Bone stock A4 Performance questions
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
Bone stock A4 Performance questions
I've got a '01 A4 Coupe, 3.15 rear end, Z51 suspension, have only had it about four weeks. It's my first Corvette and I haven't driven very many others so I don't have much experience to compare it to. Just how wild should this car be? It's got a new set of Firestone run flats (long story). Engine runs VERY well as far as I can tell, new set of NGK plugs and new wires, idles with just a little loping, basically smooth (car has 54,000 miles). How easy should it be to spin the rear wheels? I haven't really tried hard yet, just trying to learn what I can and can't do. It's seems really hooked up, I have experienced a little wheel spin at a couple of lights but I am not trying to do a burnout or anything like that. I've managed a little rear slide around a particular onramp a couple of times (big grin there). Accelerating at speed (from say 65-90) is effortless, just short of scary. First gear is a complete rush! It sure feels like it could do the rated top speed without any trouble. What level of general performance do you get from a stock car? I guess the only way to verify the engine power would be a dyno run yes?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
I agree with the above. Your car should run low 13s under good conditions. My car had 3.15 gears when it was stock and I could not spin my tires unless I power braked it to bring up the RPM.
A dyno run can be useful. A bone stock 01 A4 should pull about 290-300 RWHP. However the best way to tell where your car stacks up is take it to the track and see what times it will run.
A dyno run can be useful. A bone stock 01 A4 should pull about 290-300 RWHP. However the best way to tell where your car stacks up is take it to the track and see what times it will run.
Last edited by Mitch C; Jun 17, 2005 at 11:49 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
Originally Posted by Rebloss
I've got a '01 A4 Coupe, 3.15 rear end, Z51 suspension, have only had it about four weeks. It's my first Corvette and I haven't driven very many others so I don't have much experience to compare it to. Just how wild should this car be? It's got a new set of Firestone run flats (long story). Engine runs VERY well as far as I can tell, new set of NGK plugs and new wires, idles with just a little loping, basically smooth (car has 54,000 miles). How easy should it be to spin the rear wheels? I haven't really tried hard yet, just trying to learn what I can and can't do. It's seems really hooked up, I have experienced a little wheel spin at a couple of lights but I am not trying to do a burnout or anything like that. I've managed a little rear slide around a particular onramp a couple of times (big grin there). Accelerating at speed (from say 65-90) is effortless, just short of scary. First gear is a complete rush! It sure feels like it could do the rated top speed without any trouble. What level of general performance do you get from a stock car? I guess the only way to verify the engine power would be a dyno run yes?
1/4 mile times will be low-mid 13's, you can spin the tires if you turn TC off or power braker it. You have better than stock tires which may contribute to your inability to spin the tires.
Chris
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 692
From: Pingree Grove IL
bone stock with 3.15 gears, I ran consistent 13.4s with one 13.33. I now have a halltech stinger intake and b&b bullet catback and run consistent 13.2s and have did a 13.1.
To answer your question about spinning tires, you have to power brake any stock a4 to light up the tires. I gaurantee you will take any mn6 vette from a stop. Just mash the peddle to the floor and hope the tires dont spin. If your looking to spin tires, get a converter, a yank ss3200 should do it for ya.
Joe
To answer your question about spinning tires, you have to power brake any stock a4 to light up the tires. I gaurantee you will take any mn6 vette from a stop. Just mash the peddle to the floor and hope the tires dont spin. If your looking to spin tires, get a converter, a yank ss3200 should do it for ya.
Joe
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1
From: Tempe Az
Originally Posted by Rebloss
I've got a '01 A4 Coupe, 3.15 rear end, Z51 suspension, have only had it about four weeks. It's my first Corvette and I haven't driven very many others so I don't have much experience to compare it to. Just how wild should this car be? It's got a new set of Firestone run flats (long story). Engine runs VERY well as far as I can tell, new set of NGK plugs and new wires, idles with just a little loping, basically smooth (car has 54,000 miles). How easy should it be to spin the rear wheels? I haven't really tried hard yet, just trying to learn what I can and can't do. It's seems really hooked up, I have experienced a little wheel spin at a couple of lights but I am not trying to do a burnout or anything like that. I've managed a little rear slide around a particular onramp a couple of times (big grin there). Accelerating at speed (from say 65-90) is effortless, just short of scary. First gear is a complete rush! It sure feels like it could do the rated top speed without any trouble. What level of general performance do you get from a stock car? I guess the only way to verify the engine power would be a dyno run yes?
Don't worry about it. My car is the exact same way. I couldn't roast them from a stop but the car ran 13.4 bone stock so i knew nothing was wrong.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,040
Likes: 0
From: Collin County Texas
Ditto on above comments. I got my 2002 A4 in mid winter when the air was cool (dense and more free HP). With 3.15 gears and run flats, I was running low 13's. I put on some Drag Radial's and with a very cold day in late February (upper 40's and high barometer), I ran a 12.78 @ 108.9.
So mid 13's out of the box on run flats is very good and par for the course.
So mid 13's out of the box on run flats is very good and par for the course.
Last edited by RWhite; Jun 17, 2005 at 12:01 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
My bone stock 97 ran its best of 13.3 @ 107MPH 1/4 mile...pretty nice if you aske me for stock...I have the 3:15 gears and Z51 as well...I have no problem roasting my run flats with no brake force what so ever...maybe its the type of tires you have...but if I do power brake it..then I just sit and spin! 
I have since put on a Haltech Stinger intake, B&B Stainless Shorty Headers and a Z06 cat back...sounds AMAZING now! I have yet to go back to the track after this install...but I am hoping to get into the 12's! We shall see...
If you are into modding...I would consider a few of the ones I did...the shorty headers are direct bolt on, good for 10-15HP and are SMOG legal. I will say that before I thought the car was scary fast...now its a friggin' animal!
I have since put on a Haltech Stinger intake, B&B Stainless Shorty Headers and a Z06 cat back...sounds AMAZING now! I have yet to go back to the track after this install...but I am hoping to get into the 12's! We shall see...
If you are into modding...I would consider a few of the ones I did...the shorty headers are direct bolt on, good for 10-15HP and are SMOG legal. I will say that before I thought the car was scary fast...now its a friggin' animal!
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,539
Likes: 3
From: South al
Originally Posted by byte_me
My bone stock 97 ran its best of 13.3 @ 107MPH 1/4 mile...pretty nice if you aske me for stock...I have the 3:15 gears and Z51 as well...I have no problem roasting my run flats with no brake force what so ever...maybe its the type of tires you have...but if I do power brake it..then I just sit and spin!
I have since put on a Haltech Stinger intake, B&B Stainless Shorty Headers and a Z06 cat back...sounds AMAZING now! I have yet to go back to the track after this install...but I am hoping to get into the 12's! We shall see...
If you are into modding...I would consider a few of the ones I did...the shorty headers are direct bolt on, good for 10-15HP and are SMOG legal. I will say that before I thought the car was scary fast...now its a friggin' animal!
I have since put on a Haltech Stinger intake, B&B Stainless Shorty Headers and a Z06 cat back...sounds AMAZING now! I have yet to go back to the track after this install...but I am hoping to get into the 12's! We shall see...
If you are into modding...I would consider a few of the ones I did...the shorty headers are direct bolt on, good for 10-15HP and are SMOG legal. I will say that before I thought the car was scary fast...now its a friggin' animal!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
Thanks everyone!
Thanks for the replys, just what I was looking for. Since it's so darn bloody hot (I live in Houston) right now, I'll have to wait until fall and some cool air so I can really see what she will do. I am not looking to race on a regular schedule or anything like that but I still want to know I am right up there with everyone else (and to be sure I don't have any issues, car under warranty for 2 years so I am covered). I had to drive our van in to work the other day (left the C5 for the misses and her friend to go to lunch, you know keeping the peace) and that van was so SLOW, jeezzz
I gotta start watchin' it
I gotta start watchin' it
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
When my 2002 had 3.15 gears , I could spin the rear tires from a dead stop by going into the "Competitive Driving" mode, and stomping on the accelerator immediately after taking my foot off the brake.
But, why do you want to do that? It may look cool and impress your friends, but during a race... spinning your tires makes you lose. 
How easy should it be to spin the rear wheels?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,950
Likes: 32
From: belleville n.j.
the first thing i did 5 years ago driving off the dealer lot with mine was to try to roast the tires. i was wrong and i was also disappointed since i even got the optional 3:15 gears. my first mod was an air intake system and that was the first time ever i was able to spin the tires off the line. now i cant even go down half way on the pedal before i start spinning 
and i was also disappointed since i even got the optional 3:15 gears. my first mod was an air intake system and that was the first time ever i was able to spin the tires off the line. now i cant even go down half way on the pedal before i start spinning
Last edited by robsvette; Jun 17, 2005 at 12:30 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Bone stock A4 with 3.15 gears will roast the tires below 50 degrees and low humidity. However,today in Dallas Tx it is 100 degrees and humid as hell. In a bone stock A4 today here in Dallas you would not even get a scratch. Thats right no wheelspin what so ever. None.. 0... zilch... notta.. nothing. Well maybe a little eerch. Maybe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Originally Posted by fsuforever
if you are gonna mod dont waste your money on shorty headers imo there gonna give you about 5 more rwhp if that , so go ahead & get a set of nice longtube headers & do it right the first time btw put a 3.42 gear & a 3200 stall & u can pop your tires from spinning them
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
Spinning tires
Yep, I know. It's not that I am looking to just spin the tires, I am just trying to get a feel for what the car is like so I am sure I don't have any engine/drivetrain issues and knowing what to expect in general.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 9
From: Avon Indiana
St. Jude Donor '09
I have a 99 vert A4 with 3.15 and an K&N filter i ran a 13.13 @ 106.28 in 55 deg air with a 2.00 sixty foot. I will tell u it feels like a pig off the line but who can argue with a 13.13 feom a convert with an A4
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,510
Likes: 240
From: Coconut Creek FL
Originally Posted by fsuforever
if you are gonna mod dont waste your money on shorty headers imo there gonna give you about 5 more rwhp if that , so go ahead & get a set of nice longtube headers & do it right the first time btw put a 3.42 gear & a 3200 stall & u can pop your tires from spinning them
Cheers!
Instructor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: "Second place is just the first loser" Edmond, Oklahoma
i agree with FSUFOREVER - the biggest change I felt after modding my old beater 98 coupe was going from 2.73 gears to 3.42 - the difference was incredible - next time, i'd go to 3.73 or BPPs 3.90. Since you've already got the 3.15 performance axle, you'd need to go to the 3.73 to feel an equal change. My gas mileage is still good and it will light up ANY type of tires I put on it and go sideways shifting into second (with TC off)........ the diff makes a big diff
My local performance shop swapped the diff for $300 + lubricants and gaskets - about $375 all told, and not only was I thrilled, I thought it was CHEAP......... I'm relatively good with tools, but wouldn't have done it for $1000...................enjoy your new car
craig
My local performance shop swapped the diff for $300 + lubricants and gaskets - about $375 all told, and not only was I thrilled, I thought it was CHEAP......... I'm relatively good with tools, but wouldn't have done it for $1000...................enjoy your new car
craig
