Mod Advice
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 100
Likes: 12
From: Baltimore Maryland
Mod Advice
Admitted noob, here.
I'm looking for any feedback on my initial mods. I have a 01 C5 A4 that I'm trying to "wake up". I only use it on the weekends driving it back and forth from the beach (Nice 2.5 hr hwy trip each way). I don't want to mess with the emissions or mileage too much and don't want to do anything that would result in shortening the engines life (only has 39k miles now). That being said, I want to give it some more attitude. It came with what I believe are the Corsa sport cat-backs. My intent is to have the following installed by a local shop in the area.
Headers/converter/xpipe
all plugs and wires associated replaced
heat shields/plates
new O2 sensor
Callaway Honker CAI
Should I be tackling any other mods while I'm having this done? Remember it's just a weekend rocket. I'd like to tackle the cam after this go round.
Also, the shop said I should expect a 25% increase in noise from these mods? Is that accurate? Right now it has a nice growl, doesn't drone on at all but definitely starts singing at 70-75mph.
Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I'm looking for any feedback on my initial mods. I have a 01 C5 A4 that I'm trying to "wake up". I only use it on the weekends driving it back and forth from the beach (Nice 2.5 hr hwy trip each way). I don't want to mess with the emissions or mileage too much and don't want to do anything that would result in shortening the engines life (only has 39k miles now). That being said, I want to give it some more attitude. It came with what I believe are the Corsa sport cat-backs. My intent is to have the following installed by a local shop in the area.
Headers/converter/xpipe
all plugs and wires associated replaced
heat shields/plates
new O2 sensor
Callaway Honker CAI
Should I be tackling any other mods while I'm having this done? Remember it's just a weekend rocket. I'd like to tackle the cam after this go round.
Also, the shop said I should expect a 25% increase in noise from these mods? Is that accurate? Right now it has a nice growl, doesn't drone on at all but definitely starts singing at 70-75mph.
Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
If you go with a corsa exhaust, you will not have any drone whatsoever, even with headers.
Headers will definitely increase the sound at full throttle, and you will likely notice a bit more valvetrain noise due to the thinner metal, I know I do.
I'm guessing by converter you mean catalytic converter, not torque converter. If you mean that you plan on putting in a higher stall converter then I would also look into a transmission cooler.
Many people opt to put in a thicker, stiffer tunnel brace to stiffen up the chassis and reduce the heat entering the car from the tunnel area while they have the exhaust off.
Headers will definitely increase the sound at full throttle, and you will likely notice a bit more valvetrain noise due to the thinner metal, I know I do.
I'm guessing by converter you mean catalytic converter, not torque converter. If you mean that you plan on putting in a higher stall converter then I would also look into a transmission cooler.
Many people opt to put in a thicker, stiffer tunnel brace to stiffen up the chassis and reduce the heat entering the car from the tunnel area while they have the exhaust off.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,893
Likes: 295
From: Buffalo NY
In all honesty "breathing modss" (headers, exhaust, intake, etc) along with a solid tune on your A4 will really wake up the car. I would wait on the cam until you tackle all the low hanging fruit. After you get used to the above mentioned modifications, think about upgrading the diff with more aggressive gears. 3.42 is a commonly available ratio that will wake things up even more.
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Go in stages, but it would be best if you have a long term goal in mind when you start modding.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,398
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From: jefferson texas
If you just want to "wake up" your ride, what you detailed, along with a rear end in the mid to high 3's, combined with a good tune from a recommended tuner who knows what he's doing with a puter and a dyno should get you around 400 horses. Good luck!
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 100
Likes: 12
From: Baltimore Maryland
Thanks everybody. I should've included the shop is giving me a tune. They have a dyno in house. They'll provide me before and after readings too. So, I got that covered.
I just wanted to make make sure I was nailing down as much as I could with my first wave. I agree, I'll get used to this wave of mods and go from there.
I updated the sound system with the help of Dennis from Double D and the next place I was going other than the mods from my original OP was updating the head lights and fogs. God, they're terrible. I usually don't drive it at night anyways and the upgrades I want from Radio Flyer are back ordered. They do have some new low rise head lights that look cool, I just don't want to be a guinea pig. I'll let them get the kinks out.
Thanks again. Feedback is appreciated!
I just wanted to make make sure I was nailing down as much as I could with my first wave. I agree, I'll get used to this wave of mods and go from there.
I updated the sound system with the help of Dennis from Double D and the next place I was going other than the mods from my original OP was updating the head lights and fogs. God, they're terrible. I usually don't drive it at night anyways and the upgrades I want from Radio Flyer are back ordered. They do have some new low rise head lights that look cool, I just don't want to be a guinea pig. I'll let them get the kinks out.
Thanks again. Feedback is appreciated!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 100
Likes: 12
From: Baltimore Maryland
Oh, I know. That's why I bought it. I want to drive it whenever I can. It's made driving fun again. I honestly forgot how fun driving was. Don't get me wrong the car is fine how it is...but it is MINE and I want to put my stink all over it. 😉
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: East Metro (Twin Cities) Minnesota
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Its headers, not chopping it to pieces. Headers. Can be returned to 100% stock in an hour. Headers. Can be returned to stock without a single shred of evidence that it was ever modded. Headers.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
I can sort of see why some buyers steer clear from certain mods. Bolt-on's are easily reversible and therefore shouldn't be much of a concern. There are those buyers who don't know a lot about mechanics or what mods are beneficial. Some mods tend to have trade-off's sacrificing reliability or drivability. Who knows the skill level and budget of the installer.
There are a lot of people that look for instant gratification when it comes to performance mods. They will often overlook tedious details that make up a well designed machine. For example, a lot of people will say that certain small mods aren't worth it because they only add 2-5% more performance. These can add up quick to good reliable performance. Instead folks will just go for the juggler, throwing in the biggest cam, converter and lowest gears. Though that will get you good ET's it can adversely effect the way the car drives.
You can go more mild and achieve the same results through efficiency but it is tedious.
There are a lot of people that look for instant gratification when it comes to performance mods. They will often overlook tedious details that make up a well designed machine. For example, a lot of people will say that certain small mods aren't worth it because they only add 2-5% more performance. These can add up quick to good reliable performance. Instead folks will just go for the juggler, throwing in the biggest cam, converter and lowest gears. Though that will get you good ET's it can adversely effect the way the car drives.
You can go more mild and achieve the same results through efficiency but it is tedious.
Last edited by Rob 02; Jul 7, 2017 at 02:41 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 935
Likes: 103
If your looking to maintain value then yes I would agree keep it stock within reason. I had considered fairly stealth mods for my car like Z06 airbox, tune, ported TB with LS6 manifolds, cat deletes and 4.10 gears. But at the end of the day that's not the route I chose.
Racer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 256
Likes: 12
From: Everett WA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 100
Likes: 12
From: Baltimore Maryland
I don't track it. Literally only drive it on the weekends to the beach. A4 is double edge sword, the wife doesn't know how to drive manual and the other side is traffic can suck here...often...and even more so on the way to the beach when in season. So it made sense for me to go with the A4.