Tristan Symington owns a 1999 Audi A4 with a Quattro AWD drivetrain driven by a turbocharged 1.8 L inline-four that made 148 hp (110 kW) and 155 lb-ft (210 Nm) of torque from the factory. He turned to his best friend Hunter Inman and his experience building engines to find more power. It’s taken over two months to create what they are calling the Budget Big Turbo Audi (BBT).
The budget for the project would need to stay small since both recently graduated high school. This meant the project would involve more research and elbow grease.
Hunter pulled the engine apart and started rebuilding it with Wieseco flat top pistons, Eagle forged crank and forged H-beam rods. He built a custom engine girdle from a sheet of aluminum. For added insurance he installed a set of Clevite main and rod bearings and increased the oil pressure by adding tension to the oil pump relief spring.
Hunter spent over a week working on the 20v head. He ported and polished every port along with the intake runners and throttle body. He added more tension to the valve springs by installing washers under them.
With the engine ready Hunter added the missing piece, a Garret GT3071R turbocharger with an external waste gate set to 33 psi. The result was 555 horsepower and 432 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels.
Hunter replaced the factory transmission with one from a 1999 A4 V6 model. The V6 transmission has longer gears allowing the engine to stay in boost longer. The transmission also received a lightweight flywheel (8 lb vs factory 24 lb) and SPEC 6 puck clutch.
Is it FWD or AWD?
AWD. Thanks for asking. I am going to add that to the article.
OK, but the power number is too inflated. That turbo is too small for the claimed power , escpesially on the wheels.
Man, you need to know what us brazilians do with those engines and even more with his poor cousin 8v. It’s absolute insane. Search for Gol DTA, Gol DTB, for drag racing, or AP turbo for general information about. You don’t regret. Cheers! And keep up with this amazing site
Thanks for the tip and I appreciate the support Bruno.
Your page needs a thumbs-up button. I can’t like this enough. BBTđź‘Ť
Thanks Ben. It is greatly appreciated.
if you would like to follow this project i post updates on snapchat.
add hinman3306 on SC
whats the fuel system look like?
Do you have a detailed build page somewhere? What are you going to do for an intercooler? Are you using water/meth injection?
Id love to hear how much this project set you back ive got a 2000 a4 1.8t that im wanting to build an engine for
4500
I need some advise on a cheap bbt build for my Audi A4 1999 1.8t add me on Snapchat sweet_enchilada that my name on all social media platforms currently trying to rebuild and possibly add power to my motor before I become a tech at a shop
What exhaust manifold did you run?
What tunning did you guys run? Thanks
I would like to learn more about your build. I have a 99 audi a4 b5, and two engines, I overboosted the turbo on the first engine, and my rod start knocking still ran so I pulled the engine and put the one in from my parts car. I am looking to build my engine to 500 horsepower it’s a Quattro, I just need advise on what to get.