Staying TUNED with 3ZERO3

Tuning & Performance;  they go together like:

• Milk and cookies,
• Peanut butter and jelly.
• Chauncey and ‘Mello.

Yet  there are so many enthusiasts out there that simply have not tuned their performance vehicle. Many owners feel they have alot to be afraid of. Afraid of big costs for custom tunes, afraid of incompetent dyno operators, or worst of all, afraid of low numbers!  Fear not fans, 3ZERO3 Motorsports continues to find the horsepower that others leave on the table ! Intrigued ? Skeptical ? READ ON  !

Strapping down the stage 3 Audi S4.

CASE STUDY : Tom Seabrook’s Audi S4 2.7T

Audi enthusiast and Silver Plume, CO resident Tom Seabrook called us this winter. Tom had recently purchased a used Audi S4 2.7T. This Imola Yellow sport sedan had one previous owner, who had receipts for a full stage 3 conversion, but Tom had his doubts. ” It should be faster,” Tom quipped. After one test drive, we were similarly convinced. It should be faster.

We scheduled some time for Tom to leave his S4 with us, and we investigated further…….

The dyno sheet for the baseline run. Power numbers are low, and A/F is not where it needed to be. HP numbers are in BLUE, torque in RED, and Air/Fuel in GREEN.

294.8WHP and 347.8 WTQ aren’t bad, but could be so much better !

We received Tom’s car. And performed a full inspection :

• Ensured there were no boost/vacuum leaks.
• Confirmed that engine, brakes, and driveline all had sufficient fluids.
• Made sure all electrical systems were functioning properly.

After we ensured the car was safe, and ready for the dyno, we took the car off to our friends at Carz Performance to lay down some baseline numbers. And what we found was that our concerns were validated. Tom’s made good numbers, but not good enough.

Lucas and the guys at Carz Performance are not Audi, VW, or Porsche specialists per se. While they do spend quite a bit of time tuning Mitsubishi Evo’s, we feel they are dyno specialists. We have the upmost respect, and confidence in their ability, and  their equipment. Our relationship with them is built upon years of positive experiences. Any owner should share this confidence in whomever is testing their vehicle.

Looking more closely at Tom’s baseline dyno graph we found that Tom’s fuel injectors were maxed out after 4,800 RPM. His software program was limiting boost and timing, and ultimately performance. Time for some changes.

The Imola Yellow beast, laying it down.

We quickly uprooted out the 440cc fuel injectors, installed some 630cc units,and  dropped mainline fuel pressure by installing a 3 bar fuel pressure regulator. A phone call and some digital magic procured a new file for Tom’s car to maximize the additional fuel provided by the new injectors.  Thats it, 6 fuel injectors, 1 new fuel pressure regulator, and a new file.

At 3ZERO3 Motorsports, we have access to tuning options from many vendors, such as :

• REVO Technik
• Autospeed Performance
• PES
• VAST Performance

Depending on your specific needs and goals, we will work with the best vendor to suit your needs. For Tom’s car, we added a VAST Performance file.

Now time for logging. After the new hardware was installed, we drove the car while monitoring and recording vital engine electronic sensor information. This information is organized in data logs, and then emailed to our software specialists who will tune these files. Making changes to boost pressure onset, fuel management, ignition timing etc, to ensure that the car is operating properly, and at full potential.

These revised files are downloaded onto our computers, and then uploaded to the engine control module.

Now we’re talkin’ turkey !

That’s more like it !

In this instance the results were astounding.Tom’s car picked up 46.7 WHP and 55,6 WTQ, with only updated fueling items and a much improved tune.  Much of Tom’s increased performance is attributed to having larger and properly functioning fuel injectors, as well as an updated software file. Will your car see these same benefits ? Maybe, maybe not, you don’t know til you know…..

The real moral of the story is this :

• Is your car performing the way it was designed to ? The only way to know is by putting your car on the dyno and finding out !
• How ridiculously expensive is this ? There is no menu pricing for custom tuning. Every car is different and has unique needs, But to get going, a full inspection and baseline dyno session will always cost less than $200.0. After that pricing is largely dependent on the specific hardware, and software updates your car will require.
• Why not tune on the dyno ? We aren’t necessarily opposed. But our customers drive their vehicles on the open road, that is where we perform our logs, and make revisions to ensure it is this environment where the car will perform. We don’t build dyno queens, we make real cars, real fast, for the real world.

Want to tune your car ? Do you have no idea what we are talking about ? Drop us a line and we’ll sort you out. At 3ZERO3 Motorsports we are performance enthusiasts first, and foremost. . We constantly strive to find value, and performance in areas that other local tuners may not.

3ZERO3 Motorsports continues to be your Denver and Colorado leader in maintenance, repair and high performance tuning. If you have a VW, Audi, or Porsche you can trust that our dedicated staff of factory trained technicians, parts specialists, and service advisors will be able to service any and all of your needs. Please contact us day or night !

Comments

Mar 17, 2010
Bob Armstrong
I have a 2008 VW R32 with the 3.2 250 HP. What type of options are available to tune my car and how much would this cost?
Thanks, Bob


Mar 17, 2010
Max
Bob, I will email you with some options !


Mar 21, 2010
mason frentz
i have a 2004.5 jetta gli 1.8t. i just bought a bigger turbo and now im thinking about converting to E85. options?


Mar 22, 2010
Max
Emailing you now Mason


May 23, 2010
Kyle McGinnis
i recently purchased a 2001 audi a4 1.8T and there is alot i want to do to it. i want intercooler bigger turbo bigger injectors/fuel rail and tune how are we looking to spend? and what options do i have


May 24, 2010
Max
Kyle, there are indeed many different ways to go depending on what your goals are. Its always best to have some type of game plan in place, that way we know that we are making upgrades that will support our ultimate goals for power, drivability, aesthetics, etc. Call or email me and we can set up a time to talk more about your ideas. Max@3zero3motorsports.com

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