Audi Alchemy
By Les Bidrawn
European Car, April 1994
Photos by the author
cover photo
Note: This article was written and published a long time ago.
Many changes and enhancements have been made since then.
Platinum and gold are closely related
on the periodic charts; just a few
atomic particles set them apart. Miniscule as they may be, these same
reconfigured electrons are responsible for vast differences in metallic
composition. Project cars are much the same way; there is a fine line
between elemental saturation and understated elegance. A case in point
is this diamond silver 1980 Audi 4000, whose demeanor is as striking as
a solid platinum hammer.
Rolling off the Ingolstadt, Germany assembly line in July of 1979, AUTI
1 started life as a very humble 1980 California model Audi 4000
four-door sedan. Equipped with a 78 bhp 1588cc engine with Bosch
K-Jetronic fuel injection and a four-speed manual transmission, the car
was not an autobahn burner. However, its Giugiaro-styled shape was
crisp, the interior was intelligently designed and its ride
and handling characteristics were precise in the best VW/Audi tradition.
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Owner Ti Kan drove the Audi is its factory state for nearly five years
until the performance itch started. The modification process was a
gradual one, and like the software engineer he is, each step was
researched and documented with great care. Kan's goal was to retain the
creature comforts of a daily driven sedan with a sport-edged flair.
Kan wanted to stay true to the classic Audi styling so exterior changes
were kept to a minimum. To that end, factory parts were used wherever
possible. The front air dam is a BBS component but the European head
lamps, side skirts and rear valance are all from an Audi microfiche. The
Ronal R8 wheels are larger versions of the same wheel Audi used on the
4000 series from '85 and on. These components were chosen to interface
with the sport suspension Kan would later weave into the project.
The engine change came relatively late in the chronology simply because
the faithful 1.6-liter motor would not quit. At 180,000 miles, Kan lost
patience as it seemed the car was immortal.
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Kan had the New Dimensions
crew install a new 2.0-liter factory long block featuring 40mm intake
and 33mm exhaust valves. This inherently torquey motor provides gobs of
power in conjunction with several potent modifications. On the intake
side, an '85 4000 Audi manifold features the larger throttle opening for
a direct bolt-up of the big-bore Neuspeed throttle body. A Neuspeed
G-grind camshaft was chosen for its good low/midrange torque curve.
Beneath the block sits a rare European cast aluminum oil pan,
specifically designed for the longitudinally mounted engine. Finned and
baffled, the pan offers greater heat dissipation and helps keep the oil
from sloshing around during spirited cornering. The exhaust is
comprised of a '79 Audi Fox dual-outlet manifold, Techtonics downpipe
and Leistritz muffler. The catalytic converter and lambda air sensor
are retained for emission legality.
The 2.0-liter engine is mated to an Audi type 013-2N medium ratio
five-speed transmission and 210mm clutch. Kan originally installed a
close-ratio five-speed like those on later model 1.8-equipped 4000s but
found that the additional power of the 2-liter was happier with taller
gears.
The 4000 suspension was massaged with a combination of factory and
aftermarket components. Crowning the engine bay sits a custom
fabricated and powder-coated stress bar from Motofab. Eibach
progressive rate springs house hydraulic Koni adjustable dampers,
providing a firm but not harsh ride. The anti-sway bar combination is
comprised of a front 23mm unit from an Audi Turbo coupe; the rear is a
Suspension Techniques unit measuring 25mm. The Ronal R8s measure 15x6
and carry BF Goodrich Comp T/As, sized at 205/50ZR15. Underneath these
elegant wheels sits a major brake upgrade spliced from an '87 16V
Scirocco. The Audi was converted from 9.4-in. solid front disc/rear
drums to VW's four-wheel binder system with 10.1-in. vented fronts and
8.9-in. solid rears. The calipers were fitted with Repco MetalMaster
pads, and the rubber brake lines were replaced with braided stainless
steel units. This brake upgrade was almost a necessity as the relatively
light (2300lb) sedan found itself capable of speeds far exceeding the
factory's expectations.
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The original blue velour seating was in bad shape after years of daily
use. Moreover, the instrumentation did not accurately reflect the
extensive high-end modifications Kan had engineered into the motor.
Subsequently the cabin was upgraded to Audi Quattro specifications with
a pair of Quattro seats in front and a Quattro bench in the rear. A rich
gray leather now covers the seats and door panel, with portions of the
leather "gathered" for a more sumptuous look and feel. Additional foam
padding was also added under the door panels and rear seats to increase
noise insulation.
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This beautifully crafted interior took a full month to
complete and provides a stunning parallel to the exterior paintwork.
Upgrades continued inside with auxiliary VDO gauges located up high in
the special Audi Sport instrument cluster housing where they are easily
read. The 85-mph speedometer was removed in favor of a 120-mph unit. The
instrument lighting in all gauges, including the radio, was converted to
glow red like later model Audis. Factory parts were also used for the
central locking system and one-touch power windows, which are designed
to retain power after ignition shut-off until the driver's door is
opened.
Kan spent years designing and building high-end home speaker systems and
audio electronics as a hobby, and be applied the same principles to the
Audi's sound system. All speaker enclosures are specially designed
utilizing the Thiele/Small parameters of the speaker drivers and tuned
to complement the acoustics of the car. The electronic and passive
crossover networks are also custom designed to match the drivers. The
mounting locations of the ten speakers of Audax and Peerless manufacture
were also carefully selected to provide optimum stereo imaging, yet they
intrude little into passenger or luggage space. The system totals 250
watts amplified power (somewhat small by today's standards) but the
emphasis is on sound quality rather than sheer sonic pressure. A
headphone jack console (the "Duo Sound" unit as used on later Audis) is
installed on the rear deck.
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The entire car is protected by a custom Clifford/Auto Page alarm
amalgam. When the car is disturbed, the alarm will sound, the antennae
will raise and a signal will be sent to Kan's pager.
There are few visual signals that indicate this Audi is anything
special. It sits a mere 1.25-in. lower than a standard 4000, and the
Diamond/Silver paint looks remarkably unremarkable. However, while other
13-year-old cars are heading for the salvage yard, this Audi runs with a
brand new lease on life. The sum of its parts is part of a stunning
platinum equation; those who understand its understated styling and
uncompromised performance will undoubtedly appreciate the formula.
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New Dimensions Ltd.
2240 De La Cruz Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(408) 980-1691
Note: New Dimensions had ceased operations.
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