When David set out to find a secondary car eight years ago, his main goal was to acquire a "simple track car." As an existing fan of Audi, it made sense for him to seek out a proper Quattro-driven car so that he could take advantage of pavement-quivering grip in any condition. When comparing available options back in 2010, David determined that an older car would fit the bill perfectly, touting a more mechanical and pure driving experience over the electronically assisted newer cars.
What David found was a 1991 Audi 90 Quattro 20v with the original 7A five-cylinder motor and 01A 5-speed gearbox wearing a Pearlescent White Metallic paint. A small chassis, 5-cylinder, Quattro-equipped Audi? Does it get any more iconic?! He was only missing the turbo...but that will come later.
Like many car enthusiasts know, a "simple" anything can quickly escalate to a full blown build before you can say "trackday preparation." In David's case, the slippery slope all started with a "simple" 034Motorsport 7A Injector Adapter Kit in an effort to gain more reliable and consistent fueling. Seems reasonable and harmless to most people, right? The 7A Injector Adapter kit addresses a weak point with the 7A motor and even adds roughly 5 WHP while reliably improving fuel delivery across the powerband.
Then came the snowball effect. While researching the Injector Adapter Kit, David came across the 034Motorsport 7A Turbo Kit and his interest was piqued. He determined this would be his best route to get the desired power output he wanted from the Audi 90 Quattro. Of course, when planning to turbocharge a car for intended track use, there's a laundry list of items that crop up as "while you're in there" upgrades. First, the block was rebuilt with stronger internals to withstand the added boost from the turbo while the head was rebuilt to be more efficient and reliable.
Once the motor had been completely overhauled, David sought to upgrade the factory 01A transmission to a more robust 01E 5-speed pulled from a C4 Audi S4. This way he could confidently put the newfound power (roughly 325 HP / 270 TQ on 100 Octane) down without worry while out on track. He also swapped the cast exhaust manifold for a higher flowing, custom tubular manifold finished in ceramic coating to withstand the extreme heat from the turbo.
From there, he turned focus to the suspension, braking, and interior components; converting and upgrading each one as necessary to match the car's new demeanor. A roll bar was fabricated by TC Designs in Campbell, CA, full Ground Control coilover system installed with Koni adjustable struts, 4 Piston Brembo Front Calipers with 330 x 32mm discs and 311mm upgraded rears. The list goes on and on, but this "simple" track car build is only just getting started.
By now you've undoubtedly noticed that David's 90 is no longer a uniform shade of Pearlescent White Metallic, nor does it carry the factory body lines of the small chassis Audi sedan any more. During the process of the build, David got his hands on a set of fiberglass flares from Europe designed to mimic the Sport Quattro look on the long wheelbase UrQuattro. With the UrQ the flares were destined for no longer in the picture, David turned to the 90 and decided to make the kit work there.
After carefully researching a body shop to help tackle the work involved in molding an UrQuattro kit to an Audi 90, David came across Automotive Enterprises in San Carlos, a place that mainly specializes in Corvettes , however the owner was looking to branch out and work on something different at that time. It was a match made in heaven! The owner was courteous enough to let David come into the shop after hours and help with the body work on his 90 as well. It was no easy feat, but after some time and lots of sanding, the flares were on and the car was ready to be resprayed Alpine White (L90E).
To put the finishing touches on the car, David turned to a local printer who helped create the vinyl to mimic that of the 1989 Audi 90 Quattro IMSA GTO livery. Finally, a set of 17x8 Compomotive TH1780 wheels shod in 255/40R17 Bridgestone RE-71R tires complete the period correct look and help put the power to the ground.
After 6 years of building his "simple" track car, David's Audi 90 was finally ready for the first proper shakedown at Thunderhill Raceway in December of 2017, and it was a success! Now only a few months after, he continues to enjoy his creation and plans to stretch the 90's legs on-track whenever he gets the chance.
Like almost anything car related, nothing ever goes as planned. Whether it's a simple spark plug change or a complete motor rebuild, plans change and evolve in the moment. What started as a "simple" track car for David evolved into the Audi 90 Quattro IMSA GTO Tribute car you see before you. Did he have any idea he would build this car when he initially purchased it? Certainly not to this extent.
The most important thing is he stayed committed to the project, showed patience when wrenches were thrown in his plans, and was whole-heartedly involved from beginning to end. Setbacks happen, parts are discontinued or damaged in shipping, helpers lose interest halfway through, and that's the nature of a long term project. Regardless of the hiccups throughout, David kept his eyes on the prize and now gets to enjoy a truly unique car. See folks, hard work and perseverance do pay off.
When asked about his car in its current state, David modestly quoted Han Solo referring to the Millennium Falcon; "she may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid."
Featured Products | David's 1991 Audi 90 Quattro IMSA Tribute
We're marching forward through 2018, and that means it's time for another monthly #Drive034 post. This month's winner has stayed true to Audi's roots by keeping the inline five-cylinder turbo alive. We're happy to announce Bel Habib and his 1993 C4 Audi S4 as the March #Drive034 winner!
When it comes to owning and modifying a 25 year-old car, reliability should be one of the main concerns in keeping a classic on the road. Bel has taken steps to refresh and improve his AAN motor with a 034Motorsport C4 Audi S4 Catch Can Kit, Silicone Coolant Hose Kit, Billet Aluminum PCV Check Valve, Fuel Pump Relay Kit, and Low Temp Thermostat. All of these upgrades aim to improve the 20v turbo motor and keep it happily running for the next 25 years.
That being said, what's the point in owning an S4 if you don't want to extract a little more power from it? Bel has installed a 034Motorsport Cold Air Intake, Phenolic Intake Manifold Spacer, and Drop-In Bosch 044 Fuel Pump to keep intake temps down and plenty of fuel supplied upon request. Pair these upgrades with an 01E Short Shift Kit and Bel has created a recipe for a phenomenal UrS4.
Thank you for your submission Bel! Be sure to show his UrS4 some love, and don't forget to submit photos of your Audi or Volkswagen with 034Motorsport products installed to Driven@034Motorsport.com to be featured next month!
For more photos of Bel's C4 Audi S4, check out his Instagram here.
The seventh generation of the Volkswagen GTI marks over forty years of hot hatch debauchery. Volkswagen practically wrote the book on what a "hot hatch" should be, and gave it to the masses for driving enthusiasts across the world to modify and enjoy. Like any model's evolution, the Golf GTI has grown up with each new chassis in size, comfort, and most importantly, power! The MkVII Volkswagen GTI features the 3rd iteration of Volkswagen's EA888 2.0L turbocharged motor, and boy is it a potent one.
Fitted with the IS20 turbo from the factory, a MkVII Volkswagen GTI produces 231 HP and 271 FT-LBS, which is nothing to scoff at when the entire car weighs right around 3,000 lbs. As you'd expect for a GTI however, the aftermarket options for this specific car are abundant, and it can be difficult to navigate which mods are worthwhile and which are more akin to snake oil.
Lucky for you, 034Motorsport has been making world-class performance upgrades for Volkswagens for over a decade, and we know a thing or two when it comes to improving your car. So come along as we explore the top ten modifications for the MkVII Volkswagen GTI!
There's no doubt that the IS20 breathes substantial life into the 2.0 liter, four cylinder motor fitted to the MkVII GTI. It feels peppy around town, and is happy to jump into boost rather quickly and pull with the typical turbo fervor. That being said, these modern forced induction motors come fairly detuned from the factory and respond incredibly well to recalibrated ECU programs.
The 034Motorsport Stage 1 Tune for EA888 Gen 3 2.0T was engineered to increase horsepower and torque with no additional upgrades required. This means, you can simply drive your MkVII GTI right off the dealer lot and straight over to 034Motorsport for an almost instant bump in power. 034Motorsport's proprietary calibrations increase boost while optimizing timing and fueling maps to safely increase power throughout the entire powerband to the revised 7,100 RPM redline. This results in peak gains of 69 HP and 66 FT-LBS under the curve.
Beyond the power gains from a 034Motorsport Stage 1 Tune however, our Software Engineers took the time to refine throttle response for greater precision and improved driving characteristics. Part-throttle modulation is improved, leading to more control when driving at the limit on track. Overall, the 034Motorsport Stage 1 Performance ECU Tune will "wake up" the car and offer OEM+ power delivery and reliability.
The Billet Aluminum Dogbone Mount Insert is truly a "Must-Have" upgrade for any MkVII Volkswagen GTI owner. At a price point of only $45, it's likely the cheapest, yet highest quality upgrade you will ever buy for your car.
Following the success of the billet aluminum drivetrain inserts for Audi models such as the 034Motorsport B8/B8.5 Audi Transmission Mount Insert, the engineers determined the dogbone configuration on the newer MQB Volkswagen and Audi cars would greatly benefit from a similar product. Using CAD software, the MQB Dogbone Mount Insert was designed to work in unison with the factory rubber mount and refined to provide noticeable slop reduction without introducing additional noise, vibration, or harshness (NVH) into the cabin.
This CNC-machined billet aluminum insert is designed to fill the voids in the factory dogbone mount and limit engine and transmission movement. The result is a more refined, connected feel with crisper shifts and reduced wheel hop under hard acceleration. If you don't believe us, take our customers' words for it and read the forty 5-Star reviews on our product page!
After a Stage 1 Performance ECU Tune, the next step in extracting more power from the MkVII Volkswagen GTI comes in the form of a true cold air intake. Depending on your budget and requirements from an intake, 034Motorsport makes two different options to suit any enthusiast's needs.
The P34 Performance Cold Air Intake offers a direct-bolt-on upgrade that provides OEM+ fit and finish. Utilizing the factory lower air box, the P34 Cold Air Intake draws in cool, dense air from the factory inlet and through a high-flow panel air filter. 034Motorsport Engineers were able to drastically reduce turbulence throughout the intake tract and virtually eliminate pressure drop before the turbo inlet.
The result is proven power gains of an additional 10 WHP and 12 WTQ on a Stage 1 MkVII Volkswagen GTI! Even further, the plastic chosen for the P34 Cold Air Intake was carefully selected to match the OEM plastic covers found in the engine bay, so the P34 will never look out of place.
For those who prefer to stand out from the crowd and seek a little more flair from their intake system, the X34 Carbon Fiber MQB Cold Air Intake System is the perfect solution. Designed to be the best performing intake on the market, 034Motorsport's X34 MQB Intake features a huge 4" inlet and a smooth one-piece intake tube all the way back to the factory turbo inlet.
Similar to the P34 Intake, the X34 intake system makes use of the factory lower air box, and utilizes factory mounting points for a true OEM+ fit and finish as well. By fitting a high-flow conical air filter within the enclosed, shielded intake, the MQB X34 is able to produce impressive 31 WHP and 27 WTQ peak gains on a Stage 1 MkVII GTI! Yes, you read that correctly.
The next step in the search for performance enhancing modifications leads to an upgraded downpipe. Volkswagen knows how to create an incredibly effective catalytic converter for the GTI that's very clean, but it dilutes the performance the EA888 Gen 3 2.0 TFSI can have. That's why 034Motorsport set out to create the ultimate MQB downpipe solution and return the robbed horsepower back to the enthusiasts.
Behold, the Cast Stainless Steel Performance Downpipe for the MkVII Volkswagen GTI. Optimized for increased flow and maximum performance, the 034Motorsport Downpipe features a massive 101.6mm diameter Euro 3 racing catalytic converter in the factory location. This means less restriction compared to the factory cat and roughly 300 RPM quicker turbo spool with faster transient response. An OEM-style corrugated flex below and integrated exhaust hanger ensure perfect fitment underneath the vehicle along with integrated V-Band flange and O2 sensor bung for a true bolt-on installation.
When paired with a required Stage 2 Tune, the Cast Stainless Steel Performance Downpipe offers gains of 19 HP & 44 FT-LBS over a Stage 1 MkVII GTI to a total output of 302 HP and 341 FT-LBS respectively!
Alright slick, now that you have all this power in your 3000lb hot hatch, it's all too easy to misjudge your entry speed into a corner and plow straight instead of rotating through like you meant to. Don't worry, an upgraded rear sway bar can help you with that.
The 034Motorsport Adjustable Solid Rear Sway Bar for the MkVII Volkswagen GTI was tested thoroughly on the street and track using our 2015 GTI Development Vehicle and multiple enthusiast-owned vehicles before release. This ensured ample testing and real-world experience before launching the product. The 034Motorsport Rear Sway Bar is constructed from a single piece of 25.4 Diameter solid spring steel for ultimate rigidity and longevity.
Engineered to be used with the factory front sway bar, the 034Motorsport Adjustable Rear Sway Bar combats understeer and reduces body roll under hard cornering loads. This allows better rotation through a corner and helps make the car more responsive and "alive" through the twisty backroads. Beyond the improved handling, the 034Motorsport Rear Sway Bar features 2 adjustment settings to dial in the desired feel based on your driving habits. The Soft setting is 153% stiffer compared to the factory GTI rear sway bar, and the Stiff setting as 174% stiffer compared to the factory rear sway bar.
To further hone in your GTI's handling, 034Motorsport Dynamic+ Lowering Springs can help by offering precise vehicle control while maintaining OEM+ ride quality.
Dynamic+ Lowering Springs are track tested, yet refined enough for the street by using the 034Motorsport MkVII GTI Development vehicle comprehensively before release. Countless track days are endured along with thousands of miles of commuting and daily driving to ensure we bring you a lowering spring that is perfectly matched to the factory dampers for the MkVII GTI.
With effective spring rates of 210 Pounds/Inch in the front and 280 Pounds/Inch in the rear and a 1.1" drop in ride height compared to the factory springs, the Dynamic+ Lowering Springs achieve an aggressive yet functional stance with no reverse rake. Further improved handling performance and chassis dynamics are achieved while reducing body roll and understeer. Best of all, these springs are compatible with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC)!
All Dynamic+ Lowering Springs are manufactured at an ISO 9001 Certified facility and shot peened and powdercoated to ensure industry-leading quality and longevity.
After track testing the 034Motorsport MkVII Volkswagen GTI Development Vehicle for some time, handling had been drastically improved but initial turn-in bite still wasn't up to 034Motorsport standards for the engineers. They set off to create a drop-in solution for face-melting turn-in grip with no added complexity like the clunky adjustable camber plates already on the market. And thus, the Dynamic+ Camber Mounts were born.
Dynamic+ Camber Mounts are machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum and feature a 75 Durometer Density Line center puck to minimize strut shaft deflection under load. By evaluating the desired suspension geometry, 034Motorsport engineers designed the new mount to offer an additional 1.4 degrees of negative camber compared to the factory strut mounts. This additional camber provides mind-bending grip when cornering due to a greater tire contact patch on the ground once the car sets into a turn.
The result is improved steering feel due to less deflection under load, and increased handling response for a car that now feels eager to dive into corners at a moment's notice. Dynamic+ Camber Mounts are comfortable and quiet for daily driving while tough enough to withstand endless track days and abuse, all while making you look like a cornering god.
With significant improvements made toward a neutral handling, flat cornering chassis, it's time to further refine the feel and predictability of the MkVII Volkswagen GTI at the limit. Factory rubber bushings are great for dampening noise and vibration through the cabin, but this comes at a cost to performance. The rubber will flex under load and lead to a vague, unsure feeling behind the wheel and improper suspension alignment at the limit.
034Motorsport recognized this problem with the MQB chassis and developed a true bolt-in solution for the rear trailing arms. The Spherical Rear Trailing Arm Kit eliminates the soft factory rubber bushings and replaces them with motorsport-quality Aurora spherical bearings. These tough spherical bearings allow for proper suspension articulation without any deflection, resulting in consistent, precise handling and confidence-inspiring road feel. Best of all, the Spherical Rear Trailing Arm Kit comes complete with OE-quality rear trailing arms, so no bushing press is needed. Simply unbolt the factory trailing arms, and bolt the new 034Motorsport Spherical Arms in place and you're good to go.
With all of the added power from a Stage 2 setup, the factory motor and transmission mount will be getting a workout beyond what they were ever intended for. In order to keep the drivetrain happy and drastically reduce wheel hop, a pair of upgraded mounts should be the next modification.
Following the success of 034Motorsport's Density Line product line, the MkVII Volkswagen Density Line Motor Mounts feature 50 durometer and 60 durometer void-free rubber. The result is significantly reduced engine movement under load with crisper shifting and nearly no increase in NVH inside the cabin. Gain better road feel, improve engine response, and experience a more connected drive with drop-in replacement Density Line motor mounts.
Our final upgrade in the Top Ten list for the MkVII Volkswagen GTI is the 034Motorsport Res-X Resonator Delete. After all, modifying your car is about fun, and standing out from the crowd of people who simply view their car as a vessel to get from A to B. In light of the enthusiast's mindset, 034Motorsport set out to create a simple, bolt-in exhaust upgrade that opens up the sound of the MkVII GTI enough to be sporty but not obnoxious.
Constructed from 304 Stainless Steel, the Res-X replaces the factory exhaust resonator, allowing for a deeper, more aggressive exhaust note with no added drone inside the cabin. Lose the heavy factory resonator and replace it with a bolt-in Res-X to unleash the growl of the EA888 Gen 3 motor!
If you've followed our list of Top Ten MkVII Volkswagen GTI upgrades exactly, you undoubtedly have the baddest GTI in your town, and everyone will want to know how you did it. Don't hold out on them. Spread the knowledge and let them know how to achieve a truly stellar performing MkVII while retaining OEM+ driveability. Most of all, get out there and enjoy your refined ride!
The 034Motorsport Res-X Resonator Delete for the MkIII Audi TT/TT-S Quattro unleashes a throaty growl that exudes the sound of performance and warns bystanders that this isn't your average 4-cylinder. The new aggressive exhaust note is accomplished by removing the heavy factory resonator and replacing it with a ready-to-install 034Motorsport Res-X Resonator Delete.
8S AUDI TT/TT-S QUATTRO RES-X FEATURES
304 Stainless Steel Construction
Deeper, Aggressive Exhaust Note
No Added Drone Inside Cabin
Lighter Than Factory Resonator
Completely Reversible Installation
WHAT'S INCLUDED
034Motorsport Res-X Resonator Delete for 8S Audi TT/TT-S Quattro
