[a-talk]

Well, it's about time I formally introduce myself. Here's the beast in question, a 1990 Audi 200 Turbo Quattro Avant (I heart the Avants). I've been into old VWs since I could drive, and Audis since I moved up to something more refined.

NOTE: Car was wrecked in March, 2017. Go to page 3 for the story on that sad day.

OBJECTIVE: A nice, stealthy and attractive GT driver with hauling capacity and enough power to surprise the Hondas floating on neon.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: Keep the beast running reliably

OBSTACLES: No garage space (but in sunny Tucson rain is rare), Porsche 944 project that takes all my time and cash!

WORK PERFORMED THUS FAR:

• Eibach lowering springs and Koni struts (photos on page 3)[/*]
• 034 LW flywheel and South Bend Stage 1 clutch[/*]
• 034 trans mounts - street density[/*]
• Hersh Epic engine mounts - 70 durometer[/*]
• 2.5" exhaust[/*]
• New bushings for the entire front end including an upgrade to C4 upper strut mounts[/*]
• Vacuum brake boost conversion - writeup on QuattroWorld forums HERE[/*]
• Chip and spring installed by SJM (previous owner)[/*]
• Euro headlights (previous owner)[/*]
• Euro smoked rear tail lenses (previous owner)[/*]
• 2004 A4 16x7 wheels with 215/55/16 tires - temp rollers <- later replaced with Audi factory BBS RC 17x7.5 forged wheels[/*]
• Swepco in the tranny and the engine[/*]
• All dash bulbs replaced, 'check engine' light activated for pulling codes[/*]
• Basic tune-up and repair: cap, rotor, plugs, grounds fix, sensor tests, MM hose, O2 sensor, fuel filter, all coolant hoses & heater valve, new master cylinder, etc[/*]
• Roof rails removal[/*]
• 20V intercooler upgrade with silicone hoses, BPV install[/*]
• Engine: new timing belt, water pump, seals, lifters, and various other "while I'm in there" things[/*]

FUTURE PLANS:

• Suspension: continue the rebuild - rear bushings, rear sway bar[/*]
• Brakes: upgrades all around (have some Boxster calipers and brackets waiting for the front)[/*]
• Stereo: a simple upgraded stereo that's totally hidden (not an easy task on the Type44 Avant)[/*]
• Cosmetics: Front lip spoiler perhaps[/*]

PICS (Two weeks ago right after a detail):

 

[Mange3586]

How do you do with emissions in az? I loved it there, even in july but I was horrified when I saw mostly brand new cars driving around.

 

[a-talk]

So far emissions haven't been a problem. I have an '89 200TQA that I tested last year too before I took it off the road, and even at 250k miles it passed. That being said, when they see you've got AWD they only make you run the idle test, you don't have to do load tests - they don't have an AWD test rig in my district. Should make future mods easier .

Nice S6 Avant, BTW - sweet ride!

How do you do with emissions in az? I loved it there, even in july but I was horrified when I saw mostly brand new cars driving around.

 

[iedawkin]

How much for your roof rails?? I think that if you're removin them I would love to have them. I like the utility and I think they add a nice touch when shined up.

Ian
kalamazoo, mi 49009

 

[Mange3586]

Ha thanks man...

 

[200 Avant]

Very!!! nice MCII...

Looks like a nice mod list. the 20V IC is a nice upgrade but my suggestion is to keep this ride as clean without going crazy on the engine mods unless you have another ride and she'll treat you well and run strong for a long time.

I've done virtually every bit of suspension and brake work on mine and it handles amazing. I personally like the HD Audi springs better than HR's.

I envy your paint. Hopefully I'll repaint mine in the spring.

Very nice ride...

 

[Frank the quattro tank]

Very nice looking car!

 

[a-talk]

Hmm, not sure but I might have a box for them. I've got two sets anyway. PM me.

How much for your roof rails?? I think that if you're removin them I would love to have them. I like the utility and I think they add a nice touch when shined up.

Ian
kalamazoo, mi 49009

 

[a-talk]

Thanks! She has been repainted. And I'm waxing her regularly and keeping her under cover, as red paint doesn't last long in the AZ sun!

Very!!! nice MCII...

Looks like a nice mod list. the 20V IC is a nice upgrade but my suggestion is to keep this ride as clean without going crazy on the engine mods unless you have another ride and she'll treat you well and run strong for a long time.

I've done virtually every bit of suspension and brake work on mine and it handles amazing. I personally like the HD Audi springs better than HR's.

I envy your paint. Hopefully I'll repaint mine in the spring.

Very nice ride...

 

[a-talk]

Like so many early VAG owners, I want my stereo to turn off with the key. I told my girlfriend I could make the stereo stay ON when the key was removed, but turn OFF when the door was opened. Of course I had MISREAD Richard Hoffman's previous post on the AudiFans Archives (see it HERE - http://www.audifans.com/pipermail/200q20v/2008-February/025285.html), as he mentions getting the stereo to turn off w/ the key. Not to miss an opportunity to outshine the girlfriend's 2007 Jetta, I went to work. I figured if the power windows still ran w/ the key out and door closed, all I would have to do was tap into that wire for accessory power to the stereo. Right?

The solution: Terminal 87 on the power window control relay (the big dual relay under the driver's kick panel). BINGO. A thick red wire with a blue stripe (pic below).

Now the stereo stays on when you turn the car off, and even when you pull the key. You've got 30 seconds before the lights, windows, and now the stereo turn off. But once you open the door, everything turns off. Perfect.

The girlfriend is jealous .

 

[a-talk]

BTW, the head unit I'm using is an Eclipse CD7000. Switchable illumination helps it integrate into the dash. It's still a bit more flashy than I'd like, but I can't argue with really clean power, three sets of RCA outs, selectable crossovers on every channel, a parametric EQ, and their ESN key CD security. Eclipse has always been one of my favorites. Here's a pic of the illumination:

 

[cuatrokoop]

Nice...The Blaupunkt I installed turns on/off with the key OR by it's own power button. I may move where I picked up switched power so it's key-on/door-off...

 

[tommyoquattro]

Very cool idea.. im gonna go switch that wire right now!

 

[Reckless_Kelly]

My windows stay on all the time, the terminal 87 drops to 1.3v after about 15 secs, but as soon as I hit the window switch, it goes right back up to 12v, even if the car has been sitting for hours.

 

[a-talk]

My 200 does that too unless the door is opened. Then there is no power available. Do yours still work when you open the door, at least if you try to use the windows?

My windows stay on all the time, the terminal 87 drops to 1.3v after about 15 secs, but as soon as I hit the window switch, it goes right back up to 12v, even if the car has been sitting for hours.

 

[Reckless_Kelly]

Yup, I can open the doors and still roll the windows down. Occasionally the windows don't work until after I turn the key, but that is very rare. Lemme look at the Bentley and see what controls the delay.

 

[a-talk]

Should be the relay itself that controls this. I wonder if there are different relays, especially older T44 vs. newer. My relay is marked '286' on the top I believe.

Yup, I can open the doors and still roll the windows down. Occasionally the windows don't work until after I turn the key, but that is very rare. Lemme look at the Bentley and see what controls the delay.

 

[Reckless_Kelly]

Tracing the wiring, everything seems to come back to the Anti-Theft Alarm Control Unit and that gets info from the central locking switches, of which my LF doesn't work. After a quick test, the module stays OFF if I open the RF door after removing the key. This is just one more reason to fix the LF lock switch. Who would have thought that the door locks are tied into the power windows?

 

[a-talk]

Right, that makes sense.

Tracing the wiring, everything seems to come back to the Anti-Theft Alarm Control Unit and that gets info from the central locking switches, of which my LF doesn't work. After a quick test, the module stays OFF if I open the RF door after removing the key. This is just one more reason to fix the LF lock switch. Who would have thought that the door locks are tied into the power windows?

 

[a-talk]

I finally bought a CIS fuel pressure tester after years of VAG ownership. Got around to testing control and system pressure on the '90 TQA yesterday. We had a little trouble - mostly the directions on 1) where to hook it up, and 2) what adapters to use were rubbish. No problem though, after a bit of fiddling around we got it figured out.

During the trouble, we swapped in the WUR off my parts car (just made it easier to swap connections). So, system pressure is at a respectable 6.1 bar, and warm control pressure is at 3.6 bar.

So we installed the replacement WUR since it tested OK, and now my power is back! Obviously my old WUR was bunk - we hadn't got any readings before we switched, so I don't know exactly what is wrong with it. Maybe I'll take it apart and rebuild it down the road. But for now I'm happy.

Haven't had a chance to see if my cold-start issue is any better, as it's seeping just a very little bit now at the fuel line connections on the WUR. Crappy aluminum washers! So, I've got to procure some new ones tomorrow. More later . .