Mr.Wrong's Atlas Gray B6 S4 Build - Project Atlas

[Mr.Wrong]

Project Atlas

I picked up one out of a handful(literally) B6 S4s in Atlas Gray. Yeah you heard it right Atlas Gray B6 S4, they do exist out there in the wild. I happened to be one lucky guy(out of very few).
Now a little lesson on the color itself and rarity of Atlas Gray B6 S4s. Atlas Gray is mostly known as B6 A4 Avant color. It was an option in a factory line up of colors for 2002 B6 A4 sedans and only a special order for same year B6 A4 Avants. For the following years 2003 through 2005, Audi decided to switch it up. Meaning, it was never offered for A4 sedans again as an option, unless you ponny up and special order it, for A4 Avants though it became an optional color choice and hence quite a popular one at that time. Now on the other hand, Atlas Gray was never an optional exterior color choice for B6 S4s both sedans nor avants. Therefore the only way you could get your B6 S4 in this color is by special ordering it and paying up some extra on top. IIRC $2500. According to AOA, only five Atlas Gray B6 S4s were ever made for and sold in US market. Here's the breakdown:

MY2004: 2 Manual Sedans, 1 Manual Avant
MY2005: 1 Manual Sedan(mine), 1 Automatic Sedan

So technically mine is one of a kind or one out four sedans, one out of four manuals, one out of five Atlas Gray B6 S4s ever built for the US market. Now the true unicorn ladies and gentleman, to me at least, is the only Atlas Gray B6 S4 Avant! One of a kind anyway you look at it. Current owner is one lucky fella to have such a rarity in his stable.

The priority of this build thread is as follows:

1. Maintenance
   First and foremost, I'll be catching up to all of the maintenance that is overdue along with some preventative stuff, so I could sleep at night.
2. Handling
3. Performance
   I'll be going all the way with this beast, but one step at a time.
4. Aesthetics
   All of the cosmetic mods will be squeezed in here and there in between the above three stages, except for an expensive stuff, which will be left for the very last. At least that's the master plan, but you never know when a great deal comes along that's hard to pass.

I'll be documenting every single change of my car as it happens with lots of pictures, part #s, reviews, etc... Hopefully this thread will be as exciting for you to follow as it is for me to build my dream B6 S4, perhaps daunting at times, but mostly fun :) Keep in mind, I'm not here to gain approval of the masses, however constructive criticism and suggestions are always welcome. Furthermore whenever someone finds any of the information I put into this thread useful in some way or another and has a positive feedback, it's always welcome like an icing on a cake ;)

The car will not only be a garage queen, but will also be taken through different kinds of performance measurement methods to asses real world performance gains from each and all of the modifications.

Subject:
2005 Audi S4 sedan Quattro MT6
4.2L V8 DOHV 40V
340 hp @ 7000rpm
302 lb.-ft. @ 3,500rpm
GVWR 2230kg/4916lbs
Atlas Gray Metallic Exterior
Black Nappa Leather Interior
6-Speed Manual Transmission
Premium Package:

• Glass Sunroof (W/Power, Tilt, Slide)
• Homelink (R) Remote Transmitter
• Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror W/Compass
• Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors
• Memory For Driver Side Seat Adjustment
• Memory For Driver Side Mirror Position
• Light Sensor Package

Premium Audio Package:

• Bose(R) Premium Sound System
• XM(R) Satellite Radio

Heated Front Seats
Power Rear & Manual Rear Side Sunshades
Carbon Fiber Interior Trim

E0A = No special edition
7A0 = Without CD changer/CD player
4UB = Air bag for NAR
6XL = Exterior mirrors: with memory function, automatically dimming, electrically foldable/adjustable/heated
5SG = Left exterior mirror: flat
5RW = Right exterior mirror: convex (US) large viewing field
1KE = Disc brakes, rear
J1U = Battery 450 A (95 Ah)
1LJ = Disc brakes, front
1BD = Suspension/shock absorption for special sports design
3FE = Electric slide/tilt sunroof with sun screen/sunblind
5MK = Decorative inserts, carbon weave
7X0 = Without park distance control
4R4 = Power windows with comfort operation andcircuit breaker
F0A = No special purpose vehicle, standard equipment
8GH = Alternator 190 A
0G1 = Gearshift lever
0YM = Weight range 12 installation control only, no requirement forecast
0JL = Weight category front axle weight range 11
T79 = 8-cylinder gasoline engine 4.2 L unit 079.C (aluminum)
3NZ = Rear seat bench unsplit, backrest split folding
8EH = Bi-functional headlight with gas discharge lamp, for driving on the right(US design)
U1B = Instrument insert with mph speedometer, clock, tachometer and trip odometer
X9A = National sales program USA
1N3 = Speed-related variable steering assist (Servotronic)
2PL = Leather trimmed sports steering wheel for air bag system with "S" badge
8Q3 = Automatic headlight-range adjustment dynamic (self-adjusting while driving)
9Q4 = Multi-function display/on-board computerwith check control
8Z6 = Hot country
D5E = 8-cyl. gasoline engine 4.2 L/253 kW 40V multi-point injection base engine is T79
7Q0 = Without navigation device
CS1 = Alloy wheels 8J x 18
7K0 = Without tire pressure warning light
4X3 = Side air bag front with curtain air bag
2K4 = Standard bumpers
6R2 = Leather gearshift boot
3L4 = Electric seat adjustment for both front seats, drivers seat with memory system
4KC = Side and rear windows in heat-insulatingglass
3Y5 = Electrically operated roll-up sun screenfor rear window and mechanically operated for side windows
4K8 = Radio remote controlled central locking operated from inside, front and rear and separate trunk release "SZV"
5D2 = Carrier frequency 315 MHz
1SA = Without additional front underbody guard
0GM = Emission standard LEV 1
Q1E = RECARO sports seats, front
4GP = Windshield in heat-insulating glass withsunshield and viewing window for vehicleidentification number

Extras from PO:

• Audi all-weather sport floor mats
• Kenwood DDX712 head unit w/navigation
• S4 brake caliper clips
• Front Euro License Plate Bracket
• Tinted windows
• F&R red painted brake calipers
• SS brake lines
• F&R drilled&slotted rotors
• Miro-111 19x9.5 ET40 on 245/35/19 Goodyear Eagle GT

Since everyone here loves pictures, and so without further delay:
Driving back home from Augusta, GA the day I purchased this gem





Couple of reflection shots of the Miro 111s as well as assistant perpetrator

[Mr.Wrong]

And some pictures before it's first wash:

[Mr.Wrong]

Overall assessment of the S4 is it needs lots of TLC!!! I'm very anal regarding cleanliness and overall condition of my cars, so to average person it's probably in a normal used condition
PPI performed by myself and with the help of Gerald Jones Audi for the compression and leakdown tests, which came out great by the way! No engine ticking or other abnormal sounds/noises during operation and no smoking from the tailpipes. Pretty much clean bill of mechanical health. I was quite pleased with that.
Clean title and body has no paintwork, except for the rear bumper, verified myself via paint meter. Exterior has a few very light scratches and a couple of light dings without any paint damage. No massive amount of rockchips as well from highway use, only found a handful on the front facia. Half rolled front fenders(literally), whoever did it, did it halfass way. So here's what I'll be doing in the near future: full detail, PDR, fix previous poor attempt at fender rolling as well as regular and preventative maintenance items.

Also this needs to be noted, it is one of the late built B6 S4s (09/22/04), I could tell by the obvious build date, as well as plastic mirror housings(instead of aluminum) and bright silver intake manifold just like on all of the B7s instead of gunmetal on 2004 and early build 2005 B6s.

Mileage at PPI 73372
Compression Test:
CYL #1=145 #2=150 #3=145 #4=140 #5=145 #6=145 #7=145 #8=140
Leakdown Test: 2% on all cylinders

To Do List:
Coolant Expansion Tank
Coolant Flush w/OEM G13 or Motul - not sure which one yet, thoughts?
Spark Plugs
Fuel Filter
PCV
Valve Cover Gaskets
Valve Covers to be stripped and powdercoated

Completed:

• Battery cover (OEM) p# 8E1 819 421
• Battery (OEM) p# 000 915 105 DK
• Engine oil&filter change with Mobil1 0W-40 Euro Formula and OEM filter.
• Air intake filter (OEM) p# 079 133 843 A
• Cabin air filter (OEM) p# 8E0 819 439
• B7 RS4 jack pad kit (ECS) p# ES#2598405

[Mr.Wrong]

Reserved3

[Mr.Wrong]

Reserved4

[Mr.Wrong]

Exterior:

• Mirro 111 19x9.5et40
• B7 S4 brake caliper anti-rattle clips
• Aluminum exterior mirror caps

Interior:

• Silver alcantara Recaro seats
• RNS-E euro version
• XM/Sirius module (RNS-E compatible)
• B7 glovebox w/CD-changer
• B7 beltline buttons with chrome accent strip
• B6 USP steering wheel
• B6 USP shift knob
• B6 USP e-brake handle

[QIKRNU]

Reserved6

For Sale

[Mr.Wrong]

Reserved6

For Sale

Yeah maybe not... lol This rare gem is staying with me for the rest of it's journey. On the other hand, it's funny you should mention this as I'm in the process of selling my other S4 hah

[discoverdeath]

Seriously a sexy combination. I love that color on the avants that frequent my area, on a sedan most specific an s4 for that matter.... Would kind of be my forever toy. Never let go of that car man.

[Whatset]

Nice pickup dude! Congrats

[Mr.Wrong]

Seriously a sexy combination. I love that color on the avants that frequent my area, on a sedan most specific an s4 for that matter.... Would kind of be my forever toy. Never let go of that car man.

Thanks! I believe so too Definitely last destination for this S4, this one is a keeper! I actually almost purchased one of the manual '04s back in the late 2012 from Audi in California, but someone beat me to it. That one had less miles, alcantara interior and was just in an immaculate untouched condition, not to mention the price was really great. It went to the new owner in St.Louis. He got one hell of a deal.

Maybe some St.Louis members spotted the car I'm talking about and will chime in???

Nice pickup dude! Congrats

Thanks man! How's that S2K build going?

[Slow4]

Atlas Grey DOES look better on the S than the A; good grab!

[Whatset]

S2k is still coming along, much slower now. Just had my front fenders re done and got the headlight blanks made.

My crew members are pushing me to enter Super Lap Battle (GTA) - I'm not gonna

Newer pics in here https://www.facebook.com/poornslow

[quattroism25]

Nice acquisition.

[Mr.Wrong]

Atlas Grey DOES look better on the S than the A; good grab!

Everything looks better on the S Atlas Gray and Quartz Gray are truly understated colors. Now if only I could find an RS4 in Quartz

S2k is still coming along, much slower now. Just had my front fenders re done and got the headlight blanks made.

My crew members are pushing me to enter Super Lap Battle (GTA) - I'm not gonna

Newer pics in here https://www.facebook.com/poornslow

Man you're building a beast hehe Keep up the good work

Nice acquisition.

Thanks!

[Mr.Wrong]

Well decided to do an oil report on that overdue Castrol Syntec 5W-40 that the dealer service department used and according to car records, seems like it's the only oil it's ever been filled up with. For 7,625miles on that Castrol, doesn't seem so bad. Blackstone Labs suggested for me to run it a little longer, but I decided against that and went with Mobil1 0W-40 European Formula. So we'll see how it goes.

[Mr.Wrong]

Also, went out and ordered four of these bad boys from Northern Tool, three days later and they're at my local store ready for the pick up:

28 1/8" ground clearance should be more than enough to make things comfortable and double locking feature just for the peace of mind

[Mr.Wrong]

Well after quite a few miles and a little over four and half fun&reliable years together, had to say good bye to my first four ringed V8. It's been quite a journey to say the least. The car performed flawlessly and never let me down or left me stranded. Here's a quick picture timeline.





After it's first major detail, all nice and clean.


It's first winter and couldn't handle it any better than it did. Got out of it without an effort.



Obligatory gas station pic with some minor frost biting.


Do two S4s make it an S8?

And the way the new owner picked it up. Probably cleaner than when it was new ;)




BTW those are 245/40 tires, nice and meaty.

[ONEFASTS4]

Hey just wanted to check on the car and see how it's doing. Guess you are doing what I expected. Taking great care of it. I did not even realize that the fenders were rolled. Looks good. Good luck with build.

[Mr.Wrong]

Hey just wanted to check on the car and see how it's doing. Guess you are doing what I expected. Taking great care of it. I did not even realize that the fenders were rolled. Looks good. Good luck with build.

Hey thanks Jeff! What's going on with you bud, long time no speak. Yeah it's going at slow and steady pace, but going nonetheless. I've been quite preoccupied lately and haven't posted updates, but I'll catch up to that in a bit. How's that Stage 3 of yours coming along?

[ONEFASTS4]

Well let's see where to start. A few months after you bought the S4 I blew the motor at the 1/2 mile drag race. November last year clutch went out. December the turbo blew out in me so new motor clutch and turbo. She runs vreat all while dealing with my daughter being diagnosed with high risk stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer.

[Mr.Wrong]

Well let's see where to start. A few months after you bought the S4 I blew the motor at the 1/2 mile drag race. November last year clutch went out. December the turbo blew out in me so new motor clutch and turbo. She runs vreat all while dealing with my daughter being diagnosed with high risk stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer.

Truly sorry to hear that man, I'm not even going to touch on car stuff as that could be fixed, replaced, bought, etc...PMd ya

[Der Typ]

Hey Mr. Wrong! Nice addition to your previous lineup.
Looks like we both got our hands on a nice S4 V8 around the same time. I bought my first one last year beginning of November. All I can say: I FRICKIN' LOVE IT!!!
Last destination for my baby, as well.

I will be following your project, since I am going to have some work done on mine as well. Control arms next month, then a fender swap due to rust and then a coilover. Probably in that order, too.

Good luck with your V8!!!