4kq engine mods

[Huw Powell]

> Yeah, this has been beaten to death and beyond, I know.  I read through
> the archives but still have a few questions.  I'm looking to get as much
> performance from my I5 NA as possible with as little investment as
> possible (since I want to do a turbo upgrade in a year or two).  I
> already have a Stebro exhaust installed with the timing advanced and
> just picked up a MC/NG cam (thanks Chris Semple!).  When the cam goes in
> I'm going to replace the lifters as well.

Why, are they noisy once pumped up?

>  I've recently seen talk of
> stiffer valve springs as a possible upgrade.

shouldn't need them with that "stock" cam... it's also a lot more work
than just the lifters, which are easy with the cam out.

>  I don't want to get into
> porting and polishing the head because of the expense.

Oh, do it.  Do it yourself.  Get the "standard abrasives" kit and just
clean things up a bit, at least.  If the head is off, you've got no
excuse.  If it's not, well, it might be awkward at the very least.  Oh
well.

>  The only other
> thing I can think of is a K&N air filter which doesn't sound like it
> does a whole lot.  Does anybody have any positive experience with one?
> Would a free-flowing cat make much of a difference?  My guess is no.  Am
> I missing anything?  Thanks!

ditch the A/C.  shorten/simplify the cool air intake path so you *know*
it is a clear path.  But who knows where the best place to grab the air
is?  Here's what I did: http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/airscoop.htm
there may be pictures somewhere on my site showing how I hooked this
thing up, but if there is, I still can't find it... anyway, it's mounted
in the lower grill area, where the AC pulley used to be, with a short
flexible hose going to the airbox inlet.

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/

http://www.humanthoughts.org/