.

#7

Solid plan you got there! Seems like that’s the last destination for this RS4.
As far as a supercharger goes, wouldn’t it be better to go with Stage 2 since it’s intercooled? I know JimmyBones tracks his JHM Stage 1 B6 S4, maybe he could chim in on how it handles on a track…

#8

Quote for great video. If the counter went up each time I viewed the video over and over you would get a big bump. The car looks wonderful and sounds fantastic. Get Jake to send you that part. I had the same thing break on my S4.

#9

I had just finished prying the hose off of the SAI pipe on the side of the motor, I turned around and saw coolant on the floor and I was like FUCKFUCKFUCK WHAT DID I BREAK. Not so bad since it can be fixed with a $12 part and I get to do extra work now.

Are there any local chain automotive shops that would have a generic g13 coolant so I don’t have to get raped by the dealer?

#10

your not going to find g13 at any auto store. You can find similar but there are lots of different coolants that say they are compatible but they are not really anything other then a coolant that passes some of the requirements.

#11

Trying to figure out what I can get away with removing from the IM…


http://i.imgur.com/orDkMdN.jpg

  • I’m thinking of capping at points 1 and 2. I still need my airbox flap to function so I have to have that vacuum line going to the passenger side of the motor.
  • How important is the line at point 3 and should/can I remove it without throwing a code?
  • Can I completely remove the solenoid controller at point 4 or will it throw a different code than P2015 or P2020?
#12

Good point. I’m sure when I get to that point JHM will have an officially released intercooled option.

#13

Hint on RS4 SAI valve removal:

The bolts holding the SAI valves onto the pipes at the rear of the motor are T-27… Pretty weird since the hose fitting botls are T-25 and T-30 is used very frequently around that area.

They all come off pretty easily from underneath the car using a couple of long extensions, except for the driver side bolt nearest the engine. I had to pry back the driver side SAI pipe to get enough clearance.

I think you could do this without removing the intake manifold if you really wanted to.

#14

A few tips on the vac lines. I would leave the solinoid for the air box flap still electronicaly connected but pull the vac lines off and out. just keep the air box flap open all the time. It helps the box breath. That will make your vac lines look cleaner

#15

Did you remove the combi valves and block with a plate, or did you leave them in and just cap where the hoses go in?

#16

I removed the combi valves and I’m going to cap them. I just received some SAI block off plates for the 1.8T from 034, but unfortunately they don’t fit so I’m going with some plates made by ebwerks.

#17

This is what I ended up with after removing the unnecessary stuff. I looped a vac line on the flap solenoid, connected it to it’s electrical connector and zip tied it out of the way. I added an elbow and some length to the vac lines so they would be easier to reach when reattaching to the vac lines going to either side of the engine. Thanks for the tips koolade :slight_smile:


http://i.imgur.com/UWckBZo.jpg

#18

JHM makes plates too if you need them

#19

So… I’m thinking about tackling the clutch/flywheel job by myself. How hard of a job is this? I’ve remove the engine and trans in my e30 before but that’s a completely different car. What special tools will I need? Transmission jacks are on sale at harbor freight right now :slight_smile:

#20

IIRC euroswagr was working on a DIY thread in DIY section. Haven’t checked in a while, it might be finished by now.