Although StartLine Motors mostly works with standard cars that are intended for use on public roads, sometimes race cars come to the workshop. One of these is Edvinas Einikis Audi TT RS, which he drove to become the Lithuanian and Baltic Touring Car Champion.
The friendship between Edvinas Einikis and StartLine Motors has lasted many years. A passionate car enthusiast from Panevėžys, he uses the services of StartLine Motors to increase the power of both his personal daily and race cars. After driving an Audi S4 on the racetrack a few years ago, Edvinas recently switched to a third generation Audi TT RS.
To bring the car to the racetrack, Edwin has reduced weight, improved aerodynamics and fitted sport-specific chassis and braking components. But it's not just these improvements that make for success on the racetrack, it's also the engine's excellent power balance.
To give the race-ready Audi TT RS more speed, a second-level StartLine Motors performance enhancement package has been fitted. This allowed the engine power to be increased from the standard 400 to 580 horsepower.
The first step in the power increase is to replace the intercooler. The standard one does not provide the required performance. Next, the air intake system is improved by removing restrictive elements. The standard exhaust system is replaced by a completely new, lighter and more efficient one.
The TT RS for racing is also fitted with an ethanol concentration sensor, as the car uses a fuel mix of 50% ethanol and 50% petrol. However, if ethanol is not available, the StartLine Motors programme allows you to change the engine management mode to use only 98 octane petrol without losing power.
A major advantage is that the original turbine has been retained and no internal modifications to the engine have been required as the standard components can cope with the increase in power without any problems. The fact that the Audi TT RS has been upgraded for racing ensures reliability and durability, as the car operates under maximum loads in such conditions.
Working with Edvinas Einikis car, StartLine Motors specialists found that the TT RS's 2.5-litre displacement engine can achieve much more. Since it is optimum rather than maximum power that is needed on a circuit race track, it was decided to purchase another identical car to be developed for maximum performance.
The end result was a stage 3 power enhancement package that allowed a power output of more than 1,000 horsepower. This, of course, required much more extensive modifications. StartLine Motors' workshop fitted the engine with stronger connecting rods and pistons, new intake and exhaust valves and stronger valve springs. Valve passages have also been widened.
The standard turbine has been replaced by a new StartLine Motors G35-1050 turbine kit, exhaust manifold and external pressure relief valve, and a more efficient air intercooler. The air intake system has also been redesigned, with wider diameter pipes and the removal of the intake manifold valves to ensure the required efficiency.
The TT RS's seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox can no longer cope with the increased power output, so a stronger flywheel and clutches are needed.
Better power utilisation is made possible by a new limited slip differential (LSD) and the Syvecs control system, which allows a 50/50 power transfer ratio between the front and rear axles, or a choice of individual settings, depending on conditions. Thanks to a unique wheel slip management system, the TT RS can move from a standstill with maximum power. This system also ensures greater stability at high speeds.
