Beginners Guide to Modifying a B8 S4
Want to modify your Audi? Start here!
Where do you start? What modifications are out there?
The B8 S4 is a strong platform to begin with. If you are interested in upgrading to either go faster, sit lower or sound better, this guide will give you some general direction.
Drivetrain Performance (Motor, Exhaust, Intake, transmission)
ECU Tuning: also known as “chipping”, is a way to gain performance by making changes to your cars software to allow it to put out more power. Various stages of tuning give you various levels of power. This is done by something called “flashing” from companies like APR, Unitronic, GIAC, Revo, etc. These tunes can be done in around an hour, you would need to find a software dealer in your area and take your car to their shop. These can be done on completely stock cars and when you decide to modify your car more you can get a re-flash to work with the parts you but on your car. A stage 1 tune could yield up to 50hp without any other modification!
Turbo back/Cat-back Exhaust: An exhaust will free up the airflow out the back of your car increasing performance slightly as well as increasing the sound that your car makes. A turbo back exhaust is exactly what it sounds like, a new exhaust system from the turbo back. These can either come with a new high flow catalytic converter or you can get one without a catalytic converter for track use only. A Turbo back by itself will give your car more power and a much louder sound, typically most cars need a computer tune as well to gain the most out of the exhaust.
A cat back system is from the stock catalytic converter back, this type of system will not gain as much power but will give your car a louder sound.
B8 S4 Catback Selection
Shown here is the CTS Turbo B8 S4 Cat-Back Exhaust for the 2010-2016 S4 3.0L V6.
Motor Mounts: help put more power down and reduce wheel hop. Depending on the mileage, motor mount will help increase the performance of your car by reducing the engine movement. Typically stock motor mounts will begin to deteriorate and you will lose that tight feeling that your car once had. The B8 S4 has two mounts, an Engine mount and Transmission mount.
Intake: When added with tuning, intakes will produce performance gains. They do this by increasing the diameter and flow of the piping allowing for more air to enter the turbo. Some systems have heat shields or actual intake boxes that also help reduce the heating of the intake air, this adds to cool air is denser air which makes more power.
The CTS Turbo Air Intake Kit for the B8 S4 and S5 is a popular, open intake system that provides increased horsepower and a more aggressive sound.
Clutches: a stock clutch is not meant to be able to stand added power. Upgrading it will ensure reliability and longevity to your clutch.
Suspension
Lowering Springs: modest 1” to 2” drop, replace stock springs and reuse the stock struts and shocks. This is a great way to lower your car without breaking the bank or making your car too low.
Coilovers: Are exactly what they sound like, Coil springs and shocks in one package. When you buy coilovers you are getting replacement springs and shocks, so it is a complete package allowing for straightforward installation. Coilovers can be height and dampening adjustable. Height adjustable coilovers will be cheaper vs height and dampening adjustable kits.
Shown here, the Solo Werks S1AU006 Coilover Kit for the B8 S4, is a popular, entry-level coilover system that comes with a 3-year warranty.
Bushings: much like mounts, they help solidify the driveline and help put more power down. Stock bushings are typically made out of soft rubber meaning they have a lot of compliance when you are pushing your car hard. Upgrading to a stiffer rubber or polyurethane bushing allows for less movement in the bushing meaning that motion is being transferred to the road or the proper suspension parts, thus increasing the performance and traction of your suspension.
B8 S4 Suspension Bushings and Mounts
Sway Bar: there are options for the front and rear sway bars, give your car roll stiffness. Also called stabilizer bars because they help stabilize the car in a turn, too much roll hurts traction and can make the car unpredictable. Aftermarket sway bars will help reduce this.
Audi B8 S4 Sway Bars and End Links
Chassis Braces: helps reduce/remove chassis twist and flex. This not only helps performance but by stiffening up the car you gain better traction and handling
Brakes
OEM:
- Lines: Stainless steel brake lines give the user a better braking feel from less flex in the line. Stock brake lines are made out of rubber and can flex when being used hard giving the pedal a squishy feeling.
- Pads: More aggressive brake pads will increase the stopping power of your stock brakes.
- Fluid: High temperature brake fluid for a higher boiling point. This increased braking performance when using your B8 S4 for HPDE’s (High Performance Driving Events).
Aftermarket: big brake kits have larger rotors, which increase stopping response, along with more clamping power due to more pistons in the caliper. More clamping power, more surface area for the pads to grab and better heat dissipation will make huge differences if you drive your car hard on the street or do HPDE’s (High Performance Driving Events).
