[Biturbos4] Turbos Reliability & Replacement Cost (was: 2000 S4 Running Hot)

[Rohan Singh]

Thanks again JY. I'll look into the parts you
mentioned. Which exhaust would you recommend based on
my wanting one that is not loud and does not look like
a bazooka sticking out the back! Hopefully, all this
stuff is available in Canada. Otherwise, I may have to
get some of this stuff done on one of my trips to
Boston.

--- j y <jimnetpa at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Rohan,
>  
> Depending on your $$$....I would upgrade the exhaust
> (look at AWE, Milltek, etc.) to a TRUE dual. The
> stock S4 exhaust is a bottle-neck - even for K03
> turbos. I would then consider a chip (if u haven't
> done this yet). If you purchase the chip first - the
> turbos will be spinning so hard (especially with
> GIAC-X) that you will defintely get too much back
> pressure and potentially cause K03 (turbo) failure. 
>  
> That's why I recommend opening up the exhaust first.
> If your piggy bank is fairly big...then u might want
> to add DPs (down-pipes) to your exhaust uppgrade
> list. There are two approaches here...Piggie
> Pipes..where the pre-cats are gutted (the S4 has 4
> cats for the un-informed)..or purchase DPs that have
> the pre-cats totally eliminated. 
>  
> By upgrading to a true dual exhaust and adding DPs,
> you will have eliminated most of the restrictions on
> the "hot" (exhaust) side of your K03s. Thus, they
> will spool up faster and giev you even MORE of a
> kick in the pants. 
>  
> The downside is potential turbo overspin which can
> kill your K03 turbos...so far..this has NOT happened
> to me...I've had a true dual/DPs with no-cat set-up
> for almost a year...I run my car hard (boost to 19
> psi)...which I know isn't wise. If you purchase the
> chip (GIAC, AMS, APR, etc.), the dual exhaust, and
> DPs, you will be considered Stage 2+ (with Stage 3 -
> K04 turbos - being the hightest). Expect to have
> spent at least $1500 - $2000 (USD) for a typical
> Stage 2+ set-up, depending on where you source your
> parts, and whether they are used, or new. 
>  
> If you decide to modify the "cold" side (intake) of
> your S4, you will reduce "heat soak" on your K03s by
> purchasing AWE or stock RS4 ICs (intercoolers). The
> stock ICs can handle a Stage 2+ S4, but you will be
> putting a strain on them, especially during the
> summer. AWE ICs will cost about $1200 (USD) plus
> labor to install. I installed AWE ICs on my S4. 
>  
> At this point, your S4 will be considered Stage 2++
> (a hair under Stage 3-, K04 turbos, using K03
> fueling). 
>  
> There has been some debate on whether a K&N set-up
> is better than the stock airbox. Based on my VAG run
> logs, KEEP THE STOCK AIRBOX, the argument about the
> K&N set-up flowing better is BS! You will do nothing
> but breathe HOT ENGINE AIR with the K&N set-up which
> will adversely impact your MAF readings and timing. 
>  
> Oh yeah...dont't forget to upgrade your DVs
> (diverter valves)...personally..the Bosch 710Ns are
> as good as any Hyberboost, Forge, or Bailey DV.
> Plus, they cost $35 ea (USD) and are a OEM item on
> the Audi TT. Just go to your local Audi (or
> Volkswagen) dealer and ask for them. You will need
> two..you can install them yourself...in under 20
> miniutes. I wouldn't upgrade my DVs unless I was
> chipped. 
>  
> At the end of the day...to go from a stock S4 (Stage
> 0) to Stage 2++  will set you back approximately
> $3500 (USD). Hope this helps.
>   
> 
> Rohan Singh <rohanj_singh at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Thanks for the tip JY. I know very little about
> upgrades so it is certainly helpful to get guidance
> in
> the planning stages. I like the idea of a gradual
> upgrade as I don't have big bucks to spend
> immediately. Where does one typically start if one
> could spend a couple thousands dollars to begin
> with?
> A chip comes to mind, but I guess that is the
> fastest
> way to the demise of the existing K03 turbo's!
> 
> --- j y wrote:
> 
> > Well.......
> > 
> > If you haven't made mods to the exhaust (larger
> true
> > dual exhaust, removed pre-cats from DPs) and
> intake
> > (APR Bi-pipe or SAMCO TBB, larger ICs) then you
> will
> > NOT realize the potential of K04s. I would NOT
> > recommend putting K04s on Stage 1 (just a chip) S4
> > w/o the aforementioned upgrades - first. 
> > 
> > Even after the aforementioned upgrades, you should
> > also upgrade the fueling, MAF, Y-PIPE, turbo
> intake
> > hoses, etc. This will set you back some $$$.
> > 
> > In my opinion, it's BEST to SLOWLY work your way
> up
> > to a K04 (Stage 3) set-up, unless you have mucho
> $$$
> > burnin' in your pocket. Believe me, a stage 2, 2+,
> > 2++ set-up will put your S4 in a different
> category
> > - not quite Stage 3 - but awful close. You WON'T
> be
> > disappointed!
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Rohan Singh wrote:
> > Thanks for the info Quincy. I'll begin to save up!
> > Any
> > opinions on whether it is worth switching to Ko4's
> > on
> > a car with around 100K kilometres (About 62K
> miles)?
> > I'm planning to keep the car to the very end so
> > maybe
> > it is huh?
> > 
> > 
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> > protection around 
> > http://mail.yahoo.com 
> 
> 
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> protection around 
> http://mail.yahoo.com 
> 
> 		
> ---------------------------------
>  Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page




	
		
__________________________________ 
Do you Yahoo!? 
Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we. 
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail