K04-S4

K04's alone will provide up to an additional 20HP (depending on boost) so yes they will work in place of stock K03's. Obviously your reliablility and boost ceiling are greatly increased, as well as a slight torque curve shift upward (barely noticable).

I would be scared to put used Turbo's in too, unless they were professionally rebuilt and have a good warranty. It's the labor (or labor cost) to do it again that is painful.

With ~$2K K04's you'll need the ~$500 larger Inlet Piping kit and a ~$75 hardware install kit to get them mounted on your engine. Clay at Kinetic in BC did a package deal for me that worked to be the best pricing I could find anywhere.

Good idea on the mounts. Heat wrapping the exhaust manifolds will be very difficult due to their very irregular shape. I had my stock Exhaust Mani's ceramic coated locally in 1 day for $300 for much better exterior thermal reduction effect, meaning no more heat soaked engine bay! Same as VAST:

VAST Performance



If your running stock boost, you likely do not need a boost controller. Turbo timer is a good idea, but proper handling can achieve very close to same effect. Suggest replace your coolant as that is important for the OEM Aux Coolant Pump to work at max efficiency after engine shutdown. If your coolant tank is brown, replace it for $50 at ECS before it cracks and leaks all your new coolant out.

S4zAudihere

Nice, i think that's what i'm going to do, so once i have extra cash and get it chipped, am i going to have to do a fuel upgrade? injectors? or am i just going to get more power?
I think i'm going to give that guy a call, it seems like the best idea, and it will end up lasting me the longest. i dotn want to fork out the cash to change them, and have them mess up again.

S4zAudihere

Well Looks like Kenetic motorsports is out of k04 turbo's for the right side, i think the 26....so i need to either find somewhere with a 26 for a good price with shipping or someone with BOTH. anyone know where i can try? i'm on the phone with H2 and they are going to see if they can get it for me. all they have is the stage 3 kit, which is like 8000.....not in my budget just yet...

K04-S4

A few places in the US have them. You could try ECS.

K04 Inventory on the market really seems to fluctuate. One day, everybody has them and are price cutting each other, next day only one or two shops have them and charge a premium.

S4zAudihere

ya premium alright, i found 2 at 1300 each...

S4zAudihere

K everything is ordered, I have Vast ceramic coated headers, rs4 motor and tranny mounts, k04 turbos and inlets. I cant wait till my baby is up and running!
while the motor's out, getting the valve cover gasket's replaced.
Soon now i just need to find patience! anyone know where i can get that!!!!

25orsix24

Who have you decided to take it to?

S4zAudihere

My friends shop, Automotive Central, he's doing all the work. all the stuff is bolt on, more or less. it's just alot of work taking out the motor.

25orsix24

Cool stuff! How long is she going to be in the "Operating Room"?
When will you take her back out for the first steps?

Black_RS4

sounds like a pretty intense project...