New DD, Audi S3

A

aaronc7

Greenie N00B Member
Sold the Focus ST a few months back and got a 2017 Audi S3 as a new DD. I had a pretty big boner for the MK7 Golf R / their new MQB platform in general and wanted AWD. Ended up getting the S3 which is basically exactly the same as the Golf R, but it has nicer interior bits and looks better IMO. I like hatches, so I am losing a little space there, but I can always use our other car if I need to haul stuff around.

Car was locally owned by a lady and was all stock and not beat up at all. I've had it a few months now, so of course I've already been modding it lol. So here's the current mod list:

2017 Audi S3 w/ ~42k miles
- Budget DIY Air Intake
- ECS Turbo Inlet Pipe
- ECS silicone intake hose
- AFE drop in filter
- Modded air ducting
- APR Intercooler
- Eurodyne Maestro ECU + DSG Tune, running 91/E30
- Ecutek ECU + DSG tune (future)

Been underwhelmed by the Eurodyne tuning capability. No Cobb support for Audi yet and not in the foreseeable future. Ecutek just released MQB 2.0T support and I quickly am jumping on that. It's brand new so not a lot of custom features and such yet, but really nothing I need for my mild mods at this point. I ordered the hardware from Ed @ Equilibrium Tuning and he will be setting me up with a basic tune of sorts soon. I am hopeful for cool features in the future.... other platforms that they support they have flex fuel, adjustable boost/multiple maps real time switching and stuff. Seems like a great platform, they just don't support a whole lot platforms.

I just recently installed the intercooler to combat out of control IATs (or BATs for you guys) and it's kinda got me back in the modding mood. Thinking about picking up an Integrated Engineering catted downpipe soon to finish out my basic bolt ons before I get my Ecutek tune done so I don't have to mess with it for a while.

The stock frame turbos for these cars are actually pretty capable and priced reasonably.... so that is always in the back of my mind, but time will tell. If nothing else, just a slightly bigger unit so I can easily and comfortably run strong boost all the way to redline. It would also do wonders because of the higher elevation I'm at now. I'm basically maxing out the turbo already.

Overall, love it. Super nice inside, comfy DD but you can switch a few driving modes to liven it up, has nice power/decent size turbo from the factory and having traction is amazing.

Summer vs winter uncorrected vdyno lol:

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Being that it's basically an Audi-dressed VW, I'm surprised the tuning options aren't the same. Are the ECUs that different that guys like APR and the like don't get into fucking with them?
 
SharksInSpace said:
Being that it's basically an Audi-dressed VW, I'm surprised the tuning options aren't the same. Are the ECUs that different that guys like APR and the like don't get into fucking with them?
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They are very very similar. From what I can tell it's basically identical, just a slightly different "version number" or something along those lines. Probably similar to a USDM car vs overseas. Seems like it wouldn't be that difficult and worth Cobb's effort, but maybe not, we've seen where they take years to finally release support for cars other than USDM etc. I think ultimately the more ROMs they start supporting, it's just that much more work to maintain them all etc and they just draw the line somewhere.
 
ECUtek has a bluetooth/usb dongle and allows logging/real time tune adjustments via computer program or phone app, so that's actually pretty neat option as well. If they continue to dev out stuff for MQB platform I don't think I'll miss Cobb at all.

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Interesting, indeed. My current sort of plan is to finish the Pu, roll it for a year or two, then maybe jump into something like a Golf R/S3. If those end up staying my targets when the time comes, aftermarket support will definitely be something to keep in mind for consideration.

I'm glad you got white, btw, that's what I'd want lol. Looks fuckin sharp. Good for a lively DD, too, it sounds like? When's the turbo swap coming? ;)
 
I'm curious about the downpipe install. I think I've seen that on the Golf R, it requires dropping the subframe. Is that the same for the S3? Or is it a "not required but makes it a lot easier" type thing?
 
SharksInSpace said:
I'm curious about the downpipe install. I think I've seen that on the Golf R, it requires dropping the subframe. Is that the same for the S3? Or is it a "not required but makes it a lot easier" type thing?
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It's the same as the Golf R....mechanically the cars are identical. But it does not require removing subframe as far as I know. You do need a good amount of clearance because the stock DP is super long. I've read it's been done on quickjack which is about 24" of ground clearance. Another option would be to cut the thing at a straight section and could always put it back together with a simple slip on clamp later if needed. Stock clamps on this are slip on style so wouldn't be out of place really.

This guy has a good video on it (and other installs). I actually followed his video for intercooler install which is remove the radiator to get to the intercooler from the back side vs removing the whole front end of the car. On the audi you have to remove the headlights doing the frontal attack method and I didn't wanna deal with getting them lined back up. He usually follows factory service manual procedures and doesnt do shady stuff lol.

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Ahh, gotcha. I think it was MCM modding Moog's Golf R where they showed the subframe. And the car was on a lift. Maybe just a convenience thing/shop preference.
 
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Easter Bunny said:
completely off topic but do you know the dimensions of your garage? it looks reasonably spacious for an attached garage.
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Don't worry bb, I didn't forget about you. It's a 3 car garage. About 32" wide and 24" deep. There's an extra little nook in one corner but that's the basic dimensions. According to google this is pretty typical. Having come from only 2 car garage in the past, this felt a lot more spacious, especially with the cars in it.
 
Around here most attached two cars are 20x20 three car is pretty rare so usually bigger as they are more of a special request
 
aaronc7 said:
Dyno + tuned today. Pretty basic setup and average results--I am happy!

2017 Audi S3 w/ 45k miles
Stock airbox / drop in filter / TIP
Autotech HPFP
IE Catted downpipe
APR intercooler
91 Octane
3600' Elevation

350whp / 405wtq SAE corrected

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Looks good, turbo hits pretty quick.
 
JohnnyTightlips said:
Looks good, turbo hits pretty quick.
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Yeah I am honestly very surprised he got it to hit that quick....that and mid range torque was biggest improvement from base tune or "OTS" style tune I was running before. And this is at 3600' feet and you can see the CF was 1.15, so usually spool takes a big hit.

I DID do the pulls in 5th gear though, starting at 2k rpm, per his request. It was an unloaded dynojet so 4th gear it just wasn't putting a realistic load on it.

Boost peaks around 28psi at peak torque then tapers off.
 
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