Horsepower Question/Mod Bug!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceburg IN
Horsepower Question/Mod Bug!
I just ordered a vararam intake, the supermaxx longtube headers with the high flow cats and x pipe, and a B&B tri flow bullet exhaust. What kinda of difference in horsepower do you think this will make? I have a 98 a4 with no other engine mods (yet) so I'm not expecting to be pushed out the back of the car or anything but will there be a noticeable difference? Also, if anyone has any tips/ advice on installing any of the above I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,188
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
I don't know how much hp you will get but if you get it tuned you will feel a big difference. I have an 02 Coupe that came with 2.73 gears and was a bit lethargic. With headers,vararam 3.42 gears and tuning, I have run consistent 12.6 sec 1/4 miles with best trap speed of 112.73 mph.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
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From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
You will need a good dyno tune to get all the gains from those mods. Hopefully you have the performance rear gear ratio. A friend with similar mods, a MN6 and a dyno tune got 352 RWHP. Expect a little less with an A4. As a general rule of thumb the drivetrain loss is 15% with a MN6 vs 17% with an A4.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Cameron North Carolina
Just finished doing the same mods, vararam, LT headers, hi-flow catted X-pipe, granatelli cat backs, and of course a good tune. You would need to get a tune just to balance out the air/fuel ratio's. LT headers usually cause it to run a little rich. A good tune will also give you the ability to adjust your shift points and increase you tourqe in the A4 tranny. You'll find that these mods will offer very little "noticable" increase in HP's but a good tune will get you "dialed-in" and a noticable increase in HP will be evident. Happy moding!
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,730
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From: Delray Beach Florida
liek they are saying. get a tune. until then DO NOT put your foot into it. the air/fuel will not be balanced enough and you'll run way rich or lean. If you dont do the headers, you wouldnt really need the tune. but the headers are whats going to put you over the top, so you'll need the tune
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
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From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
He will know were a dyno in the area is.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,325
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From: You can't get there from here NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I don't know how much hp you will get but if you get it tuned you will feel a big difference. I have an 02 Coupe that came with 2.73 gears and was a bit lethargic. With headers,vararam 3.42 gears and tuning, I have run consistent 12.6 sec 1/4 miles with best trap speed of 112.73 mph.
Search for Cajundudes instructions on the Vararam install. It has alot of pictures, and a good explanation of the process. Have fun
BTW, don't get so caught up in numbers. If the car is running well, and it goes as fast as you want, just enjoy it.
Although i'm curious about my HP rating, as long as I can smoke the tires, and keep up with everyone on the "spirited" cruises here in the NE, I really don't care.
Last edited by Ralphyboy; Jun 7, 2008 at 10:13 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 3
From: Roselle IL
just to compare:
98 A-4
3.42 gears, 3200 stall, Headers, Tune, Vararam
Made: 323 rwhp
Same as above and added small cam, underdrive pulley
Made 350 rwhp
Same as above and added LS6 Intake:
Made 363 rwhp
Now just need to add some better heads
98 A-4
3.42 gears, 3200 stall, Headers, Tune, Vararam
Made: 323 rwhp
Same as above and added small cam, underdrive pulley
Made 350 rwhp
Same as above and added LS6 Intake:
Made 363 rwhp
Now just need to add some better heads
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceburg IN
Sound like like great advice from all as always. Thanks for the vararam input, thats the only part I figure I may have trouble with. Right now I'm trying to get ahold of tracy Scott, he does LS! work with a dyno here in town so hopefully everything will go smoothly.