Audi Tuning | VW Tuning

As mentioned a few posts ago, the Achtuning crew went for a quick trip to Opelika, Alabama to attend the 2010 APR Distributor Conference this last weekend. For most of us, it was the first visit to APR’s 35,000 sq. ft. “campus” and a great opportunity to put faces to names as well as getting to know the APR product in detail.

We took a direct (red eye) flight from Seattle to Atlanta Thursday night, arriving at about 5:30 am. We asked Enterprise if we could have VWs to drive while there, and they were happy to oblige… We should’ve known better!

I can’t say I remember much of the ride from Atlanta to Opelika, as I had passed out in the back seat. However I woke up in time to see Kia’s brand new plant, which had apparently just celebrated it’s Grand Opening!

Shortly after a quick meal at a Waffle House (as frequently found there as Starbucks’ is here), we arrived in Opelika – a small town just outside the Auburn area and in the east, central part of Alabama. While we were eager to check-in to the hotel to freshen up, we headed straight to APR… And what a fantastic facility they have!

It’s even more impressive inside!!

As it was just the beginning of APR’s business day, we didn’t want to be in the way. We rolled back to the hotel to nap and freshen up – then it was on to find a local BBQ joint!

To be continued…

Completion of Jon’s “RS4 Conversion” project is in sight, with the VF Engineering supercharger kit installed and the car running. Over the next few days we will be doing some data-logging for VF to make sure everything is running as it should. Some other minor tweaks are being worked out and then Jon should be ready to drive this to his new home in Santa Clara, CA.

The stock intake manifold is completely replaced with the roots type MP90 Eaton supercharger, mounted with VF’s in-house CNC machined aluminum bracket system. The unit is positioned in line with the original serpentine belt which is replaced with a longer OEM belt. The key to this design is that the OEM active-spring belt tensioner remains fully functional and eliminates belt slip or the need to manually tension the belt.

While we ran into a few small snags during the installation process, over-all we are very happy and impressed with the quality of the parts included in the kit, and from the support we’ve received from VF Engineering.

An order was also just placed to Status Racing for a set of carbon kevlar backed Ring seats which come with FIA approval since Jon intends to track this car regularly. We’ll see if we’ll have this ready for Son of Quattrofest!

Stay tuned as we watch APR’s progress as they tear down their latest VW Mk6 GTI Stage 3 demo car in preparation for this next year’s race season!  (words and pictures by Arin Ahnell)

Months before the MK6 was released we were able to get our hands on a shiny new red MK6, vin number 64. We quickly began developing products after we stopped drooling over the new setup. One of the first items strapped to the vehicle was a shiny new stage III turbocharger kit that put down around 385 ftlbs of torque and 370 HP. The car was fitted with BBS wheels, Sachs performance Suspension, and Alcon big brakes. She was a beautiful car. Then along came APR Motorsport and the 2010 racing season. The MK5’s are now in their third season – it was time for a change. We started by mocking up the new race car and showing it off at our BBQ in October. But this was far from ready to hit the track. We have rules we must follow. That means it’s time to Un-Pimp the auto! The stage three kit was ripped out of the car! Chas got to work on the miles of wires! and EVERYTHING was ripped out of the car in 2 days! Once it was all out, it was time to remove all the small bits. Loads of dry ice were used to remove sound dampening material while Chad cut off all the unneeded bits! Stay tuned for updates! Roll cage and car number two is next!

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Months before the MK6 was released we were able to get our hands on a shiny new red MK6, vin number 64. We quickly began developing products after we stopped drooling over the new setup. One of the first items strapped to the vehicle was a shiny new stage III turbocharger kit that put down around 385 ftlbs of torque and 370 HP. The car was fitted with BBS wheels, Sachs performance Suspension, and Alcon big brakes. She was a beautiful car. Then along came APR Motorsport and the 2010 racing season. The MK5’s are now in their third season – it was time for a change. We started by mocking up the new race car and showing it off at our BBQ in October. But this was far from ready to hit the track. We have rules we must follow. That means it’s time to Un-Pimp the auto! The stage three kit was ripped out of the car! Chas got to work on the miles of wires! and EVERYTHING was ripped out of the car in 2 days! Once it was all out, it was time to remove all the small bits. Loads of dry ice were used to remove sound dampening material while Chad cut off all the unneeded bits! Stay tuned for updates! Roll cage and car number two is next!

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Stasis Engineering just sent us a link to their YouTube video featuring their new B8 Audi S4 exhaust system!! (click topic title to view entire story and video)

Product information and pricing to be added to our website soon…

The newest version of our online catalog has been live for about a week now, and we are pleased to report very little if any issues since the change. We hope your online shopping experience will be much improved compared to your last visit to achtuning.com!

We went for a ‘cleaner’ look while offering as much information as possible. This is a very difficult task so bear with us while we continue to make some small tweaks here and there. You will also notice some minor navigation changes, meaning the method in which you will get to a certain product will slightly differ, and for the better! The biggest impact the new online catalog will have is geared towards our Canadian customers who now have the ability to complete online check-out!

Thank you all for your continued support in Achtuning! We will continue to welcome any and all feedback.

Achtuning wants to credit Jamie Everett for this set of fantastic rolling shots captured of our Achtuning A3 Project! These shots were taken on the way to the WaterWerks 2009 event held at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, WA.

The Achtuning A3 project is proud to show off high quality performance parts from H&R, APR, StopTech, and Hartmann’s Forged Split-7 Wheels. Other than the factory votex kit painted by Dreamwerks Custom Paint in Monroe, WA little has been done to further enhance the exterior appeal of the car yet it turns heads on just about every corner. We are very pleased with how the project turned out.

Thank you Jamie, Hans, Andy, APR, H&R, and StopTech!

Take a load off your feet at the next gathering with some Achtuning folding chairs!

As much time as we all spend in parking lots for get-togethers and car shows I know some if not a good majority of you carry folding chairs in your trunks. If you don’t, you might want to consider it.

We’ll keep you posted with pricing and color options as more information becomes available!

Joe wanted to update the look of his 3.2L Audi A3 by replacing his stock 17″ wheels with Hartmann HRS4-252B wheels, an 18×8 et47 version which is a great fit for the high-offset requiring A3. 225/40-18 all-season Falken Ziex 912 tires that we keep in stock were wrapped around the rollers to complete a very affordable 18″ wheel & tire package.

With storage a difficulty in metropolitan Seattle living, our Hartmann Wheel Totes come in handy and make moving the wheels around much easier. Considering picking up a set on your next Hartmann Wheel purchase!

“Achtuned!” is a term I’ve been giving to cars that have received the “Achtuning Touch” – be it ECU massaging courtesy of APR ECU software upgrades, performance suspension by H&R or Stasis, APR and Stasis exhausts, or Stasis/Alcon or StopTech brakes, those who have been “Achtuned!” are showing it proudly!