"Need Help Getting Better Perf from A4"
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
"Need Help Getting Better Perf from A4"
I am new to corvettes and I want to get better responsiveness out of my car. It is an 03 conv with A4. I can't get my car to burn rubber taking off form stop signs and this needs to change. Does anyone have any suggestions on MODS that will improve the performace and HP on my car. The goal is to increase responsiveness and get the car to perform more like a standard trans car. At this point I wish I had bougtht a car with standard trans or a ZO6.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Randy
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Randy
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 22
From: Bella Vista Ca
Get a programer that will turn off the Torque Management.... The reason you can't burn of the tires is the computer is not letting all the pedal input got to the engine at low RPM. GM does this for longevity if the A4, less torque down low makes longer tranny life.
I used the Predator to do this awhile back. All of the hand held programers should do this for you. I really brought the car to life.
If you want to spend more go with 3.42 gears and a higher stall torque converter. With this set up you can leave all the rubber you want
I used the Predator to do this awhile back. All of the hand held programers should do this for you. I really brought the car to life.
If you want to spend more go with 3.42 gears and a higher stall torque converter. With this set up you can leave all the rubber you want
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
Likes: 26
From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Originally Posted by rjung
The goal is to increase responsiveness and get the car to perform more like a standard trans car. At this point I wish I had bougtht a car with standard trans or a ZO6.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Randy
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Randy
I dont htink you can get as responsive as an MN6. Think about it, theres no power drawn at all from the motor to make the gears move. Get a stick man! your truly missing out!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
I have read about guys adding 3.73 gears and a 3000+ stall TC. Is this over kill for a street car?
I had my car tuned and I'm assuming he did not turn off the TC contol. When the car was tuned it delivered 310RWHP with the Blackwing cold air intake and Corsa catback system. How does this sound it seems low to me.
I had my car tuned and I'm assuming he did not turn off the TC contol. When the car was tuned it delivered 310RWHP with the Blackwing cold air intake and Corsa catback system. How does this sound it seems low to me.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 790
Likes: 7
From: Denton TX
Originally Posted by rjung
I have read about guys adding 3.73 gears and a 3000+ stall TC. Is this over kill for a street car?
I had my car tuned and I'm assuming he did not turn off the TC contol. When the car was tuned it delivered 310RWHP with the Blackwing cold air intake and Corsa catback system. How does this sound it seems low to me.
I had my car tuned and I'm assuming he did not turn off the TC contol. When the car was tuned it delivered 310RWHP with the Blackwing cold air intake and Corsa catback system. How does this sound it seems low to me.
One more thing. Those who tell you an A4 can't shift as crisply as a M6 are right if you are talking about a stock unit. However, an A4 properly built by a performance shop is an impressive device that must be matched to the proper gears and converter. It makes a great drag racing combination. The M6 on the other hand has an advantage when road racing because it has 4 close ratio gears plus two overdrive gears. Because of the .5 overdrive in 6th gear many people put 4.10 gears in their M6. That is not pratical with an A4 or even the new 6L80-e.
The bottom line is this, if you like to drag race you have the right transmission. If you want to road race you don't. Since you want to spin the tires from a standing start my guess is you lean toward drag racing.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Ok
Originally Posted by rjung
I am new to corvettes and I want to get better responsiveness out of my car. It is an 03 conv with A4. I can't get my car to burn rubber taking off form stop signs and this needs to change. Does anyone have any suggestions on MODS that will improve the performace and HP on my car. The goal is to increase responsiveness and get the car to perform more like a standard trans car. At this point I wish I had bougtht a car with standard trans or a ZO6.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Randy
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Randy
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Brookfield WI
How much performance are you looking for and how much do you want to spend?
My '04 A4 will do 4.18 0-60 mph (see http://www.comp-soln.com/Chips_C5-lowres.mov for demonstration). That took gears (I went from 3.15 to 3.42), LT headers, cam & related items, better air intake, tune, etc.) and probably cost $7K or so. There are a lot of different ways to spend money, but in the end that's what it will take to really get the type of performance that you sound like you want. Maybe start with a tune and have torque management turned off and go from there.
My '04 A4 will do 4.18 0-60 mph (see http://www.comp-soln.com/Chips_C5-lowres.mov for demonstration). That took gears (I went from 3.15 to 3.42), LT headers, cam & related items, better air intake, tune, etc.) and probably cost $7K or so. There are a lot of different ways to spend money, but in the end that's what it will take to really get the type of performance that you sound like you want. Maybe start with a tune and have torque management turned off and go from there.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,847
Likes: 1
From: Iowa
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by rjung
I am new to corvettes and I want to get better responsiveness out of my car. It is an 03 conv with A4. I can't get my car to burn rubber taking off form stop signs and this needs to change. Does anyone have any suggestions on MODS that will improve the performace and HP on my car. The goal is to increase responsiveness and get the car to perform more like a standard trans car. At this point I wish I had bougtht a car with standard trans or a ZO6.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Randy
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Randy
Now the car will absolutely fry the tires down to the rims if you wish from a standing start.....and will break loose downshifting at 40 mph if you wish.....and will outshift any stick I know of.....and will still give me 28-30 mpg at 70 mph on the boulevard.
You might want to give that some consideration.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
I like A4's better than sticks!
Originally Posted by rjung
I am new to corvettes and I want to get better responsiveness out of my car. It is an 03 conv with A4. I can't get my car to burn rubber taking off form stop signs and this needs to change. Does anyone have any suggestions on MODS that will improve the performace and HP on my car. The goal is to increase responsiveness and get the car to perform more like a standard trans car. At this point I wish I had bougtht a car with standard trans or a ZO6.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Randy
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Randy
Hey Randy....Maybe I can help... I build 1 C5 automatic every two weeks....sometimes more....Sure they suck in stock trim....But...Remove the PCM and mail it to me and You will have a really fun car for only afew bucks....even if you do no other mods.
If you wanna get more out of it after the computer tune, I ALWAYS use the VARARAM...Borla Stingers w/x-pipe, PRO TORQUE 24-2700 converter with cooler....and I use 3.90's in the rear end...ALWAYS...They are perfect for a street car....Your automatic will blow away C5 ZO6's all day long.....AND you'll be glad you bought an automatic.....
Guys come to me all the time sayin..."I shoulda got a stick"....And when they leave my shop.....they are glad they didn't...
That 4L60E is an awesome trans for a hot street car....Don't sell it short....
Call me if you need and advice or tuning.....
Chuck CoW
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Thanks for the help
It sounds like the A4 is not the problem I just need to find someone to help me understand the car and its capabilities.
If anyone has any contacts or are actually working with a tuner in or around St Louis Mo. I would appreciate there name and number.
After reading everyones input I am glad I made the decision I did. I can't wait to get some modifications done.
Everyone thanks for the help.
If anyone has any contacts or are actually working with a tuner in or around St Louis Mo. I would appreciate there name and number.
After reading everyones input I am glad I made the decision I did. I can't wait to get some modifications done.
Everyone thanks for the help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,506
Likes: 5
From: West Michigan crew Mich
CI 7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08 & '12
Originally Posted by rjung
I have read about guys adding 3.73 gears and a 3000+ stall TC. Is this over kill for a street car?
I had my car tuned and I'm assuming he did not turn off the TC contol. When the car was tuned it delivered 310RWHP with the Blackwing cold air intake and Corsa catback system. How does this sound it seems low to me.
I had my car tuned and I'm assuming he did not turn off the TC contol. When the car was tuned it delivered 310RWHP with the Blackwing cold air intake and Corsa catback system. How does this sound it seems low to me.