Transformation of my 1990 Audi 80

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Estonia

Couldn't come up with a project name for my car Razz

but wanted to share my ride with you.

I'm really new to these forums so forgive me if I do anything out of the ordinary.

Firstly, some background information: I'm from Estonia, the Eastern side of the EU and I got this car when I was 18. It was my dad's old car and he had driven it for over 5 years (don't remember exactly). At first I thought I'd keep it for only a couple of years but eventually got too attached to it to sell it. Now I have invested so much time and effort to it I think I'll probably own it the rest of my life Very Happy

OK, enough of the babble. Here's how it looked when I got it:

Basically just an average oldie with no appeal and no extras at all.

So I got to work and here is the list of modifications I've done over the last 4 years or so:

Exterior
- 16" x 7.5" ABT rims and 205/50/R16 tires
- New bumpers from a 16V Audi 80
- Front clear indicators, red Audi 80 B4 Avant rear indicators
- Audi 90 rear panel
- Audi 90 front grill
- Tinted windows
- Simons dual pipe exhaust
- 40mm lowering springs
- Got rid of the massive aerial, writings on the boot and the towing hook Smile

Audio
- 6.5" JL-Audio component speakers in the front with self-made speaker boxes
- 12" DLS freeair subwoofer on the rear window sill
- Two Blaupunkt 2-channel amps which power the front speakers and the subwoofer separately

Interior
- Gray leather seats with a front hand rest (!) and door panels off a US spec Audi 90
- Audi 3-spoke steering wheel off a Audi 80 quattro
- retrofitted qauttro gauges in the center console
- retrofitted body-coloured heated electrical side mirrors
- retrofitted front power windows
- made myself a illuminated shifter knob Very Happy

Pictures

Exterior

Interior

And some pics of the audio as hyperlinks:
Front mid range speakers (leather panels, mirrors and windows uninstalled yet)
Front tweeters

So that's how my ride looks at the moment Smile

Future plans include the front lights and bumper of an Audi 90 with the current bumper add-on modified to fit the Audi 90 bumper.

Comments and criticism more than welcome Smile

Oh and feel free to propose a project name for this car!

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:19 pm

Mate i'm loving everything about this car. it sits really well on the lowered springs with those alloys.
the mods you have done are subtle but effective and give the car a class look.

massive thumbs up from me. Wink

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 4:08 pm

Very nice mate Cool

Site Moderator Joined: Jan 31, 2003 Posts: 9144

you sure that's the same car ?

Welcome to the forums.

Interesting how the gauges on the lhd cars were reversed so that battery is nearest the driver.

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Estonia

Thanks for the comments mates. I appreciate them Smile

And yes it is the same car, I'm sure Smile

Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 7:14 pm

Hi jkk,that looks really really nice mate,i'm loving that,well done Wink

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 7:53 am

they were my first thoughts Laughing

looking SWEET Cool

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 8:08 am

i really like those wheels as well.

great work a credit to you Smile

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 11:23 am

everythin about it ooses class ,clean lines ,clever mods,looks really nice...."stealth"
Wink

i noticed it doesn't have the wing indicators,looks better without,them aswell

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 1:53 pm

That is lovely, nice a subtle, all to great effect too, more info on the illuminated knob would be good, love me lights me.

Credit to you well done. Wink

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Estonia

Certainly. Here's how I did it:

First used a needle to scratch the aluminum paint off the knob plate. I also had to use some permanent marker to cover some unnecessary scratches I did not intend to make.

Then used an old AutoGauge voltmeter, took out its spreader lens and cut it to fit inside the knob. Then added a LED to the side (because the lens worked like that in the old gauge), a piece of red plastic tape (or just use a red LED) and got this:

Then made some room for the spreader lens inside the knob and fitted it.

Unfortunately the knob got a little knackered during the process hence the rough edges.

Finally put the knob plate back using some double sided tape.
The result:

And here are some other examples from fellow members of Audi Club Estonia Smile

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 5:03 pm

they were my first thoughts Laughing

looking SWEET Cool

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:40 am

I meant as in "sure it's the same car" Laughing

I'm currently working on a modified grill for mine... to go with something new that turned up last week Cool

Need a new bonnet and something else I've got spraying... Laughing

That said, I may look (for now) to see if I can find a flat black bonnet second hand and get my wheels repaired that look similar to the ones on this car (although mine *may*..... be deeper...

Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 8:43 am

wow might have to have a go at the gear stick light thing! what did you wire the power to? a switch? the lights? i might do mine to the radio on remote wire (for subwoofers) its a good low amp signla that would be great for an led Smile

plus it will only be on when the stereo is on Smile

Site Moderator Joined: Aug 11, 2008 Posts: 1652

nice looking motor and liking that gear knob mod!

Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:52 am

anymore changes to your car mate ?
cheers

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Estonia

Remote would be a good idea, but I tapped into the sigarette lighter illumination. Don't know if it's the best idea ever, but has worked okay since. The power consumption of the LED should be very low so I think it's okay.

Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 6:50 pm

wow
your car looks awesome, some great tips there

what arm rest you use in first instance.....like the lighted gearknob as well

please set up more pics

cheers
john Cool

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Estonia

Thanks! The arm rest was the one which came standard on US spec Audi 90.
I'm hoping to change the cloth on it to match the new seats and fit it onto these.

Some pictures of the old seats:

And a few more of the new ones:

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Estonia

Finally finished my front bumper. Still needs the chrome strip (which I'm going to paint black), but otherwise it's done.

I'm hoping to take some decent pictures soon, but here's a medium quality preview for you who are interested

Site Moderator Joined: Aug 11, 2008 Posts: 1652

still looking good m8 Very Happy

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Estonia

Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:21 pm

That looks bl00dy fantastic!! All it needs now are some coupe headlights!

Camped on the site Joined: Aug 20, 2010 Posts: 214

WOW ! That's how I want my 90 sport ending up- that's exactly the look I'm after!

Site Moderator Joined: Jan 31, 2003 Posts: 9144

Nice house and the car's not too bad either

Newbie Joined: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 8 Location: Estonia

Thank you guys. One more for your enjoyment Very Happy

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 3:34 am

It is a very nice car indeed, oh and tell your bird to stop putting her hands on the paintwork! Laughing

Newbie Joined: Jul 19, 2010 Posts: 17

What car???
Aaa.... There is a car behind the bird Smile

Hard to notice at this angle Laughing

Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2010 9:35 am

Nice work......on both counts!! Wink

Inexperienced Joined: Jul 12, 2010 Posts: 23

Wow........... That car is so cool. A little way before mine looks that good but i think you`ve just kick started my own little project..........