B7 Product development

[gvanburen]

Cross posting this from the B6/B7 S4/RS4 Forum,

Have been working on developing an aluminum core support for the B7 chassis, and probably some other parts in the future.

The goal is to have something that is more rigid and offers better mounting solutions for aftermarket parts while still fitting OEM parts how they were meant to fit and look better than the fiber plastic unit as well. There are some limitations to fitment with OEM parts like the weather seal that sits against the front of the hood.

I'm currently modeling it on a B7 S4 (4.2) hence this originating in the S4 forum, but I will be making sure it fits the A4 (2.0T) with the only known differences being the radiator and the snub mount. I will also be checking to see if there's necessity and opportunity to provide more space for bigger SMIC's

I will also be working on making radiator mounts that work with other OEM radiators to work with various engine swaps, so the swapped radiators will fit like stock.

Current plan is to use the OEM headlight adjustment nuts as well as the headlight mount sub assembly as both seem readily available and will be much cheaper than me trying to come up with something new. I also plan to make brackets for a fan shroud to use the OEM B7 radiator fans, both on stock radiator and swap radiators so long as it fits with the swapped engine.

I'm pretty close to putting together the first prototype and test fitting, here are some pictures.


https://i.ibb.co/kQqpgd2/B7-S4-Core-Support-Leak-2.jpg (https://ibb.co/syshvB9)

https://i.ibb.co/pyCWXsc/B7-S4-Core-Support-Leak-3.jpg (https://ibb.co/hfpX8nb)

https://i.ibb.co/KXmwq82/B7-S4-Core-Support-Leak-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/zrNJRtX)

https://i.ibb.co/Cb0gKHV/B7-S4-Core-Support-Leak-4.jpg (https://ibb.co/K2ydxrV)

[xRenesis]

I have been waiting for this moment my entire life.

[Phil Audi B7]

Nice work , Not sure If I’ll ever need this but I may in the future. All depends on the cost.

[canadianA4B7]

Product does exist already. Have one of these units already. Better to produce a tubular subframe.

https://www.race3.ca/product-page/audi-a4-aluminum-rad-support-lite

[xRenesis]

Not a bad price in USD. Technically, Verkline has a tubular subframe too. I'm just tired of this plastic cracking and eventually want to run the B5 CSF rad.

[gvanburen]

I have been waiting for this moment my entire life.

[:D] You and a few others that have pestered me about it haha


Product does exist already. Have one of these units already. Better to produce a tubular subframe.

https://www.race3.ca/product-page/audi-a4-aluminum-rad-support-lite

I'm aware, but I've had several people tell me that something didn't work or fit right and they would rather have me make them one. Whether that's true or not (as I do not have first hand experience) does not matter nor do I care, as the ball is already rolling. Verkline makes a tubular subframe for the B7, and the only thing people have to complain about is the price.

[gvanburen]

Ready to go!

-all of the threaded connections are either bolt or rivet nut
-uses all of the OEM headlight leveling hardware as well as bumper leveling hardware
-plenty of room for aftermarket SMIC's (4.5" thick SMIC pictured)
-hood latch bracket for using the OEM mechanism
-lower radiator mounts are laser cut and bolt on to be interchangeable
-upper radiator mounts are CNC machined and bolt on to be interchangeable with an additional mounting hole to move the radiator around a little
-snub mounts for 2.0t, 4.2, and 2.7t, and a fan shroud in the works

I have these listed as available to pre-order on the site at a discount, with a production schedule listed as well.

https://i.ibb.co/R6bBkQ8/IMG-20240823-201918002.jpg (https://ibb.co/fNFnzrJ)
https://i.ibb.co/cC5jr1G/IMG-20240823-202046523.jpg (https://ibb.co/X3BqCbh)
https://i.ibb.co/mv27zqW/B7-Core-Support-V1-ad1.jpg (https://ibb.co/N1JzYjB)
https://i.ibb.co/V9pZ27S/B7-Core-Support-V1-ad2.jpg (https://ibb.co/Sy78Rhn)
https://i.ibb.co/cbnXXM4/B7-Core-Support-V1-ad3.jpg (https://ibb.co/gvKFFHk)

[xRenesis]

How long do you plan on keeping the pre-order open, for planning purposes.

[gvanburen]

How long do you plan on keeping the pre-order open, for planning purposes.

Late January 2025

[texasboy21]

Product does exist already. Have one of these units already. Better to produce a tubular subframe.

https://www.race3.ca/product-page/audi-a4-aluminum-rad-support-lite

I waited LITERALLY YEARS for Race3 to produce and ship me a part that I was told initially was in stock and ready to go.. after the lies and broken promises of shipping info I canceled the order.

In theory it's listed for sale, but whether or not they are available for sale or will every be made/shipped is a big variable.

[gvanburen]

I waited LITERALLY YEARS for Race3 to produce and ship me a part that I was told initially was in stock and ready to go..

Yikes. I can hardly stand holding on to money for a couple weeks.

Parts have been ordered for the production of the B7 core supports, which should land the first week of February. If anyone is late to the pre-order, I did order parts to make a few extras