So here goes -- slow but steady I hope!!
 

So here's my deal, I bought this car a 1998 A4 B5 1.8TQ for 1000can from Merritt. Runs good, drives good :) However, before mods I would like everything to be in proper working order and if I can upgrade as I do any repair I will for sure.

Things I know need attention, some cosmetic and some mechanical. I haven't been able to get the car to my shop yet to do a full inspection:

- I am hopeing the oil cooler is the only reason there is oil in with the antifreeze. Doesn't smoke, make funny sounds or overheat at all. Just oil in the antifreeze is all.
- The front tires are worn out on the edges. So it needs new front tires. The lady said they had the front arms done already. Might be true, maybe not. Hopeing it's just tires and alignment.
- Front driver seat need to have a cut fixed, this is just kind of an eyesore for such an awesome black leather interior.
- Need to replace the LH rear taillight assy and replace some bulbs on the tail.
- There are two dents on the car I will fix, on the lh rear door and a small ding on the lh front fender.
- A thouall cleaning of the engine bay and interior is neccessary also before I will even drive it, haha.
- Royal purple oil change and full coolant flush along with regular maintainance stuff.

Things I would like to do:

- Stage 1, not 1+ cause I think being a 98 dbc I don't get an option for 1+
- Port match my intake and exhaust manifolds
- Look into better intake air setup
- Custom built high flow 2.5in exhaust with twin tips
- Some kind of suspension work, maybe coilover setup?
- 18in rim and tire setup, thinkin black rims with blackout glass
- Body kit, not crazy just sleek and sexy
- One peice front headlights


I am a mechanic by trade and work in a full machine shop that specializes in rebuilds and performance engines. Also my bosses brother owns a diesel shop and is into turbo stuff big time. In the long run I would like to do a full engine build and bigger turbo setup. Right now I want a lil extra ponies, awesome handling and style.

If anyone has suggestions them em fly, I'm all ears (eyes, lol)

Here is a pic of what I am starting with and one that I would like it to resemble:cheers:

Attachment 14194

Attachment 14195

Re: So here goes -- slow but steady I hope!!
 

Just got back from driving the car home from Merritt. Approx. 90km from where I live. Drove pretty good with both front tires being bald, got a vibration I think from the front tires and needs frontend work or an alignment. Good power and everything works well. later this week I will take it down to my shop and do a full inspection on the car.

WHOOO-HOOO I gotta A4 in my driveway :)

Re: So here goes -- slow but steady I hope!!
 

you realize the car you want to look like is a B6 model and you have a b5 right?

if you want to look like a b6 you got your work cut out for ya

Re: So here goes -- slow but steady I hope!!
 

My suggestion would be to perform all the necessary maintenance that is needed first to get the car caught up and potentially turn this great deal into a great and reliable transportation. I suggest starting with the most obvious, the timing belt! While you're there, you might want to go ahead and replace the cam seals, H20 pump, roller seals and whatever else you deem fit to replace/repair while the assembly is out. This could be the difference between a great deal to a great big pile of junk!!!

Second on the list would be to run a complete diagnostics of the system with a VAG-COM. Then I would do a compression test to confirm whether or not the car's head gasket's potentially blown. Sometime through out the first few steps, I would throw in some better set of tyres. Just in case I needed to run to the parts store, I would atleast be safer driving the new car with better than the bald ones on it. This would probably solve the issue of the vibration in the steering. Then the list goes on!

I'm glad that another Audi had been given a second lease on life and is now being properly attended to by a mechanically inclined enthusiast. I hope to see the transformation (with pics!) roll along and wishes the new owner success in this project. I hope the car brings you much pleasure and the least headaches in the future! Congratulations on a fantastic buy and may you have a great experience with her!!!

Don't forget to check out the Maintenance section of the forum for some great DIY threads! Maybe during your restoration process, you could take the time to document your build and take some photos to add to our DIY threads. Welcome and happy motoring! :cheers:

Re: So here goes -- slow but steady I hope!!
 

Thanks guys, The timing belt and tensioner was just done on the car. Very good ideas for comp test and tires and also maintainance. Those were on my immediate list of things to do. I will definately post pics as I go also.

Will my OTC Pegyisis scanner work for diag on this car or do I have to use a VAG-COM??

THANKS :)

Re: So here goes -- slow but steady I hope!!
 

looks good man besides the front tire being flat in the pic. =)
love to hear the progress as you work away on it! APR stage 1 that bad boy!

Re: So here goes -- slow but steady I hope!!
 

A4rob -- I am hoping the body kit and single piece lights can help me achieve a simalar look to the car as the one I showed. Need wheels to. It won't be the same but simalar.

From what I have read in here searching I will need to solder a chip in the comp right? And before I do this mod should I do my exhaust and porting work also? Any other things I should do that will be fairly cheap?

Oh ya as for exhaust my local shop will build me a custom one, should I go 3in or 2.5in and what exactly is a test pipe? Does that eliminate the cat? If so will my check engine light be permantly on?

As for tires I have a set of new winters on rims for it, however I am not driving the car right now. It is in build phase 1(repair). I have a 2001 Honda Accord I'm driving right now till it sells and then I can pile money into this project :)

With a chip, port matching and exhaust does anybody have a rough idea on HP gains?

Re: So here goes -- slow but steady I hope!!
 

HERE is a thread that might be of interest to you if you don't want to deal with modding to fit a 1pc headlight.

Re: So here goes -- slow but steady I hope!!
 

THANK YOU mksu19... that link is perfect. :D Almost exactly what I was looking for.

What kind of mod has to be done for one piece? I am very skilled with fabrication and bodywork also so I might still do it one peice style. Definatly gonna go with HID thou in proper housing of course.

Re: So here goes -- slow but steady I hope!!
 

The ones I used were 2pcs Helix/Depo Ecodes that required no trimming to the fenders whatsoever. The look of the 1pc with the fit of the 2pcs! But if you insist on using the 1pc headlights, the picture below shows the driver-side fender with the corner light removed. The part of the fender that is hidden by the original corner lights needs to be modified to allow the new lights to fit. Specifically, most of this metal must be removed (by cutting or grinding).

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/pics/ec_un_no_corner2.jpg

Here you can clearly see the part of the fender that has been cut.

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/pics/ec_un_fender_cut.jpg