Searching for an Audi V8 supercharged engine? Here is the honest answer the parts catalogs skip: Audi's modern factory V8s were never supercharged. The 4.2 FSI V8 of the B7 RS4, B8 S5 coupe, and R8 was naturally aspirated, and the 4.0 TFSI V8 that followed is a twin-turbo. Supercharging an Audi V8 is an aftermarket project, and today most serious V8 builds go the 4.0T route instead. This guide explains both paths, why the market moved, and where our high-flow catted downpipes for the EA825 4.0T and our supercharged 3.0T expertise fit.
Did Audi Ever Build a Supercharged V8?
Not in the modern era. Audi's supercharger story belongs to two places: the pre-war Auto Union Silver Arrows racers, which ran supercharged V16 and V12 engines, and the EA837 3.0 TFSI V6 that launched in 2008. Every factory V8 Audi sold in the last two decades was either naturally aspirated or turbocharged:
- 4.2 FSI V8 (naturally aspirated): B7 RS4, B8 S5 coupe through 2012, the first R8, and the high-revving B8 RS5.
- 4.0 TFSI (first generation twin-turbo): C7 S6, S7, RS6, RS7 and D4 S8.
- 4.0 TFSI EA825 (current twin-turbo): C8 RS6 and RS7, D5 A8 and S8, 4M SQ7, SQ8, and RSQ8.
So why do so many people search for an Audi V8 supercharged? Partly because the B8 S5 coupe went from a 4.2 V8 to the supercharged 3.0T V6 for 2013, so "S5" plus "supercharged" plus "V8" gets scrambled in memory. And partly because aftermarket supercharger kits for the 4.2 FSI really do exist.
Aftermarket Supercharging the 4.2 FSI V8
Because the 4.2 FSI is naturally aspirated, it has no factory boost to turn up. That makes a supercharger the obvious way to add big power. Kits have been sold for the B8 S5, B8 RS5, B7 RS4, and R8 in two basic styles:
- Centrifugal: a belt-driven compressor that builds boost with rpm, usually mounted at the front of the engine with an intercooler in the charge path. Linear, high-rpm heavy power delivery.
- Positive displacement (Roots or twin-screw): sits on top of the engine and makes boost almost immediately, like the factory 3.0T. Big low-end torque, more heat to manage.
What does a 4.2 FSI supercharger build really involve? Beyond the kit itself, you are signing up for fuel system capacity, custom calibration, a lower compression margin than an engine designed for boost, and serious intake air temperature management. The 4.2 FSI also brings its own baggage: direct injection means intake valve carbon buildup, and timing chain guide wear is widely reported on some versions, with the chains at the back of the engine. Adding boost to an engine that needs an engine-out chain job is expensive optimism.
These kits are also low-volume, and support, spare parts, and tuning knowledge can be thin. For a collector who wants a one-of-a-kind S5 or R8, that is part of the charm. For someone who just wants a fast Audi V8, there is an easier way.
Why Modern Audi V8 Builds Go 4.0T Twin-Turbo
The 4.0 TFSI puts both turbos inside the vee of the engine (a "hot vee" layout), which keeps the intake and exhaust paths short and response sharp. The EA825 version in the C8 RS6 and RS7 makes 591 hp in standard form, with lower-output versions in the SQ7, SQ8, and S8. That is already more than most supercharged 4.2 builds, with factory boost control, factory reliability engineering, and warranty-era calibration behind it.
Because the boost is already there, the tuning recipe is simpler: software, then exhaust flow. The factory catalytic converters sit right after the turbos in the downpipes, and they are the main restriction once you raise boost. That is why downpipes are the headline hardware mod on the EA825, and why cheap, thin cats fail fast when a tuned 4.0T starts pushing heat through them.
What to Look For in 4.0T Downpipes
- ✅ Catted vs catless honesty: catted for street cars, catless only for off-road or competition use.
- ✅ Metallic high-flow cores: 200-cell for flow, 400-cell for a more street-friendly balance.
- ✅ Correct platform fitment: C8 and D5 cars use a different downpipe from the 4M SUVs.
- ✅ Sensor provisions: O2 bungs in the right place, with spacers available if your calibration needs them.
- ✅ Tune compatibility: plan the software and the hardware together.
Audi V8 Supercharged vs 4.0T Twin-Turbo vs 3.0T V6
Here is how the three roads compare. The 4.2 FSI supercharger route is the rarest and the most custom. The 4.0T is the strongest starting point. And if the supercharger feel is what you want, the 3.0T V6 has it from the factory.
| 4.2 FSI + aftermarket supercharger | 4.0T EA825 twin-turbo | 3.0T EA837 supercharged V6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory induction | Naturally aspirated | Twin-turbo, hot vee | Eaton R1320 supercharger |
| Where power comes from | Added kit, fuel, custom tune | Software plus downpipes | Pulley, porting, tune |
| Parts and support | Low volume, specialist | Growing aftermarket | Huge aftermarket |
| Throttle feel | Depends on kit style | Strong, slight turbo delay | Instant, linear |
| Typical headaches | Carbon, chain guides, heat | Heat and cat durability | Valley cooling parts, PCV |
✅ 200-cell or 400-cell metallic cats ✅ Fitment help from real 3.0T/4.0T owners ✅ Fast US shipping
Shop the EA825 High-Flow Catted Downpipe, $1,799.99-$2,199.99
Recommended Vorsprung Parts for the EA825 4.0T
- C8 RS6/RS7 and D5 A8/S8: High-Flow Catted Downpipe for EA825 C8 and D5, $1,799.99-$2,199.99, with 200-cell or 400-cell metallic cats.
- 4M SQ7, SQ8, RSQ8: High-Flow Catted Downpipe for 4M SQ7/SQ8/RSQ8, $1,799.99-$2,199.99.
- Track or off-road-only builds: catless versions for C8/D5 and SQ7/SQ8/RSQ8, $899.99-$1,299.99.
- Supporting parts: Euro 6 O2 spacers ($49.99) and the TruShift transmission upgrade mount for 4M and D5 ($19.99).
You can also browse our turbo and supercharger upgrades collection, and read our catted vs catless downpipe buyer's guide or the Audi RS7 tuning guide before you order.
Want the Supercharger Experience? Look at the 3.0T
If what you really want is that instant, whining, belt-driven shove, Audi already built it: the EA837 3.0T supercharged V6 in the S4, S5, SQ5, A6, A7, and Q7. That is our home turf. We port and service the factory Eaton R1320 with the Artus-Sturm ported supercharger service ($749.99-$1,599.99) and raise blower speed with the TruDrive crank pulley ($249.99-$329.99). Start with our Audi 3.0T supercharged engine guide for the reliability side.
Install Notes for EA825 Downpipes
Downpipes on the 4.0T are a lift job for a well-equipped garage or a shop. Because the turbos live in the vee, access is tight, and heat-cycled hardware can be stubborn, so penetrating oil, fresh gaskets and hardware, and patience are your friends. Plan the calibration before the parts go on, check for exhaust leaks after the first heat cycle, and log intake and exhaust temperatures on your first hard drives.
Audi V8 Supercharged FAQ
Is there a factory Audi V8 supercharged engine?
No. In the modern era Audi never sold a factory supercharged V8. The 4.2 FSI was naturally aspirated and the 4.0 TFSI is twin-turbocharged. Audi's factory supercharged road engine is the EA837 3.0T V6.
Can you supercharge an Audi 4.2 V8?
Yes. Aftermarket centrifugal and positive-displacement kits have been sold for 4.2 FSI cars like the B8 S5, B8 RS5, B7 RS4, and R8. They need fuel system upgrades, custom tuning, and a healthy engine.
Is the Audi S5 V8 supercharged?
No. The 2008-2012 B8 S5 coupe used a naturally aspirated 4.2 FSI V8. From 2013 the S5 coupe switched to the supercharged 3.0T V6, which the cabriolet already used.
Is the Audi 4.0T supercharged or turbocharged?
Turbocharged. The 4.0 TFSI uses two turbos mounted inside the vee of the engine, in the C7 and C8 S and RS models, the D5 S8, and the SQ7, SQ8, and RSQ8.
What is the best first mod for an Audi 4.0T V8?
Most owners start with software, then high-flow catted downpipes, because the factory cats in the downpipes are the main restriction once boost goes up.
Should I buy catted or catless downpipes for my 4.0T?
Catted downpipes are the right choice for street cars. Catless downpipes are for off-road or competition-only vehicles and can create emissions and inspection problems.
Why search Audi V8 supercharged if Audi never made one?
Many people remember the S5 as a V8 and also as supercharged, because it was both at different times with different engines. Others want information on aftermarket 4.2 FSI supercharger builds, which is the real-world Audi V8 supercharged story.
Bottom Line on the Audi V8 Supercharged Question
So, Audi V8 supercharged: real as an aftermarket project on the naturally aspirated 4.2 FSI, never a factory option in this era, and mostly unnecessary on the twin-turbo 4.0T, which already has the boost and just needs room to breathe. If you own an EA825, start with Vorsprung high-flow catted downpipes for the Audi 4.0T. If you want the supercharger experience, the 3.0T V6 is where Audi put it, and where we live.
Shop the EA825 Catted Downpipe, $1,799.99-$2,199.99
Drive the difference. Drive Vorsprung.
Prices checked September 25, 2026 and subject to change.
