Audi S3 8P3 CustomCode Stage 2 PSS

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the car wasn't running great prior to my track day so I decided I'd try to improve the ignition side and clean the spark plugs. they had only been on for 500k but I think they fouled due to the boost hose leak and the tune trying to correct the mixture. I thought this might happen in the future and didn't want to keep buying new plugs every 500k so I decided to try an ultrasonic cleaner...



I really didn't know what solution to use so I experimented with truck wash and water. turned out to be far too much truck wash; I've also heard white vinegar works well...



I cleaned 8 in one hit, 4 x 7's and 4 x 8's. the 8's foul in no time unless you're on the track...



the tips before they went in...



this is what they looked like as soon as they hit the cleaner...



and this is what the solution looked like after around 12 runs at 40 seconds. stupidly I forgot to take a photo of the end result but I will do that soon to show the comparison...

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I also did some other track prep by replacing the rubber...



replacing the hpfp fuel bucket...



and more work on the ignition side by using the bling r8 coils, super extra horsepower...



I decided to add a label for when the coils were changed and will do the same for the spark plugs too (I need to change the label, it should be 39K)...



and also replaced the oil...

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a few photos I downloaded from the khanacross event, thanks to the photographer and I hope there is no issue with sharing...



that's a very determined grimace face, I was actually enjoying it but it looks like I'm in pain. the magic tree was copping a flogging too...



negative camber really helps, the loaded wheels are nearly square to the tarmac...



lifting a leg on this one...

[guile]

haven't been running the aircon on the track for that extra 1 bhp, noticed a funky smell when i did so i decide to change the pollen filter. i'd put a reasonable wage on the fact it hasn't been changed since new...



also purchased the ttrs brake cooling inserts...



they clamp to the control arms and direct air towards the rotors...

[555bug]

That last skid control picture is great

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That last skid control picture is great

thanks mate, so much fun being able to drive it that hard...

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a quick 1 minute video of a lap around the khanacross circuit...

YouTube

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results from the last lakeside khanacross on the am session...



pipped by 3 10ths of a second by the civic...



not sure the track was really suited to the civic's aero so i was up against the lotus in the pm which i managed to win out...



then things went very bad around lakeside main circuit the next day, i blew the motor. time for something built...

[Lucas_R]

Wowsers - you blew the engine?! Very surprised this happened when its obvious you are super OCD with over-servicing the car, and the engine was very low km's. Any idea what the culprit was?

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yep, melted the piston rings in cylinder 4. not 100% sure of the cause yet and I would like some further diagnosis from the shop if possible but maybe a faulty fuel injector...

obviously I'm concerned about tipping in 15k on a built motor and then frying that so i've asked for some reassurance in that regard. the fuel system will be fully tested as part of the build...

I can't say I'm that ecstatic about the situation but I have to be honest and say I was thinking about building the motor at one point or switching to the next platform golf r, now I don't really have a choice. realistically running on the limits of power and torque on stock internals is always going to be risky. combine that with a lot of track work and I guess its really a time bomb. you'd probably get away with stock for spirited drives, drag runs and occasional track but once you start relentlessly leaning on it then you're in the risk zone. that said you do hear of people running high power from factory internals but I'd be interested how much track time the cars see...

that's what i'm convincing myself anyway, to ease the pain in the wallet...