If there were legends written about cars and if songs were written about their success, the Audi would certainly merit being mentioned. Of course, any stock-type Audi is a luxurious investment, but then again, why wouldn’t you choose to invest in a perfectly customized Audi?
Car enthusiasts dream of owning the perfect vehicle and when high speed comes into play, that car has to run as smoothly as possible. That’s where the importance of tuning is revealed: it allows an overall performance boost as well as a mid-blowing improvement on your vehicle’s appearance, not to mention the incomparable sound of a purring V10 engine.
Of all the cars you’d consider tuning, an Audi is particularly famous, and while preference is of course an owner’s foremost guide, there are so many options for you to choose from that no modification is too difficult. Custom parts have become so accessible that improving your ride is no longer a distant dream but a palpable reality.
Automotive journalists were beside themselves earlier this year when rumors came out that the R8 might be getting factory twin turbo power. Yet as the news buzz faded, it became clearer and clearer that there was no merit to the story. It would have made no sense, especially since a 4.0 TFSI Audi V8 would have rendered the whole idea of purchasing a V10 senseless (as it not only offered more torque but also came cheaper than its V10 sibling).
Is Tuning Your Audi R8 Worth it?
There is something about this amazing car that is enough to please even the most extravagant of drivers. Yet despite the purest of driving passions that the R8 conveys, something more is required to ensure that extra exhilaration we all need. After all, you’d never want to compromise the possibility of the perfect driving experience and improving your high performance coupe is only a small price to pay.
In truth, an R8 Audi can easily become an 11-second, 3 second 0-60 mph car with the proper exhaust and while it may not really be the drag strip monster you’d expect, a 600-620 HP Audi R8 V10 will allow for a most sublime driving experience.
Customize Your Own Car: R8 Performance Boost
Audis have received widespread attention since their launch on the market. Tuners all over America kept on producing packages hoping to meet the expectations of many exigent car owners. Back in 2013, the R8 V10 was the main focus, as prominent tuners came out with twin-turbocharger systems that made it possible for the V10 engine to reel in 850 crank horsepower (or 725 wheel horsepower)- 200 more than the car’s standard 525.
Other advanced twin turbo systems (which relied on twin billet compressor wheels turbo chargers, waste-gates, turbo air inlets, water intercoolers, intercooler exchangers and turbo oil drain scavenge pumps) ensured unmatched performance and power: 900 horsepower and more than 600 ft-lbs of torque.
Custom Wheels on Your Audi R8 Model
Vehicle customization history has shown that Audi parts have had stellar reviews and when searching through thousands of potential candidates, such customer feedback becomes important. Whether it’s performance or appearance you’re after, one thing is clear: a lightweight wheel makes for a wheel worth buying.
Colors are of course essential, and while you may find custom painted Lexani wheels starting off at a price of $475, there are also more affordable versions. Custom Chrome American Racing wheels (heat treated, aluminum rims, low-pressure construction) start off at $232 while other options, such as WheelsandMore wheel sets for the R8 V10 Spyder may reach $1900 for a single 20 inch wheel.
Suspension Options for your Audi
When trying to manage the speed that your Audi can reach, lowering your suspensions, considering a comprehensive body kit as well as modifying your exhaust is an essential change. The number of modifications may vary, however, it’s essential to address your suspension springs.
On the one hand, there are those suspension kits meant to address the issue of driving your lowered sports car on the busty streets of a city. CARGRAPHIC, for instance, allows for a 55 mm axis rise and smooth driving over ramps and speed humps while KW Hydraulic systems ensure a 45 mm lift as well as a 0 to 15 mm independent lowering of both the front and the rear axle. Other KW kits ensure obstacle clearing with as much as 1.5” of lift and can be activated at speeds of up to 50 mph.
Engine Tuning for Your Audi
Auto engineering has brought tuning technology to a point where engine enhancements can completely change the way your car feels. There are already several S models belonging to Audi’s high-performance range which use twin-turbo T FSI V8 engines. The manufacturer’s 2012 lineup included cars like the S6, S6 Avant and S7 which rounded up 420 horsepower and 406 lbs-ft of torque while its S8 generated a massive 520 hp and 480 lb-ft torque from the same engine.
Such massive improvements belonged to Audi’s downsizing policy which intended on offering sport performance while reducing the car’s fuel consumption. Yet even the S8’s “cylinder on demand” system, its Active noise cancellation system, the numerous engine bearings used to attenuate low-frequency vibrations may not be enough to satisfy one’s hunger for speed.
And while adding more muscle to an already powerful car is one of the first things that come to mind, remember that better performance doesn’t necessarily mean a higher CO2 emission. VF-Engineering, for instance, offers a supercharger system which ensures a massive 130 hp and 120 lbs of torque addition to your V8 engine.
Overall, supercharger manufacturers tend to maintain your Audi’s reliability and smoothness while improving on the car’s throttle response as well as its mid-to-top end power. Yet when considering such modifications, forums may be the best and most reliable source of information. Search for reviews on accessories, dealerships and deals that bring your Audi the boost it needs.
Custom Service Body Tuning
Body kits need to be carefully considered when improving your R8. Whether you’re looking for a carbon fiber rear spoiler or a casual side sill, a forum is your best bet when discussing your end goal. The overall objective is to ensure the ideal aerodynamics for your modified vehicle and there are manufacturers ready to answer custom-inquiries (where owners will have to provide mileage information, registration information, serial numbers, and of course choose from a dealer list and installation preferences).
Performance Tune and Outstanding Specs for Your R8
When wanting your Audi to handle properly, you need to tweak it ever so perfectly. A finely tuned car not only handles excellently but also provides ideal stability and maneuverability.
In the case of an 855 HP Audi R8 V10, one spec you may consider is:
- A Full Aero 360 km/h transmission, with a 5/20/17 front and 10/27/22 rear LSD and 40/60 torque split
- Suspension tweaks: a front to rear suspension height of -20 vs -20, a spinning rate of 11.3 front to 14.0 rear, a 5 to 7 ext damper and 3 to 5 com damper and a 4 to 6 roll bar
- Wheel Modifications: alignment adjustments with a 5.0 front to 3.0 rear chamber alignment, a
-.40 to .10 toe angle and a 7 to 9 brake balance
An R8 4.2 FSI might benefit from another spec:
- 0/0 Aero with a -10 to -20 suspension
- 35 to 65 torque distribution, default transmission
- 7 to 1 breaks on an ABS 2 setting
For an 872 HP Audi R8 5.2 FSI, you may try to set:
- A ballast amount of 40 and a -46 position
- A 7 to 7, 18 to 20 5 to 20 LSD
- A 40 to 60 torque split
- A -15 vs -10 suspension and a 5.7 to 3.0 wheel alignment
- 4 brakes
These are only a few examples of customizations that can be made under the Audi logo. More info on stock-type Audi vehicles can be found on Audi America and Audi Mexico or on specialized forums.