<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/ss_s4th_01a.jpg"></center><p>I removed the grates over the intercooler for my recent track event. I dunno if it helped much...but it didn't hurt anything as far as I can tell.

The recommendation came from Don Istook.<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3821"><br><br>
<img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/ss_s4sig1.jpg"<br><br>
Steve S.
00 Nogaro S4
NorCal Audi Club
http://www.norcalaudiclub.org

Andrew Lee (AnotherDrew) swapped his lower grills out for another set which (I beleive) had a more open mesh in them. You might want to consider that instead of removing them all together - it might make for a better cooling/intercooler protection compromise. Someone was also talking about removing the fog lights to help get air to those intercoolers - with those xenons, you probably don't need them anyway. The car's looking good Steve! Love that color!

Like on the G-Tech commercial - the car with it's bumper off. You'd have ultimate cooling then!

hmmmm,<p>John Stahmann
AudiWorld Contributing Editor
1998.5 1.8TQM Brilliant Yellow
<a href=" http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=688">
<img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/jcssigpic.jpg " BORDER=0></a>

<p>Bryce
'00 1.8T Avant-Tip...APR

NO SPANDEX. Amen.

Now we just have to work on Steve's doofy nametag.

BTW, that bug that Bryce saw was cleaned off about 1 minute after he pointed it out to me. :-)<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3821"><br><br>
<img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/ss_s4sig1.jpg"<br><br>
Steve S.
00 Nogaro S4
NorCal Audi Club
http://www.norcalaudiclub.org

cut out the reinforceing webs in the grills vertical supports with an Exacto knife. I think there only good for one critter hit either way. I have never got down and looked at the S4 grills , but if it's like the A4's construction, you can really open it up.

I am thinking of removing the fog lamps for driving events...they are SMACK DAB right in front of the intercooler airflow. It sure would be cool to have the same Kamei grille material that is used for the upper grille, in these lower grilles. I just don't know if that mesh would allow less or more airflow than the stock mesh. I also want to integrate brake ducts at the same time.<p><a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=3821"><br><br>
<img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/ss_s4sig1.jpg"<br><br>
Steve S.
00 Nogaro S4
NorCal Audi Club
http://www.norcalaudiclub.org

I don't even have headlights anymore. Drawback... you do have to follow other cars real close at night.

If you look at the plastic ducting on the passenger side, you'll see that the tow-hook distortes the ducting away from the intercooler. The tow hook itself draws some of the intercooler air away. I got some black ducttape and covered the tow hook area and smoothed it over.

I'm having doubts about removing the louvers on the grill. If you look at the cross section of it, you can see it's designed to increase air velocity at the expense of air mass (it starts our thin then gets thicker). I'm sure the difference is insignificant,but for now, I'm going to keep the stock grill. I've removed my fogs, and put a little net to catch bugs/pebbles that might come through the foglight opening. The little net is screwed on where the foglight base screws on.<p>Andrew Lee
Photos: http://briefcase.yahoo.com/hwaandrewlee

<a href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=1061">Registry

The intercoolers do less then you think in short runs . For dragging, Don't bother removing the driving lamps . Perhaps this would be more usefull in a road race . Besides lets give the Germans some credit for understanding how to get the air into the intercoolers.

When you are in Central California...it can get pretty hot...I have been at Thunderhill when it was about 95 ambient air temp. When the S4 is hot..you really lose power. I am trying to minimize that loss by gettin a bit more air to the intercoolers. Does it help?...I dunno. It was recommended to me by Don Istook..who is racing an S4 in the Motorola Cup/World Challenge races this year.

The only thing I am worried about is someone going off track in front of me ...and throwing a big rock at my intercooler.<p><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/steveshsig1.gif" border="0">