Reducing Front Weight Bias

[URquattroGus]

So, all of these cars are front end heavy, but I wondered if there was much I could feasibly do to reduce the front end weight of my quattro.

Ideas;

1) Replace the Brass Rad with an Aluminum one
2) Replace the Steel bonnet with a Glass Fibre or even Carbon bonnet (££)
3) Change the front wings (very reluctant to do this)

How much weight if any do you think these measures would strip away?

Probably marginal? I also don't like the crappy finish of some of the fiberglass bonnets that I have seen.

[targus]

move psp and replace with a electric one
fibreglass bonnet, wings, bumper.
coilovers should be lighter than the urq stuff.

[rynaqui]

I've heard some people on here with project cars managed to move the engine slightly further back? (Not sure how it is possible). Engine is the biggest killer as they are super heavy.

The radiator isn't that heavy to begin with though so it's a very marginal difference..

[s2_wot]

changing the gearbox to one from an A5 quattro seems to be pretty much the only OEM way to move the engine rearwards with respect to the location of the front wheels.

[Tonks4x4]

changing the gearbox to one from an A5 quattro seems to be pretty much the only OEM way to move the engine rearwards with respect to the location of the front wheels.

Yeah I seem to remember it is approx 5" you can move it back by, but would guess it would need quite a lot of work for exhaust and plumbing and also give issues to steering rack.

[targus]

I bet doing a gear linkage for that one would be a proper nightmare.
Also looking on ebay at the boxes shown, the output flanges look a bit weak/thin.

[Error404]

AFAIK you need to modify the bulkhead to fit the B8 quattro gearbox as it interferes with the steering rack position. In reality there isn't a lot you can do to a road car as most of it requires major surgery. I'm sure Terrybullwon will tell you exactly what is possible

Off the top of my head:

Carbon bonnet, wings & bumper - about 20kg
Move rad to the boot - about 20kg
Go to EPAS steering and vacuum brakes and bin the hydraulics - about 10kg
Extend steering column & gear linkage, install pedal box and move seat(s) back
Use a B6/B7 gearbox, about 20kg lighter than an 01E
Move the washer bottle to the boot - about 6kg

[terrybullwon]

Give me a call or Pm me here to help

[jade]

Use a B6/B7 gearbox, about 20kg lighter than an 10e

Do you know what other differents the b6 b7 box has, is it still a 1OE

[Error404]

No it is totally different, 01X is the designation I think.

EDIT: sorry its actually 0A3 for the B6/B7 S4/RS4 boxes

[Error404]

They are all aluminium casings unlike the 01E. I would wager they are not as strong mind you. But for up to 450lbft I'm sure they will be fine. I'm on the lookout for a B7 RS4 box for right money

[jade]

They are all aluminium casings unlike the 01E. I would wager they are not as strong mind you. But for up to 450lbft I'm sure they will be fine. I'm on the lookout for a B7 RS4 box for right money

Looking into ways to keep My SWB as lite as possible and if possible move engine back a little

[G60Rallye]

You dont want to be moving it back too far on the mounts as it will give shocking cv angles.

You need to look at what else can be lost from the engine bay. It is possible to just get down to the engine only with no ancilaries.

So battery, washer bottle, power steering, alternator, radiator, any emissions stuff like carbon canister, and wiring etc. Then you could go onto any unwanted brackets in the engine bay if you were that far into it!

[here2learn]

i have seen solid sub frame bushes from 034 Motorsport which have an offset a very minimal shift but may be of benefit.

[Error404]

They are designed to increase caster angle (and are bodge job of doing that IMHO). You could use them back to front to move the subfame back but running with zero caster would outweigh any benefit of shifting the engine & gearbox back 20mm