Keith Brantley’s APR Tuned RS3 Runs 9’s in the Quarter Mile

[Arin@APR]

First 2.5 TFSI EVO in the 9’s with a [email protected] MPH!



APR’s development on the 2.5 TFSI EVO continues with yet another set of records for the platform. On May 1st 2018, Keith Brantley piloted his APR Tuned RS3 into the 9’s, and backed up his record with eight 9-second passes! In doing so he set several records for the platform, including the following:

9.83 Seconds – Quarter Mile ET
144.41 MPH – Quarter Mile Trap Speed
2.44 Seconds – 0-60 MPH via Dragy
4.79 Seconds – 60-120 MPH via Dragy
5.91 Seconds – 60-130 MPH via Dragy

Keith’s 9-second passes were as follows, including conditions, at Montgomery Raceway Park in Montgomery, Alabama:

[email protected] - 2,175 FT Density Altitude (86.7F, 29%, 29.87 In.Hg.)
[email protected] - 2,187 FT Density Altitude (86.1F, 31%, 29.87 In.Hg.)
[email protected] - 2,197 FT Density Altitude (86.0F, 32%, 29.87 In.Hg.)
[email protected] - 1,924 FT Density Altitude (81.4F, 40%, 29.86 In.Hg.)
[email protected] - 1,930 FT Density Altitude (80.3F, 47%, 29.87 In.Hg.)
[email protected] - 1,571 FT Density Altitude (74.6F, 61%, 29.87 In.Hg.)
[email protected] - 1,382 FT Density Altitude (71.3F, 69%, 29.88 In.Hg.)
[email protected] - 1,341 FT Density Altitude (70.8F, 69%, 29.88 In.Hg.)



Keith’s vehicle setup and modifications were as follows:

2018 Audi RS3 2.5 TFSI
APR ECU & TCU Upgrades with E85
TTE625 Drop-in Stock-Housing Turbo
Intake System
Straight-Pipe / Dump Tube Exhaust System
Intercooler System
Fueling System
18x8.5 Wheels
245x40R18 Hoosier Drag Radials
Seats Removed

Overall we’re impressed with the setup. Keith’s RS3 laid down over 600 WHP on our dyno, and was extremely capable at the drag strip. Given the turbo’s moderate size, the system makes for an excellent daily driver, without introducing significant lag, as is often the case with much larger, and more capable turbochargers. We would like to stress this is not a production product we currently sell, and much of the hardware upgrades are prototypes and proofs of concept. Our production hardware will begin rolling out later this year. Please stay tuned for more details while we continue to work on adding Program Switching and Full Encryption to the ECU to protect our world-class and record-setting ECU Upgrades before our official release!



Thank you to Keith Brantley for giving us the opportunity to make his RS3 fast. A special shout-out to Jeffrey Sanders and Montgomery Raceway Park for their hospitality and track prep! And thank you to Richard Conniff at Jack Ingram for all our VW, Audi and Porsche purchases!

Go APR!

[ourlee]

1.5 60 damn!

[dgszweda]

These posts are mildly interesting. Yes it is cool that they have made a 5-cylinder break into the 9's, but at the end of the day, when you modify it so much, it really is confusing to me. For the money that is put into something like this, you can get a car into the 9's at a cheaper price. I get the tuning aspect, but always find it a bit odd, when the numbers are pushed. I guess to each their own.

[Arin@APR]

So, give us a frame of reference. What other cars are we talking about?

[ormandj]

Seeing as this is a TT* forum, when will we have a TTRS tune available? I'm sure that's what most of us (myself included) are interested in. I don't intend on doing big turbo mods as I want to keep the road course and daily performance solid, but a good tune would do well by this car.

Also, any news on transmission tunes? Removing the lag in manual mode when little throttle input is applied would be a great start.

Great numbers on the RS3! Don't tease us on the TT forum like this without dates! ;)

[ourlee]

These posts are mildly interesting. Yes it is cool that they have made a 5-cylinder break into the 9's, but at the end of the day, when you modify it so much, it really is confusing to me. For the money that is put into something like this, you can get a car into the 9's at a cheaper price. I get the tuning aspect, but always find it a bit odd, when the numbers are pushed. I guess to each their own.

Debbie Downer dude.

[dgszweda]

So, give us a frame of reference. What other cars are we talking about?

Dodge Demon - 9.65 second quarter mile, and it is $84,995
Nissan GTR - Alpha Package (if you go crazy you can get the quarter mile in 6 seconds)

And many more.

It isn't that it isn't cool on some level, it just seems crazy to buy a car, rip it apart with the sole purpose of getting a crazy 1/4 time that you can do on a car that you don't need to rip apart. One even has a warranty on it from the manufacturer.

[dgszweda]

Debbie Downer dude.

I know, aren't I?

[87vr6]

when you modify it so much, it really is confusing to me. For the money that is put into something like this, you can get a car into the 9's at a cheaper price.

Modified so much? Nothing was "ripped apart". A drop in turbo, no motor work, simple fueling upgrades, bolt ons (exhaust/intercooler) and a tune? Geez.. RS3 for 53k or so.. Maybe another 10g in parts and you're in the 9s. If that's your thing. No NEW GTR or Hellcat is that cheap..

2018 Audi RS3 2.5 TFSI
APR ECU & TCU Upgrades with E85
TTE625 Drop-in Stock-Housing Turbo
Intake System
Straight-Pipe / Dump Tube Exhaust System
Intercooler System
Fueling System
18x8.5 Wheels
245x40R18 Hoosier Drag Radials
Seats Removed

Now, the money I've spent on my 20th AE VW? Yea. Waste, in your eyes. In mine, the one who earned and spent the money, its fantastic. Move along now.

[Chuckster]

Different strokes. I like it.
The post is in a relevant forum with a related platform. Thanks for sharing.

[MrBlonde]

These posts are mildly interesting. Yes it is cool that they have made a 5-cylinder break into the 9's, but at the end of the day, when you modify it so much, it really is confusing to me. For the money that is put into something like this, you can get a car into the 9's at a cheaper price. I get the tuning aspect, but always find it a bit odd, when the numbers are pushed. I guess to each their own.

For every dude with an RS3 and APR kit running 9s, there are many people like you. Something inside you motivated you to write a post raining on the parade. I wonder what that something is.

[dgszweda]

For every dude with an RS3 and APR kit running 9s, there are many people like you. Something inside you motivated you to write a post raining on the parade. I wonder what that something is.

Turbo Envy, maybe?

[Arin@APR]

Seeing as this is a TT* forum, when will we have a TTRS tune available? I'm sure that's what most of us (myself included) are interested in.

Working on it every day. Hopefully soon!

Dodge Demon - 9.65 second quarter mile, and it is $84,995

Perhaps the RS3 is a bit more multi-purpose. The quarter mile time is impressive, but it's also an impressive daily driver, and most importantly, impressive around the circuit.

Nissan GTR - Alpha Package (if you go crazy you can get the quarter mile in 6 seconds)

Yeah - that's big time money!

[GS Dave]

hahaha a Demon for $85K. Good luck with that one. a buddy of mine who is good friends with the owner of one of the largest dealers just got his. I think he got the family special at $110k. lol

[mikey7182]

hahaha a Demon for $85K. Good luck with that one. a buddy of mine who is good friends with the owner of one of the largest dealers just got his. I think he got the family special at $110k. lol

... and it says "Dodge" on it...

[timzcat]

I have to agree with dgszweda. The post title is APR tuned which to many means a tune. This is a different turbo and mods to support it runs E85 and slicks. If they were street tires I might be impressed.
It's unrealistic for most people, particularly if you prefer to turn at the track. You could spend probably half the money, do other mods like brakes and suspension and that 9-second car will lose on a road course. At the end of the day its all preference.

[Chuckster]

I think some of us are arguing just for the sake of post count. Suddenly all the accomplishments need to be in full street trim and for road racing? Hilarious! There’s plenty of other threads to attempt to shit on.

[ormandj]

I just want to see the same type of video with a TTRS instead of an RS3. ;) I'm over my heavy modification days, but a nice tune would be neat to see. "Soon" has been the word for quite some time, and we just keep seeing more RS3 posts while waiting. I realize there is a lot shared between the two; it doesn't make it any less disappointing. I'm sure APR is just making sure the tune is in proper order, but some videos of a TTRS on a dyno sure would go a long way towards appeasing those of us patiently waiting.

[Chuckster]

I’m sure Lusky will break some records.

[dgszweda]

I think some of us are arguing just for the sake of post count. Suddenly all the accomplishments need to be in full street trim and for road racing? Hilarious! There’s plenty of other threads to attempt to shit on.

First, APR is just really weird letters for a tuning company. Doesn't even sound cool.

Second, Everyone just wants to hate everyone else, instead of respecting diversity

Third, why post about an RS3 in the TTRS forum. The RS3 has manual seats and the TTRS has electric seats. Not even close to the same. Plus, some vendors can't read the forum titles, probably because the titles are more than three letters long

Fourth, if you are going to pick a car to highlight your accomplishments, why such an ugly color? Come on black, will probably make it a bit faster, plus adds extra points for coolness.

Fifth, why the white lettering on the tires? What is this a JDM forum. Come on, this is German cars for crying out loud.

Sixth, remove the seats? Come on! How on earth will they be able to post expression videos on youtube with a girl in the passenger seat and launching the car. Total fail there.

Seventh, they call it a daily driver, but no seats? What kind of driver is that? Plus the slicks are going to stink in the rain.

[dgszweda]

Sorry, for the last post, just trying to increase my post count.

[S3DUDE]

Cmon guys, we have to think out of the box. APR posted it here because of the shared powertrain. Tuners, vendors and even forum members do the same thing, they share experiences regarding mods, parts, DYI, installs, etc. Obviously the runs were made for maximum efficiency (less weight, fastest way go around the track), I wouldn't wrap your head about it too much.

If anything, this post was very informative. you get to know new things like the fueling system, the DSG capabilities, the motor capabilities. In my humble opinion this post was very productive and informative and above all beneficial to the TT-RS community. Wouldn't you want to know the limits of the power train or any other car related issues? I am just saying

[HHughes1]

Cmon guys, we have to think out of the box. APR post it here because of the shared powertrain. Tuners, vendors and even forum members do the same thing, they share experiences regarding mods, parts, DYI, installs, etc. Obviously the runs were made for maximum efficiency (less weight, fastest way go around the track), I wouldn't wrap your head about it too much.

If anything, this post was very informative. you get to know new things like the fueling system, the DSG capabilities, the motor capabilities. In my humble opinion this post was very productive and informative and above all beneficial to the TT-RS community. Wouldn't you want to know the limits of the power train or any other car related issues? I am just saying

Exactly !!!!!! Builds like this that push the envelope help establish the tuning parameters for stage 1 and 2 packages. And in my case I'm now sure it's time to trade my wife's TTS for an RS although it will not see the same level of modification as Keith's car.

BTW Don't be surprised to see video of this RS3 at Sebring in the future but I don't think it will keep pace with his primary. (Third ACR from the left)

[TheBigFish]

First, APR is just really weird letters for a tuning company. Doesn't even sound cool.

Second, Everyone just wants to hate everyone else, instead of respecting diversity

Third, why post about an RS3 in the TTRS forum. The RS3 has manual seats and the TTRS has electric seats. Not even close to the same. Plus, some vendors can't read the forum titles, probably because the titles are more than three letters long

Fourth, if you are going to pick a car to highlight your accomplishments, why such an ugly color? Come on black, will probably make it a bit faster, plus adds extra points for coolness.

Fifth, why the white lettering on the tires? What is this a JDM forum. Come on, this is German cars for crying out loud.

Sixth, remove the seats? Come on! How on earth will they be able to post expression videos on youtube with a girl in the passenger seat and launching the car. Total fail there.

Seventh, they call it a daily driver, but no seats? What kind of driver is that? Plus the slicks are going to stink in the rain.

So square the red bolded statement with four and five?

Also APR was started by some college kids while they were in school (probably tuning in their trailers...dang Barners!) about 20 years ago. They built their business from the ground up. Show some respect.

[GaBoYnFla]

I just want to see the same type of video with a TTRS instead of an RS3. ;) I'm over my heavy modification days, but a nice tune would be neat to see. "Soon" has been the word for quite some time, and we just keep seeing more RS3 posts while waiting. I realize there is a lot shared between the two; it doesn't make it any less disappointing. I'm sure APR is just making sure the tune is in proper order, but some videos of a TTRS on a dyno sure would go a long way towards appeasing those of us patiently waiting.

Well said....I'm in the same boat. I had a Callaway Turbo Scirocco back in 1985 built to the hilt. I just want a nice lightly tuned car and I appreciate APR taking time to get it right. If something goes wrong, these cars are expensive to repair....

[emericr]

Looks like they are going to be haters everywhere.
I don't come here often as I am on the Benz wagon right now but props to Keith on an amazing runs with basically simple bolt ons and a turbo upgrade. I am not sure there are many platforms that can do this consistently.
I remember him when he had the NA C63 and the few times I met him, he's just a competitive guy that that loves to push the limit on any cars he owns. I think he still owns the record for fastest W204 C63.
Seems like I need to wait a nicely used RS in a year or so and I'll get in touch with Keith to learn what to do.

[ourlee]

I’m truly shocked at the negative responses. Perhaps the cloud yellers watched with mute engaged. Keep up the craziness APR (I know you will)

[Arin@APR]

Maybe this is a good moment to share we released our Stage 1 ECU Upgrade, since it was discussed earlier. You can find details here. https://goapr.io/25ecu

Thank you!