Help! RS2 Dissapointing Power?

[Gulfb]

Hope you can help? Just collected my lhd 94 RS2 and must admit to being disappointed by the amount of go. The car does not seem to start moving until well past 3,000 and then not with the punch I had expected - Any ideas as to what I should be looking out for. The car has fash (don't laugh!) and approx 120K. Whilst questioning there also seems to be a squealing from the steering at low revs - again any ideas?
Thanks for your time.

[Fat Audi 80]

Where are you based? I would suggest a trip to a specialist (MRC Tuning in Banbury are a good one) to have any fauly codes pulled. Although the RS2 does suffer from lag, once on boost it should pull like a train to 6500rpm. There is no way even a standard one would be anything like "disappointing".

The squealing is likely to be the power steering pump belt.

Cheers and

Steve.

[S2central.net]

120k miles is no big deal here - might be run in by now

Hook up a boost gauge and see what its doing... There isn't much 'go' in an RS2 in factory trim until 3000-3500rpm - its a very laggy on/off turbo setup - Porsche didnt want it rattling too many 911s you know...

Depends what level of ooomf you were expecting / are used to - could be healthy in factory setup - or could be carrying some silly faults or an air leak which prevent the ECU from allowing full boost.

A nicely chipped RS2 will pull strong from 3000.

The RS2 has funky camshaft timing - the marks dont line up the way you think they should - check the forum for more info on that.

Any fault codes in the ECU ? These can help find any faulty or disconnected sensors !

[Gulfb]

Thanks for the welcome and quick response - really welcome.
Must admit I was a little disappointed especially having hankered after one for years! Have driven around for the last year in a 2.0tdi A4 Avant (admittedly a 180bhp s line) but still!
Steve - I'm based in SW London so will give MRC a call unless you can think of anyone closer? How do I tell if it is the pump belt?
Paul - Have to admit no boost gauge and wouldn't know where to put it! Once sorted or as part of this would chipping show a worth while level of improvement in driveability?
Is there anything else I should be checking/looking out for on what does at least seem a very honest two owner car?
Thanks once again,

[Rusty]

Don't go chipping a car until it's as close to 100% as it can be. MRC high boost seems to be the order of te day with some great results for S2Avant and MattS2. Not sure what S2Central offers for the RS2 but his S2 chips are without parallel

Squealing noise sounds like the PAS belt, check the belt tension and perhaps a rop o WD0 on the belt might cure it, if it does then you need a new belt, a whopping £5!

Lack of power is almost always boost leaks (not checked by most garages). As Paul says MRC ar your boys, Doug will give it the once-over and let you know what's what and whether a remap is the correct thing at this time or not.

Good luck!

[Fat Audi 80]

Give yourself a run up the M40 to MRC, book it in for a health check and if you can afford it a high boost chip remap. You will not be disappointed.

Although. If you are planning other mods later on, you may want to hold off on the remap until you have an exhaust etc fitted before hand.

It really depends what your ultimate goal is though.

Good luck.

Cheers,

Steve.

[Gulfb]

Booked in for a "health check" at MRC a week Thursday.
Will post a quick note on the outcome and some pictures - if of interest!
Thanks again for the recommendation.

[Jamo]

Take a bit of extra cash and get the high boost chip whilst your there as well, then you'll see the true power of RS2!

[Gulfb]

In consideration how much does this cost £ and what should I expect?

[Jamo]

Price I can't comment on, check the MRC section of the forum they were offerring it at silly cheap prices.

Expect boost pressure of 1.9 vs 1.4 standard and an increase of bhp of 360-380 depending on individual car setup from 315 bhp

Check the thread by Matt http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31784

[MidnightBlueS2]

In consideration how much does this cost £ and what should I expect?

I can't say for price but expect close to 380 hp and close to 400lb/feet of torque.

[S4 CRUISER]

Hi there. My brother has a lot of experience with these cars. Company is called Surreyside Autohaus. He is based near kingston surrey, and he is mobile. Tel:07809 890572.

[simon44]

I can recommend Roger at Andover Car Service if you are looking for general maintenance and servicing. He looks after a few RS2's. I bought an RS2 in Feb and it needed quite a few parts replacing. Roger was great. I've kept mine in standard form for the timing being. Hope that helps.

Cheers,



Simon