Hey y’all
So I’ve been fairly active in the Audi community over on AZ and I’ve been lurking for a long time here on AR. I figured I’d start a build thread over here because AR seems to be a much more technically-centered community and y’all seem to actually know what you’re doing and never hesitate to help. That’s what I’ve loved about reading AR.
Anyways, one year ago on this day, I brought home my 2004 Silver B6 S4. I’d spent almost a month searching for one that had been perfectly maintained, loved, and most importantly, had alcantara seats :). While I wasn’t able to find one in Imola, my dream color, I did find one that suited me perfectly.
http://i.imgur.com/xdAibgE.jpg
Since then, I’ve done a decent amount to the car. First order of business was plasti-dipping the rear valence and all four front grilles because I couldn’t stand how they all didn’t match each other. Shortly after, I installed a FI nonres catback. After spending a few weeks with it, I decided that it didn’t make quite enough noise so I decided to buy and install some XS-Power 2.5" downpipes with HFCs. I understand that they’re a controversial company and many would not support them but for the price, they were the best option at the time and I’m still very happy with them. The sound is just perfectly refined and it really wakes people up when I get on it. Makes the car an absolute joy to drive around.
http://i.imgur.com/J8N0HtA.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sJTzKq5.jpg
I threw on a Cupra-r lip and an Apikol snub mount as a small weekend project and have since adjusted it a little more forward.
The next big project was installing some used H&R coilovers I was able to buy. Since the install, I’ve loved them. The car handles very well and I haven’t really noticed any sacrifice in ride quality.
http://i.imgur.com/0revZ4d.jpg
HUGE shoutout to my main man Josh (Evildsmer) for helping out whenever I need it. He’s the Imola
http://i.imgur.com/dbgAeV0.jpg
Car’s been through a lot of weather and there hasn’t been a moment when quattro hasn’t impressed me
http://i.imgur.com/TVv5Z6T.jpg
However, the mod that has impressed me most is definitely my RD install. It’s an Escort 8500xi. Every time I drive, it has never missed a cop and most of the time, I’m amazed at how quickly it works. I love it!
http://i.imgur.com/E01IpvM.jpg
Put some Klutch KM20 wheels on the car about a month ago.
http://i.imgur.com/lfgGfYp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mFSEjPI.jpg
And last but not least, I got a JHM tune about a week and a half ago. Here’s a picture of me flashing it in my garage. The flashing process itself was pretty difficult in terms of getting everything set up but Jake@JHM never hesitated to help me out and it got all taken care of. The tune’s pretty much totally adapted now. I’ve noticed that the throttle response is amazing now and the launch assist definitely works, however, living at 5300ft of elevations doesn’t exactly let me get the most out of this engine so it’s not like it’s a rocket ship or anything. I’m still very happy with it and I can’t wait to see how it drives at a lower altitude with 93 octane.
http://i.imgur.com/UsTaq27.jpg
In the next couple weeks, I’ll be doing timing and a myriad of other mods and maintinence. Here’s a full list of the items I just ordered:
- Crank Seal, Front or Crankshaft Seal
- Crank Seal, Rear or Rear Main Seal
- JHM Timing Chain Service Kit (JHM-OEM) for B6-B7 S4 - INTERMEDIATE
- Oil Change Kit (JHM) Motul X-cess 8100 (5w40)
- 034 Density Motor Mounts w/ Resistors
- PCV
- Fuel Injector O-rings x16
- Fuel Injector Pintle Caps x8
- JHM 6-Rib Kit
- JHM Intake spacers
- JHM Oil Cooler and Auxiliary Radiator Delete Kit
- 034 MAF Hose
- Valve Cover Gasket Kit
- Valve Cover Bolts
- Right Cam Chain Tensioner Gasket
- Left Cam Chain Tensioner Gasket
- Throttle Body Gasket
- Oil Cooler O-ring
- Oil Check Valve Service pieces
- Power Steering Cooling Pipe to Reservoir hose
- Power Steering Cooling Pipe to Steering Gear hose
- 034 Trans Mount
- Bosch 4-electrode (Platinum) Spark Plugs x8
- Updated OEM COil Packs x8
- Trans Fluid, PS FLuid, Coolant, etc.
- Cabin Filter
- Apikol Rear Diff Mount (Street)
- 034 Density Line Adjustable Upper Control Arms
- 034 Zero-gap Snub Mount Bracket
- Driveshaft Flange Gaskets x2
- Assorted Sealants
- Evolution Imports Thor Skid Plate
If anyone sees anything that’s missing from that list, please definitely let me know about it! I’ll update the thread as I go with those mods.
Now for the negatives I’ve been encountering with the car…
First con is the usual chain rattle, I’m getting the timing kit so that should take care of it.
Next has been my power steering. It’s been leaking so I ordered both return lines in the hope that they’ll take care of the issue.
And thirdly, there’s been an intermittent ABS issue. It only happens when the car’s been warmed up for a while. It happens when I let the car idle stationarily for a while. Usually it happens at a red light.
What happens is that the ABS and ESP lights will both turn on at once. The speedometer will stop working and will only read 0mph no matter how fast I go with the car. In addition, the steering becomes wayyy more sensitive and light and and I barely have to turn the wheel to control the car. Finally, the last symptom is that while I’m driving down the road in say 3rd gear, if I let of the accelerator, the car will buck as if all the brakes are engaging partially at once or as if the clutch is being released abruptly. It’s all very strange and I hate it when it happens
http://i.imgur.com/iu5DzoU.jpg
I decided to replace my wheel speed sensor in the front but the issue still came back afterwards. I bought an ABS module and the harness that connects the ABS module to the wheel speed sensor in the hopes that the two will fix my issue. I’ll be installing them tomorrow so I’ll update the thread if it works. Fingers crossed.