Audi RS3 Upgrade Guide: 2.5 TFSI 8V & 8Y Parts

The RS3's 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder has a single turbo, a front-mounted intercooler, and a sound nothing else in the segment makes. It also responds strongly to a tune, which is why most RS3 builds start with one and then add parts to support it.

This guide covers the 8V RS3 (2017–2020) and the 8Y RS3 (2022+). Both use the 2.5 TFSI EVO, but many parts are specific to one generation. Check the name on every listing before you order. Parts for the older 8P RS3 and 8J TT RS won't fit.

How the 2.5 TFSI breathes

1. Intake and turbo inlet: air goes through the airbox and an inlet pipe to the turbo.
2. Turbo and intercooler: the turbo compresses the air, which heats it. The intercooler cools it before it reaches the engine.
3. Charge pipes: the hoses and pipes between the turbo, intercooler and throttle body.
4. Exhaust: a downpipe with the main catalyst, then mid-pipes with secondary catalysts and resonators, then a valved rear section.

A tune raises boost, so every one of these has to flow more and handle more heat. That's the order to think about upgrades in.

Tune first

Nothing changes an RS3 as much as a tune. Plug-in modules are the simplest way in. Options include the JB4 (2017+ RS3), DTE PowerControl RX for the 8V and 8Y, Neuspeed Power Module EVO for the 8V and 8Y, and the Racingline PCM for the 8Y.

Intake and turbo inlet

The factory inlet pipe is a known restriction on the 2.5 TFSI. Replacing it, then the airbox, lets the turbo pull air more easily and gives you more of the five-cylinder's induction sound.

• Forge turbo inlet pipe: fits the 8V and 8Y. A good first part.
• More inlets: 034Motorsport 4-inch inlet (8V), Eventuri carbon inlet for the stock turbo (8V) or the US-market 8Y version, and the Unitronic 4-inch elbow (8Y).
• Intakes for the 8V: the IE carbon fiber intake, APR carbon fiber intake, AWE S-FLO closed carbon and the Eventuri Stage 3.
• Intakes for the 8Y: the Eventuri black carbon intake.

Intercooler: the most important supporting part

On a tuned 2.5 TFSI, heat is the limit. The factory intercooler heat-soaks, so the car pulls timing and gets slower after a couple of hard pulls, which shows up quickly in a Texas summer. A bigger intercooler keeps intake temperatures down and power consistent.

• CTS Turbo direct-fit intercooler: fits the 8V and 8Y.
• Racingline performance intercooler: also fits the 8V and 8Y.
• Generation-specific: Forge for the 8V and 8Y, the APR intercooler kit (2017–2020) and the IE FDS intercooler.

While you're there, upgrade the boost hoses. Silicone hoses are less likely to split or balloon under extra boost. Look at the Racingline boost hose kit (8V and 8Y) or Forge hoses for the 8V and 8Y.

Exhaust: downpipe, mid-pipes and cat-back

• Cat-back for sound only, with the factory valves: the AWE SwitchPath for the 8V and 8Y, APR for the 8V and 8Y, the IE catback (8V) and Scorpion valved systems for the 8V and 8Y.
• Mid-pipes: the CTS Turbo catted mid-pipes replace the secondary cats with high-flow cats, for 8V and 8Y. The 034 Res-X racing midpipes (8V) are for off-road and competition use only.
• Downpipe, catted, for tuned cars: the CTS Turbo 3.5-inch high-flow cat (8V and 8Y), plus Scorpion downpipes with sports cats for the 8V facelift and 8Y. A downpipe needs a tune, and Scorpion recommends a Stage 2 tune with theirs.
• Race downpipes like the CTS Turbo race downpipe and 034 racing downpipe are for off-road and competition use only.

Emissions note: catalysts and OPF/GPF filters are emissions equipment. Removing them is for off-road and competition use only. If your state inspects emissions, ask us before you order.

Engine mounts and reliability

The RS3's soft factory mounts let the engine move under hard launches. The 034 StreetSport mounts firm that up for street cars, while the TrackSport mounts are stiffer. Add the 034 spherical dogbone mount on an 8V. On a tuned car, fresh 034 spark plugs and a catch can (8V) are cheap insurance. Big power builds add the APR MPI injector kit, which needs a tune to match.

Suspension

• Rear sway bar: the cheapest way to cut understeer. The 034 adjustable rear bar fits the 8V and 8Y, and the H&R front and rear kit suits 2017–2020 cars.
• Springs: 034 spring set or Whiteline for the 8V, 034 Dynamic+ or KW height-adjustable springs for the 8Y.
• Coilovers: the KW V3 for the 8V with EDC, the KW Clubsport for track 8Vs, and KW DDC for the 8Y, which works with the factory electronic dampers.

What we'd do

• Daily driver: a tune, a turbo inlet pipe and a valved cat-back. Add a rear sway bar.
• Weekend car: add an intercooler, boost hoses and catted mid-pipes, then springs or coilovers.
• Tuned car chasing power: intercooler, inlet, catted downpipe, mounts, plugs and fuel to match the tune. Plan the whole build with us before you buy.

See every part for your car on the RS3 page, or go straight to intakes, intercoolers, exhaust, engine and suspension.