Redline B8 vs B8.5

[renntorq]

Newbie question here.

I'm in the market for either a late B8 S4 or and early B8.5 S4.

I read in the FAQ that on the DSG version of the car the redline was reduced from 6800rpm to 6500 rpm when they went from the B8 to the B8.5

Does anyone know why this change took place?

Thanks,

John

[wangshuo1989]

Likely different gearing in the new DSG. Nonetheless you can still flash a TCU tune to bring the redline back.

[01northernS4]

Newbie question here.

I'm in the market for either a late B8 S4 or and early B8.5 S4.

I read in the FAQ that on the DSG version of the car the redline was reduced from 6800rpm to 6500 rpm when they went from the B8 to the B8.5

Does anyone know why this change took place?

Thanks,

John

I was told by unitronic it has to do with a different PVC setup

[djn876]

Crank it up to 7400 and don't look back.

[doughboy17]

Honestly, all other things being equal, if you can verify the B8.5 has a v2 DSG tranny in it, you want to select that car over a B8.

[UkuRiSh]

Newbie question here.

I'm in the market for either a late B8 S4 or and early B8.5 S4.

I read in the FAQ that on the DSG version of the car the redline was reduced from 6800rpm to 6500 rpm when they went from the B8 to the B8.5

Does anyone know why this change took place?

Thanks,

John

Different gear ration on B8.5 is a lot longer gears / updated software / updated mechatronic ! I highly recommend B8.5

[Dr GP]

No difference on 6Mt cars In addition to what has already been said. Audi realized that the S tronic trans was not as strong as a Tip tronic. IMHO,they reduce the redline to take stress off of the trans.

[01northernS4]

No difference on 6Mt cars In addition to what has already been said. Audi realized that the S tronic trans was not as strong as a Tip tronic. IMHO,they reduce the redline to take stress off of the trans.

Perhaps, but again, after talking to Unitronic about the different redlines between b8 and b8.5 on their tcu tunes (according to their website the b8 has a higher redline by 200 rpm) sounds like the differences are more than transmission based and their PVC explanation makes more sense... seeing as how the B8.5 v2 DSG tranny is known to be more robust and reliable, why would Unitronic run a lower redline on the B8.5 vs the B8?

Their PVC explanation mentioned increased oil consumption due to PVC redesign of the B8.5 at the higher redline iirc... Unitronic also seems to be the only tuner doing this...which makes them either really good or overly conservative?... truth is I rarely see any issues with Uni tunes in regards to oil consumption, cat failure, etc... so the PVC explanation makes sense, at least to me it does...

Thoughts?

[usmcfieldmp]

IMHO, they reduce the redline to take stress off of the trans.

But 2013 was also the first year for the RS5, which I was under the impression used the same S Tronic transmission.

Similar torque with much higher redline.

[Dr GP]

Clarification: Are we talking about the redline on the tach or when the REV Limiter kicks in?

[01northernS4]

Clarification: Are we talking about the redline on the tach or when the REV Limiter kicks in?

when rev limiter kicks in/ecu/tcu redline shift point... again as per Unitronics site info and discussions.

[usmcfieldmp]

I've always seen the display of the redline on the tach as arbitrary, and have always used the word "redline" interchangeably with rev limiter.

So I was talking about the rev limiter, as well - S4/S5 vs RS5; there's about a 2000 rpm difference.

[01northernS4]

I've always seen the display of the redline on the tach as arbitrary, and have always used the word "redline" interchangeably with rev limiter.

So I was talking about the rev limiter, as well - S4/S5 vs RS5; there's about a 2000 rpm difference.

RS5 is a completely different engine, NA 4.2L V8

[usmcfieldmp]

RS5 is a completely different engine, NA 4.2L V8

I'm aware. Refer to Post #9. He's saying he thinks the lowered limiter is to save the trans, and I'm saying the RS5 goes against that logic. Similar torque curve, but much higher limiter.

[01northernS4]

I'm aware. Refer to Post #9. He's saying he thinks the lowered limiter is to save the trans, and I'm saying the RS5 goes against that logic. Similar torque curve, but much higher limiter.

Ahh yes agreed

What do you think about Unitronics explanation with regards to the PVC system differences resulting in a lower Redline to reduce oil consumption? They do test the crap out of these things so I'm pretty sure they know what they're doing...

[UkuRiSh]

No difference on 6Mt cars In addition to what has already been said. Audi realized that the S tronic trans was not as strong as a Tip tronic. IMHO,they reduce the redline to take stress off of the trans.

What ?!!

[Dr GP]

What ?!!

Why do you think the B9 S4s have Tiptronics? Because they can handle more torque. . Wont have to deal with warranty issues ,especially in light of the slight increase in power. Its always about the money.

[usmcfieldmp]

Why do you think the B9 S4s have Tiptronics? Because they can handle more torque. . Wont have to deal with warranty issues ,especially in light of the slight increase in power. Its always about the money.

That's just speculation, but it is interesting that it appears that they swapped from S Tronic to Tiptronic on EVERY S/RS car, with the exception of the R8, S/RS3, and TT. Looks like all of the A-line cars are S Tronic.

I'd bet it might have more to do with how not-smooth, clunky, etc the S Tronics drove, instead of their torque rating. Otherwise, I feel like the A6 and A7 would have Tiptronic, especially when paired with the same engine as the A8, which DOES have Tiptronic.

[Izzyz28]

That's just speculation, but it is interesting that it appears that they swapped from S Tronic to Tiptronic on EVERY S/RS car, with the exception of the R8, S/RS3, and TT. Looks like all of the A-line cars are S Tronic.

I'd bet it might have more to do with how not-smooth, clunky, etc the S Tronics drove, instead of their torque rating. Otherwise, I feel like the A6 and A7 would have Tiptronic, especially when paired with the same engine as the A8, which DOES have Tiptronic.

I am very sure you are correct. The DSG is decent, a cool idea, and makes very fast upshifts. Daily drivability-wise, it's not bad, but nowhere near a traditional torque-converter automatic. It will never get over the clutched standing starts, downshifting delays(in D), and general feel. Compared to the early-2000's M3 with SMG that I drove, the DSG is light years ahead. If I could trade my DSG trans. for a Tiptronic I would.

[UkuRiSh]

Why do you think the B9 S4s have Tiptronics? Because they can handle more torque. . Wont have to deal with warranty issues ,especially in light of the slight increase in power. Its always about the money.

Lol my car made over 500wtq and my buddy car made over 750wtq and many other DL501 S6/S7 cars with stage 3 made over 700whp / 700wtq they all good and hold power with proper tune! Audi switched to zf because much comfortable and cost much less