When Audi replaced the B5 with the B6 A4 they hit pay dirt. The car was an instant success. Its muscular angularity, big fenders, turbo engine and tasteful interior made it hard to beat. And it remains the same today. Throw a set of springs and wheels on one and you're halfway to a great car.
So it doesn't take much to make the B6 look spectacular and we've featured some really nice examples over the last few years. And now we can add Todd Winburn's 1.8T to the list of awesome A4s in eurotuner.
Funnily enough, the car didn't start out as a potential feature car. It was actually his wife Melissa's car. "I saw the car had possibilities and started driving it every day," Todd told us. "It became my car and I took it to the APR Barbeque where I got software, injectors, an exhaust and snub mount. The car had only done 3000 miles but that got it all rolling."
So what does Melissa think of it now?
"She loves it," he reported. "She really likes the attention it gets as well, and the fact we can't go anywhere without people asking questions about it."
With the project rolling, Todd ordered some Kerscher parts from Supreme Power Parts. He bought the front spoiler, carbon splitter and skirts. But he didn't like the rear apron, so got the stock bumper color-matched in the original Dolphin grey.
Fitting and painting was carried out by Devin Haney, who fabricated the roof spoiler and filled the European license plate recess in the front bumper. "I didn't like the recess so Devin filled it and I think it makes all the difference-it's attention to detail that makes the difference," Todd said.
The only other exterior changes were to the lights. E-code HIDs replaced the headlamps. These have black surrounds rather than the stock chrome, so contribute to the car's monochromatic theme. The rear lights and side markers were then sent to Joe Delio at Wet Works Garage where he tinted them. "I didn't like how bright the lights were," Todd said, "so I got Joe to subdue them slightly and I'm really happy with how it turned out."
Of course, one of the most important exterior modifications you can make to your car is the wheels. In this instance Todd had chosen wisely and bought a set of 19x8.5" RH wheels. These were the Porsche-style AL three-piece that required hub adapters to convert from a Porsche stud pattern to the Audi. The 20mm spacers also provided room for the StopTech brakes (more on those later).
Having decided to color-match the wheel centers, GMP Performance built up the wheels with aluminum rims, but subsequently rebuilt them when stainless steel lips became available. "The roads around Kentucky are none too good," Todd informed us, "so I had two spare wheels built as well. I keep one in the car and have another at home for emergencies. I know I'm going to need them sooner or later!"
With its quattro transmission it's important to keep same rolling radius front and rear, so the RH wheels are fitted with 235/35 tires all around. "I'm unhappy Dunlop has discontinued this tire because I really love them," Todd enthused. "I just hope whatever they replace them with are as good as these."
As we mentioned, the front wheel spacers provided sufficient clearance for the StopTech front brakes. As well as a four-piston caliper, the kit includes a 13" drilled rotors. These are matched at the rear where we again find OE-sized StopTech drilled rotors. "I love the brakes but they really spoil you and I miss them whenever I get in another car," Todd said. "I also have stainless lines and ceramic pads. The pads work really well when hot but they don't last long, which is the price you pay for performance brakes, I guess."
With the whole car coming together so well, Mr Winburn was confident enough to try more engine upgrades. He'd already taken it to APR's Stage 3+ with a bigger GT28RS turbo, front-mount intercooler and exhaust. He loved the power but heard about a software and injector package in development. So as soon as it became available Todd was the first customer to receive the conversion. "We laid down 320.5hp at 6000rpm and 311.9 lb/ft at 4000rpm at the wheels. Even APR was impressed and it's like night and day compared to the old software. It pulls very smoothly and holds 20psi up to redline," Todd reported.
Before installing the big turbo he'd taken the precaution of fitting an upgraded Spec clutch beforehand "because I didn't want to take any chances," he said. "However, the car broke loose on the dyno one day and ruined the clutch, so we went back to Spec and they told us about the Stage 3+ clutch they'd developed and that's what's in there now."