What performance to do first?
03-12-2011, 12:50 PM
#11
Audi Forum - Posts like an A5
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: saskatoon, canada
Posts: 366
Re: What performance to do first?
I always recommend finding a local tuner and chipping asap! It is without question your biggest value of horsepower per dollar. Cheeba gave fantastic advice above, as did mikeH regarding the intake. Unless you get a big turbo (bt) you will not see any gains from an intake.
I would also put a test pipe/high flow cat before exhaust, as it will give a better boost in perormance than an exhaust AND is cheaper.... But eventually, you will likely want a full exhaust.
Most ppl love a good set of coilovers, and I understand why. A good set will give you much better handling. I have stock suspension, and it will remain that way until I need to change the control arms etc- then everything will get upgraded at once.
A boost gauge is a great addition, as it will help you determine if you are having any problems like boost leaks (common issue).
If you chip your car, upgrade your diverter valve as it will not handle the additional boost for long. You will also want to change your plug gap from the stock 0.032" to 0.028" once chipped. Some ppl like to move to a colder plug, but in my opinion, it is not required as long as you are still on the stock K03 turbo.
Enjoy your car (the B5 is one of the finest looking audi's ever made) and post up some pics soon!
I would also put a test pipe/high flow cat before exhaust, as it will give a better boost in perormance than an exhaust AND is cheaper.... But eventually, you will likely want a full exhaust.
Most ppl love a good set of coilovers, and I understand why. A good set will give you much better handling. I have stock suspension, and it will remain that way until I need to change the control arms etc- then everything will get upgraded at once.
A boost gauge is a great addition, as it will help you determine if you are having any problems like boost leaks (common issue).
If you chip your car, upgrade your diverter valve as it will not handle the additional boost for long. You will also want to change your plug gap from the stock 0.032" to 0.028" once chipped. Some ppl like to move to a colder plug, but in my opinion, it is not required as long as you are still on the stock K03 turbo.
Enjoy your car (the B5 is one of the finest looking audi's ever made) and post up some pics soon!
04-16-2011, 06:40 AM
#12
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Canton, MI
Posts: 1
Re: What performance to do first?
Good advices here from everyone.
Now let me tell you what i did
First thing i got was my h&r coilovers. What is a car that can not handle the twisties?
Then came apr chip (a physical chip at that cause my car is old school lol).
Then in went a boost gauge, turbo inlet pipe, and forge diverter valve. Gonna think about minimizing potential problems you know.
After that by chance got a great deal on a front mount intercooler so that went on.
Few months after that scored a set of US spec S4 headlights, so that went on.
No exhaust cause i personally don't like long drive with loud noise. Although itching for a high flow cat cause i hear it's not loud and some gain in power. (i need the power cause i'm auto)
One great advice as cheeba said before is get some good tires. It makes huge difference in terms of how your car drives.
That's how i got my car the way it is now. Now go and have fun modding your audi
Now let me tell you what i did
First thing i got was my h&r coilovers. What is a car that can not handle the twisties?
Then came apr chip (a physical chip at that cause my car is old school lol).
Then in went a boost gauge, turbo inlet pipe, and forge diverter valve. Gonna think about minimizing potential problems you know.
After that by chance got a great deal on a front mount intercooler so that went on.
Few months after that scored a set of US spec S4 headlights, so that went on.
No exhaust cause i personally don't like long drive with loud noise. Although itching for a high flow cat cause i hear it's not loud and some gain in power. (i need the power cause i'm auto)
One great advice as cheeba said before is get some good tires. It makes huge difference in terms of how your car drives.
That's how i got my car the way it is now. Now go and have fun modding your audi
04-16-2011, 10:05 AM
#13
Audi Forum - Posts like an A3
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 68
Re: What performance to do first?
Hello, I have a 2000 A4 Quattro 1.8T, I am wanting to do some performance upgrades. I am not sure where to start or what brands to look for? Should I be worried about suspension/drive trane first? Just kind of lost here and would like some advice on what I should or should not do first. I do want more power, and better response ie: turbo lag etc....... Thanks in advance..... 
Agreed, chipping will be your 'best bang for buck' in the horsepower department, but if you're B5 is north of 200k as most are, I might cautious. Adding PSI to old and weathered intake and vacuum hoses could lead to potential leaks, so be ready ($) for that. Also, if the car's maintenance is at all in question (eg, synth oil wasn't used from new, and changed every 8-10k, not the 15k dealer recommended, and many B5 were started on an early dino oil diet...), it could potentially mean turbo-time shortly after chipping. Please keep that in mind.
Step .5 in modding is be sure your braking system is @ 100%. Going faster is great, but you need to be sure rotors, pads, lines, and fluid are all there for you when you need them. What seemed okay stock, might be hairy with more ++HP/TQ.
Personally, I prefer to do suspension rims and tires as my first mods. Not only will the car look great
, but you'd be surprised how drastically the car transforms with a proper spring and matched shock combo. While your off-the-line times might not change (as with a chip), your ability to carry speed, and through corners, will make the car sooo much more enjoyable. As a side effect braking is also improved through less dive and wheel lift... ...making your car safer in general (good reasoning to get the GF/wife on board with mods 
)Cheers, and have fun!
04-16-2011, 10:10 AM
#14
Audi Forum - Posts like an S4
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Burnaby/Powell River
Posts: 257
Re: What performance to do first?
Now lets see....
about $3000 total for all my parts since i bought some off forum members and ebay.
If you just concentrate on the performance part, 2k would get you quite a bit.
my advice is do it right in one go and get a big turbo set up. Read up here for some of your options. Happy tuning
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