You’ve already bought a fast car, now it’s time to step it up to the next level and build a really nice racing machine. By tuning your Audi A3, you’ll be able to race the streets with your friends and show them who’s boss. But it’s going to take a lot of time, and probably a lot of money to tune your A3 into something that’s worthwhile showing off.
Today, we’re going to take a look at all of the things that you can do to your Audi A3 to whip it into tip top racing shape. We’ll even throw in at the end a few links that you can follow to Audi boards and forums that will hopefully help guide you along the way to modifying your A3 successfully.
Options
Exhaust system
A new exhaust system on your vehicle will help boost your engine’s horsepower. How? Exhausts expel the gases released by your engine during combustion. During their expulsion, some of the gases get trapped within the exhaust system and backpressure builds. This back pressure causes friction and heat buildup inside the exhaust and some of the gases make their way back into the engine. By removing some of the back pressure that occurs, you are able to get more horsepower to be vehicle as the engine will be able to work harder without having gases build up in the tailpipe back into the engine.
Some of the most common brands for use in aftermarket exhaust systems on Audi A3’s are the GHL exhaust systems or the NEUSpeed exhausts. By visiting a tuning website, such as andysautotuning.com, you’ll be able to see many of the different exhaust pipes available for the Audi A3. The first thing you want to look for of course is the price. Many exhaust systems can cost up to $1000 if you’re not careful. We recommend spending about US$500-US$750 if this is your first time modifying your Audi A3. Simply click on any of the different parts that are available on the website, and you’ll see that some of the parts have specifications. These specifications will help you figure out what exactly the part does, and how much it will help improve your engine. Don’t expect a huge boost in horsepower when you install a new exhaust system, but instead expect a quieter ride overall.
Suspension system
Another cheap and easy way to upgrade your Audi A3 is to install a new suspension. This change may be a little more difficult than installing a new exhaust system, but will be well worth your while when you’re able to zip around corners with much more ease than before. Suspension systems can get very expensive, so it’s best to be careful when buying your first one. Know what you’re getting into before you make the first purchase as you don’t want to spend a few thousand dollars only to realize that you’re incapable of putting it into your car. If you do decide to get a suspension and are unsure how to install it correctly, it’s best either take you to a certified mechanic or send it back to the manufacturer. Installing a suspension incorrectly is not only dangerous to you, but also dangerous to the other drivers on the road.
Koni Sport is one of the top leading auto manufacturing companies in the world. Their suspension systems are top notch and you won’t pay top dollar for them. For the ballpark of around US$400-US$500 should be able to get a good quality suspension system for your Audi A3 without having to worry too much about installation. Installation of the Koni Systems couldn’t be more straightforward. Instructions come in the box, and you be should be up and running in no time. If possible, try to boost your car up onto a jack so that it’s as high off the ground as possible. With your car off the ground it’s much easier to work on the installation of the new suspension system. As said earlier, if you don’t have the money or the tools to raise your car off the ground safely, it’s best to take it to a full-time mechanic to do the job.
Resources
We have a few websites that you should check out during the entire tuning process of your Audi A3. Some of the websites include forums and user pages that will be able to give help and tips and tricks as well. Remember, if you ever get confused or need more help, you can always take photos of the project and upload them online. Users around the globe should be able to help you figure out what’s not working and what you can do differently to help finish the job.