Audi 3.0 TDi

[carlos19664]

Hi I have an Audi A5 Cabriolet 3.0 TDi turbo diesel, I've done a re-map on the ECU and now looking to improve the performance even more, can anyone suggest anything worthwhile doing to squeeze more power from this wonderful engine!

 

[HDi fun]

I would imagine that the next stage is higher flow injectors and a hybrid turbocharger(s). You will, of course, have to remap again after the mods. You will possibly lose some low end flexibility (sub 1500rpm) due to the fact that high flow injectors don't form quite such a good spray pattern as standard ones during light usage. 350bhp is not out of the question, backup up by 500lbft twist action.

 

[carlos19664]

Wow that really good gains, I've had a remap done already but to be honest im not exactly sure what BHP its running at the moment but its quick. is this an easy job for a garage to do can you recommend anywhere as I'm in the South east area? also you mentioned hybrid turbocharger! what the difference to the stock version?

 

[HDi fun]

I have no idea where to send you - I, too, am in the South East (vaguely close to Aylesbury). You need a VW specialist. I would suggest a call to Iain's Autos in Brackley, Northants. Not really South East, more South Midlands / East Anglia but he's done some very impressive work.

Also look at Darkside Developments web site. Google is your friend here, if not your ally. Picking up the phone is always good, you can gauge far more this way than is possible with an online enquiry.

Have a read here:- http://www.turbodynamics.co.uk/technical/hybrid-turbochargers for some background on upgraded/uprated turbos.

Who performed your remap btw?

 

[carlos19664]

I'm not far from you I'm near Milton Keynes, your definitely right I think Google is the way to go as I'm new to the mechanics of motors but Ill check out the link, think I could do with the know how. I had a feeling you may ask about the remap! I used someone who advertised on Gumtree and to be honest I was a bit sceptical but the guy who came to my house to do it did a fantastic job. the car runs well and torque along with BHP has definitely improved although I dont know the figures, You've been a great help.

 

[HDi fun]

I'm not far from you I'm near Milton Keynes, your definitely right I think Google is the way to go as I'm new to the mechanics of motors but Ill check out the link, think I could do with the know how. I had a feeling you may ask about the remap! I used someone who advertised on Gumtree and to be honest I was a bit sceptical but the guy who came to my house to do it did a fantastic job. the car runs well and torque along with BHP has definitely improved although I dont know the figures, You've been a great help.

No problem, I do what I can where I can. I'm a frequent visitor to MK - from 2000 until 2011 I lived in Tingewick, and subsequently Gawcott, both directly west of MK on the A421.

I'm glad you like the 'map. I had a Peugeot 406 2.2 HDi done by Celtic Tuning some years ago and that was a very impressive process. The results are startling, aren't they?

One caution: if your car is a manual then don't get too fond of lugging around at ridiculously low revs - it's bad for the entire drivetrain, though a V6 is far more tolerant than any four cylinder unit will be. Automatic's with torque converters will sort themselves out.

 

[carlos19664]

well you have certainly done me a treat, I'm pleased as can be with my remap, but you know what its like! you get used to the power after a while its been 4 months now. I was even looking at supercharging I saw on ebay you can buy a bolt on charger head for around £400 but I can imagine its not as easy as bolting the thing to your engine. My car is a cabriolet 2010 3.2 diesel Auto with the shifters on the steering wheel

 

[HDi fun]

Don't bolt on anything wantonly. It's a shame to take a well engineered turbo installation (as VW Group's* are amongst the best) and supplement it with a crude mechanically driven compressor. You'd almost certainly have to abandon the climate control AC compressor to make space for the mechanically driven supercharger. Turbocharging is elegant, supercharging is crude. Is your auto a DSG type or a torque converter type?

*I do have a few reservations about some VAG products' reliability and outrageous servicing and maintenance costs. Audi, Seat & Skoda seem to put the cars together better than VW does.

I am the same as you. You get acclimatised to extra power and torque very quickly. Far harder to go the other way. If you fancy something totally different go and book a Tesla Model S test drive. It's utterly sensational.

 

[carlos19664]

Ok I hear your advice, I do much prefer turbo, I'm definitely going to look for a bigger turbo. I have the DSG type gearbox I believe, whats the difference with the torque converter?

 

[HDi fun]

The torque converter automatic was the original type of automatic gearbox. Initially they had only 3 gears and were, in general, not great to drive. Currently they have at least 5 gears. BMW currently has an eight speed ZF sourced automatic box on offer. The torque converter is a hydraulic device which does the job of the clutch in a full manual car. They are good at damping all sorts of things which can be harmful to the whole drivetrain.

Your DSG is a far more modern approach to automatic transmission which dispenses with the hydraulics entirely. It is definitely progress, though the two autos I've owned (Nissan Primera (4 gears) and BMW 528i (6 gears)) both had a mechanism to lock the hydraulic torque converter under steady state operation. This helps fuel economy compared to the old fashioned autos of the 60s 70s and 80s. But the DSG approach, such as in your A5, is still superior in principle and will eventually replace the hydraulic boxes. The only downside is that they can be a little less smooth than the very finest torque converter devices.

You don't necessarily want a bigger turbo, you want one which can deliver more air than the standard one. A huge turbo is great if you want huge top end power but you will lose loads of flexibility in normal driving. Turbocharging is either a precise art or a vague science. Car makers are very good at finding a compromise. But this isn't to say that you can't improve upon things with careful product selection and professional advice. Plus a wallet that is getting heavy and needs a diet

 

[Aerial Andy944]

Have a chat with Darkside Developments They do bigger turbo kits or hybrid turbos with vnt conversions, custom manifolds, pipework, larger intercoolers, injectors and everything else for the VAG tdi engines

 

[carlos19664]

You certainly know your stuff, this is much appreciated, I've just been reading the earlier link you sent me regarding Hybrid turbos very interesting and the company seems very professional. My car has 7 gears on auto, including a sport or S mode this totally changes the ratio and the pulling power

 

[HDi fun]

Sport mode changes the gearbox behaviour at light usage. Under pedal to the floor kickdown operation (not that I ever ever do this ) you will always get maximum torque and the upchanges will be held off right until you're up to the red line on the tachometer.

It won't hurt the car at all but you'll pay at the fuel pumps

 

[carlos19664]

Lol don't I know it I can see the needle moving when I put my foot down the revs are massively increased in sport mode but hell its a load of fun

 

[HDi fun]

Lol don't I know it I can see the needle moving when I put my foot down the revs are massively increased in sport mode but hell its a load of fun

And driving should be fun. Fun means we're alert. Alertness is good. Alert people are generally safer drivers than those who engage 6th gear at 39 mph and then switch off brain.

 

[charger69]

Hi Carlos nice car, but do you own another audi? a4?
I like the first a4 series.