Best tuning option for Audi 80 TDI

[Jonathan84]

Hi,

My name is Jonathan and I just registered here.

We bought our 1992 Audi 80 tdi 6 weeks ago for £580 in excellent mechanical and very good cosmetic condition and 196930 miles on the clock. I think we were lucky to get it for that, especially as it is the "sport" model (alloys and sunroof, as far as I can tell!). Anyway, it has been great, and in that time we have done just over 3000 miles (clicked 200,000 miles today). The only problem is that it is a little underpowered, and given that we do quite alot of driving in the highlands, it could really do with some extra power (the regular need to overtake irratating tourists doing 40mph on 60mph roads).

I have had an uneducated look into tuning boxes/chips and induction kits, but honestly, I am just starting out with mechanics as this is our second car (the first one also being an Audi 80, but a very bad 1.6 petrol).

So what would be the most cost effective and least risky way to improve the performance of the car? I have seen that the chips advertise a power increase to 115bhp - does anyone have any experience of this and can this be verified? What about induction kits?

I would just like to clarify that I don't want to thrash the car, but only to improve it's ability to overtake, as you can sometimes really be left wanting for power.

Thanks in advance for all and any replies.

Jonathan

[ini]

I would just stick a tuning box on it.

You need to check which type of fuel pump connector you have, but something like this will probably work.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TDi-Dragon-Per...QQcmdZViewItem

[Jonathan84]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Now, being a mechanical newbie, I wouldn't know where to look for the fuel pump connector. If my memory serves me it is likely to be the Bosch VP37 fuel pump (though I might be completely wrong). Could you give me an idea of where to look please?

Thanks for the link too - that is indeed a good find.

[Jonathan84]

Also, how does fitting a tuning box affect the validity of the cars MOT?

[ini]

The tuning box will not affect the MOT, plus they are adjustable and can be turned down if you have it turned up very high/smokey.

The connector is most likely the 'D' shaped 8 pin type (the very early type was a round DIN connector?)

The connector can be found approx behind and below the fuel pump. Just follow the wires.

If you want maximum power, get something like this (this is 10pin version though)

http://cgi.ebay.de/Alpin-Powerbox-1-...QQcmdZViewItem

It will give enough power to destroy your clutch if abused.

An extra 35bhp on 110's, and an extra 25bhp on a 90.

[Jonathan84]

Thanks for the info mate - I will go to the local garage today and ask them to identify the connection type, and whether it will be suitable.

Does anyone have any other suggestions to increase power economically?

[ini]

The other alternative is to have it chipped (ECU remapped)

This is a much better solution than a simple tuning box, but is more expensive, and will probably require some soldering in your ECU (if not socketted).

Larger injector nozzles will also increase power slightly, but can also be expensive, and will need a remap to see the full potential.

Used Tuning box = £10 (+0 - 35bhp)

Good quality nozzles = £100+ (+8 - 12bhp)

Remap/chip tuning = £250 - £400 (+20 - 35bhp 1Z/AFN with standard clutch)

A tuning box for extra fueling, combined with a 'boost valve' on the wastegate will give plenty of power, and is the most economical, if not the most elegant solution.

[Jonathan84]

Thanks again for the help.

I took it to the local garage, and the mechanic had a look. It appears to be a 3 pin connector - I seem to remember reading that that could be the case on earlier models.

Anyway, he said that the turbo pressure was down a little. It is booked in for Wednesday for a replacement CV joint, so they will have a look at it then. I shall also ask them about larger injector nozzles.

[micheal balbrig]

Thanks again for the help.

I took it to the local garage, and the mechanic had a look. It appears to be a 3 pin connector - I seem to remember reading that that could be the case on earlier models.

Anyway, he said that the turbo pressure was down a little. It is booked in for Wednesday for a replacement CV joint, so they will have a look at it then. I shall also ask them about larger injector nozzles.

hello Jonathan it may be an idea to have the number three needle injector
checked as this can cause poor throttle response if faulty

[Jonathan84]

Thanks for the reply!

I am not sure that the throttle response is that much down on what it should be, only that the acceleration is perhaps a little slower than I could do with (driving in the highlands, with frequent inclines and frustratingly slow tourists to overtake). I was just hoping to increase the power to beyond that of the factory spec. I will definately ask the garage to check the number three needle injector though - thankyou for the tip.

Ini, you mentioned getting new, larger injector nozzles - would you know where to find them and how much the likely labour would be to fit them?