APS 548 BHP VF supercharger upgrade for Audi R8 V8
APS of Brackley, the award winning independent Audi specialist, is pleased to announce its appointment by VF Engineering of Anaheim, California, to act as UK sales concession for a new range of Audi R8 V8 supercharger conversions.
Designed to appeal to V8 Audi R8 owners desiring additional performance without the expense of the larger engined 5.2-litre variant, the VF Engineering upgrade is such an effective conversion that it out muscles the V10 version by a healthy margin.
Performance, reliability and an OE style feel were major factors in the extensive research and development program carried out by VF-Engineering. With 10 years of supercharging experience and worldwide OEM supply contacts, VF Engineering has harnessed the reliability of Eaton superchargers and the quality of GIAC custom software to create the ultimate supercharger system for the ultimate driver's car.
Maintaining the original Audi quality and smoothness were key technical criteria, with all major components for the VF Engineering conversion being 100% manufactured in California.
The results of twelve months of intensive development, including extensive dyno test cycles and track work, VF Engineering opted to supercharge the Audi R8 to improve throttle response and mid-to-top end power by utilising the very latest design of Roots-type Eaton TVS 1900 supercharger.
This 6th generation ‘Twin Vortices Series’ 4 lobe Roots supercharger boasts the ability to rev to higher bearing speeds for longer periods, meaning the TVS 1900 unit can be operated at lower crankshaft speeds and create more boost due to its displacement and higher efficiency.
The Eaton TVS supercharger is mounted atop the motor using an in-house CNC machined billet aluminium housing, which contains an air/water heat exchanger, driven using an upgraded Goodyear serpentine belt system and heavy duty active tensioner. For durability reasons, the stock supercharger drive belt has been upgraded from 5 to 7 ribs.
The VF Engineering Audi R8 conversion is optimised to deliver 7.5 psi from the Eaton TVS 1900 supercharger and creates as much, if not more power than similar products running greater levels of boost.
Performance software specialist GIAC has employed flash technology and latest Audi file developments to provide the cleanest and most reliable method of software installation. GIAC engineers extensively re-wrote the OEM Audi ECU software from scratch using their own binary, assembly and disassembly algorithms. Testing the software has included extensive road and dyno test cycles, with acceleration and deceleration tests for driveability smoothness and ECU fuel management.
One of the interesting features of the software recalibration provided by VF Engineering with the Audi R8 supercharger kit is the development of a software "switching" facility. Using a small handheld unit that the user can plug into the OBD2 port, the software can be switched on the fly through different modes such as "Race Fuel" advanced ignition timing program for when customers elect to use high octane petrol, or "Valet mode" to reduce power for obvious reasons. The GIAC software is electronically "flashed" by APS of Brackley into the R8’s ECU’s through the OBD2 port with the optional modes.
The custom and proprietary GIAC software supplied with this kit safely realigns all OEM Audi fuelling and engine management parameters, thus minimizing the likelihood of spurious diagnostic trouble codes (DTC's) or check engine lights (CEL's).
As part of the validation process during the development of the R8 supercharger conversion, the VF Engineering test cars were put through long term full throttle assessment in conditions varying from wet cold climates to hot dry race track conditions for safe-optimal air fuel ratios and knock activity monitoring.
The end result of VF Engineering’s conversion is an R8 with super car humbling levels of effortless urge – peak power is boosted to 548 bhp at 7500rpm, with peak torque of 437 lb.ft at 4800 rpm. (For comparison, the 5.2-litre V10 Audi R8 produces 518 bhp and 391 lb.ft.)
Headline VF Engineering Audi R8 supercharger technical specification includes:-
GIAC custom tuned software to optimise performance
OEM soft rev limiters and top speed governor removed
Eaton TVS1900 satin black supercharger
1 year unlimited mileage limited product warranty
VF- CNC machined 6061 aluminium bracket system
VF- CNC machined 6061 aluminium inlet runners
OEM Goodyear idler pulleys
VF- Custom tuned supercharger intake
Internal overrun bypass valve system
OEM crank case ventilation system
Replacement OEM serpentine belt
The VF supercharger system remains fully Audi dealer OBD2 compliant and is supported by a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty on the product only.
Priced at £21,995 fitted and road tested including VAT @ 17.5%, appointed VF Engineering sales concession and approved fitting centre APS of Brackley is taking reservation deposits now.
