Retrofitting Sports Package
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Retrofitting Sports Package
Many thanks to all those who responded to the PSK Questions.
Here's another: Since some of the items in the PSK are easily retrofitted, such as wheels, tires, and seats, how can one retro-fit a lower, stiffer suspension? My 1998 A6Q has the stock suspension, and it looks like it's been raised to go through flood waters
Are new springs the only way, or can the stock springs be cut? Are there any stiffer anti-roll bars on the PSK? Where can one get them?
Thanks for your help........Andras
Here's another: Since some of the items in the PSK are easily retrofitted, such as wheels, tires, and seats, how can one retro-fit a lower, stiffer suspension? My 1998 A6Q has the stock suspension, and it looks like it's been raised to go through flood waters
Are new springs the only way, or can the stock springs be cut? Are there any stiffer anti-roll bars on the PSK? Where can one get them?Thanks for your help........Andras
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Re: Retrofitting Sports Package
There is a spring kit to retrofit Y2000 A6s that lowers it ~20mm. I don't know about Y1998. Check the Eibach website. I don't think the stock springs can be modified, you need different ones. Antiroll bars in the PSK are 2mm thicker, I believe. The kit I mentioned before does not include the antiroll bars.<ul><li><a href="http://www.eibach.com">eibach site</a></li></ul>
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Coilovers
I spent some time talking with Boston Performance Group at the NE Audi bash a couple of weeks ago.
One of the guys, I think his name was Danesh, seemed very knowledgeable about Audi. He actually recommeneded going with coilovers for the A6 2.7T, which should be superior to the PSK. He also recommended against the bigger anti-sway bar, at least inititally, as the stock one might be better. If the sway bar is too big, you end up loosing too much suspension independence and will get less traction.
The nice thing about coilovers is you can adjust them individually to fine tune the car. He also said that some of the newer ones actually aren't too stiff like they used to be.
The sport wheels probably don't offer much if anything extra in terms of performance. If I were adding a second set of wheels now, I would go with 18s and use the stock wheels for winter snows.
One of the guys, I think his name was Danesh, seemed very knowledgeable about Audi. He actually recommeneded going with coilovers for the A6 2.7T, which should be superior to the PSK. He also recommended against the bigger anti-sway bar, at least inititally, as the stock one might be better. If the sway bar is too big, you end up loosing too much suspension independence and will get less traction.
The nice thing about coilovers is you can adjust them individually to fine tune the car. He also said that some of the newer ones actually aren't too stiff like they used to be.
The sport wheels probably don't offer much if anything extra in terms of performance. If I were adding a second set of wheels now, I would go with 18s and use the stock wheels for winter snows.
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Re: Retrofitting Sports Package
The rear swaybar on the sports package is 2mm bigger and the springs are 20mm lower and harder. The shocks are also firmer on rebound.
You can buy sport springs from Audi (made by Eibach) for about $300 that lower the car about 1 inch (close to the sport package) and are firmer. These springs can be used with the stock shocks or with the sport package shocks (about $500). Presumably you can get the sport package rear swaybar, although my dealers could not find a part # for it. Tirerack listed an antiroll kit for the 2.7t but doesn't anymore so I don't know if there is any aftermarket source on them. In my opinion the car absolutely needs 8" wide or bigger wheels 17 or 18" diameter. It could use stiffer springs and the heavier rear antiroll bar would reduce understeer, which would be nice. You can buy 17x8 or 18x8 inch wheels and tires from a number of sources.
The most expensive and for me the most important part of the sport package would be the seats. I am 6' tall and 170 lbs. and the stock seats let me slide all over when going around corners (although they are extremely comfortable). A very big friend of mine, 6'6" 240 lbs. said that the seats provided great support for him. I would guess that replacing the seats with the sport seats from Audi would cost several thousand dollars and I personally wouldn't want to stick in an aftermarket seat.
You can buy sport springs from Audi (made by Eibach) for about $300 that lower the car about 1 inch (close to the sport package) and are firmer. These springs can be used with the stock shocks or with the sport package shocks (about $500). Presumably you can get the sport package rear swaybar, although my dealers could not find a part # for it. Tirerack listed an antiroll kit for the 2.7t but doesn't anymore so I don't know if there is any aftermarket source on them. In my opinion the car absolutely needs 8" wide or bigger wheels 17 or 18" diameter. It could use stiffer springs and the heavier rear antiroll bar would reduce understeer, which would be nice. You can buy 17x8 or 18x8 inch wheels and tires from a number of sources.
The most expensive and for me the most important part of the sport package would be the seats. I am 6' tall and 170 lbs. and the stock seats let me slide all over when going around corners (although they are extremely comfortable). A very big friend of mine, 6'6" 240 lbs. said that the seats provided great support for him. I would guess that replacing the seats with the sport seats from Audi would cost several thousand dollars and I personally wouldn't want to stick in an aftermarket seat.
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Re: Retrofitting Sports Package
Here's a Real World Follow-up:
Just checked with our local Columbus dealer, and the Sport Springs to retrofit a 1998 A6Q cost only $325, very close to what Cpt. Billy mentioned.
BUT, the labor is stated as costing 12 hours to do all four corners, and thus $1,046. for labor alone.
This leads me to a very simple conclusion: IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE TO GET THE OPTIONS YOU WANT ON A CAR, RATHER THAN RETROFITTING ANYTHING. Unless one can do their own service, it doesn't seem to make any fiscal sense to retrofit something like this, no matter what the apparent benefits....Andras
Just checked with our local Columbus dealer, and the Sport Springs to retrofit a 1998 A6Q cost only $325, very close to what Cpt. Billy mentioned.
BUT, the labor is stated as costing 12 hours to do all four corners, and thus $1,046. for labor alone.
This leads me to a very simple conclusion: IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE TO GET THE OPTIONS YOU WANT ON A CAR, RATHER THAN RETROFITTING ANYTHING. Unless one can do their own service, it doesn't seem to make any fiscal sense to retrofit something like this, no matter what the apparent benefits....Andras
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Re: It shouldn't take 12 hours to change the springs and align.
Eduardo:
Have to agree with you completely, since I have played many cars in the past. But I was only reporting what my dealer (Byer's in Columbus) told me, and they are pretty accurate in their estimates.
It seems to me that one does have to do four wheels, and it's usually about 1-1/2 to 2 hours per wheel, which would still put it at 8 hours.
This might wait until next summer - in the meantime I will "soldier on" without the Sport Suspension for a while. Would that it were available in 1998!!!!...Andras
Have to agree with you completely, since I have played many cars in the past. But I was only reporting what my dealer (Byer's in Columbus) told me, and they are pretty accurate in their estimates.
It seems to me that one does have to do four wheels, and it's usually about 1-1/2 to 2 hours per wheel, which would still put it at 8 hours.
This might wait until next summer - in the meantime I will "soldier on" without the Sport Suspension for a while. Would that it were available in 1998!!!!...Andras
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I cannot find it now (more)...
...but a couple of months ago there was a posting from somebody that had had aftermarket springs (Eibach, I think) installed by an independent mechanic. My recollection is that it took 2-3 hours (without alignment, probably).
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Re: Retrofitting Sports Package
I was quoted 5.0 + 1.9 (alignment) HRS by Pacific Audi, Hermosa Beach, CA. Others in the So. Cal area have quoted up to 10.0 HRS vs the 6.9 HRS (lowest quote) I've found. If somebody knows a reliable SOCAL independent, I'd be int in checking them out.