[A4] turbo upgrades

[Gordie's Garage]

I'd go with the MTM at the price you are talking.  I put a K04 on my '98 A4
at @ 78K miles with GIAC software.  Got the kit from AWE.  I've been running
a Borla (cheap) exhaust, cat back.  I'm very pleased with the turbo.  I've
got 106k now and and other than the exhaust leak, its great.  This is my 3rd
Borla in 4 years with each one replaced under warranty.  Breaks at the weld
where it connects to the cat.  Broke now, but I'm waiting to replace it with
something better.  Back to the turbo, you may need to change the heat shield
and one other line, oil I think, to updated version.  Probably need to
change your bypass valve too.  TT 225 will work, I used one for awhile but
eventually went with a Bailey.  Oh, and if you haven't already, put a snub
nose polyurethene front engine mount on.  Driveline very sloppy with all
that power and stock engine mount.  Again, very happy with what I have,
however I would have gone with the MTM kit if not for the double price tag.
I paid @ 1600 for the AWE/GIAC/K04 kit, not installed.
Brakes, I did the A8 rotor/TT carrier upgrade. HUGE difference, especially
at the track.  If I had to do all over again, the brakes would be first.
It's amazing how much more speed you can carry into a corner knowing your
brakes will haul you down in short order.  Anybody know if S4 rear brakes
with bolt up to an A4?
Clutch, been fairly weak for @ a year.  No slipping, but I can tell it's
near the end of its life.  I've been very gentle with it.  Oh, it's the
original stock clutch.  I'm the second owner and knew the 1st owner, and car
history, so I know it's the orig clutch.  Audi clutches will last quite
awhile if you know how to drive them.  My daughter drives my old ('86) 4KQ,
with nearly 200k miles on the orig clutch.  Again, I was second owner and
knew history of the car.  I even taught my daughter to drive a stick on the
4KQ! I'll be going with a stage II clutch shortly in my car.
Although I haven't had my car to the track in a year or so, I used to
regularly, so it hasn't really been babied, just driven properly.
Whew, finally a subject I have some experience with...and time to send the
message!
Do the upgrade, you'll love it, assuming a good quality kit, and MTM is.
Of course, YMMV.

Gordie Bird
'98 A4 1.8T
'03 A6 Avant
Couple of old MGs


> We're in the same boat I think.  Not much new stuff out there
> that I'd want to drive (Aston Martins and such aside, E46 M3 but
> I live in CO and this is my daily - snow included) and my '98 A4
> does pretty much everything very well.  A bigger turbo will put
> some new life into it....
>
> I'm told a K04 with higher flow DP and high flow cat will net
> about 240 with MTM software - which is no cost to me - I can
> trade my current MTM software in cost probably around $1800 +/-
> for parts and labor...and for street use no brake upgrade
> required although I'm considering the A8 rotor with TT bracket -
> but will likely just stick with slotted rotors and upgrade the pads...
>
> Brandon
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Nicholas Stock
>   To: Brandon Rogers
>   Cc: Peter Kirby ; A4 List
>   Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 12:18 PM
>   Subject: Re: [A4] turbo upgrades
>
>
>   This is something I've been trying to get to grips with myself.
> I have an APR stage 1 Avant Sport with about 95K on it now and
> I've been drooling over getting a new 2.0T Avant with all the
> options (including the S-line package). All in all, 40K!! But, I
> like my current A4, even though it needs a little cosmetic work
> now (scratches, dent in the bumper etc). The thought of swapping
> in a K04, new exhaust and uprated clutch would be a far cheaper
> way to put a grin on my face...
>
>   Any thoughts.
>
>   Nick
>
>
>   On 9/27/05, Brandon Rogers <brogers at terrix.com> wrote:
>     Good question - I forgot to add that in my question
> before...I'm at 93k now and my clutch slips a little on uphill
> starts with the a/c on....I figure next when I do the TB in 7k
> miles i'll do the clutch and what the heck why not a bigger turbo too....
>
>     Brandon
>       ----- Original Message -----
>       From: Nicholas Stock
>       To: Peter Kirby
>       Cc: Brandon Rogers ; A4 List
>       Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 12:03 PM
>       Subject: Re: [A4] turbo upgrades
>
>
>       Did he change the clutch? The guys at APR told me the stock
> clutch handles about 260 ft/lbs torque and I imagine with a KO4,
> you're probably topping that...
>
>       Any ideas?
>
>       Nick
>
>
>       On 9/27/05, Peter Kirby <4pkirby at gmail.com> wrote:
>         A friend swapped out his K3 (chipped) and replaced it with a K4
>         (+Neuspeed chip) and within 24 hours owed the local
> constabulary a
>         large sum of money.  Other than his tax contribution, he is VERY
>         please with it.  Figures something like 225-235 HP.
>
>         It flies!
>
>         Peter
>         2001 1.8t A4
>
>         On 9/27/05, Brandon Rogers < brogers at terrix.com> wrote:
>
>         > Curious on opinions (especially those based on first
> hand knowledge) on the various turbo upgrade kits out there.