Excelerate Performance proudly presents the development of the XL.R8 4.2 FSI. This 2008 Audi R8 4.2 FSI Coupe with Manual transmission was sourced by Joshua Lockwood, owner of Excelerate Performance, back in the fall of the 2013. With R8 V8's becoming a bit more available and APR informing us of a Stage 3+ supercharger system being available within just a few months, the choice was easy. The XLR8 TT RS 2.5 with APR Stage 3 is such a great platform and a beautiful vehicle, but the 4.2 FSI platform is robust, powerful and throatier. And the R8 is hands down one of the best vehicles we've ever experienced. So, the XL.R8 project began and here is the evolution of our very own R8.
Since the Audi R8 V8 has such beautiful lines to begin with, but lacked some power, we focused on the performance aspect of the vehicle with some minor aesthetic upgrades. The APR Stage 3+ Supercharger System was the focus of this project. It would increase power from roughly 420 crank hp to almost 650 crank hp with APR's proprietary TVS1740 Supercharger. Coupled with the supercharger was a Milltek Sport exhaust system, as we all know the V8 platform stock exhaust is a bit weak sounding. With these two upgrades handling the performance side, we moved onto aesthetics. ADV.1 provided the main attraction, with their Track Spec SL Wheels. After careful consideration, we opted for the 20X8.5" F and 20X12" ADV.1 5.2 Track Spec SL wheels with a gloss black face and liquid smoke lips. Rubber was provided by Michelin with their Pilot Super Sport lineup in a 235/40/ZR20 F and 325/25/ZR20 R. Of course, the wider stance required a lower stance so the center of gravity was lowered with a set of H&R Sport springs. Lastly, we improved upon the aesthetics of the R8 with custom made carbon fiber R8 V10 blades and carbon fiber rear diffuser. The culmination of this project and combination of these parts created a R8 that, at least in our eyes, is an amazing machine that boasts beauty and power.
ONTO THE EVOLUTION OF THE XL.R8 4.2:
Here it is: the the APR, LLC. Stage III+ TVS1740 Supercharger System. With roughly 46% more horsepower and torque across the entire power band, the results are nothing short of amazing. Our XL.R8 4.2 will soon boast 642 horsepower (from 425 horsepower) on pump fuel and 550 FT-LBS of torque!!
At the heart of the APR, LLC. Stage III+ Supercharger System is Eatons latest Twin Vortices Series (TVS) supercharger unit, the TVS1740. The supercharger system is a positive displacement, roots style pump, utilizing Eatons lightweight, four-lobe 160 degree twisted rotors. Cast and assembled as a single, OEM-style-manifold and rotating group housing, the unit is quiet, compact, attractive, easy to install, and requires little to no extra maintenance to the unit itself.
The tear down of the XL.R8 4.2 FSI has begun. Within a short period of time this R8 will be boasting almost 650 hp with the APR, LLC. Stage 3+ supercharger system.
The R8 4.2 FSI fuel pumps have been removed and sent to APR, LLC. for rebuilds to accommodate the fueling needs of the Stage 3+ system.
Front bumper removed on the R8 4.2 FSI to add additional cooling for the Stage 3+ supercharger system.
One of the additional coolers for the APR, LLC. Stage 3+ supercharger system.
The R8s rear mounted engine results in a supercharger cooling circuit spanning over twenty feet and calls for a high quality coolant pump. As such, APRs supercharger cooling system features a highly efficient brushless cooling pump that feels right at home in the R8s engine bay. The military grade coolant pump seamlessly connects to the factory wiring harness through the included APR wiring harness with no wire splicing and is triggered by the included relay system.
The APR coolant expansion tank is used for filling the superchargers cooling circuit and for handling liquid expansion under various operating temperatures. APRs CNC, laser-cut bracket provides a simple and clean method of mounting the expansion tank to the engine bay out of sight.
The XL.R8 4.2 is looking mean with its new front mount radiator. The heat exchangers are specific to the R8 platform and feature cast aluminum end tanks with threaded connection points and bleeder valves. Each cooler cleanly installs with the supplied CNC, laser-cut brackets, complete with vibration insulators.
A closer look at the front mount heat exchanger and the CNC, laser-cut brackets, complete with vibration insulators.
Getting the R8 4.2 FSI ready for the supercharger but first it needs some carbon cleaning.
Due to space constraints because of the oil filter housing is relocated on the kit. A CNC-machined billet-aluminum adapter connects to the oil feed and return and provides a connection point for high quality, braided stainless-steel oil lines. The lines route to the new black-anodized CNC-machined billet-aluminum oil filter housing.
The lines route to the new black-anodized CNC-machined billet-aluminum oil filter housing. CNC, laser-cut brackets cleanly hold the housing in place and out of sight under the factory engine side covers. Oil changes are now made easier with quick and easy access to the filter.
All prepped and ready for the installation of Eatons latest Twin Vortices Series (TVS) supercharger unit, the TVS1740, the heart of the APR, LLC. Stage III+ supercharger system for the Audi USA R8.
Like it was always meant to be there.
Internally the dual heat exchangers offer technological advances shared by Formula 1 teams around the globe. Each unit features a louvered fin design, which minimizes pressure drop while achieving excellent cooling effectiveness. The extruded multi-rib tubing maximizes heat extraction to be carried away through the large bore coolant recirculation hard lines. Externally, supercharger coolant is pumped through a large front mounted heat exchanger where its cooled and circulated back through the charger again.
Two high flow K&N filters are adapted to the factory air box to provide fresh filtered air to the supercharger. The factory MAF housing bolts to the metal filter bracket and connects to the throttle body via two multi-ply silicone hoses. The ultra-ridged design ensures the hoses will not collapse under the tremendous vacuum created by the supercharger systems newly added forced induction.
The welds, quality, and precision fit on this Milltek Sport exhaust for our XLR8 Audi USA R8 4.2 FSI are amazing. When we fire her up for the first time we'll be sure to post up a video.
Flashing the APR software specific to the R8 4.2 FSI for the Stage 3+ supercharger system. This is often overlooked by many but the software is one of the most important parts of this supercharger system. With the significant amount of changes included in the APR Stage III+ TVS1740 Supercharger System, APRs Engineers spent months calibrating the engine management system, including well over 100+ hours of in-house chassis dyno development. Drivability, gear changes, cruising and part throttle operation were tuned to operate smoothly as if intended by the OEM. Further development was performed putting the vehicle through performance evaluation and durability testing at the drag strip. APRs Electrical Engineers built new coding functions, strategies and routines into the ECU to control conditions normally unseen at factory power levels. Thanks to APRs incredible proprietary calibration suite, data logging software and full access to the coding structure of the ECU, appropriate and intelligent changes are made to ensure flawless drivability and excellent performance without compromise.
Custom carbon fiber rear diffuser
Mounting up the ADV.1s
The APR Stage 3+ R8 4.2 FSI supercharger system
The XL.R8 4.2 FSI with APR Stage 3+, ADV.1 5.2 Track Spec SL and Milltek Sport Exhaust.
We want to thank all our performance partners who helped make the XL.R8 4.2 FSI complete, as well as our mechanic Jamie, who worked tirelessly to perfect this installation. Please feel free to stop by and check out the XL.R8 if you're in the area. And more pics and videos to come.
http://www.excelerateperformance.com
http://www.goapr.com
http://adv1wheels.com
http://www.millteksport.com/