Thanks for all of the input and the welcomes. I'll try to post pics of the car one of these days.

To clarify some things, and ask a few more questions:

- I already have the 3.15 gear ration option - not being much of a car guy, I don't really know how that helps, but it was a "performance" option for the car so it must be better than stock. How does going to 3.42 or higher help, is it worth it ($$$), and how easy to install? I can follow directions but have never been much of a tinkerer when it comes to cars, although I would sure like to learn...

- Several of you mentioned Vararam CAI - is that the best? I've seen that one, and Haltech and a few others for under $500 - do you notice improved performance? I think they are relatively easy to install i.e. no cutting, drilling, welding, etc. Also have seen some sleeves of some sort that are supposed to smooth airflow - are they worth it or just go with a full CAI?

- Another thing mentioned was tuning, several posts made me thing that would help a lot - change at what point the car shifts, how the fuel/oxygen is flowing, etc. Spending some money on that might be well worth it. How do I find someone to do that (in Jacksonville, FL)? Someone mentioned doing it by mail - how?

- Lastly, the drone I hear is more RPM related than tire related, I think. It's around 1500 RPM or so, goes away at 1200/1300 and also at 1700/1800 and higher, just a small range. Seems to be some sort of resonance from the engine/exhaust, can't tell which. Driving around the city in 3 instead of drive eliminates it, since I'm crusing at 45/55 at 2K RPM's instead of 1500, also helps with the responsiveness a bit. I guess I still miss the manual when it comes time to stomp on it, but since I'll be driving this for 3 - 4 years before I (hopefully) get a newer or faster model I need to make the most of what I have, and what better way than spending money on mods!!!


Thanks a lot everyone, I'll look for some answers to the above as well. Scott

P.S. This reminds me so much of the Honda VFR forum I am part of, cool place to read and learn about the bike/car and exchange ideas, and the posts are informative, mature, and funny - nice!

 

You will be very happy with thi set-up.

 

Sounds like you are in the same boat as me. I'm not real mechanically inclined but since I've had my vette, last 3 months, I have learned a TON. This forum is great for that. I've also done a lot of reading on that how stuff works website.

As for the gears ... I've got an A4 with the 3.15s ... I am probably going to go with 3.90s in the near future. From my understand, it basically causes the car to shift at higher RPMs and therefore making the car "quicker" ... but you lose a little MPG and top-end speed. No HP gains. From what I have seen others comment, it is one of the best mods to do for an automatic ... and not a rookie do-it-yourselfer job. If you're willing to drive a bit you could talk to revxtreme in tampa which is where I will probably be taking mine.

From what I have read unless you have a monster the smooth air sleeves provide a negligible HP boost. Mostly aesthetic unless you have something like a 500-600 hp car and then you might make a 5-10 hp gain. This is second-hand info ...

As for the CAI ... do a lot of reading here. Lots of opinions. I just recently installed a Vararam B2 and I am very happy with it. Jacked up the front and installed with a more mechanically inclined buddy ... took about 4 hours ... nothing real difficult just a couple screws hard to get to. Some people don't like the Vararam (construction of it is so-so) but lots of people with nice proven gains at the track.

I would definitely recommend a tune although I would wait until you have a couple of mods done. Any major mod other than just an exhaust and you should probably have a tune so if you wait you can save on the number of tunes you will need. I haven't had a mail order tune done ... i'd rather have a shop do it and not have to wait on someone. RevXtreme did a tune on mine after installing a Magnaflow exhaust and I thought the car did run much better and smoother. Knowing what I know now I would have waited until I did a couple more mods but I was happy regardless. Tunes will run anywhere from 300-500 but most places will do the tune cheaper with other installs.

Nice to be able to answer someone else's questions after everyone answering mine the last few months ...

 

3:90s and 2800 stall you will love your a4 smokin

 

Hi there,
I have the 3.15 gear in my current A4, had the 2.73s in my old Vette and I can say that in my experience, I have more acceleration than I had before. Nothing earth shaking, but much better and more responsive.

You are getting some good advice in this thread, but I think you should take a moment to do two things:

1. decide how you want to use your Vette (drag, road race on occasion, cruise etc.) If you are just going to be a cruiser/daily driver then 3.15s are more than adequate

2. Get used to the power and performance you already have before making upgrades. A lot of guys mod before they even learn how to use what they have. The most important mod is always the driver.

If you decide an upgrade is what you want, Mike Mercury is the most knowledgeable member I know of on that subject. I'm sure he will chime in if he hasn't already (I didn't read the whole thread) Congrats on you new Vette

 

yes he is right

lower = more torque but the top end speed suffers at a certain mph

 

for 500d you probably will only be able to get a cai. you can install yourself. cajundude has directions on one of his post to install the vararam thats the one i have. as far as other mods.as your car is a daily driver to work and back i would keep the rear as is and think about headers. if you want to drag race a rear upgrade would give you what you need if course you would need a higher stall t/c. also would suggest a drivers side output shaft case hardened. check my sig and mods with whats there i always have to be aware of whats going on under power,the car can get loose very fast if im to aggresive on the throttle. so know your priorities and ask alot of????????? of this forum. btw your car already has a ls6 intake. congrats on your vetrte purchase.

 

Hi Scott, your story sounds similar to mine, and basically I have the same set-up. If you have a 2.73 rear ratio (check the glove box code,see "search"). you will get better mileage and top speed. A lower ratio rear, noted by higher numbers like 3.73, will greatly improve overall acceleration. I'm sticking with my 2.73 since I don't race much.
Lots of good comments above, especially the computer tune which can remove a lot of restrictions. In the mean time don't forget to shut off the traction control for best performance when you want it.
Welcome to the best forum, I have learned a lot over the past year
!

 

All posts have offered up very good advice. The 3.42 gear change will really wake up the performance. I re-programed my 2004 A4 with a Predator hand held programmer. It allowed me to change my shift points (holds the gear longer before shifting) and the part I like the most......I increased the shift pressures. The 1-2 shift will actually put the car a little sideways at full throttle. Enjoy the car and welcome to the forum!

 

 

Thanks for the continued responses.

Since I bought the car used, how can I tell if I have aftermarket exhaust, special air filters, or other parts? There wasn't any extra "bling" on the car (bumper inserts, decals, screens, etc.), so I tend to think the car was left as is from the factory. Did come with nicer wheels, 3.15 ratio, and a couple other options.

At this point, other than just a few cosmetic things, I'm thinking a CAI and a tune might do it based on comments and research. Hard to explain, but I always thought that when I finally got the Corvette I would be blown back in my seat and if I wasn't careful the car would just spin in circles. Maybe I'm older now and less risky so I'm not really driving it as hard as I could, maybe it's because I don't have the Z06 or a newer version with more HP, maybe it's all the traction control etc., but I don't feel it, especially with the automatic. It shifts too quickly compared to what I would do if driving manually, and once moving dropping down to another gear sometimes takes a split second and doesn't always do what you want it to do. But I have found if I drive in 2nd and punch it the car takes off, power at the ready, so I'd like that same feeling while being able to keep the car in Drive, or at least close to it.

But also to someone else's point, this is a DD, I won't be going to the track anytime soon or racing 18 year olds at stop lights - well, not all the time anyway... Nonetheless, I would like to be able to stomp on it and get more effortless shifts, zip around a bit, etc., and the tune sounds like just the thing. Now I just have to figure out where/how - taking off the computer and sending it in seems okay, but I'm not mechanically inclined and even taking the wheel off poses challenges (no jack, concerns about not doing it properly, etc.).

Anyone know of someone like Chuck (who I hear rave reviews about) near Jacksonville, FL? Or maybe a car show type thing where Chuck or someone like him may be attending?

Thanks,
Scott

 

Did this to mine also, you won't be disappointed.

 

when I had my 2000 car dynoed at A&A Corvette, Charlie said he was going to "Put a Corvette transmission" in my car....and with the use of his computer, he did.

Now shifts and works like a Corvette, instead of a CHevy Tahoe.

 

I recently bought a 2004 A4 vert... No MODs yet becuse I don't have a clue when it comes to cars. I can change a lightbulb that is about it.

Everything here looks great! I have about $4K budgeted for mods for the next year. Does anyone have contacts in the Little Rock area that could assist me?

Thanks!
-Russ