View Full Version : Same engine with different HP. How/Why?


Andrew C
11-11-1998, 07:14 AM
I know that a number of cars from Audi share the 2.8L 30v engine. Each has<br>a different HP, but the same torque. Is this just differences in the ECU?<br>Emmisions systems?<p>For example<br>US Spec A4 2.8 hp=190 torque=207<br>EuroSpec A4 2.8 hp=193 torque=207<br>US Spec A6 2.8 hp=200 torque=207<br>EuroSpec A6 ???<p>If aftermarket companies say that they have an ECU replacement that will<br>boost HP by "10%" is that relative to each cars' starting hp OR does the<br>2.8 engine have a maximum hp without degrading fuel, emmission, etc? (i.e.<br>if a company sells a chip for A4 & A6, then they both should have the same<br>final hp?) If this was the case, then the A6 would have the smallest<br>increase due to chipping and the US Spec A4 the largest.<p>I'm not thinking of chipping at the moment. Just curious. I thought that if<br>the change was due to different ECU programming, that the increase in hp<br>would have brought about a similar change in torque too, so the 207 across<br>the board is what I find odd.<p>Don't have any engine performance knowledge to back this up, so please<br>educate me.<p>Andrew<br>98 A4 2.8qms<br>

leszek
11-11-1998, 07:26 AM

Ali B
11-11-1998, 08:09 AM
I honestly think that they wanted to be higher than the BMW 528i. Even in FrontTrak onfiguration, the A6 is pathetically slow (0-60 in 8.8 seconds). It has been the slowest car by a big margin in every multi-car comparison test I have seen so far. The Quattro is even slower (0-60 in 9.5-9.7 seconds). <p>I guess you can blame the Tiptronic transmission for some of this sub-par performance, but automatic models like the Saab 9-5 SE and BMW 528i accelerate from 0-60 in about 7.5 seconds with similar horsepower ratings and the vehicle weights are comparable to the FWD A6. <p>Despite A6's lethargic drivetrain, the car manages to win or tie every comparison test I have seen. This is a testament to it being a very good car in need of a decent engine. Hopefully the promised manual transmission and more powerful engines (230-hp 2.7 biturbo and the V8) will finally put this car on the same playing field with serious luxury sport sedans.

stevebrown
11-11-1998, 08:27 AM
Same engine with different intake/exhaust can make different power...There is definitely more room in the A6 engine bay & the exhaust could be routed more efficiently (don't know myself cuz I haven't looked at one).<p>The A6 I sat in had more interior room "feel" (don't know numbers), than the 528 I tested. It might also be heavier, geared differently, etc.<p>I really think you attribute far too much to 0-60 numbers. They can be affected by so many factors that trying to make some kind of direct relationship with HP and 0-60 times is quite ridiculous...<p>Hell, the Dodge Viper is TRACTION LIMITED in its 0-60 numbers, so when Hennessey modifies it & gives it like 700 hp, the 0-60 times don't move as much as you would think from the hp gain...can't put it to the ground...this is just one example...<p><br>steve

MartinR
11-11-1998, 08:31 AM
As I understand it, the A6 has larger engine bay, which results in better intake manifold and<br>better exhaust manifold resulting in slightly more power.

JohnS
11-11-1998, 08:59 AM
The plastic intake manifold supposedly gives the engine slightly more power because it keeps the intake air cooler, and dual exhausts allow it to breathe better.<br>JohnS<br>