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Considering the following mods - Thoughts

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Old Jan 3, 2008 | 12:44 AM
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Default Considering the following mods - Thoughts

Hi all,

I am considering the following mods to my 98 Vert with an A4 (G92)...I don't race (unless provoked while running around town), but am certainly looking to boost the performance a bit without breaking the bank.
1. LS6 Intake Manifold
2. Larger Throttle Body (80mm)?
3. Z06 TI Exhaust
4. Halltech Stinger CAI
5. Go to a good Tune Shop (Carolina Auto Masters) to put it all together

I also have a few questions regarding the above:
1. Can I expect a significant increase in HP from each/any of the above?
2. Will any of the above require any "hidden" mods/costs or are these pretty straight forward?
3. Is there anything else that I should consider? (Nothing too complicated/costly)
4. Is it OK to do each of these mods over the course of the next several weeks, or should I do them all at one time?

Thanks guys!
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Old Jan 3, 2008 | 08:18 AM
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if your running the original air filter just about any after market filter will be an improvment - however,most of the high end ones aren't worth the price - you can pick something like a daul cone filter CAI on one of the auction sites for like $60. The LS6, in my opinion, would be a waste of $, ditto for the Z06 catbacks unless you're looking for a slightly different sound. A good tune is always a good idea - even on a stock car - but ,again, with your limited mods don't expect too much SOTP feel.
Best thing you could do is the change out you rear end gears. A set of gears will give you the most bang for the buck. Put in a set of 342's and you'll feel like you picked up 75rwhp - the difference over a 273 is like night and day.

Last edited by 99 vett babycar; Jan 6, 2008 at 07:53 PM.
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Old Jan 3, 2008 | 09:04 AM
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IF thats all your planning on doing I would not go for a "dyno" tune, you will not see much increase inperformance in return for the cost. CAI is a good idea. There is potential for improved performance with the LS6 intake and larger throttle body, BUT without headers and maybe a larger cam you will not be taking full advantage of either.

I agree with 98 vett babycar; if all you want is SOTP as set of gears and a simple tune is the way to go.
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Old Jan 3, 2008 | 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by LDB C5
A set of gears and a simple tune is the way to go.
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Old Jan 3, 2008 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by 99 vett babycar
if your running the original air filter just about any after markey filter will be an improvment - however,most of the high end ones aren't worth the price - you can pick something like a daul cone filter CAI on one of the auction sites for like $60. The LS6, in my opinion, would be a waste of $, ditto for the Z06 catbacks unless you're looking for a slightly different sound. A good tune is always a good idea - even on a stock car - but ,again, with your limited mods don't expect too much SOTP feel.
Best thing you could do is the change out you rear end gears. A set of gears will give you the most bang for the buck. Put in a set of 342's and you'll feel like you picked up 75rwhp - the difference over a 273 is like night and day.
While I do agree with the gear change, I think you would be hard pressed to find many guys to agree that an LS6 intake is a "waste of money" ( except for those that popped for the overpriced FAST ). Don't expect a performance gain from the catback, just a change in sound. I don't think you'll see to much from a larger TB either. I don't think these modest mods justify the cost of a tune.

You don't have to buy a cheapy air intake either. In fact, you can get some great deals on used quality parts and have a nice winter project.

Hidden costs: intake gasket set and ls6 coolant plug kit, and you might as well change the fuel filter while you have the cat back off.
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Old Jan 3, 2008 | 09:22 AM
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I wouldn't bother with an intake manifold upgrade without first installing some long tube headers.
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Old Jan 3, 2008 | 09:57 AM
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Thanks for all of this excellent feedback! I do plan on installing Headers, but I want to get my wife used to the modified sound of the Ti exhaust before I take the next step. I really like the idea of 342 rear end...but I already have the 315...is there still a night and day difference? If so, I may go this route! Eventually, I'll get there, but I'd like to make progress in the most logical manner and y'alls feedback is very helpful!
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Old Jan 3, 2008 | 10:37 AM
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Originally Posted by 98CarolinaVette
Thanks for all of this excellent feedback! I do plan on installing Headers, but I want to get my wife used to the modified sound of the Ti exhaust before I take the next step. I really like the idea of 342 rear end...but I already have the 315...is there still a night and day difference? If so, I may go this route! Eventually, I'll get there, but I'd like to make progress in the most logical manner and y'alls feedback is very helpful!
If you already have the 3.15 rear, 3.42s won't make much of difference in your performance, IMHO.
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Old Jan 4, 2008 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by 98CarolinaVette
Hi all,
I am considering the following mods to my 98 Vert with an A4 (G92)...I don't race (unless provoked while running around town), but am certainly looking to boost the performance a bit without breaking the bank.
1. LS6 Intake Manifold
2. Larger Throttle Body (80mm)?
3. Z06 TI Exhaust
4. Halltech Stinger CAI
5. Go to a good Tune Shop (Carolina Auto Masters) to put it all together IThanks guys!
I would do everything except I would skip the Z06 exhaust and get a Corsa Pace Car exhaust. A while back my car had an LS6 manifold, a ported stock TB, Corsa Pace exhaust, a blackwing, a 3.42 Z06 rear, a custom tune and it ran 12.9's at the track. All of those little pieces can add up to a big gain. Just make sure you get a decent tune by someone who also knows how to make the A4 work for you by having it shift properly when cruising around, at WOT and everywhere in between.

INTHERED
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Old Jan 4, 2008 | 05:48 PM
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Did everybody forget about his torque converter....if you already have 3.15 gears get yourself a decent converter like a 3000 or 3500 tci ssf
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Old Jan 4, 2008 | 06:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Robls6
I wouldn't bother with an intake manifold upgrade without first installing some long tube headers.
and a cam would be nice
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Old Jan 5, 2008 | 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by c5mtl
Did everybody forget about his torque converter....if you already have 3.15 gears get yourself a decent converter like a 3000 or 3500 tci ssf

A 2800 would be good if you are looking for something more modest for the street, but the above is good advice
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Old Jan 6, 2008 | 03:23 AM
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Originally Posted by 98CarolinaVette
Hi all,

I am considering the following mods to my 98 Vert with an A4 (G92)...I don't race (unless provoked while running around town), but am certainly looking to boost the performance a bit without breaking the bank.
1. LS6 Intake Manifold Without heads/cam, power adder or maybe just LTs, don't expect much of an improvement in hp vs $/labor
2. Larger Throttle Body (80mm)? Without the above, the stocker all you'll need. You could port/polish the stocker, search "Shaner S2")
3. Z06 TI Exhaust (Good for weight savings, also good if you want a slightly louder exhaust, but not that loud. Search "A&A mod" if you want these to be meaner sounding...also can be done to stock exhaust
4. Halltech Stinger CAI (Good intake, expensive though)
5. Go to a good Tune Shop (Carolina Auto Masters) to put it all together Highly recommend a tune since you have an A4, they can make some nice adjustments to your tranny as well as scrape up a few extra ponies.

I also have a few questions regarding the above:
1. Can I expect a significant increase in HP from each/any of the above? What is significant? 20+? Then no
2. Will any of the above require any "hidden" mods/costs or are these pretty straight forward? LS6 intake also requires coolant lines. Not expensive but it is an added cost
3. Is there anything else that I should consider? (Nothing too complicated/costly) Look into a rear end GEAR swap. Find a used 3.42 rear diff to swap into your A4. SIGNIFICANT increase in performance, but your HP will be the same. I'm sure the A4 guys will have good info on torque converters
4. Is it OK to do each of these mods over the course of the next several weeks, or should I do them all at one time?Of the mods you mentioned, they can be done all seperately. IMO, a tune should always be last. But of the mods you mentioned, a tune is not required.

Thanks guys!

Last edited by DefenderC5; Jan 6, 2008 at 03:26 AM.
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Old Jan 6, 2008 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 98CarolinaVette
Thanks for all of this excellent feedback! I do plan on installing Headers, but I want to get my wife used to the modified sound of the Ti exhaust before I take the next step. I really like the idea of 342 rear end...but I already have the 315...is there still a night and day difference? If so, I may go this route! Eventually, I'll get there, but I'd like to make progress in the most logical manner and y'alls feedback is very helpful!
I have a 2000 A4 That I've modded over the last year, and I've done a lot of what you listed above. My opinion from my actual hands-on experience: LS6manifold swap ...I bought used for $300 shipped from the forum (you need different coolant blocks and tubes for under the manifold from a 2001+...not too expensive), Z06 Exhaust + Z06 non-pup cat H-pipe watch for good deals in for sale section..., 3.42 but, the original 3.15 had the leaky drivers side seal issue so I bought a Z06 3.42 unit ...not a big change over the 3.15 but I did notice improvement, Blackwing + cutout the front plastic foglight shrouds for cooler air (Z06 has this area open behind the screens), Tune ... I did my own in which I also firmed up the transmission shifts which really change the fun factor This made for a great overall improvement. I have also just recently installed a Comp Cam grind which when I degreed it in came out to 214/218 int/exh duration on a 114 LSA with a 112 ICL. This cam works awesome and still idles like stock I haven't made it to a dyno yet, but I expect some decent HP numbers.......

Good luck on your power quest
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