(Noel's) Nardo Grey - Big Turbo - Bagged - Build Thread

[Noel Artiles]

After being on here for a few years I felt it was probably finally time to do an official build thread. I’ve had my A4 since 07 and it’s gone through a few phases, some good some bad. I’ve pretty much never stopped modding it. From the first day I got it till today I haven’t stopped, and there’s no end in sight, lol. The Zine has been an awesome community that has influenced my build and it’s also been a source of valuable information for everything related to my car, so thank you.

Now to get kick this off, here’s my current mod list and a few things coming up in my build for 2015.


Engine Mods
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ X ] APR stage 3 Turbo kit
- APR spec Garret GT2871R
- APR Exhaust manifold
- APR Down pipe
- APR MAF housing
- APR Compressor inlet / outlet hose
- APR FSI fuel injectors
- APR Stainless Steel oil/coolant lines
- APR HPFP
[ X ] 034 Density Line motor mounts
[ X ] 034 Density Line transmission mount
[ X ] Apikol snub mount
[ X ] Panzer aluminum skid plate
[ X ] APR Carbonio CF intake, custom painted with peek window and red glass.
[ X ] K&N Cone Filter
[ X ] AWE diverter kit
[ X ] AWE FMIC
[ X ] 034 stage 2 catch can system
[ X ] AEM meth kit w/ injection filter
[ X ] USRT Throttle body spacer
[ X ] 2.5” custom turbo back exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers and quad tips
[ X ] Red R8 Coil packs with red wire cover
[ X ] ECS boost tap
[ X ] Optima yellow top battery
[ X ] Shaved engine cover with custom emblem
[ X ] WhanAB billet dipstick, windshield washer, & brake fluid covers
[ X ] Audi R8 engine, coolant, & power steering caps
[ X ] Audi RS4 engine covers (battery/rain tray & left side engine compartment cover)
[ X ] IE Red billet Valve cover
[ X ] LED engine lighting


 
Drivetrain
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[ X ] Clutch Masters stage 3 clutch
[ X ] Clutch Masters light weight flywheel

Brakes
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[ X ] Adams crossed drilled rotors with powder coated hubs
[ X ] Stop tech stainless steel lines
[ X ] Posi-quiet pads
[ X ] Painted calipers

Suspension
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[ X ] Air Ride Kit
- Airlift Slam Series Front and rears
- Airlift shocks
- Accuair e-level digital management
- Accuair 5 gallon black skinny tank
- Accuair exo mounts
- 3/8” lines
- Dual ViAir 400c compressors
[ X ] Podi pressure gauge
[ X ] Taylor cut off switch

Wheels & Tires
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[ X ] 19x9.5” Front & 19x10” Rears, Avant Garde F133 wheels with Red Velvet centers, Gloss black inners, Chrome outers, and Chrome hardware
[ X ] 245/35/19 Michelin Pilot super sports
 
Interior Mods
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[ X ] Custom Candy red painted trim with custom emblem
[ X ] Podi steering wheel dual pod unit
[ X ] Podi mechanical boost gauge
[ X ] RS4 pedals w/ dead pedal
[ X ] RS4 E-brake
[ X ] Euro Rs4 flat bottom steering wheel
[ X ] Carbon Fiber airbag cover
[ X ] Custom cupholder delete with Air supension remote pedestal
[ X ] BFI billet shift knob
[ X ] Custom door sills
[ X ] Custom key ring bezel
[ X ] Custom trunk with full black suede wrap
- False wall
- Custom side panels
- Shaved trunk lid
- Pioneer 12 shallow mount sub with
custom sub enclosure
- Alpine MRP-M500 with Custom Amp cover
- Trunk lighting
- Custom handcut emblems
- Custom stickers on meth tank
[ x ] Kicker DS component door speakers
[ X ] Recarro Sporster CS’s
[ X ] S4 Recaro rear seats
[ X ] Platinum grey Suede headliner, pillars, arm rest, boot, rear deck, door cards, knee bolster, glove compartment lid
[ X ] Pioneer Double Din radio
[ X ] Kicker door speakers and components speakers


Exterior Mods
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[ X ] Audi exclusive Nardo grey respray
[ X ] 25th Anniversary / DTM Conversion
- Front bumper
- Rear bumper with matte black diffuser
- Side skirts
- Carbon fiber lip
- Carbon fiber trunk spoiler
[ X ] Custom RS4 conversion DTM fog grills
[ X ] 6k HID Fogs
[ X ] Shaved bumper reflectors (F/R)
[ X ] OEM S-line black trim
[ X ] Matte black trunk trim
[ X ] Debagged trunk
[ X ] Black Audi A8 trunk rings
[ X ] Smoked side markers
[ X ] Euro spec Xenon headlights w/ 6k bulbs
[ X ] Custom Relak side skirts cut to fit DTM side skirts
[ X ] RS4 full mesh grill w/ plate delete
[ X ] Custom inner bumper support cover
[ X ] Rolled and pulled fenders
[ X ] 1st set of custom DTM DRL's
[ X ] Custom front Carbon Fiber Canards
[ X ] Custom front Carbon Fiber rear spats
[ X ] JOM smoked LED tails

Future Mods
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Built Bottom end
- Mahle Pistons & Rings, etc.
- IE Rods
[ ] Built Top end
- Ferrea Intake Valves
- Ferrea Exhaust Valves
- Ferrea Single Valve Spring
- Ferrea Valve spring seats
- Ferrea Ti retainers
- Ferrea Lifter Shims
[ ] Garret GTX 3576R
[ ] 3" straight pipe exhaust
[ ] (IE or HPA) Intake manifold
[ ] Custom Maestro Tune
[ ] Hard lines for the trunk set up
[ ] Custom mounts for e-level sensors
[ ] Notched front Arms and top strut tower
[ ] Redone front and rear seats in red leather
[ ] Leather wrapped dash and center console with custom stitching


Phase 1:
There was a lot that was wrong in this phase lol, but you have to start somewhere. In the first couple of months of having her I had a proper 4x4 stance, Votex chin splits, clear side markers, eyelids,19” wheels (can’t remember the brand), trunk lip, smoked tails, and custom trunk with 2x 12 Kicker Comps. It wasn’t long before I couldn’t stand a look so phase 2 kicked in.








Phase 2:
This was a busy phase. I ditched the the tinted tails, the old wheels, and got the ever popular VMR V710's put on with Vogtland Sport Coilovers. The car also had an APR stage 2 with test pipe + turbo back exhaust, Forge DV, and Carbonio Intake.














Soon after that I felt the car need some more power so a few modifications were in order. My friends at Novitech Tuning did my install. I decided to go with the APR stage 3 (which was the best option IMO for a daily at the time), an AWE FMIC, and AWE Meth kit, stage 3 clutch and fly wheel, brake upgrades, 034 stage 2 catch can, 034 motor mounts + Apikol snub, and a few other things.












After getting the power to a good place my thirst for the low kicked in so I tapped into Bag riders for and e-level kit with air lift struts. I planned out the trunk layout and my friends at Novitech helped me with my install.



















Next I worked on a few cosmetic mods like my RS6 grill conversion, and engine part painting, and new set of wheels.




This is my custom crash bar cover that goes behind the RS6 grill






I got a set of 19" Interad wheels







Now on to it's final stage.

[Noel Artiles]

Phase 3:
In this phase I concentrated on the interior and new exterior scheme. I decided to do a full DTM conversion in Nardo Grey with a new set of wheels from AG wheels.

When I concentrated on the interior. I got Recaro Sportster CS for the front and leather S4 seats for the rear. I redid all the door cards, pillars, headliner, sunroof, rear deck, arm rest, and shift boot in platinum suede. I painted the trim and made a few custom parts like a custom emblem to replace the quarto one on the dash, a custom e-level controller pedestal with cup holder delete, and a few other things.

[Noel Artiles]

Here are some shots of the car at the body shop getting it's color change and DTM refresh.

[Noel Artiles]

After she was out I headed straight to the muffler shop to get the quad tips in.

[naiku]

Looks awesome.

[Noel Artiles]

Here are a few shots of her completed.



















I'll post some shots of the trunk build a little later.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

Gorgeous.

[Alucard136]

Your car is awsome. Cost for everything? Does girls get horny when they see it or is it just guys?

[Noel Artiles]

Your car is awsome. Cost for everything? Does girls get horny when they see it or is it just guys?

I stopped counting at 20k, lol. Not sure if anyone else get's wet but I sure do, lol.

[pw211]

This car. Perfect.

[jamerican1]

Respec mon.

[Rollout]

Sickkk build man, tints personally would be the only thing I'd do to the car after

[Noel Artiles]

Sickkk build man, tints personally would be the only thing I'd do to the car after

You can see in the earlier pics I had them but I actually purposely took the tints off. They were getting scratched up and driving me nuts so I just steamed them shits off, lol. Plus with them on you can't see the interior.

[Operator]

Show and Go!!!!!! NICE!!!!!

[ericpaulyoung]

Flawless execution and attention to detail. Grand build all around.
EPY

[Mr.Wrong]

B7 + DTM + Nardo = sheks! Great color choice

[k909068]

Incredible!

[Shanster]

Well done!

Does any know if Examinas' avant is also nardo?

[ktish]

Well done!

Does any know if Examinas' avant is also nardo?

His car was painted in Ferrari Grigio Medio.

[A-BlacK_MambA-4]

Mother of God She's a beaut

[Rastboostin]

Oh. Ma. Lawd. Incredible.

[Firefox250]

Future Mods
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Built Bottom end
- Mahle Pistons & Rings, etc.
- IE Rods
[ ] Built Top end
- Ferrea Intake Valves
- Ferrea Exhaust Valves
- Ferrea Single Valve Spring
- Ferrea Valve spring seats
- Ferrea Ti retainers
- Ferrea Lifter Shims
[ ] Garret GTX 3576R
[ ] 3" straight pipe exhaust
[ ] (IE or HPA) Intake manifold
[ ] Custom Maestro Tune

I like your future plans but the GTX3576R will be way to big for you. Are you planing on going twin or single scroll? V-band, T3, or T4 connection? Fueling?

[Noel Artiles]

I like your future plans but the GTX3576R will be way to big for you. Are you planing on going twin or single scroll? V-band, T3, or T4 connection? Fueling?

Honestly it's still up in the air. Might go GTX 30 something or even one of the Borg Warner setups. The shop I work with is working on another B7 on a Borg Warner setup 7670 and it's coming out nicely. So let's see happens, I'll figure it out when I get closer. What do you suggest?

[Firefox250]

Honestly it's still up in the air. Might go GTX 30 something or even one of the Borg Warner setups. The shop I work with is working on another B7 on a Borg Warner setup 7670 and it's coming out nicely. So let's see happens, I'll figure it out when I get closer. What do you suggest?

Yeah after all the research I did and listen to others the 30R is the right size for our engines. Seal66 might be jumping on a an EFR 7163 so there is that option too. The shop that's putting on the 7670 damn!! That another monster turbo! Can you take any pictures because a B2 framed turbo is huge! For fueling my shop (Bluewater Performance) is going to use the APR in line pump on to LPFP and modify a TTRS LPFP and I'll be using RS4 injectors. Oh yeah and don't use Maestro there are plenty of other custom tuners out there that will do a better job.

[Noel Artiles]

Thank you for the compliments guys.

Yeah after all the research I did and listen to others the 30R is the right size for our engines. Seal66 might be jumping on a an EFR 7163 so there is that option too. The shop that's putting on the 7670 damn!! That another monster turbo! Can you take any pictures because a B2 framed turbo is huge! For fueling my shop (Bluewater Performance) is going to use the APR in line pump on to LPFP and modify a TTRS LPFP and I'll be using RS4 injectors. Oh yeah and don't use Maestro there are plenty of other custom tuners out there that will do a better job.

I found a pic of the 7670 on their Facebook page. I know they were modding a Maestro tune to have it run. They are aiming for 500 AWHP with moderate boost levels. The owner also went from front track 6MT to a Quattro swap which is nuts in itself. Now for fueling not sure what they are running I'd have to ask now I'm actually curious, I'd guess custom fuel rail but not sure. I know there are other B7's in SOFLO running 35's with moderate tunes. But I have to sit with my shop and discuss the different routes I can take.

[Firefox250]

Thank you for the compliments guys.



I found a pic of the 7670 on their Facebook page. I know they were modding a Maestro tune to have it run. They are aiming for 500 AWHP with moderate boost levels. The owner also went from front track 6MT to a Quattro swap which is nuts in itself. Now for fueling not sure what they are running I'd have to ask now I'm actually curious, I'd guess custom fuel rail but not sure. I know there are other B7's in SOFLO running 35's with moderate tunes. But I have to sit with my shop and discuss the different routes I can take.

GD!!! That is nuts! There is no room in that engine bay. Good for that guy and the other B7's running 35R, but see that's the problem they all will be running mild tunes because they don't have the rev range to get the full use of that large of a turbo. Shit, I'll barely be able to with my 3073. The HPFP is only good till 8k and our transmissions are not supposed to shift passed 7.5k.

[thenofjboy]

simply amazinggg

love the color!

[drumnjuny]

this is awesome i approve heavily of everything in here.

can't wait till you join the big big turbo club!!

[lynch14]

absolutely amazing, love the interior!!

[ny2flb7a4]

Well done man. Are you front track?

[Noel Artiles]

Unfortunately yes. I've learned to deal with Torque steer . But really it hasn't been that bad. The funny thing is that in my M3 when I punch it I expect it torque steer after driving the A4 but instead it power slides .

[QuattriumMT6]

Your attention to detail on phase 3...incredible. I was on the fence about DTM conversions (only liked the rear quad tip valence) but your front end...#nailedit

[Noel Artiles]

Your attention to detail on phase 3...incredible. I was on the fence about DTM conversions (only liked the rear quad tip valence) but your front end...#nailedit

Thank you brother. I actually went back and forth about doing the b8 mashup but stuck with DTM front. Since my old front bumper is sitting in the garage I'm actually am going to try and plastic weld a b8 S4 or a newer S5 front end to a b7 front bumper. I've found damaged ones for cheap. Anyways they are going to get hacked up and frankensteined. So let's see how that works out, lol.

[pvltr_Chuck]

The car looks incredible, I love the platinum suede interior you have done!! Makes me want to do something like that

[Noel Artiles]

Here are some shots of the trunk build.

[LINDW4LL]

I may not love the purple theme, but I certainly can't fault your execution!!

Beautifully done!!

[drumnjuny]

if this is how you treat your b7... i need to see your e90 haha

[Noel Artiles]

if this is how you treat your b7... i need to see your e90 haha

She's not a bad looker, here's a few pics. I've kept her pretty stock other than some cosmetic upgrades (wheels, blacked out grills, painted emblems, carbon fiber lip & spoiler) since she's the daily. If I touch the engine I would have my balls cut off at home. Trust me if it was up to me the thing would have an Active stage 3 kit on it and slammed. I am going to get AG to cut me some aggressive 19's this coming year, do a moderate drop, and exhaust but nothing crazy.






Big sis and the temperamental little sis.

[drumnjuny]

She's not a bad looker, here's a few pics. I've kept her pretty stock other than some cosmetic upgrades (wheels, blacked out grills, painted emblems, carbon fiber lip & spoiler) since she's the daily. If I touch the engine I would have my balls cut off at home. Trust me if it was up to me the thing would have an Active stage 3 kit on it and slammed. I am going to get AG to cut me some aggressive 19's this coming year, do a moderate drop, and exhaust but nothing crazy.

[IMG]
[IMG]
[IMG]

Big sis and the temperamental little sis.

god, i absolutely fucking love e90's. that lip looks amazing.. what brand is it? my cousin is getting a lip on his e93 and i keep convincing him out of shitty ones. i will suggest this one.


just needs a moderate drop and she's great! i put a catback on my cousin's last weekend and it sounds fucking deadly. he needs to remove the mid cats though... but he doesn't want to fail emissions lol. i told him i would swap it for free each time he has to get emissions done

[vdubjetta02]

I loved phased 2 - 3 until the purple...... Still I applaud you

Clean car!