THSCC Forums

So up to this point, the A4 has been classified as G Stock considering I left it in a stock configuration. Well, I got my father interested in the entire Autocross scene when he visited the Test-n-Tune and he would like to start participating. Long story short, the A4 will be going under the knife gradually through out the year and I would like to purchase magnetic numbers and class letters for the rest of the year.

The A4 will be staying in it's stock configuration for the Novice School and Autocross #1, but it will be getting some modifications soon after. The first modifications will be an APR Stage 1+ ECU upgrade (~235 hp / 275 lb-ft) with larger fuel injectors and upgraded diverter valve. To accompany the increase in engine performance, a 22mm RS4 rear sway bar will be installed to improve the A4's front end bias in handling dynamics. Down the road, we intend to install improved suspension, brakes, etc.

Based on what I have gathered from the 2008 Rulebook, the A4 would be placed in the Street Prepared / D Class category. Is this correct?

On a side note, I already understand this heavy German pig will not be competitive with the other cars in the class, but this is all I have to work with at this point in time. Plus, I participate in Autocross to improve my driving skills/understanding and simply have fun.

_________________
2003 Audi A4 1.8T quattro | Dolphin Gray | Ebony | 5 Speed Manual | Sport & Premium Packages
144 TIR (GS)

The injectors and diverter valve will bump you to Street Mod. The good news is that there are a few Tarheel regulars that run that class so you won't be lonely but the bad news is that most of those guys are fast!

Jim

Thank you for the help. Looking at the past entries for SM, my times are going to be rather interesting compared to the rest.

_________________
2003 Audi A4 1.8T quattro | Dolphin Gray | Ebony | 5 Speed Manual | Sport & Premium Packages
144 TIR (GS)

Michael,
I would STRONGLY reccomend that you do not modify your car until you can drive it beyond its capabilities. In the first two years of autocrossing the advancement of your driving skills will far exceed any mod that you can put on your car. Save your money and go to as many events and schools as your time will permit. Once you become fast, then think about mods for the car.
The first thing that will lower your times is your skill level, the second will be tires, suspension and engine mods will do very little for you in the begining. Ask anyone with experience I believe they'll tell you the same thing.

Not to be a wet blanket, but why don't y'all take this season to learn how to get the most out of the car in its stock configuration before making a bunch of changes? It really is easier to drive a stock-class car fast than a modified one, and you'd like to see yourselves learning faster rather than slower. I would presume?

The A4 may not be the best car for the class, but if you are driving it well you will be competitive. Autocross performance is 90% driver, 10% car. Noobs, compulsive modders, and poor drivers don't like to hear this, but it's true. Any good driver will back me up on this.

Another well-known problem is that, if you're changing stuff on the car all the time, you never really know if you're driving worse or if one of your mods actually made things worse.

Either way, unless y'all are abnormally talented, you'll spend the season getting crushed, so why not save the money you'd use on parts and spend it entering lots of events (ours, Triad's, VMSC in Virginia, etc), get some experience and seat time, then next winter you can discuss what mods you want to make, and you'll have an informed opinion on where you should be making changes. Hint: the items that generally have the most effect on autocross performance are (from most significant to least): tires, suspension, engine.

That's just my advice, and I don't expect that you'll actually be able to take it, but I can't help but offer it anyway...

Good luck whatever you do, and enjoy the sport either way!

_________________
Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

Oops, Bernie beat me to it while I was writing my epistle!

_________________
Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

To speed up your learning curve, Carl would like to sell you a Neon that is about 5% car (though Carl always seemed to get 105% out of it)

_________________
Art McDonald
Premier Amateur #518
2008 Dishman Cup
Pivot Cone Snob

Rodney is a waxer (but in a good way)

Don't rush my pitch, Art!

_________________
Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

I bet the push class (PSH) has a killer PAX

_________________
One of those LeMonHeads...
91/95 Miata, 02 Focus SVT, 01 Ford F250, 09 Suzuki SV650SF
rusty 84 C4 Vette, tiny piece of the General Lei
Irish Sport Horse - 1hp NA!

Very funny, Kendt. But we'll see who's laughing when I show off my ghost riding skills with my roller!

OK ok, sorry for the hijack, Michael, I just couldn't resist!

_________________
Carl Fisher

Be Cool to the Pizza Dude:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=4651531

Nahhhh you gotta ghost ride the VOLVO


Even the grandparents can ghost ride
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SBPJTK1YBvs

_________________
02 Focus SVT
STF 9

I need someone to run against in GS anyhow.

I'll go against the grain here.

If the A4 is your daily driver then mod it for your enjoyment on the street since the ratio of street driving to 4 autoX runs per month is significant.
The drawback for ME in switching from stock to mod was that I enjoyed the added power and acceleration too much and threw competiteveness out the window since I drove for the acceleration thrill. More power does not necessarily mean faster times if you don't know what to do with it on course, which is everyone else's point. So, plan your mods accordingly. Target where you want your enjoyment to be and go from there.

_________________
Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

Thank you everyone for the experienced feedback, but Chris hit the nail right on the head.

This A4 is my daily driver and these modifications are not oriented directly towards Autocross only. Considering the car has a curb weight of approximately 3.4 tons and 130 awhp (thanks to quattro drive train loss) according to dyno tests, the car feels rather slow on a daily basis. Passing a soccer mom in a van can be a daunting task at times. The cheapest and best bang for the buck performance upgrade is a simple ECU tune so I felt that was the best way to get a bump in engine performance without killing my fuel economy or wallet. Unfortunately these modifications will place me in a very competitive class.

On the course, the lack of horsepower and front end bias can be felt at every cone. People can say that the car has more in it, yet I see absolutely no one driving in a car like the A4 - so much weight, front end bias, lack of power, and even more lack of power due to awd (adding to the front end bias once again). I feel these first modifications will be the best initial upgrades to start with considering the weak points of the car. The ECU tune will provide additional power and torque at lower rpms thus helping with staying in boost range on the course while the very thick rear sway bar will help with stiffening the rear of the car and help make the car more neutral.
Once again, I sincerely appreciate everyone's helpful comments and welcome anyone and everyone to help me improve my times with this car in mind. In complete honesty, I would like to see some experienced drivers drive the car to see if they feel the same way as I do – perhaps at the Novice School?

_________________
2003 Audi A4 1.8T quattro | Dolphin Gray | Ebony | 5 Speed Manual | Sport & Premium Packages
144 TIR (GS)

mm not to bust your chops or anything but 3.4 tons is 6800 pounds...

_________________
1997 BMW M3 Sedan