2015 S3 max hp??

[Th3D0n]

I am thinking of getting an S3 but I was curious how much WHP I could hope to gain from the stock engine and stock internals? Also, just out of curiosity is the S3 really worth the additional money over the A3? Or could I mod the A3 pretty well also? Thanks guys!

[Th3D0n]

Hmm... Maybe I should have stated my question a bit differently or maybe made a more pointed statement? What I am really after I suppose is if the new S3 engine could handle around 400-450 without beefing up the stock internals? I suppose I would also want to make sure that the stock turbo could produce that much power as well or would a turbo upgrade also be needed? Thanks guys!

[AllroadCorbin]

I'd be pretty surprised if stock internals could reliably handle over 400 hp for any amount of time

[Th3D0n]

Thanks for the reply. Think the S3 would require a full engine built and probably a turbo upgrade to handle 400+ with good stability?

[HurrayFive]

The EA888 in the 2015+ S3 is actually heavily re-worked compared to the version in the A3/A4/A5, if you're thinking about tuning any of those platforms, you get a lot more peace of mind out of the version in the S3.

The head is made from a strengthened aluminum silicon alloy that's supposedly extremely heat resistant and specific to the S3, the crankcase, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft and main bearings have all been redesigned and strengthened over what's in the A series engine. The exhaust valves are hollow and sodium filled. On top of that you get a larger turbocharger, larger brakes, and improved cooling from larger air ducts and a revised intake system. The DSG is also upgraded to the DQ400 over the DQ250 in the 2.0 A series, which means it can handle substantially more torque.

I don't know what all that equates to in terms of a peak HP number, but if you're planning on tuning both platforms, the S3 is substantially better suited to the additional power, and you're going to make more of it comparing tune to tune (stage 1 to stage 1 on each platform for instance).

[Th3D0n]

Thanks for the reply HurrayFive. How do you like your S3 so far?? Good power gains with the Stage one kit?

[q5 dave]

Why not the S4?

[HurrayFive]

Thanks for the reply HurrayFive. How do you like your S3 so far?? Good power gains with the Stage one kit?

Np. I love the S3 so far, in my mind it is a perfectly balanced performance sedan. With the mag ride suspension you can go all loosey-goosey on long trips or stiff as a board when you want it, I'm very happy with it. Coming from an A5 (which was APR Stage 1 on E85), bone stock the S3 felt slightly quicker than the tuned A5, probably just because of the weight difference and suspension tuning.

I did the AWE intake and APR Stage 1 software at the same time, and it totally opened the car up. Launch control launches are straight-up INSANE now; based on multiple videos and test runs, I've timed the car at about 3.8 seconds to 60 and around 9.8 seconds to 100, and that's on crappy 91 octane gas. Folks are saying just adding a down pipe (while still keeping the Stage 1 tune) is taking a few tenths off both those times and adding about 20WHP, so that'll likely be my next mod. I'd be willing to bet you could crack off an 11.9 with just the intake/down pipe/Stage 1 setup, and that's plenty quick for me! :)

[Th3D0n]

Very nice! I think if I remember right APR even has a stage 2 for the S3 as well? Have you looked into that at all?

[HurrayFive]

Very nice! I think if I remember right APR even has a stage 2 for the S3 as well? Have you looked into that at all?

APR actually hasn't released their Stage 2 for the S3/Golf R yet, it's still in beta. That said, the car is plenty quick on Stage 1, I think a down pipe is going to make it even more ridiculous, I don't know that Stage 2 is even really necessary for me. Of course, I say that now. Check back with me in a year, hah. ;)