Researching dedicated track car engine + body/car
 

I've been playing with the idea of investing in a track car here in the next year. I don't want to beat up on my daily-driver car so I was thinking that I should keep on the lookout.

My preliminary plan is to buy a S4 or possibly A4 body with no engine, just the shell so I can gut it. (Not sure how much one of these would cost and the likelihood the body is still in good shape)

The second step would be to buy an engine. I'm not sure what I'd be looking at. Since it would be a track car, I'd be spending the most money in this area, therefore I'd like to get the best engine I could for under 15g's. Maybe a NA engine, maybe a fairly new/new S4 engine and stage 3 it... I don't know, suggestions? I'm not a mechanic...

Ideally, I'd like to have a DSG setup but I realize that may be out of my price range with it being a new technology.

Wheels, suspension, exhaust, etc will all follow at the appropriate time.

Of course I could be getting way ahead of myself... Any helpful links for me to read would be appreciated. For instance, weight distribution pro/cons, things to look into first, etc? I guess I need to read up on all the car's other parts to see what else I need to know. If I get engine a, what type of tranny do I need to go with it? If I get a certain setup, do I need bigger injectors? Stronger this, bigger that... I'm sure there's so much engine/car theory to read that I'd spend the next 6 months reading everying and not know anything... Anyway, some helpful links would be appreciated.

I'm one of those analytical types so before long I'll be asking good questions so load me up on study material!

P.S. I know that theory, etc is only part of it but it's a start.

Why an A4 / S4? What are your plans? Some questions maybe worth considering
 

What is your daily driver? Is it also an A4 / S4? If so, would you really want to have another A4 / S4 in the driveway dedicated only for track use?

What kind of track use? Auto X? Strip? HPDE, time trials or real fender to fender rubbing club, GT racing?

If just for strip, why not just mod the daily driver to be the best it can be for occasional fun, bragging rights? Or do you want to build an A4 or S4 in the 11, 10, 9 second arena for real serious competition?

If for AutoX, your best bet is Street Mod, but it's a lot of time and money invested in getting the car tuned for handling, braking and balance. Yes, I intentionally left engine because that's fairly easy to achieve with an S4. The rest is not. If your talking about gutting everything, you're going into Open Street Prepared or Open Class. No matter what A4/S4 you mod, you'll be outgunned by a go-kart type shell. Unless it's just for the fun of competing in those extreme categories, Although, I see that as impractical, but it's your call.

If it's for HPDE, and you really don't want to subject the daily driver to potential abuse and mishap, then I can see why a dedicated track car is in the order. But building a new car just for this? Do you really want another S4/A4 sitting on your driveway just for track duty? Do you have a trailer and tow vehicle if so? Why not look into a cheaper, just for fun vehicle that can corner better for cheaper? Or if you really like Audis, maybe get another model from your daily driver, so at least you'll have something different? And maybe not too track worthy so you can enjoy it from time to time.

If you really want to get into road course racing, ask the race (motorsports) forum folks. There's a lot of veterans out there, some of which do not own Audis (anymore), but had been racing for 2,3,4 decades. They have a lot of information and advise, depending on what skill level you want to achieve and how much $$ you want to burn.

Anyway, more questions for you to ponder. Good luck with your decision

Re: Why an A4 / S4? What are your plans? Some questions maybe worth considering
 

I wanted another car dedicated to track/road racing (grad prix is same thing?). Something like at the Autobahn course in Joliet or SCCA events... Bragging rights and self-fulfillment. I'd of been a professional driver if I had someone to finance me, I love driving.

It doesn't need to be an Audi but I'm extremely biased towards them. For a track car, it doesn't matter I suppose but I'd prefer to drive an AWD car. I'm not a big fan of RWD although I respect what you can do in one.

I'll re-post in the other form, I must have missed that form when I was forum hunting.

Just a shot in the dark..
 

But I would consider looking into a Miata spec car. I even think Mazda of North America helps out on costs if you can prove that you track the car. They even have the MazdaSpeed line of upgrades at decent cost to owners.

Like I said, just a shot in the dark.

why not something like a feiro or mr2?
 

rwd/rear engine is a much better setup i had an mr2 it was a blast...like driving a go kart

Im assuming you want to stay Audi?
 

and if so im also assuming you have a decent amount of money to play with.
If both of these ARENT true, id look into a miata or 240sx, maybe even a mustang, all are cheap and quite modable, and most important....RWD.
sport compact just did an article on cheap turbo systems, one was a 240sx, they made somthing like 230hp @ the wheels at safe for stock internals and fuel system, boost levels (under 8-10 psi)
and they can be made to handle realy well.
I do not like Jap cars much at all, but those cars are pretty damn cool, and much more masculine than a miata.
Just my .02 ...im young and poor lol.

Just a different spin that may or may not be well received...
 

I've been thinking about this same thing a lot lately since I have a newer Audi now that is leased.

My thoughts concern not only what car to get, but being able to have money left over to replace motors, body damage, etc.

I'm also concerned about how easy it will be to service it myself should something break, which it will.

S4 was ruled out only because of the relative difficulties for me to replace turbos myeself when they blow and the expense of having to buy a new body if and when it wrecks.

I have thought about an older 1997 or so A4 for about 6g to 8g or maybe cheaper if it has motor troubles but a straight body.

Then, just doing some simple strengthening on a newer used motor or perhaps the motor that came in it. Nothing fancy here. Worried about most bang for my buck realizing the parts may need to be replaced often.

Adding the $5200 APR Stage 3+ then only because it would be simple for me to install and would be relatively plug and play. Tinkering with boost and what not would be fine, but i'm worried about starting with something trouble free and hopefully this might be it. Let's assume we can get 380chp with reliability and race fuel.

So far lets say we have 7K car + 5K stage 3+. = $12,000

Exhaust with strait pipes = $1000 or less

Clutch + flywheel = $1000 or less

Stasis Motorsport Suspension (the real power behind the kit. No need for 500hp with the right suspension). = $3800

LW Racing Harts with RA1 (deals can be had) = $2500

LW seat battery hood, fenders, etc = $3000

Strip it out and roll cage = $500

Stasis rear LSD and center Torsen mod = $2000

Brakes such as Stoptech, Brembo, AP Racing etc. can all be found used and easily be brought up to spec for about $1500.

There's my sub $30K race car. It could be built in stages if $$ was a concern. Also many parts removed could hopefully be auctioned off on ebay. I'd probably want to have spares of several parts and an emergency fund of at least 5 grand for the season...10 grand would be more realistic to prepare for failures and wrecks.

The thing I like about this setup is that if you trash the body it's not too big of a deal. Fix it if you can or grab another one and swap the parts. No biggie. If you blow the motor...No biggie either. It's cheap and easy to swap parts on also.

Of course all this depends on how with what organization you want to race. This would be a fun solo car and club racer.

cheers! Mike

I agree. Buy something that's already finished.
 

You'll save a ton of money and headaches.

I will sell mine for 80k$
 

haha, and lose money, but a Carerra 4s with some work might get me to sell.
Rod

Here, save yourself some time.
 

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