$2000 Challenge: A turbo Audi 4000 built and bought for under $1000

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Nov 13, 2024 | $2000 Challenge, Audi, Audi 4000

Photography Credit: Mark Langello

  • Entrant: Craig Le Moyne
  • Event year: 2004
  • Budget spent: $997.87

Remember the year that the $2000 Challenge included a rallycross? Okay, that’s not really what’s going on here. Craig Le Moyne brought this 1986 Audi 4000 CS down from Dearborn and went a little wide at one point.

Total budget for the build was less than a grand, and that included an engine swap, since his car’s 2.3-liter turbo came from a 1988 Audi 5000. A previous owner had reprogrammed the ECU, too, bumping boost to 14 psi. Well-worn Hoosiers were installed at all four corners, while the interior was gutted.

Make your own low-buck memories at the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack, held March 29-30, 2025.

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is Presented by Tire Rack, in Association with HPX ShowBendPakCRC Industries and Miller Electric.

Join Free Join our community to easily find more $2000 Challenge, Audi and Audi 4000 news.
Comments
Docwemple
Docwemple Dork
11/13/24 5:53 p.m.

I really miss my old 4000 quattros ( I had a 84 and a 87)

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/14/24 9:21 a.m.

In reply to Docwemple :

At the time, we didn’t appreciate them enough.

Also, how far is this driver off course? 

Docwemple
Docwemple Dork
11/14/24 10:29 a.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I bought the 84 in 85 and it was the best thing for upstate NY winters. Rock solid and could take on insanely deep snow. I used to pull Subarus out of snow banks for fun.

alfadriver
alfadriver MegaDork
11/14/24 10:33 a.m.

In that same era (2002-2004 challenge), wasn't there a different year 4000 or 5000 with a v8 installed into it?  White with Audi stripes?

Lof8 - Andy
Lof8 - Andy GRM+ Memberand UltraDork
11/14/24 10:34 a.m.
David S. Wallens said:

In reply to Docwemple :

 

Also, how far is this driver off course? 

Looks to me like this was from the year(s) that the autocross was done on the test track that hides in the back corner of the property.   I got to do an autocross on it once, when I lived in Gainesville.   I wish that course got used more than it does.  I check back there during every $2k Challenge and it seems to get used for RC Airplanes, but otherwise abandoned for car use.

aw614
aw614 HalfDork
11/14/24 11:13 a.m.

Still occasionally look for them for sale...

There is a shop near my work that does shock valving and vapor blasting that has a combination of 4 ot 5 Coupe GTs and Audi 4000s in their covered fence...I can tell what they are through the gaps heh

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
11/14/24 11:18 a.m.

In reply to Lof8 - Andy :

Bummer that little road course is no longer being used, but at times the water sat rather close to the edge of the pavement....

You'll need to log in to post.

Our Preferred Partners
kVj6SnGWJvDQpqeiQPxxS2xVHy2hl1FWANAleQBpYj8WOukUsoNXBoxQXQHDcU2D