I recently bought an Audi 90 quattro 1985, which I intend to rebuild. Picture and specs @
http://www.audiworld.com/model/historical/88/90.shtml.

I would appreciate comments or any other info on other examples of this vehicle in RSA, tips on getting spares etc.

To date have done most of the front suspension(shocking state), still need to do bushes. Also fitted new spots (replaced broken fog lights) and flickers in bumper etc. and re-chromed headlight reflectors.

I can see I am going to have some fun with parts and although I would like to keep the car as standard as possible and parts are available from agents ex AG I object to the prices.

So some plans will be made but this is part of the fun, as far as I am concerned.

Had a problem with rear discs in that none available. Ended up re-drilling some Datsun discs that were the same dia and other wise a close fit. 2.5 mm wider track per side and original caliper needs to have a 6mm spacer to sit over the rotor.

The motor had a number of problems such as leaking vac pipes and some missing pipes which had not been blocked off. Result is the car is now running very rich. Runs well under light throttle but absolutely dead under full throttle. New a\cleaner, plugs etc.

Thinking this could be due to mixture, blocked exhaust or power steering pump etc.
Engine number starts with CV. And most likely needs a rebuild before too long. Here I would like to have the head flowed, bigger valves, cam etc. Have my reasons for not going the turbo route. Any recommendations as to who are best to do this mod.?

Anybody know what power the transmission can handle ?

However current problem is that the car has developed a wondering rear end. No obvious wear in bushes, ball joints or tie rods ends. As the previous owner used the car to launch a jet ski I suspect that may be the CV joints on the one side got some water in is causing the left \ right twitch I am feeling. Any way will strip and service components one at a time until I find the problem.

The body is generally in good condition for a vehicle of its age, but I intend stripping it down to remove all traces of rust before it gets a re-spray.


Currently looking for two front seats Black leather. Think ex A4\3 will do the trick.






Regards
Ryss
S4 (AAN)
A4 1.8
90 Q

Welcome to the Forum Ryss!

You have quite a ambitious project there. I assume the engine is basically the same 5 cyl engine used in the locally produced 100's, so engine parts should not be too much of a problem. Getting 90 specific parts in SA is a huge problem

I totally agree that Audi SA prices for spares are excessive, and to date I only bought one part for my S2 from Audi (stangely enough Audi had stock and I needed it urgently). I have imported the rest from vagparts.com. Even with transport (the S2 crowd do a group buy every now and then to save on transport) and duties, they are normally 40% of Audi SA's prices. I have also sourced some parts from Auto Stuttgart.

Does your car have a ECU and lambda sensors? I have an idea 1985 was before fancy electronics, in which case sorting out the over rich mixture should be "back to basics".

Are you up here on the Highveld? In that case turbo charging your car would be the best bang for the buck. Speak to Geoff Mortimer (011 802 3233) about possible mods.

I would go directly for PowerFlex Poly bushes as it will improve handling. You can get them through vagparts.com.

On the seats, try Stuttgart (011 402 8100) for second hand seats. I would actually not even bother with second hand Audi seats and go straight for racing seats. ATS Motorsport sells Cobra seats www.cobraseats.co.uk and Autostyle sells a few other makes including Recaro.

Good luck with the car!

Drop me a mail if you are interested in joining the group buys through vagparts.com

Thanks for the info.. great and very valuable and must appreciated.

I'm in the Cape.

With regard to parts, will contact you later, Also need some expensive goodies for the S4.

Have contacted Stuttgart, but not regaring the seats. Also thought that with regard to the seats, may be best to go generic. But thanks for the contact numbers.

The Fuel inj is the basic (pre CPU) type. I just do not know if the mixture is a screw or allen key or what. It's too deep in the unit to see. Once I have the twitchy back end sorted, I will take it for a tune up. Motor is
for all intents and purposes standard with lots of parts that are the same as Passat\Audi.

Turbo will make this car very fast as it is very light just under 1300kg (in comparison to the S4). I thought 120-130kW would give me the same power to weight ratio as the S4 with its 169kW. Even thought of swopping the motor, as the wife drives the S4. I just clear the cobwebs now and again.

I am going to give a local poly bush maker a try. Sub frame bushes at R150 ea, compared to agents R800.

Regards
Ryss
Cape Town
S4 (AAN)
A4 1.8
90 Q

Being at the coast makes turbo charging less of an issue than up here where normally aspirated cars loose 15% in power. The modern turbos are however very effective, and if you use a smallish roller bearing turbo (like the Garrett GT range) you would hardly notice any lag. It would be similar to the effect the little K03 has on the 1.8T's (actually better as the Garrett would spool up even faster.

The other option is to change the cam profile, flow the head,add a good exhaust and then dyno tune. You would loose some bottom end performance but it can become a real screamer at top end. The small turbo route would, I guess, just add power throughout the rev range so that would be my preference. Maybe the turbo boffins like MW should also comment here.

R 150 for bushes sounds fair - the PowerFlex bushes are GBP12.95 each (www.powerflex.co.uk) and one would probably land them here for about R225 with duties and transport.