Based on my urban stop and go driving style, I've concluded I can benefit from a turbo timer. I took off the fuse box cover on my 99.5 and realized I have lots of room behind the Alum. trim on the left side of the steering column. I think I'm going to mount it there.

I'm looking for a dual timer/boost meter with RED display.

My questions:

Is Blitz the only manufacturer the makes a dual unit?

Are there any RED displays out there? All I've seen are GREEN.

Has anyone figured out how to get the factory alarm to arm after the timer expires?

Any thoughts on my decision to mount the timer in the Alum. trim panel. . .

Thanks,

Tech_KO
Silver 99.5 1.8T QSM, 3000 miles

Turbo timers are the equivalent of duct taping a sunroof shut because it leaks. The wreak havoc with alarms, risk damaging your motor, and are illegal in some states. The idea is to keep the car idling for a few minutes so that the turbo can cool down and not bake the oil. I think that there are more risks in leaving a car running unattended. Use synthetic oil, change it regularly, and pay attention to how you drive. If you are always late, drive hard, jump out, and run inside - you should not be driving a turbocharged car. If you drive a long way, take a minute to get your things together and hear the end of the song before you turn the car off. IMNSHO

Todd W

there was a real value add to a turbo timer. Are your comments based on a personal experience? Also, which states are they illegal in?

Thanks,

Tech_KO
Silver 99.5 1.8T QSM

....busy. Other than being able to just get out of your car immediately after you've been hammering on it turbo timers don't do anything that a person with a minute or so can't do by themselves. Just go easy on the car the last few miles prior to reaching you destination, wait 30 seconds when you get there and then shut it off. I also agree with Todd's statement to use synthetic oil...it's real good "security" for a turbo car, especially one that has been chipped and/or driven hard all the time. My $0.02...

<A HREF="Mailto:andy_hedin@hotmail.com">Andy Hedin</A>
'97 A4 1.8Tqms, Wett 1.0 Bar, ABT Filter, Euro Headlights, more...

nt

NT

With a supercharger you do not have to worry about pounding on it, there is no lag, and there is less summer fade. Superchargers also improve your highway milage. However, turbos are great for the track and have more character :-) In a way it is like FWD vs. RWD, do you want same and unexciting or something that demands your constant attention and rewards you for it? I no longer believe in unboosted engines, but I would rather have SC for a daily driver and a turbo on the track :)

Todd W

p.s. There is a market for turbo timers in cars with oil cooled turbos, but cars with oil cooled turbos do not belong on the street. Audis have had water cooled turbos since 1986, and I have never seen one that needed special attention. I don't even worry about my UrQ that I drive daily, I just change the oil every 2.5-3K miles (yes, by my rules it does not belong on the street, but you don't see me worrying about it).

A friend of mine was telling me that other than a turbo timer (ie leave car running), there are bladders that you can get that use a car's own oil pressure to keep circulating oil. He was an old Formula V racer from Ohio.

Basically, the way I understand it is that you have enough extra oil in your system to fill this bladder, and while the engine is running, the bladder is inflated to the point of normal oil pressure. When the engine is cut off, it deflates , squeezing oil through the lines a bit more.

I think something like this exists in the Summit racing catalog, but can't remember. Anyone have one handy? At least this solution does not interfere with the alarms.

-Dave

<center><img src="http://131.107.68.28/a4org/profec.jpg"></center><p>if you mount the time on the bottom or top then you would have room for a boost controller too.

I have the GReddy profec a and the turbo timer. the display for the TT is red.

nt

What states are they illegal in? Or is it just unattended idling that is illegal? That seems just as likely with owners with n/a cars. How can idling for a minute "risk damaging the motor"? I have a timer, and it has not "wreaked havoc" with my alarm - that is the installers' problem and not the timer. I only use it occasionally when I absolutely have to leave the car immediately. Its a nice convenient feature when needed. I usually take it easy the last few miles, use synthetic, etc etc. Plus it costs < $100 and has been a lot more useful than my $150 sports grille.

-steve

Email me and I will pass on his name and number. He sold his A4 and took the turbo timer off of it when he delivered it. I'm sure he is looking to sell it for a great price.

Christian

It is the unattended running car that is illegal. It is also strongly criticised in my 5ktq manual. If something goes wrong while the car is running, say oil pressure or water temperature, you are not there to shut it off. I have seen unattended cars burn to the ground. There is not much risk if you only use it occasionally, but then it doesn't hurt much to shut the car off hot once in a while either. (This is not true of many other turbocharged cars, but it is for Audis) There is also a lot of extra underhood heat from idling a hot motor, rubber hoses and such see a reduced life. If you cool the turbo before coming to a stop this is less of a problem.

Just out of curiousity, what are your more useful mods?