Lusky's A3 Build

[Lusky]

Hello Everyone,

I have mostly been a lurker with a few random posts here and there. This community has been very helpful to me with my build so I wanted to start a thread and show the results. Hopefully I can answer questions and help others with their own builds. I started with a 2016 A3 S-Line. I did not want to pay for the S3 since I would be going Stage 3+ from the start and would be removing all that is nice on a S3 anyhow. I would also like to thank Eurotek Tuning of Las Vegas for all of their help and outstanding work and allowing me to be in the shop and taking pictures during the build.

Before I purchased the car I was here reviewing the aggressive wheel thread so I could pick asap. I didn't realize that even more of a priority was switching to coilovers right away until I took the test drive and turning felt like I was driving a Lincoln town car. I was set on Bilstein B14's but they were hard to find. Tons of dealers had them advertised for a really good price just none had any of the shelf. Luckily my local dealer was able to source a set and still get the good deal. Now that the wheels and tires were on it was time to have the B14's installed and since the car now had 260 miles on the clock I felt it was ready for the APR Stage 1 ECU and TCU Upgrades.

[Lusky]

Ok while this was all getting installed I ordered APR's Stage 3 along with all the accessories. I understood that Stage 3 was expected to arrive sometime in May and this was end of March so I went ahead with getting the APR Intake, catch can, and Intercooler ordered and installed right away so the car would be prepped for Stage 3.

[Lusky]

After more research next up we have goodies from 034 Motorsports, dogbone mount, subframe mounts, rear sway bar, rear end links, front sway bar end links.

[Lusky]

While the car was on the rack getting the 034 stuff added I noticed how restrictive the stock A3 Muffler appeared so I ordered the Milltek asap and it was installed a week later. Bringing us into present time we are still waiting on the APR Stage 3 to ship. Hopefully I get some info today since last week my dealer's APR sales rep was on vacation. My Stage 3 mid pipe and 3+ Fuel System is sitting at my local dealer and hopefully everything will go on soon. I am also working on deciding which race seats I want. I am looking into the Sparco Fighter, Recaro Pole Position and Recaro PROFI SPA.

Also figured out a Mini wireless OBD2, dash command app, and Pro Clip phone mount were quick and easy mods for my enjoyment.

[Lusky]

[A20V200]

? You have an A3 and you are going Stage 3? Is that possible? The A3 internals are not FORGED like the S3's are....will it go BOOM!! Just seeing if you asked this or if it was advised that only going to an IS38 / Stage 2 with an A3 was possible...?

[markn1689]

there is more of a difference between an a3 and s3 than you think. its not just a bigger turbo and exhaust.

will that laundry list of mods you *might* have an a3 that is as fast or ever so slightly faster than an s3. but it has a much higher chance of blowing up and being a huge money pit.

[Lusky]

? You have an A3 and you are going Stage 3? Is that possible? The A3 internals are not FORGED like the S3's are....will it go BOOM!! Just seeing if you asked this or if it was advised that only going to an IS38 / Stage 2 with an A3 was possible...?

I am going Stage 3+, plus their upcoming add ons above and beyond. I researched before I purchased the car and I had no intentions on adding an IS38 turbo and stopping at Stage 2.

[Lusky]

there is more of a difference between an a3 and s3 than you think. its not just a bigger turbo and exhaust.

will that laundry list of mods you *might* have an a3 that is as fast or ever so slightly faster than an s3. but it has a much higher chance of blowing up and being a huge money pit.

I understand all of the differences, my build is far from over. Currently deciding on which bbk I want and will go on before or when Stage 3+ is installed. I will do internals, heads, clutch packs and e85 tune once all are available.

fwiw as it sits with Stage 1 and TCU flashes the car is already "ever so slightly faster than an s3" however my goal is not to build this car to compete with the S3, the goal is to build the exact car that I want.

[saxon]

i think the a3 is a great bargain if you buy it with the intention to build the motor and go stage 3

not much differences after that and the minor differences can all be switched over from the s3

[A20V200]

I understand all of the differences, my build is far from over. Currently deciding on which bbk I want and will go on before or when Stage 3+ is installed. I will do internals, heads, clutch packs and e85 tune once all are available.

fwiw as it sits with Stage 1 and TCU flashes the car is already "ever so slightly faster than an s3" however my goal is not to build this car to compete with the S3, the goal is to build the exact car that I want.

Gotcha.....Nowhere in your previous updates did you mention that you were tearing the motor down and building it up...So i was a little concerned. Carry on with your build, it will be interesting to see how it turns out. If you can go head to head with an S3 Stage 3+ for comparison sake that would be interesting.

[Lusky]

Gotcha.....Nowhere in your previous updates did you mention that you were tearing the motor down and building it up...So i was a little concerned. Carry on with your build, it will be interesting to see how it turns out. If you can go head to head with an S3 Stage 3+ for comparison sake that would be interesting.

I will keep this up to date. I want to share since others have shared which helped me :). Going head to head with an S3 differences that would play a factor do not have anything to do with the APR Stage 3+ part of the build since at that point they turn out the same numbers. At APR Stage 2 build the S3 is way ahead.

[mroberte]

Looking forward to your build adventure. Have been eyeing upgrading turbo on my A3, stage 3 would be nuts! Keep us updated!

[will13k7]

nice choice in parts! I think Arin@APR mentioned a couple of times that at stage3 power levels, the difference in a3 and s3 internals is negligible anyways.

[saxon]

nice choice in parts! I think Arin@APR mentioned a couple of times that at stage3 power levels, the difference in a3 and s3 internals is negligible anyways.

i wonder if cams/valvetrain etc are the same or are different

[RVR]

Nice clean A3 build Lusky! Question, how do the 034 mounts feel? I was wondering if there was a difference from the driver seat. Congrats on stage 3! Can't wait to hear the results. At my tuner shop out east they are building a 2016 GTI with a stage 3 kit. Waiting for the rest of the parts also, should be interesting!

[Lusky]

Nice clean A3 build Lusky! Question, how do the 034 mounts feel? I was wondering if there was a difference from the driver seat. Congrats on stage 3! Can't wait to hear the results. At my tuner shop out east they are building a 2016 GTI with a stage 3 kit. Waiting for the rest of the parts also, should be interesting!

Thanks! All of the 034 parts went on at the same time and combined it was quite the improvement. I feel like I have more control/feedback now, he car feels very planted and turns on rails. Hard acceleration also feels improved. The front factory sway bar end links are really weak, I can easily make them flex with my hands applying very little effort. The car now reminds me of having the feedback similar to my past corvettes which I like.

[RVR]

Thanks for the feedback Lusky. I take it you went with the sway bar end links? Did you also install the dog bone mount?

[Lusky]

Thanks for the feedback Lusky. I take it you went with the sway bar end links? Did you also install the dog bone mount?

Correct, dogbone mount, subframe mounts, rear sway bar, rear end links, front sway bar end links.

[zcspec]

Your timing is absolutely perfect as I was able to confirm a few things for my brother's S3, thanks to your build. We just installed H&R coils on his car and noticed that there is a clunking noise. Having experience from the MKV chassis, I knew exactly what it was. It's related to the pre-load placed on the front sway-bars due to the now, incorrect front sway-bar end link sizes. You posted a photo of a new, ADJUSTABLE front swaybar end link which pretty much confirmed what I already knew. I am willing to bet, you have no strange popping or clunking noises up front.

Almost forgot, beautiful build thus far, cannot wait to see how your car progresses in the next few weeks/months.

[Lusky]

Your timing is absolutely perfect as I was able to confirm a few things for my brother's S3, thanks to your build. We just installed H&R coils on his car and noticed that there is a clunking noise. Having experience from the MKV chassis, I knew exactly what it was. It's related to the pre-load placed on the front sway-bars due to the now, incorrect front sway-bar end link sizes. You posted a photo of a new, ADJUSTABLE front swaybar end link which pretty much confirmed what I already knew. I am willing to bet, you have no strange popping or clunking noises up front.

Almost forgot, beautiful build thus far, cannot wait to see how your car progresses in the next few weeks/months.

Glad I could help
And yes I do not have any strange noises up front. Front center fender to ground is 24-7/8" Rear center fender to ground is 25-1/8". Tires are 255/35-18 PSS's on 18x9 ET48

[Niwdog]

Do you have to replace the end links if you put on lowering springs?

[Lusky]

Do you have to replace the end links if you put on lowering springs?

I did not have to replace the front end links as it still aligned correctly at my height with the B14's. I did it because of how weak the front oem end links are so more of a preventive measure however someone with more knowledge may be able to say these add to performance as I am unsure.

[B3trayus]

Thanks for the feedback Lusky. I take it you went with the sway bar end links? Did you also install the dog bone mount?

I can attest to this. I see him almost everyday, and the car is solid, as it almost seems like he knows the way he takes is a sorry slalom. Hahaha. Damn thing doesn't move. I'm a B5 guy, and love seeing it move.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Lusky]

Decided to switch the factory battery which weighs 43.96 lbs to a Shorai LFX36L3-BS12 Lithium Ion battery that weighs 4.96 lbs. I also figured out I could relocate it to the trunk passenger side compartment. I am currently driving with it mounted under the hood inside the factory (amp box?) until we run wires to the rear compartment in a few days.

[saxon]

Why put it in the trunk and add all the weight of the wire?

[mroberte]

Weight of the wire? He just took out 40 lbs, and maybe 1 lb of wire, if that.

[B3trayus]

The weight of the wire, even copper, isn't much at all.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Lusky]

Why put it in the trunk and add all the weight of the wire?

In the trunk to get it away from the heat. Also the 5lbs is better in the trunk than under the hood and it fits perfect in that free plastic box. The wire is not much weight at all.

[Malicious8V]

Great project so far! I picked up an A3 Sline recently as well and plan on going IS38. I had the "sport suspension" but it was not that great TBH. I went with H&R Sport springs but want some coilovers like yours down the road. How did you feel the 034 RSB and rear subframe mounts helped the handling of the car? Did you get the metal 034 dogbone mount or the poly? If the metal, why? Do you feel any added NVH?

[Lusky]

Great project so far! I picked up an A3 Sline recently as well and plan on going IS38. I had the "sport suspension" but it was not that great TBH. I went with H&R Sport springs but want some coilovers like yours down the road. How did you feel the 034 RSB and rear subframe mounts helped the handling of the car? Did you get the metal 034 dogbone mount or the poly? If the metal, why? Do you feel any added NVH?

Thanks! My car came with "sport suspension" too, tons of body roll stock. 034 offers a Version 1 & 2 dogbone. They have a picture of the 2 possible stock ones. Look at that picture then check your car to see which version you have. I have owned many vehicles where I modified the suspension but this is my first set of coilovers so I was expecting noise and possible harshness. There is none, its very quiet, solid, comfortable, the body roll eliminated. There are certain areas on the 215 in Vegas where the roads get bouncy and stock my car experienced this, now with the coilovers its gone! All the 034 parts made the car feel more solid/planted, kinda like suddenly I am plugged in once I sit and I can now experience positive feedback from the rear, the car turns on rail now. I have zero increase in NHV, it really puts a smile on my face to drive it now vs stock.

[Lusky]

After driving around for a week with the new lithium battery still up front I headed back to Eurotek Tuning of Las Vegas to complete the move to the rear trunk compartment. The factory battery tray was hardly no weight at all and the air intake mounts to the front of it so they left it in and used it as a base to setup a jump spot, ran the positive to the rear and setup a new ground in the back. Once again they did an outstanding job and allowed me to be involved and take more pics.

[will13k7]

clean install!

[MCMLXIX]

Subscribed...

also, are you a member of ACLV?
www.audicluboflasvegas.com

[Lusky]

Subscribed...

also, are you a member of ACLV?
www.audicluboflasvegas.com

Hi, yes I am

[P2WRTMR]

Great idea on the battery. Im in the same boat with my A3, already have all the toys and IS38. Waiting for a larger turbo to throw on it.

[soulflyer]

Very interesting background!!! had to look twice lol!

If you need help/advice with the race seat swap let me know.. I put a Sparco Evo 2 in mine...

[Lusky]

Very interesting background!!! had to look twice lol!

If you need help/advice with the race seat swap let me know.. I put a Sparco Evo 2 in mine...

I need help for sure. I was messaging back and forth with a forum vendor trying to pick seats After several responses with very helpful info I called him 2 weeks ago and had it narrowed down to 3 seats which he had in house and I told him I wanted to drive there (5 hours) and sit in them and decide. He said he would call me back the same day so I could plan my trip, couple weeks now and still no response. I think the biggest problem is delivery times on seats with leather covering, even in black, however I would like to have the chestnut brown to match my interior.

[Lusky]

Stage 3 + finally made it to Las Vegas. Stay tuned for install / results post!

[dlric1]

love your build thread!