Josh/AWE

And now for something a little different. We were approached by our friends at German Performance Service with an interesting proposition: Let’s build a race car made from all AWE Tuning off-the-shelf parts, and partner with other best of the best performance upgrades, to build a car that could theoretically be assembled by just about anyone - since most of the parts are standard issue for street use.

And then let’s enter it in one of the most challenging races on the East coast: The infamous Climb to the Clouds - a 110 year old hillclimb event up Mt. Washington on June 29, 2014.

The car - a 2013 B8.5 S4, S-Tronic - would be crafted under the headline “Race Sunday, Commute Monday” to underscore the concept of off-the-shelf parts that anyone can own. #commutemonday.

So our course was set. Before we get cooking here, let’s graciously thank our participating sponsors: G.I.A.C., Yokohama, H&R Special Springs, SPC, Pagid and Audi Genuine Parts.

Without further adieu, let’s build this thing! We'll be updating regularly, subscribe to stay in the loop!

Josh/AWE

Last spring, Marc Feinstein (of Turner motorsport fame, founder of GPS) got a call from AoA. “Could you use a 2013 S4?”

His “Um, yes?” response must have been the right one, because months later, while on a family trip, Marc got a call from the GPS headquarters.

“Marc, there’s a delivery driver here. He says he has your S4.”

(Just in case you’re wondering, no, your phone will not ring tomorrow with a similar question.)

The vehicle, once part of Audi’s test fleet, was in need of a new home. And Feinstein was no stranger to industry inner-workings, having been a member of the Turner Motorsports team from 2001-2007 and Black Swan Racing in 2010 and 2011 (Marc's driving and crew achievements can be found HERE.). Audi knew, that in Marc’s capable hands, something interesting could happen...

So now our blank canvas sat at German Performance Service, ready for an extreme makeover.



Next stop, demolition.

Josh/AWE

Time to get cooking. Even though our theme will be “Race Sunday, Commute Monday,” we do need to keep in mind we are building a race car here (the eventual livery install will reveal a detailed look at the half race car, half street car theme - good stuff coming).

German Performance Service spared no time ripping out all unnecessary parts. Luxury no more. Thanks to the masterminds at GPS for snapping some deconstruction and installation shots during the build process.

Quite the pile of luxurious squishy bits.


Bye bye sound deadening.


This also had to come out for a couple custom modifications.


We'll be getting into safety shortly...

Josh/AWE

It’s time to tackle some safety.

Cage: Check. Thanks to Chris Howard, cage builder extraordinaire.




Test fitting the slightly-modified luxurious dash panel in its new spartan home.




Driver’s side floor board and dead pedal made of carbon fiber with nomex honeycomb core.




After test-fitting and finalizing the locations for the remaining interior accoutrements, the cage was then doused in a fresh coat of our favorite anti-color, black.







A carbon kevlar Racetech seat was installed along with Schroth harnesses and window net.




Next up, SPA remotely actuated fire system. That’s the red bottle that's replacing the back seat.




Less is more. Save the cup holder!



Above, you'll notice that in place of the MMI screen, we've installed an AIM Solo DL datalogger - The AIM datalogger is a rather impressive bit of technology. With the ability to interface with the factory Audi powertrain CAN-bus and record at least 20 channels of live data, we’ll be able to analyze all the goods.

So, we’ve got this race sled all decked out in enough required safety equipment to make any race sanctioning body happy. I think it's about time we add some go-fast parts.

primetime

Cool stuff and looking forward to more of it...

Josh/AWE

Still a lot more to come!

Josh/AWE

Now it's time to walk the aisles of of AWE Tuning headquarters.


The first performance target we set our sights on was improving the 3.0T engine’s ability to gulp down cool air.

AWE Tuning 3.0T S-FLO Carbon Kit

In goes the AWE Tuning S-FLO Intake, Carbon Kit. On an otherwise stock 3.0T, the intake alone unlocks 15 HP and 11 TQ @ 6950 RPM. Given the altitude of Mt Washington, we knew that the #CommuteMonday car would need to inhale as much as possible to still put down the numbers needed for mountain domination. Plus, that carbon’s got the under-hood-appeal to turn heads when the bonnet’s up.

The S-FLO Intake was engineered for maximum flow and power:


Glamour shots:





The AWE Tuning ColdFront™ Heat Exchanger

Running at full bore up the slopes of Mt. Washington will end up producing an incredible amount of heat that could overwhelm the stock heat exchanger and reduce power output. Enter the AWE Tuning ColdFront™ Heat Exchanger.

Developed to reduce the high intake air temperatures produced by the Supercharged 3.0T engine, the ColdFront™ Heat Exchanger will help keep power delivery strong on our way to the top.



Insufficiently cooled air entering a vehicle’s engine - particularly this one - will rob power and performance. Modified vehicles, notably those flashed and/or equipped with a modified supercharger pulley like the AWE Tuning Stage 2 Performance Pulley (more on that later, including bringing G.I.A.C. on board), are particularly susceptible to higher intake air temperatures. This fixes that.




The AWE Tuning ColdFront™ Reservoir

To bolster the supercharger’s cooling system even further, we added our ColdFront™ Reservoir, which with its extra coolant capacity, will help drive down IATs and keep power even more consistent throughout the run. Seeing as we saw such sustained performance when we utilized the ColdFront™ Reservoir in our claiming of the Ľ mile pump fuel record with our own B8.5 S5, it was a no-brainer to include it on the #CommuteMonday mobile as well.

For those using the ColdFront Reservoir in a more drag-race-oriented setting, the simple and accessible top of the reservoir will allow for quick ice addition to keep temperatures in check, and drop IATs even further.




The AWE Tuning ColdFront™ Coolant Pump

The pump itself which is manufactured by cooling system gurus Meziere, flows 100% better than the stock heat exchanger coolant pump, and drops IATs an additional 8% when combined with the ColdFront™ Heat Exchanger and Reservoir. Cool again.






The AWE Tuning ColdFront™ Heat Exchanger Protection Screen

Let’s wear some armor. The ColdFront™ Protection screen, shown below on our in-house Project B8.5 S5, adds a durable and effective layer of stainless steel mesh that serves to keep the heat exchanger safe from debris attacks. Power. Protection. Performance. Cool (yes, again).




AWE Tuning Non-Resonated 3.0T Downpipes

We’re up to downpipes. The AWE Tuning Non-Resonated 3.0T Downpipes should do the trick. Featuring larger-than-stock diameter tubing for better flow, and lacking any sort of resonator, these downpipes will help give the CTTC S4 a healthy dose of race car attitude.




Next up, something loud is afoot out back.

Josh/AWE

The AWE Tuning S4 exhaust line has always been a favorite of ours at AWE Tuning. But occasionally, we get the request for something… a little less civilized. So, what better way to introduce our Track Edition Exhaust System than on a track edition car?

The Track Edition Exhaust System (for B8 Audi S4s and B8.5 Audi S4s)is based off of the tried and true hand-crafted geometry of the B8 and B8.5 3.0T Touring Edition Exhaust Systems, except with… less. Just one central muffler, no resonators. It’s made of the same T-304 stainless, is still crafted in house by our master fabricators, and delivers the same power gains. Along with less weight, S4 owners will also enjoy that this system comes in at a lower price point.

If pure, unadulterated 3.0T is your sound track, this system might want to be on your play list.

Highlights:

• +8HP, +9TQ at the crank
• Increased pipe diameter to 2.5” to let engine exhale better
• Available with Chrome Silver or Diamond Black individually adjustable tips
• Engineered, developed, tested, and manufactured in-house at AWE Tuning
• Thick .065” wall T304 stainless steel tubing
• Stainless steel TIG welds
• High quality stainless steel band clamps
• Stainless steel center muffler with OEM-grade stainless steel wool and German composite packing material
• Optional downpipes for fine-tuning sound volume
• Lifetime Warranty

Fair warning, this is a loud exhaust that is not for the faint of heart. Built to wake the natives on Mt. Washington.













Stay tuned for upcoming chapters of the #CommuteMonday build where we get into some installation.

Josh/AWE

I’m holding out for a hero. He’s gotta be strong, he’s gotta be fast, and he’s gotta be fresh from the fight. I need a hero.

It’s time we find someone to drive this thing.

Introducing Ramana Lagemann, who likely doesn’t even need an introduction. Considered one of the fastest American rally drivers in competition, Ramana Lagemann was a factory driver for Subaru Rally Team USA. He has won multiple events, including the Olympus Rally and the New England Forest Rally, he competed in the X Games, and he’s raced up Pikes Peak. Less well known: he learned to drive in his father’s Audi 4000 quattro; the first car he ever raced was his Audi Coupe quattro; and currently he’s an instructor for the Audi Driving Experience.

And now, he’ll officially pilot the AWE Tuning / GPS “Commute Monday” S4, demonstrating what can be done with off the shelf performance parts.





Stay tuned for some killer footage of some of the early shake down runs with Ramana at the helm.

Welcome aboard, Ramana!

Josh/AWE

When the AWE Tuning parts showed up, GPS got to work. Thanks again to German Performance Service for supplying us with photos of the #CommuteMonday build.



The Track Edition Exhaust, full shot. Over 30lb lighter than the stock system in the background!


Look, no rear mufflers!


Chrome Silver tips in action.


Time to break out the AWE Tuning 3.0T S-FLO Carbon Kit.


Front bumper removed, AWE Tuning ColdFront System time.


Stock heat exchanger removed.


Serious heat exchanging about to go down here.


The ColdFront install continues.


Installed and armored up with the ColdFront Protection Screen.


We'll be completing the ColdFront family with the ColdFront coolant pump soon, but first, we'll be upping the power. Stay tuned.