Newbie... looking for tuning guidance

B6/7 S4/RS4
#1

Hey guys, JHM put me onto this forum after enquiring about the supercharger option on my B6, so thought I would sign up to discuss my options and other user’s experiences. (I recognise Jim Green’s car here as well from another forum we are both on…)

So, this is my second B6 S4, the first I had LPG converted and loved it for the 2 years I had it, I had a full Milltek decay non-res, MRC remap and filter, sold it after 2 years to put a deposit on a house. This was her:


http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i409/leewhiteheadmma/Audi%20S4/S4_001.jpg


http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i409/leewhiteheadmma/Audi%20S4/S4_003.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/embed/lu5MNypaIHs

Then after a 2 year Hiatus I bought a second one, have a Miltek Decat on it, some new rims, uprated brakes but am looking for much more power on her, so I am thinking supercharger or tuned N/A (reasonable budget or I will have to sell it and buy an RS6 C6) btw, PES & VF are out, too many issues… but need some feedback on other user’s experience on options/experience/costs

This is her… 138K, silent timing, full history, had her for 18 months and she’s a rock…


http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i409/leewhiteheadmma/Audi%20S4%20v2/IMAG0217_zps9fd89fc0.jpg


http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i409/leewhiteheadmma/Audi%20S4%20v2/AudiS4_010_zpse8f759c4.jpg


http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i409/leewhiteheadmma/Audi%20S4%20v2/AudiS4_004_zpsd7b55538.jpg

As you have all probably guessed, I am UK based (hence the funny plates…)

#2

I would say to go with the guys that turned you to these forums… :wink:

#3

There is no other option when it comes to tuning. JHM.

Just make sure your car is up on maintenance items and it may be worth your time to address timing components before adding performance.

Also a compression test/leak down would be a good start to gauge your engines health.

#4

Welcome you have to admire jhm what they basically did was say to you here if you don’t know us talk to our clients and sent you here. That obviously says they know the 4.2 Audi guys love them.

So a few things. PES is out of business and VF is a waste of time in the Audi brand. You can make great power with jhm and there performance parts. Not only that but we can tell you what works and what won’t. No disrespect for MRC but they tend to sell people on dyno sheets and many of us here in the states have shown the parts company’s like MRC try to sell by using a dyno sheet are just a BS waste of money.

The idea with jhm parts is you can build a monster car in stages and never need to buy the same part twice. I would suggest starting with a jhm tune. From there most guys notice that the car is an animal and completely transformed. The only weak point is in the upper rpm range where the stock intake manifold starts to choke the car off. The next mod would be the jhm intake manifold that unlocks that upper rpm power. After that add some of the lightweight stuff like the 6 rib pulley upgrade with the new tensioner jhm has. The LW rotors really lighten the cars acceleration and response to the throttle even more. If your looking for more tq add the jhm headers they make a big jump in tq and hp. After that you might need a new clutch and flywheel to help hold the extra power. If you still are looking for more there is lots more options.

#5

I also wanted to agree with this and day it’s a great idea to get the health items checked out

#6

Just listen to the guys above. If i said anything it will be like beating a dead horse lol.

#7

thanks for the reply guys, I was already decided on using JHM parts having been aware of them for years on the RS246 and AudiSRS forums, the actual guidance I was looking for is on the best process for the cars evolution and what to do, kinda along the lines of what justincredible wrote as a pathway to power.

Health check would be prudent, but I was wondering if I just went full hog with a S/C or N/A build in stages. I mentioned MRC as a tuner to implement the parts I get from JHM, but there i another garage I trust.

I was considering selling her but then I saw a video of a JHM Stage 2 Black S4 do a launch on instagram and it filled me with hope! :o

So Health check, ideally with timing change and piston check, fix any will leaks then… Intake Manifold, Headers, Tune, Clutch and Flywheel. What’s next after that? and realistically what power would that little lot make?

#8

Ask your doctor if your heart (wallet) is healthy enough for this. If it occurs for more than 4 hours…

#9

and for the supercharger theres a bunch of guys stage 1 and a couple that just got stage 2. I would go with jhm for all your needs. theyre a one stop shop.

#10

^^^^^ What he said!!

#11

I think that video scared lots of v8 haters and became universally loved but us real enthusiasts.

The combo you listed gets you a very solid fast exciting car. With the miles you have the timng components are going to be a big thing to think about. The great thing is the sky is the limit with the car you just have to decide what you really want out of the car. With miles in that range it’s not a bad idea to look down the road to a built motor. What do you really want the car to do or what are you looking for.

#12

Save the headers for when you do the timing chain. Thats my suggestion. Do everything else. Your first step should be tune, and then DP’s and exhaust. You need to get rid of the heat that is up to top as noted in other posts on the site.

That combo will give you some power. from there just mod as your wallet permits.

#13

what the heck is that? Liquid Propane Gas? Most fuel efficient S4 ever! ;D

#14

Yes they sell a kit for it. You really have to put a lot of work into it to get it to work. It would be interesting to see all he went through. It would be neat to see the documentation of it all.

#15

Holy shit I was kidding

#16

Liquefied petroleum gas. Propane and butane

#17

Ya but who knew they made a kit for the s4. That’s news to me for sure. Would be pretty cool but propane burns so hot and heat is already an issue for the s4 I’d love to see all the paperwork too.

#18

I’d doubt it was a Audi s4 specific kit. I’d have to assume this was an universal kit. I’ve seen a few converted trucks using propane. I don’t know if it was the same technology or not.

#19

yup, it was a BRC LPG kit, I had it on for 2 years and it saved me a pack of money, the conversion cost £1800 ($2800) and bear in mind 99 octane fuel here in England was about £1.40 ($2.20) a litre at the time…

Never really had any issues with the car (aside from an inlet manifold issue causing a misfire at 4K is)

Over here because of the cost of fuel, a lot of big engine cars get the LPG treatment, and its about 80p a litre for LPG at the pump.

#20

For modifying a B67 S4 I would say simple

  1. piggies
  2. 2.5" catback
  3. JHM tune

Not in that order…all at once. That’s a great car that will pick up a good 40-50 hp vs. stock and will be more fun to drive. If you want to take it to the next level, get 2.5" downpipes.

Then focus on rotating parts like LW rotors, LW crank pulley, LW flywheel (if you need a new clutch/fw setup) and you’re looking at a car that is RS4 fast for about 1/3 of the money.

As for what tune to get, here’s a good view of what the B67 community thinks one should do when choosing a tune. I can’t imagine anything else that needs saying/showing.

http://i59.tinypic.com/ac5shv.jpg