9 Ways To Upgrade the Performance of Your Audi S4
Every car enthusiast knows the Audi S4 blends luxury, precision, and power. Revered for its performance and sleek design, the S4 attracts drivers who crave speed and sophistication. However, even the most impressive machines can benefit from a few tweaks. We’ll show you nine simple and effective ways to upgrade the performance of your Audi S4!
Introduction to the Audi S4
The Audi S4 has long been a favorite among car enthusiasts. For a few generations, the S4 was equipped with a V8 engine. When the upgraded B8 generation was released in 2009, Audi ditched the V8 engine and opted for a supercharged 3.0L V6 engine. At first, Audi fans weren’t sure of this direction, but as time has gone on, the B8 and B8.5 Audi S4 have proven themselves to be very capable tuning platforms. Along with its supercharged V6, all-wheel drive, and luxurious interior, the S4 offers a great mix of performance and comfort. But what if you could make this impressive machine even better?
Upgrading your Audi S4 isn’t just about adding horsepower but enhancing the entire driving experience. These upgrades will help you unlock your Audi S4’s full potential, whether you’re a seasoned tuner or new to car modifications.
Upgrade the Exhaust System
Upgrading the exhaust system is one of the best ways to boost your Audi S4’s performance. A high-performance exhaust enhances airflow, reduces backpressure, and increases horsepower. Replacing the stock system with a high-flow exhaust lets the engine breathe more freely, improving power output and giving your car a more aggressive sound.
An upgraded exhaust system allows the engine to expel gases more efficiently, reducing backpressure and increasing horsepower and torque. High-performance exhausts feature lightweight materials such as stainless steel or titanium, reducing your vehicle’s weight and improving acceleration and handling.
Cold Air Intake
A cold air intake system boosts engine efficiency by allowing cooler, denser air into the combustion chamber. Cooler air has more oxygen, producing more efficient combustion, power, and better performance.
The stock system in your S4 is quiet and unobtrusive but often restrictive. By installing a cold air intake, you can replace the limiting stock system with one that provides maximum airflow. This replacement boosts power and gives your car a more aggressive engine note.
Optimize the ECU
The Engine Control Unit (ECU) is essentially the brain of your Audi S4, controlling key engine parameters such as fuel injection, ignition timing, and boost pressure. Optimizing the ECU can maximize power, fuel efficiency, and overall performance. ECU tuning is popular because it offers significant performance gains without physical changes to the vehicle.
You can optimize the ECU through remapping or tuning. Remapping alters the ECU’s controlling software, while tuning typically involves adding a performance chip to adjust real-time parameters. Both methods can add 20-30 horsepower and improve throttle response and fuel efficiency. ECU tuning is a relatively simple process that a professional or even an amateur mechanic can do with a DIY kit.
Upgrade the Supercharger
The supercharger is one of the most critical components of your Audi S4’s engine. It increases the engine’s power output by forcing more air into the combustion chamber. Upgrading to a larger displacement supercharger can provide increased boost pressure, significantly improving acceleration and top-end power.
You essentially allow the engine to burn more fuel and produce more power when you upgrade the supercharger. This upgrade results in faster acceleration and higher top speeds.
High-Performance Tires
The tires are the car’s only contact with the road, so having the right rubber is essential for performance driving. High-performance tires grip the road better and provide better handling and faster braking, which are vital for maximizing your Audi S4’s potential. The stock tires on your S4 balance performance and comfort but may not provide the level of performance you seek.
High-performance tires use stickier rubber compounds for better traction, especially in dry conditions. This improved grip allows for faster cornering, harder acceleration, and more effective braking. When selecting high-performance tires, consider factors such as tread pattern, tire size, and load rating, as these affect performance and suitability for your vehicle.
Upgraded Suspension
Upgrading the suspension is an effective way to enhance your Audi S4’s performance. A sport or coilover suspension system improves handling and stability, especially at higher speeds and during cornering. A sport suspension system includes stiffer springs and shock absorbers, which reduce body roll and improve handling, allowing you to take corners faster and with more confidence.
A coilover suspension system offers adjustable ride height and damping settings, letting you fine-tune the suspension to your driving preferences. Upgrading the suspension also improves the overall feel of your car, providing better feedback and a more connected driving experience.
Performance Brakes
Ensuring effective stopping is essential when you increase the power and speed of your Audi S4. Thankfully, the S4 has a nice brake package from the factory—which they designed with street use in mind. Some high-performance brake pads and rotors provide better stopping power—which is crucial for handling high heat and repeated heavy use of the brakes—if you plan to take your S4 to the track. The stock brakes on your S4 are for everyday driving but may not suffice for high-performance use.
Performance brake pads offer better friction and heat resistance, delivering consistent stopping power even under extreme conditions. High-performance rotors have better ventilation, helping to dissipate heat and reduce brake fade. Better stopping power helps you be more consistent at the track allowing you to brake hard into every corner.
Fine-Tune the Differential
The differential distributes power to the wheels, allowing them to rotate at different speeds. Upgrading to a limited-slip differential can improve traction and handling by distributing power more effectively. The stock differential on your Audi S4 balances performance and comfort but isn’t as suited for high-performance driving.
A limited-slip differential prevents unnecessary wheel spin by sending power to the wheel with the most traction, enhancing acceleration, cornering, and overall handling. It also reduces understeer and oversteer, offering a more balanced and predictable driving experience. A limited-slip differential is a crucial upgrade for any high-performance vehicle, whether on the track or the street.
Upgrade Your Clutch, Flywheel, and Hydraulics With Clutch Masters Industries
You will quickly find the limits of the stock clutch as you continue to modify your Audi S4. An upgraded clutch, either a single disc upgrade or a twin-disc clutch conversion, handles higher torque and provides quicker shifts for better acceleration. A lightweight flywheel allows the engine to respond quickly and rev faster. The stock clutch on your Audi S4 is for the factory engine output and may not suit a high-performance, higher horsepower engine, while the factory dual mass flywheel is heavy and designed for comfort only.
A twin-disc clutch system offers better clamping force, handles higher torque without slipping, and results in quicker, more precise shifts. Upgraded clutch kits also have reinforced components that can withstand the stress of high-performance driving. A new clutch and flywheel will deliver smoother shifts and better feedback, making driving more enjoyable.
The factory clutch hydraulics on the Audi S4 leave a lot to be desired. They consist entirely of plastic components, which are common failure points. Shifting gears continually puts more strain on them. Consider upgrading to a Clutch Masters billet aluminum clutch slave cylinder.
Upgrading your Audi S4 isn’t just about adding horsepower but enhancing the entire driving experience. Improvements in the exhaust system, air intake, ECU, turbocharger, tires, suspension, brakes, transmission, and differential can transform your Audi S4 into a high-performance machine.
Clutch Masters Industries specializes in clutch and flywheel upgrades for high-performance vehicles such as the Audi S4. We have the products and expertise to upgrade your vehicle, whether you’re looking to boost performance, enhance handling, or personalize your car. Don’t settle for stock—upgrade with Clutch Masters Industries and experience the thrill of a high-performance machine.
